#40 We just watched this on Netflix streaming: District B13

The Film: District B13

One of the better stunts ever performed by a film's lead actor.

I thought that District B13 was actually called “District 13″, but mistaken as “B13″? On Netflix, as I see it right now, it is listed as “B13″. But regardless of that brain diarrhea, let’s talk Distrcti B13. In my opinion, (check the dictionary fanboys, the word exists) B13 is by far Luc Besson’s best movie.

It is a kind of a masterpiece. Why do I champion Luc Besson so much? Easy, because his movies are fucking awesome and, best of all, short. Yes, Besson didn’t director this movie, but he’s got his little fingers in dozens of great action movies from the past decade.

B13 is a simple story of rebellion in a post-apocalyptic France. The two main characters are trying to fight corruption and the leveling of their section of the city. Despite your Francophobia, French ghettos are really fucking dangerous. See the great French film Hate (La Haine) for further information.

Why to watch it: The parkour (obviously)

Has another movie ever been such a vehicle for showcasing parkour outside of a documentary. The lead actor, David Belle, helped invent the sport/art/skill. Parkour is the art of having spatial awareness and running through space – I think.

Parkour is cool. Any kid loves it and B13 contains some of the best sequences ever put on camera. This includes Belle jumping building to building with no assistance, Jackie Chan-style. Belle would go on to be a consultant on the dismal Prince of Persia and his partner in creating Parkour, Sebastien Foucan, appears as Mollaka in the beginning (and best) sequence of Casino Royale.

Why can't the bamf be in more movies?

Pay attention to this: The difference between French action movies and American action movies

I’m not saying one is better than the other, I’m saying they’re different. America’s style is that of cutting forty times during a single punch. The French love choreographed fights and real-time special effects (my favorite). While Hong Kong loves wired-up, flying, crazy shit. The French stuntman and lead actor, Cyril Raffaelli, steals the show, showing Americans and the Asians how a real action star fights. The only guy I might enjoy more is Tony Jaa and last time I checked he was a monk. Unless things have changed?

-Collin