| The New York Optimist |
“The Last Dragon”
Sitting here in the middle of my studio with Taimak Guarriello star of The
Motown blockbuster film by Berry Gordy, The Last Dragon I begin to get a
deeper understanding of what it would take to achieve the Golden Glow Bruce
Leroy finds at the end of the movie to save the damsel in distress and defeat the
bad the guy in the knick of time!
Taimak Guarriello now 44 years old looks almost exactly as he did when he
starred in the film at 19 years old.
The Last Dragon a cult classic that swept through the universe some 20 odd
years ago
was produced by Rupert Hitzig
(famous for movies like The Squeeze and a string of made for television movies
and shows including the Johnathan Winters TV special ) and directed by
Michael Schultz, (Car Wash , Jaws III in 3D and a long list of others) the film
tells the story of Leroy Green “Bruce Leroy’ a teenager from New York, Harlem
to be specific and his journey to finding the “Golden Glow” a power achieved by
the pure of heart and soul and along the ride he faces self doubt and insane
villains like any good action comic book story to find at the end of the film The
Golden Glow was within him the whole time.
Berry Gordy founder of Motown was executive producer of this one hit wonder
that still till this day is hitting harder than ever.
Samuel Jackson who is slated to star in the remake of the cult classic in the role
of Sho Nuff the Sho Gun of Harlem is scheduled to start production soon and
Motown’s fiftieth anniversary is coming up
Berry Gordy a genius with the golden touch for finding and building superstars in
the entertainment business and has produced some of the biggest names and
talents including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross among so
many others. As a movie producer Gordy would once again prove that he could
make great films as well as albums with real mass appeal and staying power like
Mahogany with Diana Ross, and the Wiz with Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow.
All four movies have the kind of ingredients in a film that keep audiences in their
seats during the movie and when it was over begging for more.
Of Course the Last Dragon his last film would be one of the biggest blockbusters
he would make grossing over 30 million dollars when it was released and
continues to Air on television and cable channels all over the world, including all
other merchandising components it’s the type of film that will probably never die
and continue to be a money maker based on the message of the story which in
my interpretation is the golden glow is inside all of us we are born with it in one
form or another and when it appears if only momentarily we need to recognize it
and never forget its there. The classic story of good triumphing over evil well I
had the opportunity to interview “Taimak” and ask him these questions:
Motown blockbuster film by Berry Gordy, The Last Dragon I begin to get a
deeper understanding of what it would take to achieve the Golden Glow Bruce
Leroy finds at the end of the movie to save the damsel in distress and defeat the
bad the guy in the knick of time!
Taimak Guarriello now 44 years old looks almost exactly as he did when he
starred in the film at 19 years old.
The Last Dragon a cult classic that swept through the universe some 20 odd
years ago
was produced by Rupert Hitzig
(famous for movies like The Squeeze and a string of made for television movies
and shows including the Johnathan Winters TV special ) and directed by
Michael Schultz, (Car Wash , Jaws III in 3D and a long list of others) the film
tells the story of Leroy Green “Bruce Leroy’ a teenager from New York, Harlem
to be specific and his journey to finding the “Golden Glow” a power achieved by
the pure of heart and soul and along the ride he faces self doubt and insane
villains like any good action comic book story to find at the end of the film The
Golden Glow was within him the whole time.
Berry Gordy founder of Motown was executive producer of this one hit wonder
that still till this day is hitting harder than ever.
Samuel Jackson who is slated to star in the remake of the cult classic in the role
of Sho Nuff the Sho Gun of Harlem is scheduled to start production soon and
Motown’s fiftieth anniversary is coming up
Berry Gordy a genius with the golden touch for finding and building superstars in
the entertainment business and has produced some of the biggest names and
talents including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross among so
many others. As a movie producer Gordy would once again prove that he could
make great films as well as albums with real mass appeal and staying power like
Mahogany with Diana Ross, and the Wiz with Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow.
All four movies have the kind of ingredients in a film that keep audiences in their
seats during the movie and when it was over begging for more.
Of Course the Last Dragon his last film would be one of the biggest blockbusters
he would make grossing over 30 million dollars when it was released and
continues to Air on television and cable channels all over the world, including all
other merchandising components it’s the type of film that will probably never die
and continue to be a money maker based on the message of the story which in
my interpretation is the golden glow is inside all of us we are born with it in one
form or another and when it appears if only momentarily we need to recognize it
and never forget its there. The classic story of good triumphing over evil well I
had the opportunity to interview “Taimak” and ask him these questions:
TNYO: Taimak Guarriello, that's an interesting last name tell me a little bit about your name and background.
Taimak: My name is Neapolitan, my father’s from Naples. I like the name but to tell you the truth I wish it wasn’t so long, no offense dad.
My first name means “Striking Eagle”…my father had a soft spot in his heart for Teimoc Johnson a kid he cared for in his neighborhood when he was young.
He named me after him, Teimoc became a Judo master.
My father couldn’t remember the spelling of the name so he spelled it “Taimak”.
A lot of problems when you grow up with such a unique name…Taimak, “takes a lickin still keeps tickin”...
TNYO: Talk about great shape and human form, man what have you been doing to look the way you look and what advice can you give our readers to help us
look and feel the way you do
Taimak: No drugs or alcohol, eat as healthy as possible, exercise, find a good holistic health practitioner, empty your mind of stress daily, keep your cup half
filled and get some sunshine.
TNYO: When I was a boy of about 5 years old my first best friend Ivan would take me to his father’s stationary store on Queens Boulevard it was a literal
bubble gum paradise with all the best magazines and comic books any kid would love. This was my first introduction to Bruce Lee I found him on the cover of a
magazine striking a martial arts pose and fell in love immediately. I wanted to be him and throughout my entire life he has served as a mentor and image that I
would always try to emulate.
In the film The Last Dragon you play a character named Bruce Leroy
Tell me when were you first introduced to Bruce Lee and how has he affected your life.
Taimak: Well my first lesson in the martial arts came from master Gerald Orange, he was a friend of my fathers, but when I was about 9 or 10 years old I saw
a commercial on TV and it was promoting Bruce Lee’s film “Fist of Fury”…His energy was so captivating I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen, the rest is
history.
I became N.Y. state kickboxing champion at 18 years old and have been training in the martial arts ever since. I not only recognized his brilliant fighting style
but his mind also interested me.
TNYO: Knowing you as a friend I feel lucky in many ways you are almost always optimistic alive with energy and representing the better quality's that life
should be about you are honest and truly care for people.I can count on you as a friend and I wonder has the golden glow you have achieved in the film lasted
throughout your whole life and also wonder are there times when you are Pessimistic.
If Mother Theresa can be pessimistic you know I can its part of life…but I’ve learned to keep hold of my vision. I think when one loses track of what their
vision is or doesn’t have one, it can be hard to keep “The Glow ;-)”
TNYO: It’s been sometime since The Last Dragon was released I believe you were 19 years old
Rumor has it that Hollywood and the film business in general is a dark shady world did that have
any effect on you over the past years and is it any reason we were not able to see you in any other blockbusters
Taimak: Hollywood is much like a huge H.S. a lot of clicks, ego’s and stars…
There’s an old saying…what don’t kill me only makes me stronger…I’m not dead. ha ha
TNYO: What are your plans for the future
Taimak: I’m going to keep open to anything that comes my way and look for roles that are intelligent and hopefully have some magic about them…I’m getting
a distributor for my fitness DVD and looking to share my knowledge in the area of health and fitness to people that need it and boy do they.
TNYO: How important are the words god and family to you.
Taimak: There aren’t any words more important to me then God and Family, c’mon I’m black and Italian..LOL
TNYO: What about the words greed guilt jealousy hatred pain and happiness
Taimak: How did you fit all those emotions in one question…LOL
TNYO: The world knows that you are The Last Dragon in the very essence of the words
Is there anything you would like to tell your fans about the remake of the film?
and anything you would like to mention about the film in general
Taimak: I’m very excited about the possibilities and you should be too;)
TNYO: Can you recommend a good song for our readers to groove on
Taimak: An oldie but goodie from Seal “Kiss from a Rose”
Thank you Taimak !
A follow up interview may be in the works,
so watch out for it in the next editions of www.thenewyorkoptimist.com
Yours truly,
John Sebastian
Publisher
www.thenewyorkoptimist.com
Taimak: My name is Neapolitan, my father’s from Naples. I like the name but to tell you the truth I wish it wasn’t so long, no offense dad.
My first name means “Striking Eagle”…my father had a soft spot in his heart for Teimoc Johnson a kid he cared for in his neighborhood when he was young.
He named me after him, Teimoc became a Judo master.
My father couldn’t remember the spelling of the name so he spelled it “Taimak”.
A lot of problems when you grow up with such a unique name…Taimak, “takes a lickin still keeps tickin”...
TNYO: Talk about great shape and human form, man what have you been doing to look the way you look and what advice can you give our readers to help us
look and feel the way you do
Taimak: No drugs or alcohol, eat as healthy as possible, exercise, find a good holistic health practitioner, empty your mind of stress daily, keep your cup half
filled and get some sunshine.
TNYO: When I was a boy of about 5 years old my first best friend Ivan would take me to his father’s stationary store on Queens Boulevard it was a literal
bubble gum paradise with all the best magazines and comic books any kid would love. This was my first introduction to Bruce Lee I found him on the cover of a
magazine striking a martial arts pose and fell in love immediately. I wanted to be him and throughout my entire life he has served as a mentor and image that I
would always try to emulate.
In the film The Last Dragon you play a character named Bruce Leroy
Tell me when were you first introduced to Bruce Lee and how has he affected your life.
Taimak: Well my first lesson in the martial arts came from master Gerald Orange, he was a friend of my fathers, but when I was about 9 or 10 years old I saw
a commercial on TV and it was promoting Bruce Lee’s film “Fist of Fury”…His energy was so captivating I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen, the rest is
history.
I became N.Y. state kickboxing champion at 18 years old and have been training in the martial arts ever since. I not only recognized his brilliant fighting style
but his mind also interested me.
TNYO: Knowing you as a friend I feel lucky in many ways you are almost always optimistic alive with energy and representing the better quality's that life
should be about you are honest and truly care for people.I can count on you as a friend and I wonder has the golden glow you have achieved in the film lasted
throughout your whole life and also wonder are there times when you are Pessimistic.
If Mother Theresa can be pessimistic you know I can its part of life…but I’ve learned to keep hold of my vision. I think when one loses track of what their
vision is or doesn’t have one, it can be hard to keep “The Glow ;-)”
TNYO: It’s been sometime since The Last Dragon was released I believe you were 19 years old
Rumor has it that Hollywood and the film business in general is a dark shady world did that have
any effect on you over the past years and is it any reason we were not able to see you in any other blockbusters
Taimak: Hollywood is much like a huge H.S. a lot of clicks, ego’s and stars…
There’s an old saying…what don’t kill me only makes me stronger…I’m not dead. ha ha
TNYO: What are your plans for the future
Taimak: I’m going to keep open to anything that comes my way and look for roles that are intelligent and hopefully have some magic about them…I’m getting
a distributor for my fitness DVD and looking to share my knowledge in the area of health and fitness to people that need it and boy do they.
TNYO: How important are the words god and family to you.
Taimak: There aren’t any words more important to me then God and Family, c’mon I’m black and Italian..LOL
TNYO: What about the words greed guilt jealousy hatred pain and happiness
Taimak: How did you fit all those emotions in one question…LOL
TNYO: The world knows that you are The Last Dragon in the very essence of the words
Is there anything you would like to tell your fans about the remake of the film?
and anything you would like to mention about the film in general
Taimak: I’m very excited about the possibilities and you should be too;)
TNYO: Can you recommend a good song for our readers to groove on
Taimak: An oldie but goodie from Seal “Kiss from a Rose”
Thank you Taimak !
A follow up interview may be in the works,
so watch out for it in the next editions of www.thenewyorkoptimist.com
Yours truly,
John Sebastian
Publisher
www.thenewyorkoptimist.com
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