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Post by Testudo86 on Jul 29, 2022 18:26:35 GMT
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Post by Testudo86 on Jul 29, 2022 18:27:08 GMT
From the steaming jungles of Vietnam to the verdant hills of Hollywood, Sheldon Lettich has carved a unique legacy amongst his peers. In an era before costumed superheroes ruled the multiplex, when action stars were not pumped up and enhanced by special effects, because they were the special effect!
Sheldon was at the forefront, working with action superstars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mark Dacascos, Sylvester Stallone, and Dolph Lundgren. Movies like Lionheart, Double Impact, and Only the Strong are now widely considered classics of the genre, and his relationship with Van Damme would span multiple films. This is not only Sheldon’s story, but a deep dive into those action classics and the others that are part of his multifaceted filmography.
Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam to Van Damme features brand new interviews with Mark Dacascos, Boaz Yakin, Brian Thompson, and many more to bring you a behind-the-scenes overview of the action-packed cinema of the 1980’s and 90’s.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Corey Danna is a freelance journalist who has worked with sites such as HorrorGeekLife.com, TheActionElite.com, KungFuMagazine.com, and several others. His work has also appeared in print magazines like Kung Fu Tai Chi, Exploitation Nation, and Tae Kwon Do Times. He also contributed heavily to the book The Good, The Tough, and The Deadly: Action Movies and Stars 1960-Present released in 2016.
Most recently he worked with Enjoy the Ride Records and Malibu Bay Films to release the soundtrack to Andy Sidaris’s Hard Ticket to Hawaii on vinyl, cassette, and digital. Corey currently resides in Michigan with his wife and children.
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Post by Testudo86 on Jul 29, 2022 18:30:08 GMT
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Post by Claudia on Jul 30, 2022 9:46:36 GMT
The backside of the book has a picture of Sheldon & JCVD on it:  |
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Post by Testudo86 on Aug 3, 2022 14:44:45 GMT
I got my copy from Amazon today, will write a full review in the next days, pages are 288, first impression is positive, I like chapter titles, it covers a lot of JC career, obviously from Sheldon's point of view. Really curious, I'll start reading tonight.
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Post by Testudo86 on Aug 8, 2022 19:28:10 GMT
Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam to Van Damme - 8/10
I read the whole book in less than 5 days, apart from the headache I have to say it was a very enjoyable read, it wasn't a boring book at all, being a huge fan of Van Damme and following him for 30 years I have to say I knew already about 70% of what I have read, but it is a very informative text for those new to JC and want to meet one of the men who made it possible for JC to become a superstar.
It is basically a biography of Sheldon Lettich not written by him, it is an honest writing that does not portray Sheldon as the greatest filmmaker of all time but is keen to point out that if JC was successful it was Sheldon's too. The first chapters are not about cinema but about Sheldon's childhood and his years in the American military, I was sorry to read some things about Sheldon's family that I didn't know. After about 80 pages it really starts talking about cinema and we can read Sheldon's entire career with lots of production information and interesting behind-the-scenes info. I found it to be an inspiring and fascinating book that I have nicely added to my book collection.
I will not mention many things read because I think this is a book that a JC fan should buy and not wait for people like me to tell you what it says, the book is not cheap, it costs almost 30 euros but you will get information on Bloodsport , Cyborg, Lionheart, Double Impact, The Quest, Legionnaire, The Order and The Hard Corps. One thing is missing and it is an interview with Van Damme but the book is still important for a JCVD fan. so buy it guys, we don't have many things related to Jean Claude to wait for at least a year and a half, so few excuses if you are a fan of Van Damme read this good book.
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Post by Claudia on Aug 9, 2022 7:50:38 GMT
Good review, thanks!  One thing is missing and it is an interview with Van Damme but the book is still important for a JCVD fan. It is strange that there are interviews in there with other actors and not with the actor mentioned in the title. Makes you wonder why. I don't think the book needs an interview with JCVD, I just think it's a little strange. |
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Post by Testudo86 on Aug 12, 2022 8:23:30 GMT
It is strange that there are interviews in there with other actors and not with the actor mentioned in the title. Makes you wonder why. I don't think the book needs an interview with JCVD, I just think it's a little strange. I agree but maybe they tried but didn't find the agreement for some reason, maybe JC is thinking of publishing a book about his career and wants to keep some things exclusively for that book or JC just doesn't remember many things and doesn't want to say wrong things, Sheldon seems to remember every little detail but maybe JC doesn't. |
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Post by Claudia on Aug 13, 2022 11:09:48 GMT
It's cool that Sheldon remembers so much, JCVD has mentioned before that his memory isn't the best.
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Post by Testudo86 on Aug 25, 2022 19:42:57 GMT
If you guys have any questions about any topic in the book I can give you some indication. "I'm all ears!"  |
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Post by Claudia on Aug 26, 2022 17:14:58 GMT
I have a question: does Sheldon mention that he would like to work with JCVD again or is that very unlikely?
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Post by Claudia on Aug 26, 2022 17:19:41 GMT
In 2018 there was talk about Lionheart 2, does the book mention there were plans for Lionheart 2?  |
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Post by Testudo86 on Aug 27, 2022 8:29:15 GMT
I have a question: does Sheldon mention that he would like to work with JCVD again or is that very unlikely? Sheldon mentions that he hasn't directed a movie since 2006 but that doesn't mean he's given up on film, he's working on a project called "Metro Dog" which in my opinion could be a good vehicle for JCVD. Sheldon is clearly a close friend of JC despite some misunderstandings they have had in the past that are mentioned in the book, I don't think there would be any problem with either of them working on a new project. |
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Post by Testudo86 on Aug 27, 2022 8:31:55 GMT
In 2018 there was talk about Lionheart 2, does the book mention there were plans for Lionheart 2? Yes, the book says that in early 2018 JC announced a sequel but nothing ever materialized, JC and Sheldon also talked about it together. My impression is that a "Lionheart" sequel might have a better chance of being made than "Double Impact" which seems to have a lot of rights issues. |
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