When released in theaters I saw The Outsiders (2x), Karate Kid (2x), Karate Kid II (2x), Karate Kid III (1x), The Next Karate Kid (1x). I watched the first and second season of Cobra Kai on YouTube TV, and the last three seasons on Netflix. Finishing each season in a day or two after release. Being that I am the age demographic for the Karate Kid sequels (not the movie), and I love 80's movies, I didn't grow up with the Karate Kid film. I DID grow up with the Hilary Swank one since it was always on TV. As I got older, I knew that I had to eventually watch the first one, since the only thing on TV was the Part II and III. Never Part 1. Maglio, Tony (November 30, 2018). "Watch 'Conan' Producer Jordan Schlansky Get Totally Owned by Childhood Hero Ralph Macchio (Video)". The Wrap. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018 . Retrieved December 2, 2018. The other exchange I remember from the meeting is when they asked me whether I was bumped by the boy’s infatuation with his own mother. Did I feel it was an incestuous problem that audiences would have an issue with? I wish I could say that I had an insightful answer, but I believe I just tap-danced around it and expressed my view that as long as it was entertaining, it should be okay. Not my most brilliant response, but at the time it was met with pleasant nods from the two legendary filmmakers.

Welsh, James M.; Phillips, Gene D.; Hill, Rodney F. (2010). The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press. p.167. ISBN 9780810876514. I love Cobra Kai season 5. I especially love how all of Daniel's movie rivals, Johnny, Chozen, and Mike Barnes, all teamed up and became friends with him. I'd like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing me a chance to read this book before it drops. Macchio is almost too pure for this world. He's avoided the usual child star scandals. Especially considering that for a huge chunk of time from "My Cousin Vinnie" until "Cobra Kai" his career was essentially over. That would cause a lot of folks to spiral (cough Corey Feldman cough) but Macchio is a family man who seems pretty grounded. The book will be Ralph Macchio’s joyful and celebratory reflection on the legacy of The Karate Kid in film, pop culture, and his own life. It will be a comprehensive look at a film that shaped him as much as it influenced the world. Macchio will share the untold story behind his starring role—the innocence of the early days, the audition process, and the filmmaking experience itself --as well as take readers through the birth of some of the film’s most iconic moments.

Waxing On

Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me by Ralph Macchio is published on 18 October by Penguin Random House

All that is to say, I've been in a big "Karate Kid" mood lately. When I saw that Ralph Macchio had written a recent memoir, reading it was a no brainer. I’ve always had a sense he’s an all around nice guy. He married his high school sweetheart (and he STILL lives a half hour from my parents and near friends) and has a great family. You’ll get that from this book. What shines through in the book is Macchio’s passion for the franchise and his respect for the cast and crew members he’s worked with. The late Pat Morita, who played Mr. Miyagi, Daniel’s disciplined teacher, is remembered fondly by Macchio who admits he wasn’t sure Morita was the right actor to play the pivotal role. Once the two screen tested, it became clear there chemistry would go down in cinematic history and Macchio frequently praises his late co-star.Reading is my favorite hobby. I honestly don’t watch much TV these days and there is only one show I would watch over reading a book - Cobra Kai. So when I learned Ralph Macchio had a book coming out, I was beyond excited! I got an Advanced Listening Copy (narrated by Ralph himself) from Penguin Randomhouse and needless to say, I finished listening in less than a day. Ralph Macchio's personable and down to earth narrative makes you completely understand how he won over the producers, the director and the writer. He takes you through his life moments from getting the job and meeting his coworkers. It came off fresh as if it happened yesterday. Marriage is work. A relationship is always work. But having someone to take the journey with? Be understood by, at the deepest level? The totality of that is special’: with wife of 35 years Phyllis Fierro. Photograph: Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic Second chance: Netflix’s Cobra Kai season five premiere event with Courtney Henggeler and Mary Mouser. Photograph: Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic This is not a memoir of Ralph’s life so much as it is a memoir of his life coexisting with Daniel LaRusso (how he came into the role and it’s effects thereafter). Or, as one could say, different but same. In this book, Ralph weaves together his experience on the original films and Cobra Kai interspersed with his life at that particular time. He includes anecdotes about his costars (including the cast of Cobra Kai), his hilarious thoughts on theories of “who is the real bully”, and encounters with fans (some even by name - how cool!) - to illustrate just how much these characters mean to people. Ralph also stresses how important the legacy of The Karate Kid is to him. He describes how Cobra Kai came to be, his initial reaction and protection of the Daniel-Miyagi relationship. I found myself starting to cry when he spoke of his friendship with Pat Morita and I think that speaks to the point of the magic they captured in their respective roles.