View Date: 12/11/09
In this film, Mickey Rourke plays an old professional wrestler past his prime and just trying to eke out a living. He attempts to bond with his estranged daughter and start a relationship with a stripper from his favorite club. But after suffering some major health setbacks, he is advised not to wrestle again or it may kill him, which then removes his only means of income.
I totally understand the hype this movie received, particularly for Mickey Rourke. After his careers as a boxer and actor, he is perfect in this role. You can really feel for his character, even when he is not deserving of sympathy. Marisa Tomei was amazing as a stripper, and looks at least a decade younger than her actual age. Evan Rachel Wood was also very convincing as the estranged teenager pissed off at the dad who essentially abandoned her to travel with his job.
I have watched plenty of professional wrestling in my time, and have even read several memoirs written by wrestlers. This film let me in on some of the secrets used to make the shows exciting. While the performances may be staged, there is a large amount of physical pain involved. It also shows how hard of a living it can be, particularly on the lower tier circuits. So, although this movie was fictional, it was obviously based in fact and provided me with an education.
10 words or less: A must see for both the acting and story.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Smart People
View Date: 12/11/09
Dennis Quaid plays a widowed professor known for being an exceptionally tough grader and grouchy in general. Ellen Page portrays his daughter who is just like him, while his son wants to have fun at college, not just be a know-it-all. When his adopted brother comes to visit, he bonds with the daughter and tries to get the family to loosen up a bit.
Quaid’s character runs into a former student in the hospital and they begin to date. She gets him to open up a bit, but he still mourns his wife. He is also very self-centered, and does not realize how much the people around him need him.
My description above just doesn’t do this movie justice. While it is not a comedy, it does have several funny moments and others you just have to shake your head at. Quaid played the part of an overweight, middle-aged man impeccably. He altered his walk and developed a bit of a shuffle, and perfectly portrayed the pompous college professor who truly believes the rest of the world is dumber than he is. Overall, the acting was superb throughout.
I wound up really liking this movie, and am glad in the end that I watched it.
10 words or less: Accurate portrayals in a really good film.
Dennis Quaid plays a widowed professor known for being an exceptionally tough grader and grouchy in general. Ellen Page portrays his daughter who is just like him, while his son wants to have fun at college, not just be a know-it-all. When his adopted brother comes to visit, he bonds with the daughter and tries to get the family to loosen up a bit.
Quaid’s character runs into a former student in the hospital and they begin to date. She gets him to open up a bit, but he still mourns his wife. He is also very self-centered, and does not realize how much the people around him need him.
My description above just doesn’t do this movie justice. While it is not a comedy, it does have several funny moments and others you just have to shake your head at. Quaid played the part of an overweight, middle-aged man impeccably. He altered his walk and developed a bit of a shuffle, and perfectly portrayed the pompous college professor who truly believes the rest of the world is dumber than he is. Overall, the acting was superb throughout.
I wound up really liking this movie, and am glad in the end that I watched it.
10 words or less: Accurate portrayals in a really good film.
I'll Be There
View Date: 12/10/09
This movie, starring Craig Ferguson and Charlotte Church, is about a former rock star that discovers that he has a daughter. Turns out, the girl can sing beautifully, which makes sense as she is played by the beautiful and talented Church. However, she needs to keep her talents hidden as her mother disapproves and prefers her to focus on her studies. But singing is in the girl’s blood, as both her father and grandfather make their livings that way, and she cannot be held back.
This was a cute comedy with quite a lot of British talent. I have been a big fan of Ferguson for a while now, and think he is one of the best talk show hosts on the air currently. This movie was no exception, and this role suited him well.
I wasn’t too keen on Church’s acting in the movie. Her singing was impeccable as always, but that is her true talent. I hope she continues to pursue her singing, but I can live without her acting any more.
10 words or less: More Ferguson is always better.
This movie, starring Craig Ferguson and Charlotte Church, is about a former rock star that discovers that he has a daughter. Turns out, the girl can sing beautifully, which makes sense as she is played by the beautiful and talented Church. However, she needs to keep her talents hidden as her mother disapproves and prefers her to focus on her studies. But singing is in the girl’s blood, as both her father and grandfather make their livings that way, and she cannot be held back.
This was a cute comedy with quite a lot of British talent. I have been a big fan of Ferguson for a while now, and think he is one of the best talk show hosts on the air currently. This movie was no exception, and this role suited him well.
I wasn’t too keen on Church’s acting in the movie. Her singing was impeccable as always, but that is her true talent. I hope she continues to pursue her singing, but I can live without her acting any more.
10 words or less: More Ferguson is always better.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus
View Date: 8/9/10
This movie, starring Deborah Gibson and Lorenzo Lamas, is obviously about an ultra-large shark and a giant octopus. After being released from an iceberg, the two giant beasts wreak havoc on various natural and man-made entities. The shark, identified as a previously extinct megalodon, launches itself thousands of feet into the air to take down a passing 747. The scientists finally realize that these two were frozen while battling each other, so the only way to take down either it to restart the fight.
As expected, this was a god-awful movie, but that's exactly why people watch this. The acting was pretty hideous, but not nearly as bad as the special effects. Of course, there is the required romantic interest and the ensuing entanglements, which lead to a scientific cooperation and saving each other. They left it open for a sequel, one which I will not be watching if it ever gets made.
10 words or less: On the level of SyFy Channel original movie bad.
This movie, starring Deborah Gibson and Lorenzo Lamas, is obviously about an ultra-large shark and a giant octopus. After being released from an iceberg, the two giant beasts wreak havoc on various natural and man-made entities. The shark, identified as a previously extinct megalodon, launches itself thousands of feet into the air to take down a passing 747. The scientists finally realize that these two were frozen while battling each other, so the only way to take down either it to restart the fight.
As expected, this was a god-awful movie, but that's exactly why people watch this. The acting was pretty hideous, but not nearly as bad as the special effects. Of course, there is the required romantic interest and the ensuing entanglements, which lead to a scientific cooperation and saving each other. They left it open for a sequel, one which I will not be watching if it ever gets made.
10 words or less: On the level of SyFy Channel original movie bad.
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