The Wrestler is not what I expected or what other people had said about it. I think it is one of those movies that is really something different to everyone. I know that is vague but I think this movie will hit you differently depending on your experiences in life. One could say that about any movie but this movie has some elements that work on emotions that are raw - much like the wrestler himself.
Mickey Rourke does do an amazing and impressive job of playing an aging professional wrestler who still works the wrestling circuit. He used to be as big as Hulk Hogan but not works in the semi-pro, small arena or high gym shows. I would disagree with someone who would say his character, Randy "The Ram" Robinson, was "washed up." I don't think the movie portrays that. He doesn't wrestle because he needs the money. A washed up wrestler would be a character like in the 1962 classic Requiem for a Heavyweight who has to become something ridiculous to make the money. The Ram doesn't see himself as ridiculous. The young wrestlers he meets respect him because he is an old pro they grew up with and can learn from. They all clap for him when he comes into the dressing room.
After going through a bypass operation, The Ram must hang it up or risk his own life in the ring. He wonders what he is going to do and at the suggestion of a stripper he frequents (Marisa Tomei in a total throw away and useless part), he decides to try and reconcile with his estranged daughter. He tries but screws it up. He also tries having a regular job and a possible relationship with the stripper but he can't.
He can only do one thing and that is wrestle. I don't find much about the movie depressing. Here is the The Ram and he loves to wrestle. If you have never heard the sound of applause for your performance then you won't get why he has to keep doing it. Applause is the most intoxicating and addictive drug there is. In the ring he is not some old dude that used to be famous - he still is famous and still The Ram that gets the cheers. The Ram looks for love in all the wrong places - except in the ring. There he finds the purist love of all and people who love him for who he really is - the wrestler.
MMM (out of 5 M's)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Double Features
I have put together in this post some fun combinations of movies. You could watch one on Friday night and one on Saturday or have the traditional double feature. I find my combinations compliment each other nicely. I have some comedy with drama and even animation paired with live action and even some remakes. You have probably already seen some of the older films but consider a re-viewing with my match. Of course, these choices depend on the genre of movie you like. I will leave it up to you in which order you watch them. Happy viewing!
Cars (2006) and Talladega Nights (2006)
Galaxy Quest (1999) and Trekkies (1997)
Cutting Edge (1992) and Blades of Glory (2007)
Emma (1996) and Clueless (1995)
Twilight (2008) and Lost Boys (1987)
Any Given Sunday (1999) and The Replacements (2000)
The Princess Bride (1987) and Enchanted (2007)
Soapdish (1991) and Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Nim's Island (2008) and The Last Mimzy (2007)
Bridget Jones Diary (2001) and About A Boy (2002)
Sunshine (2007) and Babylon 5: The Lost Tales (2007)
Ironman (2008) and Superman Returns (2006)
Spiderman (2002) and Batman (1989)
Open Range (2003) and Tombstone (1993)
Manhunter (1986) and Red Dragon (2002)
There are some genres I am not familiar with like horror/gore and the recent crop of comedy parody movies (like Scary Movie). If you have some suggestions to add to this list - let me know!
Cars (2006) and Talladega Nights (2006)
Galaxy Quest (1999) and Trekkies (1997)
Cutting Edge (1992) and Blades of Glory (2007)
Emma (1996) and Clueless (1995)
Twilight (2008) and Lost Boys (1987)
Any Given Sunday (1999) and The Replacements (2000)
The Princess Bride (1987) and Enchanted (2007)
Soapdish (1991) and Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Nim's Island (2008) and The Last Mimzy (2007)
Bridget Jones Diary (2001) and About A Boy (2002)
Sunshine (2007) and Babylon 5: The Lost Tales (2007)
Ironman (2008) and Superman Returns (2006)
Spiderman (2002) and Batman (1989)
Open Range (2003) and Tombstone (1993)
Manhunter (1986) and Red Dragon (2002)
There are some genres I am not familiar with like horror/gore and the recent crop of comedy parody movies (like Scary Movie). If you have some suggestions to add to this list - let me know!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Vampire Rentals
Let the Right One In: This Norwegian import is being heralded as the "best vampire movie ever!" and I have to agree it is one of the most creative uses of the vampire legend I have ever seen.
It falls into the "best" category because it is not your classic vampire tale. The fact the vampire in question is a little girl brings the creep factor way up.
The story focuses on a very blond boy named Oskar and a strange dark haired girl named Eli that moves into his apartment complex. The fact that the windows are boarded over and he only sees her at night makes it evident that she is the vampire of the movie. Oskar is an often bullied boy who dreams and even practices how he would enact his revenge but doesn't appear to act on it. When he befriends Eli it seems to boost his confidence. It doesn't matter that she is barefoot out in the snow or that she smells bad - a girl is interested in him. Eli stays in the apartment while her apparent caregiver goes on the hunt for her to bring back blood. This is wise because a vampire in town would cause unwanted attention. However her care giver's growing carelessness with is blood letting has already drawn suspicion. I cannot go into much detail other than that because it would give away too much of the movie.
Just a note on the title: Anyone that knows vampire lore knows what the title means - when you invite a vampire in, you are willingly inviting in the danger.
To your average American audience this movie would no doubt seem to be filmed in a cheesy manner and the dubbing is atrocious. I normally like to watch any foreign film in it's original version. I watched it in the English dub and the original Norwegian. If you can handle subtitles go with the Norwegian. This isn't stellar acting but any acting is removed by the English dubbing. I also suggest watching it twice. And it will bring it together for you even more.
The quiet and stark nature of the movie will make you feel uncomfortable and suitably spooked.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
Twilight: Chick flick alert! Yes, this is one for the ladies. My husband did like it but admitted he can see why the guys I work with were not that impressed.
Twilight is based on a wildly popular (among tween and teen girls) series of books about a vampire high school hunk named Edward Cullen. I have not read the books so I don't know if any of the other characters are even in the books.
The movie is about a teenage girl, Bella, that moves in with her dad, the local sheriff, after her mom goes on the road with her new husband, a minor league baseball player. She moves from sunny Phoenix to middle of nowhere Forks, Washington. This only adds to some of her misery. She doesn't have it that bad - she is eagerly welcomed to her new high school and has the attention of all the popular boys. Her sights get set on a seriously dark and brooding young man named Edward Cullen. He is the foster child of a local doctor, who has several adopted kids that are coupled off with each other. The other kids in the school think that is weird and it definitely could have been a story line full of twisted perverted avenues which isn't part of this story but would have made it interesting. He looks longingly at her and she is just determined to find out why he is so weird around her. After several instances she figures out that he is indeed a vampire and so are the rest of the Cullens.
The movie had so many interesting ways to go. For example there is an Indian reservation nearby and there is a legend about the Indians, who are descended from wolves, and the strange clan (possibly the Cullens) that make a truce. The clan is not to hunt for anything on their land and they will keep their strange hunting practices a secret from the "pale faces." To see the Native Americans and Cullens interact would have also made and interesting story line as well. Instead a group of bad vampires are introduced (they look like members of the Black Eyed Peas) and from there the movie just becomes a save the human girlfriend story.
The movie is surprisingly well acted and does not rely on over stereotyping the teenagers, Native Americans or the other adults in the movie. Kristen Stewart, who plays Bella, brings a wonderful maturity to a role that could have been a throw away in a teenage movie. At 19 she has a good resume of movies and will soon be starring as rocker Joan Jett. I say keep an eye on this one!
I really liked this movie and watched it twice. The reason I call this a chick flick is because it is about romance and not sex. Lots of longing looks, almost kissing, etc. Sigh!
Oh, and the soundtrack is one of the best I have heard in a while.
MMM1/2M (out of 5 M's)
Other vampire favorites!
Lost Boys (1987): Hands down the best teenage vampire movie ever! If you have never seen it...you are way out of the loop. Totally 80's, funny and vamp camp!
Blade (1998): Hard to beat Wesley Snipes as the original "day walker," a vampire hybrid that hunts vampires just for fun. Lots of teeth and blood.
Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2004): Fun and brainless gore that will keep you entertained. Vampires vs. Werewolves...how can that not be fun? Oh, I guess you wanted acting.
Shadow of the Vampire (2000): Turn creep meter way up! Mixed reviews but I liked it. Fun for film buffs who know the first vampire movie, Nosferatu.
Dracula (1979): Frank Langella was, in my opinion, the first actor to make a vampire sexy! It might look a tad dated to an audience today but still one of my favs. And any vampire movie that makes you pull the night time covers up over your neck for months, is a great vampire movie!
Dracula (1931): This is the one that started it all folks. The movie that put the cape, accent, Renfield and anything else we dream up at Halloween to mean a "vampire." Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Count Dracula brings it all home. No other movie on this list should be seen without seeing this one first. AND Martin Landau's tribute (and Oscar winning) performance as Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood will bring even more of an appreciation to the master of fright.
Nosferatu (1922): Grainy, black & white, silent but scary, this movie has the most frightening physical appearance of the old blood sucker. This movie is the inspiration for all vampire movies and lore. Watch it with all the lights out and clutch your popcorn.
Sweet dreams!
It falls into the "best" category because it is not your classic vampire tale. The fact the vampire in question is a little girl brings the creep factor way up.
The story focuses on a very blond boy named Oskar and a strange dark haired girl named Eli that moves into his apartment complex. The fact that the windows are boarded over and he only sees her at night makes it evident that she is the vampire of the movie. Oskar is an often bullied boy who dreams and even practices how he would enact his revenge but doesn't appear to act on it. When he befriends Eli it seems to boost his confidence. It doesn't matter that she is barefoot out in the snow or that she smells bad - a girl is interested in him. Eli stays in the apartment while her apparent caregiver goes on the hunt for her to bring back blood. This is wise because a vampire in town would cause unwanted attention. However her care giver's growing carelessness with is blood letting has already drawn suspicion. I cannot go into much detail other than that because it would give away too much of the movie.
Just a note on the title: Anyone that knows vampire lore knows what the title means - when you invite a vampire in, you are willingly inviting in the danger.
To your average American audience this movie would no doubt seem to be filmed in a cheesy manner and the dubbing is atrocious. I normally like to watch any foreign film in it's original version. I watched it in the English dub and the original Norwegian. If you can handle subtitles go with the Norwegian. This isn't stellar acting but any acting is removed by the English dubbing. I also suggest watching it twice. And it will bring it together for you even more.
The quiet and stark nature of the movie will make you feel uncomfortable and suitably spooked.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
Twilight: Chick flick alert! Yes, this is one for the ladies. My husband did like it but admitted he can see why the guys I work with were not that impressed.
Twilight is based on a wildly popular (among tween and teen girls) series of books about a vampire high school hunk named Edward Cullen. I have not read the books so I don't know if any of the other characters are even in the books.
The movie is about a teenage girl, Bella, that moves in with her dad, the local sheriff, after her mom goes on the road with her new husband, a minor league baseball player. She moves from sunny Phoenix to middle of nowhere Forks, Washington. This only adds to some of her misery. She doesn't have it that bad - she is eagerly welcomed to her new high school and has the attention of all the popular boys. Her sights get set on a seriously dark and brooding young man named Edward Cullen. He is the foster child of a local doctor, who has several adopted kids that are coupled off with each other. The other kids in the school think that is weird and it definitely could have been a story line full of twisted perverted avenues which isn't part of this story but would have made it interesting. He looks longingly at her and she is just determined to find out why he is so weird around her. After several instances she figures out that he is indeed a vampire and so are the rest of the Cullens.
The movie had so many interesting ways to go. For example there is an Indian reservation nearby and there is a legend about the Indians, who are descended from wolves, and the strange clan (possibly the Cullens) that make a truce. The clan is not to hunt for anything on their land and they will keep their strange hunting practices a secret from the "pale faces." To see the Native Americans and Cullens interact would have also made and interesting story line as well. Instead a group of bad vampires are introduced (they look like members of the Black Eyed Peas) and from there the movie just becomes a save the human girlfriend story.
The movie is surprisingly well acted and does not rely on over stereotyping the teenagers, Native Americans or the other adults in the movie. Kristen Stewart, who plays Bella, brings a wonderful maturity to a role that could have been a throw away in a teenage movie. At 19 she has a good resume of movies and will soon be starring as rocker Joan Jett. I say keep an eye on this one!
I really liked this movie and watched it twice. The reason I call this a chick flick is because it is about romance and not sex. Lots of longing looks, almost kissing, etc. Sigh!
Oh, and the soundtrack is one of the best I have heard in a while.
MMM1/2M (out of 5 M's)
Other vampire favorites!
Lost Boys (1987): Hands down the best teenage vampire movie ever! If you have never seen it...you are way out of the loop. Totally 80's, funny and vamp camp!
Blade (1998): Hard to beat Wesley Snipes as the original "day walker," a vampire hybrid that hunts vampires just for fun. Lots of teeth and blood.
Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2004): Fun and brainless gore that will keep you entertained. Vampires vs. Werewolves...how can that not be fun? Oh, I guess you wanted acting.
Shadow of the Vampire (2000): Turn creep meter way up! Mixed reviews but I liked it. Fun for film buffs who know the first vampire movie, Nosferatu.
Dracula (1979): Frank Langella was, in my opinion, the first actor to make a vampire sexy! It might look a tad dated to an audience today but still one of my favs. And any vampire movie that makes you pull the night time covers up over your neck for months, is a great vampire movie!
Dracula (1931): This is the one that started it all folks. The movie that put the cape, accent, Renfield and anything else we dream up at Halloween to mean a "vampire." Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Count Dracula brings it all home. No other movie on this list should be seen without seeing this one first. AND Martin Landau's tribute (and Oscar winning) performance as Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood will bring even more of an appreciation to the master of fright.
Nosferatu (1922): Grainy, black & white, silent but scary, this movie has the most frightening physical appearance of the old blood sucker. This movie is the inspiration for all vampire movies and lore. Watch it with all the lights out and clutch your popcorn.
Sweet dreams!
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