#9 Review For 'The Wrestler'

Director
Darren Aronofsky
Cast
Mickey Rourke
Marisa Tomei
Evan Rachel Wood
Screenplay
Robert Siegel
Certificate
15
Runnig Time
109min

When watching Darren Aronofsky’s ‘The Wrestler’ I couldn’t help but wonder that Mickey Rourke would look like if he hadn’t taken drugs and started boxing. The once handsome young actor in ‘Rumble Fish’ has changed over the past twenty years. But none of that matter’s after seeing ‘The Wrestler’. The role of Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson could not have been written for anyone else. Rourke fits the role perfectly and on reflection I don’t think anyone else couldn't pull of such a performance. However all credit can’t go to Rourke but also to the other cast and crew who brought this great script to life.

The story follows Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson (Rourke) as he tries to fit in with normal life after a heart attack threatens his life. Randy’s wrestling alter ego ‘The Ram’ was a big time fighter back in the 80’s, but now all he is good for is signing photographs for $8 a pop at the local gym with the rest of the washed up wrestlers. Two decades after his glory days, he’s living in a trailer and struggling to pay rent whilst his daughter despises him and his best and only friend is a hooker (played by Marisa Tomei). Whilst Randy tries to pull the people he loves closer they always seem to get pushed away, but is it to late?

Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain) has really done it this time (it being a good thing). The way he shot it really adds to the tone of the film. At the beginning of the majority of the scenes, the camera subjectively follows Randy to where ever the scene will start. With the camera work being used subjectively the film felt like a documentary of Randy’s life after wrestling. Whilst this might not be apparent to most audiences I think it is a fantastic subtle layer to the overall piece. For the beginning five minuets of the movie this method of directing is used, however the audience do not see Rourke’s face until he gets into his van and looks at a picture of himself. A lot of these clever little scenarios happen a lot that shed light onto Randy’s struggle to accept the fact that he isn’t as hot as he use to be.

One of my favourite scenes involves Randy taking another shift at his daily job at a local supermarket, Randy prepares to go to work (with the subjective camera behind him) whilst walking through the back of the store. Slowly but growing, the non-diegetic sounds of claps and shouting start. He stops as he gets to the door before stepping out. He focuses and just as he steps out the non-diegetic applauses fades into his imagination. This tells the story in one scene because it shows that Randy doesn’t want to fit into society but take up his place in a wrestling ring.

‘The Wrestler’ is a story a story of love, pain and glory (as the poster says), that doesn’t disappoint. A fantastic script by Robert Siegel that adds tension, sadness and comedy to the movie. During the parts that are full of tension Siegel breaks with some light comedy. Everyone over the age of twelve knows that wrestling is as fake as the muscles they have and this film shows the passion wrestler's have for there art. It really shows the struggle that wrestlers have to go through much like Martin Scorsese's 'Raging Bull' (1980) did for boxing.

Mickey Rourke does give a performance of a life time and lives up to everyone’s expectations. It’s definitely up there with Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ (2009) for one of the best films of the year. Know that Rourke has done this I am really looking forward to his next film ‘The Informers’. If you do go to the cinema anytime soon please consider this and you will not regret it.

* * * * *

Oliver Hunt

#8 Films To See Before You Die

Here is a brief list of films that I think, you the readers should watch. This list is comprised of films that have made an impression on me. These aren't the only films that I admire however it is a brief list. I also added a few short films that I loved to watch and I think you will too. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.

Short Films
Doodlebug – Christopher Nolan
Vincent – Tim Burton
Terry Tate Office Linebacker - Rawson Marshall Thurber

Feature Films
Pulp Fiction

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas

Natural Born Killers

Donnie Darko

Reservoir Dogs

Spirited Away

Battle Royal

Kill Bill vol 1&2
The Warriors

Batman Begins
The Dark Knight
Memento
Clockwork Orange
The Shining
2001: Space Odyssey
Battle Royal
Old Boy
Clerks
Clerks 2
Dogma
Sin City
Being John Malkovich
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Taxi Driver
Spirited Away
Howl’s Moving Castle
Godfather part 1

Psycho
Rumble Fish
Brokeback Mountain
Elephant
Bowling For Columbine
Saw
Hostel
Silence Of the Lambs
Hannibal
Fight Club
Snatch
Unbreakable
Deer Hunter
Trainspotting
Jaws
Sleepy Hollow
Edward Scissorhands
The Prestige
American Psycho
Italian Job (the original)
Bullet
I’m Not There
Lords Of Dogtown
Sleuth
Children Of Men
Beavis And Butt-head Do America
The Shawshank Redemption
Green Mile
Se7en
Forest Gump
Alien Trilogy
Saving Private Ryan
L.A. Confidential
Monty Python And The Holy Grail
Monty Python Meaning Of Life
City Of Gods
Evil Dead Trilogy
Apocalypse Now
Platoon
Blade Runner
Chinatown
Cloverfield
28 Days later
Man Of Fire
Collateral
No Country For Old Men
Amelie
Blues Brothers
Pan’s Labyrinth
The Truman Show
Mutual Appreciations
Hard Boiled
Singin’ In The Rain

#7 Golden Globes 09: The Winners And The Losers

The Golden Globes were on last Sunday and what a night it was. Laughs, tears and disappointed faces, were from start to finish. And their was some very embarrassing moments… ok, it was only Kate Whistled who made a fool of her self. From who won the awards at the Golden Globes, it really shows America that the British are coming. With Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ snatching four awards such as ‘Best Director’, ’Best Motion Picture’, ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Screenplay’. Whilst a teary Boyle went to except his award, I don’t think he imagined it to do so well.

Even thought ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ took the most awards on the night, it was Aronofsky’s ‘The Wrestler’ which took two awards for ‘Best Actor’ (Mickey Rourke) and ‘Best Song’. I myself am a big Mickey Rourke fan ever since I saw him in Rodriguez/ Miller’s ‘Sin City’ (2005) and ‘Rumble Fish’ (1983), so it was fantastic to see him walk away with something. In the animation side, Pixar’s ‘Wall-E’ rightfully won ‘Best Animation’ whilst ‘Waltz With Bashir’ landed ‘Best Foreign Film’.

Now a few posts ago, I posted a blog talking about if Heath Ledger deserved an Oscar for his role as The Joker in Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’. Well whilst announcing the nominations for ‘Best Supporting Actor’, it was obvious to who would win it. A very deserving Heath Ledger won over Tom Cruise, Robert Downy Jr and Ralph Fiennes. Whilst Christopher Nolan went on stage to except Ledger’s award (even though it has been reported that the award will go to Matilda when she is old enough to understand it’s significant), Robert Downey Jr had a rather bitter look on his faced like he was surprised that Leger won. Christopher Nolan gave a brilliant acceptance speech that touched every one, even if he couldn’t stop looking at the Golden Globe.

Finally Kate Winslet won the most awards for herself with a grand total of two, you heard it two. After winning the second one Winslet was barely able to walk on stage and was breathless. You would have thought that after thirty wins and fifty nominations (awards over all) she would graciously walk on stage and say her thanks and be done with it but apparently she decided to make a fool of hear self. The two awards she won was ‘Best Actress’ for her performance in ‘Revolutionary Road’ and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for ‘The Reader’. I would have thought Anjolina Jolie would have won ‘Best Actress’ for Clint Eastwood’s triumphant ‘Changling’, I mean two awards in on night share the love Kate.

Below is just a couple of the winners taken from Empire Magazine, head over there to see the full listings.

Best Motion Picture – Drama

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Frost/Nixon

The ReaderRevolutionary Road

Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture – Drama

Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married

Angelina Jolie - Changeling

Meryl Streep - Doubt

Kristin Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long

Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Drama

Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road

Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon

Sean Penn - Milk

Brad Pitt - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture

Amy Adams - Doubt

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Viola Davis - Doubt

Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

Kate Winslet - The Reader

Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture

Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder

Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder

Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Best Director – Motion Picture

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Stephen Daldry - The Reader

David Fincher - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon

Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire

David Hare - The Reader

Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon

Eric Roth - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

John Patrick Shanley - Doubt

Oliver Hunt

#6 Sundance Film Festival 09

We are well into the new year now and it looks like it will be a promising year for cinema. I have talked about the mainstream films that are coming out, so know it’s time to talk about the independent cinema and most importantly the film festivals. From the 15th to the 20th January, Park City in Utah will be playing host to the ‘Sundance Film Festival’ which is the largest independent film festival in the US and attacks film makers from around the world.

Sundance Film Festival has been going since 1978 however was first called the ‘Utah/US Film Festival’ in an attempt to bring film-makers to Utah. The goal of it was to showcase the potential of independent film making. Some big name movies were first shown at the Sundance including ‘Saw’, ‘Blair Witch Project’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’, ‘Clerks’, ‘Thank You For Smoking’ and ‘Napoleon Dynamite’. The new talent that has poured out of the festival such as Kevin Smith (‘Clerks’) , Steven Sodervergh (‘Sex, Lies And Videotapes’) and my favourite Quentin Tarantino ('Reservoir Dogs'). The link to the official website is below.

Sundance Film Festival Official Website

But what does 09 hold for the event? Which films look to grow and expand in popularity? First lets stars on a good note, ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’ is a… well rom-com of sorts, staring Jim Carrey and Ewen McGregor as two gay inmates at a prison. Based on true events it follows the story of Steven Russell (Carrey), a con artist and imposter who was found guilty and sent away to prison. Whilst in prison, Russell falls for cell mate Philip Morris (McGregor). After Russell is transferred to another prison he is intent on escaping to see Morris. From the trailer the film looks to be a black comedy and after success of Carrey’s last outing ‘Yes Man’ it’s shaping up to be a pretty good year for the Ace Ventura.

Now from prisons to hair salons, ‘Good Hair’ is a documentary by non other then American comedian Chris Rock. Sounds strange doesn’t it? A comedian making a documentary around African/American’s hair? In an interview with the people at Sundance, Rock said he wanted to do it after his daughter asked him “daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” A question, I’m sure I never want to hear from my children. Anyway it inspired him to make a movie where he searches for the answer, with director Jeff Stilson behind the camera. He journeys to hair salons, styling battles and scientific laboratories. From what I have heard it sounds like it has a good chance of walking away with a Sundance award for best documentary and I know that if Rock brings his comedy to life it will be a success.

Mickey Rourke has had a pretty good start to the year. With a well deserved win at the Golden Globes for Aronofsky’s ‘The Wrestler’ things seem to be shaping up for him. ‘The Informers’ is an adaptation of a novel by Bret Easton Ellis, set in LA in the early 80’s and follows a multistrand narrative between a variety of different characters. Billy Bob Thorntan and Kim Basinger join Rourke in the story about sex, drugs and new wave, and aims to show audiences the ugly side to the glamorous face of LA. The reason I think this will be a great adaptation because the writer of the book also wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Jarecki, also the director Gregor Jordan is no stranger to the Sundance Film Festival with the films ‘Two Hands’ (1999) and ‘Buffalo Soldier’ (2001) previously showing at the festival. This sounds like a good combination to have for an independent adaptation. The director with his experience of film festivals and the writer of the book writing the screenplay just the way he likes it. ‘The Informers’ will feel right at home at the independent film festival.

I can’t wait to see coverage of the festival over the next couple of days and who walks away with the awards. So much talent has been born at this festival it will be interesting as to see the new geniuses of film making start their life in cinema.

Oliver Hunt

#5 Street Fighter Legend Of Chun Li: What Are They Thinking?

I know, a classic arcade game, tortured. Why? So Hollywood can profit and continue to crush originality. Firstly you would have to go pretty far to not know what ‘Street Fighter’ is, but for those few that don’t, it is a famous arcade game that was first released in the late eighties in Japanese arcades. If you have played or even seen the game you will notice one fundamental thing that makes it practically unable to go from arcades to cinema… the costumes. This is why audiences choose not to go see these films because of the film posters. Take Bison (one of the characters of the game) for example, he wears a big red jump suit with a cape. I personally don’t think that’s movie material, well no ones going to take it seriously.

In 1994, the first Street Fight movie was released and was simply entitled ‘Street Fighter’ (who said Hollywood wasn’t original) and starred several stars including Jean-Claude Van Damme. It received very poor reviews for it’s cheesiness and over acting, and this is a prime example of video game to movie flicks. Like the movie ‘Mortal Kombat’ and other video game-cinema films, they just end in tears. In this day and age you just cannot satisfy the fan-boys, so have producers just given up? I don’t even understand why they have to make these films. With the roster of Street Fighter characters, audiences cannot help but laugh at the actors as they try to take them self’s seriously whilst screaming crazy made up words at each other as some sort of war cry. For those who are dying to watch the trailer the links below.

Street Fighter: Legend Of Chun Li (2009) Official Trailer

And I’m not finished. I think that after ‘Street Fighter: Legend Of Chun Li’ is released it will show producers that video game to cinema flicks should be left alone. With all the video games coming out the vast majority are just too bizzare to make the transition. When a screenplay of a game adaptation hits producers desks over in Hollywood, they just think two things: a) What big stars could it feature, (because people will only see it with someone like Bruce Willis in it); b)how many explosions should it have?

Well I think that we as audiences should refuse to see that high-concept rubbish and go to an arthouse cinema and support independent film makers. Hollywood will never learn to stop making rubbish films, so when will they learn? Granted a lot of great films come out however why cant they all be good? They have the resources to make some great summer flicks but they just pick up the wrong screenplays and make terrible choices with the cast and costumes, ect.

Oliver Hunt

#4 Heath Ledger: Oscar Worthy?

The late Heath Ledger is properly most famous for being a gay cowboy, no the Joker, wait or was it Bob Dylan? Who knows, but word around the internet is that people want his performance in last years The Dark Knight to win him an Academy Award. However you must first consider that the Joker was not his greatest role. Much like how the Joker was not Jack Nicolson’s best performance either (it was One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest). What about some of Heath’s best films such as, Candy, I’m Not There and of course Brokeback Mountain.

Back in 06, Heath was up for ‘Best Performance From A Leading Role’ at the Academy Awards, for his fantastic performance in Ang Lee’s classic Brokeback Mountain (2005), but on the night it was taken by Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote (2005). So if Heath can’t get an Oscar for properly (if not) the best roles of his career then should he win one for The Dark Knight? Is it sympathy vote? If he had not died last year would everyone still love him as much as they do know (I still would because I love the movie and character, but I don’t speak to every one)?

I personally think he should get an Oscar for all his late films that he did (mainly Candy) even though he has won numerous awards such as ‘Best Actor’ at the Austrian Film Institute. The nominations for 09’s Academy Awards have not been named as of yet, but when they are up I will do a blog of who I think should win. Until then I personally think you should watched some of Ledger great films (just not A Knights Tale).

Oliver Hunt

#3 2009, What To Expect?

#3 2009, What To Expect?

Ok so 08 is at an end and what a year for cinema. With great films like the Coen Brother’s Burn After Reading and Tim Burton’s Sweeny Todd, it has definitely a great year but not only for high concept movies but for independent cinema as well. Granted there are a lot of films to be forgotten like Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and Lucas’s Star Wars: Clone Wars. But what does 09 have to offer? Here is a quick list of films coming out during the new year.

The Wrestler (Aronofsky)
Watchmen (Snyder)
Inglorious Bastards (Tarantino)
Che part 1&2 (Soberbergh)
The Spirit (Miller)
Slumdog Millionaire (Boyle)
Notorious (Tillman)
X-Men: Origins (Hood)
Lesbian Vampire Killers (Claydon)
Monsters vs. Aliens (Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon)
Public Enemies (Mann)
Terminator Salvation (McG, yeah that’s his name)
Angels & Demons (Howard)
Up (Doctor/Peterson)
The Rum Diary (Robinson)

This is a couple of predictions about how I think these films will turn out, not in the box office because the worst films can rake in millions but just in quality in films but just over all in quality.

Firstly I think I’ll start by talking about the animation films of 09. Two strong looking family flicks, Up (Pixar) and Monsters vs. Aliens (DreamWorks Studio). Both looking to be big box office flicks like last years Wall-e (Pixar) and get people of all ages loving animated characters again. My only concern is that I think that if both films are shown at the same time then is could spark rivalry between the two companies who have in the past both given audiences great films. I’m looking forward to both films and think they’re going to get much acclaim. Trailer links below for both films.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu6l58FJg1Q&feature=channel_page
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdrGikcihA&feature=channel

Next I’m going to talk about a book adaptation that I’m going to have to try to look forward to. Angels & Demons directed by Ron Howard, is based on the best selling book by Dan Brown. Set before The Da Vinci Code (well the book is anyway), Robert Langdon sets out to the Vatican to fight the Illuminati and save the world and get the girl and so on. I read the book before I read The Da Vinci Code and personally thought Angels & Demons was much better it terms of story and characters so hopefully the film will be as well. That’s as long as Mr Howards learns from his mistakes with the first film, if he gets that done and doesn’t rush it then I think it will be a great summer block buster. But that’s only going to happen if they put some effort into it.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4RSg4LO5xxg&feature=channel_page

Now it’s time to talk about our favourite American psycho Christian Bale (even though he’s Welsh, but you see the joke). He is in three films in 09, Terminator: Salvations, Public Enemies and Killing Pablo. Personally I’m not a big terminator fan however I am loving what I have seen in trailers and development pictures. Really I don’t even know why they felt the need to make another Terminator films after the recent television program Terminator: Sara Connor Chronicles, but Hollywood will never learn. Second we come to Public Enemies directed by Michael Mann and not only stars Christian Bale but the always intense Johnny Depp as well. With these two giants of films in one flick, I know that this will be one of the top films of the year. Also Michael Mann is great with directing two great actors in one film, just look at Heat with Pacino and De Niro.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1mTzUZxS_ZI&feature=channel_page

Now lastly I’m going to talk about an adaptation that was thought to never be made into a film, the classic graphic novel Watchmen (I recommend you take a look at this). Director Zack Snyder (300, Day Of The Dead) seems confident with his work will meet the criteria that fans of the comic will want. Even though the screenplay has been hailed by many to be the most accurate comic to film adaptations ever written (screenplay by David Hayter, that’s right Solid Snake), it has been reported that the ending has been changed. This alone is going to set the fanboy community off in a rage all over the forums but life goes on. There is also been complaints about the costume design, for example Rorschach’s character doesn’t look dirty enough like he is in the comic and how Night Owl II looks like a rip off of Batman. Well I’m still going to pay to go see it because at the end of the day I love the book and if even if the ending has been changed I will then be surprised instead of knowing what’s round the corner (not that I agree with the change, just thinking optimistically).

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8F-9QQEsGo4&feature=channel_page
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vm5HWLVe88Q

Oliver Hunt