The Fighter

 

Rated: R

Genre: Drama/Sports

Info: Official Website

Directed By: David O. Russell

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

I waited a little for the hype of this film to die down before I actually went out to see it. I caught this just short of it being nominated for the Golden Globes and today we see it’s one of the heaviest nominated films of the Academy Awards. Rightfully so.

I really enjoy watching movies like this, I really do. I have to say that I was like a kid on Christmas morning knowing this was coming out so you can imagine the anticipation I had while I waited a few weeks after it came out. Needless to say it was well worth the wait. Movies like this and Rudy, Brian’s Song, Miracle, the really great ‘feel good’ stories out there are the prime reason for my jump into the industry. This film will remembered forever and one of those that you can watch over and over for multiple reasons.

Reason 1: Christian Bale: what a knock-dead performance! I love when an actor submerges himself so far into the character that his physical appearance becomes that character! It was hard to believe we were watching “Batman” playing a crack addict. Amazing amazing job Mr. Bale, this almost makes us forget your tirade on the set of T4…but that was just as entertaining.

Reason 2: Lowell Mass: I’ve been there, a friend of mine used to live there and I’d visit from time to time. It’s not a great area, it’s usually dressed as it was seen with druggies, low rent and just bad influence. But this town has character, it was a central character and an important character for this film. You are submerged into this town and by the end you feel as if you’ve actually lived there. The town’s people have character and it is those people that we can identify with no matter what our background. These are REAL people fighting the fight each and everyday! Bravo Lowell! Bravo! You played it well.

Reason 3: The Story: I was a tad bit disappointed that this didn’t touch up on ANY of the fights Ward had with Gatti but after thinking about it for a little while I realized that that wouldn’t have made for a great film. Sure it would have been exciting but we as an audience want to see the fight, the struggle to the top and bask in the joy of being there when you come from nothing. It’s the Rudy, the Miracle story that gets your attention!

Reason 4: Amy Adams: We all know someone like this. Someone who had the aspirations to venture out and eject them self from where they come from. By that I mean she attempted to go to college, get an education but she really just was one in the same. Adams played this beautifully, and even packing on a few pounds. She was the encouragement, the rock for Ward and when he wanted to give up she stepped in his corner for support. As I said, we all know someone like that.

Reason 5: Mark Wahlberg: Kudos for fighting for this film for 4 years. You done well.

So it’s easy to see why this picture was nominated for 7 Academy Awards and it’s easier to see why everyone is going out to watch it.  So I say to you, go see this film whether your fan of acting, seeing great performances, boxing, great stories, you’re going to love it regardless.

5 Knocks out of 5

2011 Academy Awards Are In…Our Predictions

So the highly anticipated, most coveted award show for the motion picture industry released their nominations for this years Academy Awards this morning. This seems to be an exciting time of year for all the filmmakers and most of the majors that are pining for their pictures to get some free publicity. We at KNOCKERS love to see what the industry turns out to consider some of the best work put out that year.

Here is the list of nominations and our own predictions on the top categories.

BEST PICTURE

Black Swan – Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin – PRODUCERS

The Fighter – David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg – PRODUCERS

Inception – Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan – PRODUCERS

The Kids Are Alright – Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray – PRODUCERS

The King’s Speech – Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin – PRODUCERS

127 Hours – Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson – PRODUCERS

The Social Network – Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin – PRODUCERS

Toy Story 3 – Darla K. Anderson – PRODUCER

True Grit – Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen – PRODUCERS

Winter’s Bone – Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin – PRODUCERS

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

James Franco – 127 Hours

Jeff Bridges – True Grit

Javier Bardem – Biutiful

Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network

Colin Firth – The King’s Speech

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Christian Bale – The Fighter

Jeremy Renner – The Town

John Hawkes –  Winter’s Bone

Mark Ruffalo –  The Kids Are Alright

Geoffrey Rush – The King’s Speech

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Annette Bening – The Kids Are Alright

Nicole Kidman – Rabbit Hole

Jennifer Lawrence – Winter’s Bone

Natalie Portman – Black Swan

Michelle Williams  – Blue Valentine

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Adams  – The Fighter

Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech

Melissa Leo – The Fighter

Hailee Steinfeld –  True Grit

Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom

DIRECTION

Darren Aronofsky – Black Swan

David O. Russell – The Fighter

Tom Hopper – The King’s Speech

David Fincher – The Social Network

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen – True Grit

To see the complete list of nominations: 2011 Academy Award Nominations