District 9 (2009). Everything about this movie except one thing was pretty good. The effects were awesome, the story was solid enough. Production value was high. But the one thing that really detracted the experience was it tone. It was almost as if the movie itself was never really comfortable in its own skin and would hence keep changing persona's, again finding itself out of character and uncomfortable. That killed it for me.
The Wrestler (2008). This is a simple yet spectacular offering from Darren Aronofsky. The tale is simply a snapshot of an aging pro wrestler's life, a life that is mess outside of the ring. The wrestling aspect of this flick is treated honestly and with respect. Yeah, these guys choreograph the whole thing, but the fact that they love their work and abuse their bodies to please the audience is proof that they deserve more respect than they will ever get. Micky Rourke is absolutely perfect in this role, which might symbolize his own present life. He is definitely staging a comeback with this great performance. Marisa Tomei does a great job as well, and how they made this sweetheart to look so hardened in the beginning is beyond me. Evan Rachel Wood's limited screen-time was wonderful. Of course the direction was brilliant, and Darren deserves the credit for squeezing these terrific performances out of his actors. Simply a wonderful, touching, and believably honest flick. Mercie beaucoup.
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Fate is my mistress, mother of the cruel abomination that is hope.
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