The Wrestler

Directer: Darren Aronofsky

Writer: Robert D. Siegel

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

The Wrestler will leave you with watery eyes and a heavy heart. Aronofsky, as with his other films, takes a deep look into the human psyche. Inside and outside of the ring, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a character that keeps you enthralled. Ram drives this movie the entire way with a head of steam.

"The Ram" is a long time professional wrestler. He continued to wrestle past his prime usually being the old veteran in any locker room. For one reason or another, he is forced to retire and face life outside the ring as Randy Robinson. His situation reminds me of the character Brooks from The Shawshank Redemption (1994) who was released from prison after many years. I think of Shawshank because of the narration of Morgan Freeman as Red where he so elegantly says, "These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them." Randy Robinson depended on the ring.

Randy Robinson reveals to the audience the distraction (whether positive or negative) of daily routine. When one has an absorbing passion or job that he does every day, he often avoids dealing with other life issues. This struggle is beautifully portrayed through a number of encounters between Robinson and others. His loneliness leads him to pursue a relationship with his stripper friend Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), and reunite with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). Randy must find a new, less glorified, job where there are no fanatical cheers involved. In the end it comes down to a choice; what is Randy "The Ram" Robinson's real life?

The direction of this film is superb. Aronofsky, one of the current greats, chooses what scenes and what emotions are injected using his cinematic savvy. Every moment adds to the emotion of the film. The acting is exemplary. A film of this nature, lacking "action," is carried by its characters. Roarke puts on a performance that is simply better than most you'll see by actors in other movies. You see what he sees, want what he wants, and feel what he feels. Tomei is good as Cassidy (or Pam), and plays an important part in Robinson's post Wrestling life. Wood does a nice job as his neglected daughter Stephanie.  Every scene is captivating and meaningful.

A well directed and acted story. I enjoyed the movie a great deal, however I feel I cannot give it a perfect score. The acting carries it, but the writing and story are not quite strong enough for a 4 star rating. Yet, it keeps you interested and is escorted out with a moving ending and specifically song (The Wrestler by Bruce Springsteen). 3 1/2 Stars.

Limitless

Limitless is a fun movie and worth seeing. Director Neil Burger takes an idea and portrays it creatively. Smooth actor Bradley Cooper is great for the role of a struggling writer who discovers a way to access his entire brain capacity. I liked how the effect of the pill was portrayed as a high like any other drug. Burger seems to have the philosophy, of which I concur, that the ultimate high is that of the climactic mind. He shows how it not only feels great but leads to great success. I liked how the pill was used to achieve wealth as that is what I believe is a core desire of man, and therefore will be pursued with supernatural brain power. The cinematography during the highs were creative and more importantly cool. Power is a craving of man and this film advocates that knowledge is power. De Niro was great as the wealthy business superpower Van Loon. Abbie Cornish was also good as the lady figure experiencing the drug vicariously through Morra (Cooper). It’s a movie that will keep you interested and is surprisingly not hackneyed as an idea of this nature can often be. Solid flick; 3 stars.

Black Swan

Director Darren Aronofsky has the unique talent of temporarily usurping the mind of his audience. Black Swan was carefully and eloquently designed. The film, at its core, is about something beautiful and pure; dance. As the director of the dance company, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), choreographs and conducts his symphony, Aronofsky directs his vision. With a superb performance by Natalie Portman, the viewer is taken deep into Nina Sayer's' chaotic mind. As the white-swan/black-swan conflict emerges far beyond the dance itself, Mila Kunis is great as Lily the sensual and seductive antithesis to Nina. The numerous layers and multiple ideas that are prevalent in this film are what make it special. The characters are deep, and the points sharp. The sexual scenes as well as the company of beautiful dancers adds a clear edge to the picture. Perhaps the key to the dramatic film is the musical pieces in the background that drive the mood. I do have a few criticisms of the movie. Towards the end the film gets dangerously close to becoming a full fledged horror film. However, Aronofsky clearly had the agenda of depicting total chaos and panic so the horror scenes added. Also, the psychology of the film reminds me a bit too much of Fight Club. As with most movies of this kind (somewhat all over the place) there are likely holes in the movie. It is not clear how the broad story of the movie fits exactly with the story of the Swan Queen, but most parts make sense. Still, I love Aronofsky's style and his work. He manipulates the mind and take the audience into another world; his world. He knows no boundaries and makes sure you will not forget his work. There is a rush at every moment and an explosion at the finale. Analyzing this film is both intellectually and emotionally stimulating. 4 stars.

127 Hours: Spoiler Alert (If somehow you don't already know the ending)

It is difficult to write about this movie because Aron Ralston's story truly speaks for itself. The plot of the movie, based on the true story, allows for a rare correct usage of the word unbelievable. The film has many attributes other than an enthralling story as well. Acclaimed director of Slumdog Millionaire Danny Boyle, gives his audience more than just a man's account; he delivers a film. The movie must be brief because it mostly takes in one setting with one character. Boyle therefore uses his film time quite wisely. In the early stage of the movie he develops Aron Ralston (James Franco) as a personality and allows the audience to form a relationship with light-hearted, adventurer. He then abruptly goes to the meat of the film, when Aron's right arm gets trapped in canyon-land between a boulder and a wall. The remainder of the movie is spent between Aron, his thoughts, and the audience; all in one sliver of earth. James Franco puts on his best performance as he portrays a man willing to do anything to escape his quagmire. Franco was perfect in every aspect; comedic yet deep. Boyle takes us, vicariously through Aron, as close as anyone can get to death and still tell about it. Boyle puts in a number of delusions that seem a little over the top, but when someone is that helpless anything is possible. I was a little too squeamish to watch the climactic scene where Aron amputates his own arm in full detail. Boyle got the job done using visual and auditory techniques to portray Aron's chaotic state of pain. Boyle and Franco gave a little extra to a story that didn't even need any. 3 1/2 stars. Interview with Aron Ralston