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What's Wrong With Cinderella Man? (May Contain Sp

Started by uselessidguy331, July 16, 2005, 05:56:13 PM

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Have you seen Cinderella Man?

Yes.
2 (33.3%)
No.
0 (0%)
No, but I plan to.
0 (0%)
No, it doesn't interest me.
4 (66.7%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 6

uselessidguy331




Just recently I went to see Ron Howard's masterpiece of a film, "Cinderella Man."  The movie is incredibly enjoyable, uplifting, inspiring, and an all-around phenominal movie. Russell Crowe (my description---cinema's Kurt Angle, because he can make just about anything look good and brings a "big movie" feel to everything he's in) gives another PHENOMINAL, Oscar-worthy performance portraying James Braddock, a fighter who was well on his way to success before suffering a long spell of bad luck which leaves his family in poverty, along with millions of other Americans during the Great Depression. Due to his hand injury, Braddock's license to box is revoked and he finds himself out of work, struggling to support his family...working whenever possible. However, he gets a second chance and finds redemption in truly a "Cinderella story." Renee Zellweger gives an extremely strong performance as a supportive, yet worried wife who fears that her beloved husband will be seriously injured in the ring, yet knows that it's the only way he can support the family. Paul Giamatti (you know him as Miles from Sideways) gives a VERY strong performance as Braddock's booker/manager (or something to the extent...I'm not tremendously keen on boxing...but I'm certain he's not his trainer). Although his role isn't as emotionally touching or as moving as one by a Morgan Freeman, it's very realistic aned well played. Craig Bierko excellently portrays the (although historically incorrect, as I'll mention later) role of Max Baer, the seemingly unbeatable World Champion who was responsible for the deaths of two men in the ring. Also, the children in this movie play their roles well and do add to the strength of the film.

Aside from the phenominal acting, Howard did an incredible job recreating the feel of the Depression and the desperation of the situation. The images of the Braddock household during the Depression, as well as the "Hooverville" shantytown in Central Park stuck with me. This movie virtually told the same story as "Seabiscuit," with Braddock playing the role as the horse. However, "Cinderella Man" does a FAR better job showing just how bad things were, how the nation truly was on its knees. Also, it bests "Seabiscuit" in building up the underdog character of Braddock, showing just how much he had to overcome and how he got one, only one shot to make things happen. The masterpiece scenes of the movie come from the day of the fight; the buzz around New York City and New Jersey made me feel like I was there. The horror that Zellweger's character feels, knowing that her husband is steping into the ring with a "monster" and could be the next "victim" of Baer, surrounded by the upbeat, hopeful mood of the people of the city, who adopted him as their hero, brings forth a . The actual boxing in the film is also fantastic; leaps and bounds ahead of "Million Dollar Baby," it was as realistic as sports films get. The punches seemed devestating and the blurry state Crowe's character is knocked into during the Baer fight truly makes you feel like you just took a powerful uppercut to the jaw. The action scenes are hard hitting, the crowds extremely lifelike, and the feel of the arena is unmatched.

The one major flaw of this movie is the portrayal of Max Baer as a "villian" character who looked out only for himself during the Depression and was a "monster" in the ring. One scene in the movie portrays the match where Baer kills a fighter, pummeling him with cheap shots until he collapses to the ground, then celebrating, knowing he seriously injured his opponent. In real life, Baer was EXTREMELY regretful of what happened and truly felt that what happened was his fault. Rather than the cocky, arrogant, and mean person he was portrayed as in this film, he was actually more of a polite gentleman in real life. His character in the film helps the plot alot (in real life, it would've been like face vs. face...and we all know a heel usually makes the dramatic effect of the match work better), but is the only real historical inaccuracy of this movie.

From what I've seen and heard, this movie is BY FAR 2005's best cinematic offering so far. Nothing even comes close. There really hasn't been a film as touching, as emotionally impacting, or as well done as this one. It has everything: fantastic acting, great directing, a phenominal recreation of the 1929-1934 time period, GREAT action sequences (the best boxing I can remember), a great musical score, and an incredible true story to boot. The main complaint of everyone who dislikes the movies is: "OMG, THE PLOT IS PREDICTABLE AND THE ENDING IS SO EXPECTED!~!~!" Well, yes, no s***. It's a famous story and it'd be absolutely POINTLESS to change around, because it's fantastic the way it happened. I really don't think Howard could've done a better job re-telling this great story. It's easily the best movie I've seen since "Sideways" (the best comedy in a LONG time. I personally felt that it was better than "Million Dollar Baby," which is a BIG statement because I really enjoyed that as well. However, this was just a more satisfying story to me (I know, I realize that not all stories have happy endings...I just liked this movie more). It's an entirely different movie with an entirely different theme, but it's overall the better film.

It is because of the traits of this film I just mentioned that makes me wonder why it has suffered so much at the box office? This would easily be my choice for "Best Picture" at the Oscars next year if more people would go see the movie. I have a feeling it won't win many (or any) awards because of people not going to the theaters and seeing it. Even after the "money back guarantee" offer, it's BARELY made back what it cost to make the movie. So here's my plug: if you go see ONE movie this summer, make it "Cinderella Man" and you definately won't be disappointed.
"And still we all are so hopeful,
So righteous in our blood.
It looks so tarnished in our eyes,
Yet so afraid of...

Fading into nothing,
Fading into nothing.
Just a trace of light
That burns within our thoughts... "

Jump In Well

i've seen it, i walked out feeling good and i actually felt like i ripped off the theater for seeing such a great movie for only $6. (not counting concessions (those are always too much))

>Jump In Well :D

uselessidguy331

Oh man, the scene where he goes around the boxing room asking for money to meet his family's electric bill in the middle of winter is so touching and powerful. That was incredible. Amazing movie.
"And still we all are so hopeful,
So righteous in our blood.
It looks so tarnished in our eyes,
Yet so afraid of...

Fading into nothing,
Fading into nothing.
Just a trace of light
That burns within our thoughts... "

Rosella

I haven't seen it. It doesn't really seem like the kind of movie I'd be interested in. :/
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

Raforever





<3 Lollotte's #1 Fanboy!! *cuddles*  <3

Rosella

ROFL! XD Finally, someone else who thinks the movie's title is just insane. XD
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

Raforever

i've seen some pretty strange things in my life but they never cease to freak me out XD

anywho, i never even heard of that movie  :P




<3 Lollotte's #1 Fanboy!! *cuddles*  <3

uselessidguy331

"And still we all are so hopeful,
So righteous in our blood.
It looks so tarnished in our eyes,
Yet so afraid of...

Fading into nothing,
Fading into nothing.
Just a trace of light
That burns within our thoughts... "

Raforever





<3 Lollotte's #1 Fanboy!! *cuddles*  <3

racx_00

Cinderella Man <(o_O)>

That sounds really weird, not my kinda movie either
Knight of Jarada - Master Mind 8)
Assistant Manager of the TSL Asylum XD

Raforever

the previu was really tooching
*cries some more*




<3 Lollotte's #1 Fanboy!! *cuddles*  <3