Review: The Fighter (2010)

Director David O. Russell (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees) does an admirable job telling the true story of former welterweight champion Micky Ward (portrayed by Mark Wahlberg). Ward is known especially for his famous trilogy of title fights with the late Arturo Gatti. The Fighter takes place years before these fights, as Micky is desperately trying to make a name for himself. Torn between depending on his family-that has a tendency to fall short- or training with professionals that will ensure his spot on HBO, Micky continues to exert himself. His brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale)- former professional boxer known for bringing Sugar Ray Leonard to the mat- persists to miss training sessions and events for Micky as he spirals deeper into his crack addiction. The Fighter is a magnificent display of a man with a dream, rising from the streets to fame. David O. Russell and Wahlberg continue to prove themselves a great cinematic duo. Wahlberg, showing both emotional and physical determination as he trained with the real Micky Ward and brother Dicky for the film, displays a great depiction of the great fighting Irishman. Additionally, Bale, famous for his astonishing physical dedication to roles (losing 63 pounds for his role in The Machinist, and reaching peak physical status for such films as American Psycho and Nolan's Batman Begins), continues to shock audiences with not only his drastic change of appearance for the role of Dicky, but for his oscar-worthy performance and portrayal of addiction. The setting and time period are precise, from the streets of Boston to the horrific moosed hairdos of the Ward sisters, placing the viewer's seat directly in the atmosphere of Lowell, Boston. The astoundingly talented Amy Adams only adds to the authenticity as Micky's autonomous Boston broud love interest. Much like Rocky, the final fifteen minutes of the film will leave its audience's nerves much like the antagonist's after a long drag of crack. Inspirational, compelling, and at times tragic, The Fighter hits on many levels- scoring it 31/2 stars.

Review: The Other Guys (2010)

Director Adam Mckay and Will Ferrell have returned to the big screen in The Other Guys. The film stars Terry Holtz (Mark Wahlberg) and Allen Gamble (Ferrell) as two pencil-pushing odd couple office cops who are growing more and more tired of filling out action cops' paperwork and are ready for some of the excitement. When superstar officers Christopher Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and P.K. Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) die in hot pursuit, it's Terry and Allen's turn to step up to the plate as New York's top cops. Mckay and Ferrell have been integrating since 1995 on Saturday Night Live. In more recent years audiences have applauded Mckay/Ferrell projects such as Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers. One thing that is very clear about these films is that viewers either love them or hate them. The Other Guys, like Mckay's other flicks, gives the audience a chance to stop stressing about work, bills, and life. It gives the audience a chance to laugh at the simple things, like a gang of hobos having an orgy in a Prius (don't ask, just watch). Upon seating one's self at the cinema, one must discern that they aren't awaiting a showing of Casablanca. This is a farcically unrealistic film with a humorously been there done that plot, however it's okay considering the director and actors know it. Ferrell's antics are a riot as always and Wahlberg's intentional over-acting remains amusing throughout. The film touches that part of you deep down that wants to brake all the rules and conquer the day with a buddy cop. Though too silly for some, for this viewer The Other Guys pleases the mind and under stays its welcome at 107 minutes, earning it a well-deserved 3 stars.