The Wrestler

[Shadowfax32]

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thewrestler/

Can't believe that's Motorcyle Boy from Rumble Fish. I have always liked Mickey Rourke and just like Downey Jr., I think he deserves a 2nd chance. Really looking forward to the movie. I know the Oscar race has just begun, but I believe this might put Rourke in Best Actor consideration.

[Lupek]

This looks really good.

I snatched this from the NY Times link on your link


1. They get the wrestling right.
The movie isn’t really about wrestling (so don’t be scared), but it’s not like one of those awful baseball movies in which Anthony Perkins pretends to know how to throw a baseball. The movie is populated with real wrestlers, and it makes sure to nail all the little details. As in real life, when someone does a particularly dangerous move, the crowd all yells, “Holy shit! Holy shit!” and “You’re so dead! You’re so dead!” This will seem strange to non–wrestling fans, but this is really what they do at WWE matches. The hard-core fans will notice, and appreciate.

2. Kurt Cobain is a pussy.
Rourke’s Randy “the Ram” Robinson was a star wrestler in the eighties, which means the whole movie is soundtracked by glorious, awesome hair metal, his preferred genre. Haven’t heard Accept’s “Balls to the Wall” in a long time? You’re in luck: The Ram rocks out, HARD. One particularly amusing exchange between the Ram and Marisa Tomei’s stripper, Cassidy, features the line, “The eighties fuckin’ ruled, man, till that pussy Cobain came and fucked it all up.” Expect to hear the soundtrack played ironically at Christmas parties on the Lower East Side.

3. Marisa Tomei is lookin’ good.
You know how, in Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Marisa Tomei is naked, like, four times? She was clearly preparing for this film, in which she plays a stripper with a heart of talc and is topless and grinding pretty much the whole time. One shot, filmed from her point of view while she’s working, will make you never, ever want to enter a strip club again.

4. Nintendo!
The Ram lives alone in a New Jersey trailer and, to pass the time, occasionally invites teenagers to play a wrestling game (as his character) on the ancient, original console, while the condescending teen talks about his PS3. This scene is even more heartbreaking than it sounds.

5. Wrestlers can act.
Anyone who knows anything about professional wrestling knows that it’s about as “fake” as a razor blade to the head. (Which we see.) But who knew these guys were so natural on film? Ernest “the Cat” Miller is a former WWF wrestler who, in this movie, plays “the Ayatollah,” a faux-Arab wrestler from the eighties. The character now sells used cars and is fat and happy in retirement. Miller has three scenes, two of which involve no wrestling at all, and he’s funny, quiet, and dead-on perfect. We had no idea he was a wrestler in real life until we checked IMDb.

6. BRUUUUUUCE.
Expect to see the Boss on Oscar night. Bruce Springsteen’s song “The Wrestler,” written exclusively for the film, plays over the closing credits, and it’s straight from The Ghost of Tom Joad — aching, sad, gorgeous. The song’s so good, you almost expect Sean Penn to write another movie based off it, like with The Indian Runner and Bruce’s “Highway Patrolman.”

7. Don’t worry: There are no orgies.
We all know people who were scarred by the artsy intensity of Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream and are too terrified to go see another of his movies. (Others had the same reaction to The Fountain, for different reasons altogether.) Worry not: Aronofsky’s in back-to-basics mode, telling a straight story simply and plainly. It’s still expertly put together, but, for the first time, Aronofsky moves out of the way and lets the story tell itself. It’s a daring decision, actually.

8. God, Nicolas Cage would have been terrible.
When Rourke shows up for the Oscars, imagine, for a moment, what would have happened if Nicolas Cage had taken the role, as was originally planned. One shudders to think of the wig he would have worn for this. It’s a career capper for Rourke, and it’s virtually impossible to imagine anyone else playing the part.

9. You'll never believe who the movie is dedicated to.
Well, maybe not “dedicated to,” but the last line of the credits? “The producers and filmmakers would like to extend their sincerest thanks to Axl Rose.”

10. Seriously, you're totally going to cry.
You’ve been warned.

[P-Man]

I really, really want to see this movie. I hope there's a theater somewhere close playing it, but I kinda doubt it. I might end up making one of my rare trips to Charlotte to catch it.

[Shadowfax32]

P-man, it comes to Charlotte on January 23. Man, I love New York! :biggrin:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/12/09/the-wrestler-release-date-schedule/

I agree with the top ten list, I think this would suck with Nic Cage.

[Davideaux]

I've been looking for information on the soundtrack, specifically if Clint Masell is on it.

[Damiean Dark]

Really looking foward to this from the trailers and i am sure Rouke looks destined for some kind of award come oscar night.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

As a wrestling fan, I'm really excited for this movie. They seem to have respect for the business and are making the effort to be accurate about it, plus it features my favorite promotion, Ring of Honor.

[DWEarhart]

As I was informed, they got a first hand taste of the business as some of the scenes filmed took place during that big fiasco of a weekend at the Cow Palace.

Now THAT is an accurate portrayal of the wrestling business.

[ultramandingo]

.............wanted to see it anyways - but the cow palace ! saw kiss, neil young and john denver there - too bad it wasnt on the same bill

[Astonishing X-Fan]

As I was informed, they got a first hand taste of the business as some of the scenes filmed took place during that big fiasco of a weekend at the Cow Palace.

Now THAT is an accurate portrayal of the wrestling business.

I didn't know they taped there. All I heard about was taping during the ROH Double Feature earlier this year.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

necro butcher is the next dwayne johnson!!

[P-Man]

P-man, it comes to Charlotte on January 23. Man, I love New York! :biggrin:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/12/09/the-wrestler-release-date-schedule/


Thank you very much for letting me know the date and supplying me with that link! I'm almost certain that I will end up driving the two hours to catch this movie. It looks like a good film in it's own right, but as a wrestling fan I've been hungering for a movie with a realistic take on the business.

[Shadowfax32]

I've been looking for information on the soundtrack, specifically if Clint Masell is on it.

No info on the movie's soundtrack, but Bruce Springsteen's new album Working For A Dream coming out January 27 will contain the song The Wrestler. That song playing along with the trailer floors me every time.

[Ontir]

Great film! I saw it last night, and was fortunate enough to get the Q&A with Rourke, Aranofsky, Tomei, Wood and the film's composer. Springsteen was a part of the project because he is a fan and friend of Rourke's. At Rourke's request he wrote the song that runs at the film's end, and he didn't charge the low-budget production for it.

The interplay between Rourke and Tomei and esepecially he and Wood is fantastic. In both cases, with very little set-up, the three actors convey pre-existing relationships so naturalistically that I was instantly drawn into the stories. Very well done.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Axl Rose basically named the wrestler Rourke plays in it. Him and Mickey aren't best friends but they have talked and it was Mickey who asked Rose for songs in The Wrestler.


Heres some things revealed at how close Rose & Rourke are...


Hey Axl,http://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?showtopic=133020&st=360



Is Mickey going to pay you back for letting them use SCOM in the Wrestler by starring in a new Guns video?

Rose-Actually Mickey agreed to play The Shackler if we were to make a vid for it.



I keep asking questions (like everybody else, I suppose) and feel stupid for asking so many, but I am also curious as to your relationship with Mickey Rourke. He's one of my favourite actors, and I saw an interview with him recently where he said you were kind enough to give him songs for The Wrestler. My question is: how long do you and Mickey go back, and do you have any interesting stories from "back in the day"? You guys strike me as being pretty similar in a lot of ways (I mean as far as personalities and what you've been through in your lives) and it's cool for me to see two of my pop culture "heroes," for lack of better description, being friends, and also making similarly timed "comebacks." (Or whatever you want to call it.)


Rose- Mickey and I haven't really hung much but have a lot of mutual friends over the years. He's always been massively supportive. I've always been a big fan of his as well. It's probably better for both of us we didn't hang directly back in the day!!

[Shadowfax32]

A very moving, heartbreaking film. The interaction behind the scenes with the wrestlers felt almost like a documentary. Lots blood in the ring and T & A with Tomei, but we got a couple of shots of Rourke's Angel Heart ass for us ladies! :biggrin:

[Serik]

Been listening to the Springsteen song; definitely seeing this as soon as it opens in my town.

[Holacik]

When I saw the previews I was surprised how good it looks, going to have to see it.

[The Xenos]

This movie looks fantastic. I'm a huge Aronofsky fan.

[Shadowfax32]

Rourke is on Letterman tonight.

[Ontir]

This is a full-price, evening admission with the big bucket of corn and large drinks movie.

Definitely worth the expenditure, even if you pay for parking and a sitter.

[Slappy san]

I just checked Fandango. It says the movie started the 17th? It also says it's not showing in Houston.

EDIT: Ok I figured it had to be a limited release. I just might check this out....just not on opening night. If not...it's already on my Netflix.

[Shadowfax32]

I just checked Fandango. It says the movie started the 17th? It also says it's not showing in Houston.

EDIT: Ok I figured it had to be a limited release. I just might check this out....just not on opening night. If not...it's already on my Netflix.

It comes to Houston on January 16.

[Push You Down]

saw this over the weekend. Really amazing movie. Comedian Judah Friedlander has a really small role in it and is completely unrecognizable without his using "costume". Really loved seeing Ernest Miller again.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

It looks like this isn't going to be coming to any theatres here.

That blows.

[maniacthw]

What WWE event did they EVER go to to hear people chant "holy shit?" That's an Indy and ECW thing.

[Ontir]

It looks like this isn't going to be coming to any theatres here.

That blows.

It does.

ROAD TRIP!

It's worth it, and you'll have fun, pile friends in the car and go!

[Royal]

Dave Meltzer and Brian Alvarez's f4wonline.com


Director Darren Aronofsky's new film "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke has been getting rave reviews and winning awards left and right. The recent movie premiere brought out a number of pro wrestling legends, including Ric Flair, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Gret Valentine, Brutus Beefcake and others. With all the attention the film is receiving, WWE chairman Vince McMahon contacted Darren Aronofsky and requested a private screening of "The Wrestler". So, what did Vince think about it?

Whatever Vince told the director to his face remains a mystery, however a source close to the WWE boss says, "the word negative isn't strong enough to describe Vince's reaction. [This is] no surprise because Vince's vision of the 2008 image of wrestling and even fading stars directly contradicts what The Wrestler accurately portrays." Others in Vince's close circle knew going into the screening that this was the kind of movie he was going to despise.

Awwwww. Wook at da baybee thwo a tempa tantwam.

[maniacthw]

Dave Meltzer and Brian Alvarez's f4wonline.com



Awwwww. Wook at da baybee thwo a tempa tantwam.

Vince, and his watered down bullshit he's been putting out, suck. If you want real wrestling, watch the fed used in the movie: Ring of Honor (RoH). CM Punk started there!

[Pól Rua]

Awwwww. Wook at da baybee thwo a tempa tantwam.

The film is called 'The Wrestler', Vinnie.
Not 'The Sports-Entertainer'.

Get over your damn self.

[Shadowfax32]

Nick Foley aka Mankind said that Aronofksy pushed the steroid issue too much. Well, there's a point to that. Randy has absolutely nothing and nobody but wrestling and its fans. He's resigned to a life of self-abuse because of this.

[Pól Rua]

Mick Foley aka Mankind said that Aronofksy pushed the steroid issue too much. Well, there's a point to that. Randy has absolutely nothing and nobody but wrestling and its fans. He's resigned to a life of self-abuse because of this.

How dare he.
Just because people are dying and being pressured into ruining their health and ending up as broken down cripples, why should that be an issue?

[Mia]

I'm going to see this film! I have a huge crush on Mickey Rourke ever since I saw him in Wild Orchid (yes that's right!). He just oozes testosterone! I think my love of all tough guys stem from him! Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

[rondre sleazde]

dowloaded this movie and watched it. It is a great movie

[DWEarhart]

Excellent film. Really enjoyed it.

[StoneGold]

dowloaded this movie and watched it. It is a great movie

So now you're going to pay for a ticket but not watch it, right?

[Kid Kamikaze10]

dowloaded this movie and watched it. It is a great movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUe-Ebe8dWU

That's all I'm gonna say about this post...

[Superbeast]

dowloaded this movie and watched it. It is a great movie

It's a goddamn indie film made on a shoestring budget and you downloaded the thing? You arse! :evilangry:

[DWEarhart]

How dare he.
Just because people are dying and being pressured into ruining their health and ending up as broken down cripples, why should that be an issue?

Bah. I thought the issue was handled well enough. You know it's there, but it wasn't bashed over your head on cue.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

To be fair, downloading may be the only way for some people to actually see it. Without waiting for the DVD I mean.

Doesn't make it any more legal, of course. Just saying that wanting to avoid paying for it may not be the motive here.

[Royal]

dowloaded this movie and watched it. It is a great movie

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/djransom/BooThisMan.gif

[Pól Rua]

Bah. I thought the issue was handled well enough. You know it's there, but it wasn't bashed over your head on cue.

That's cool. I'd hate to see this become some after school special.
But I think the whole attitude of "We've dealt with the problem, now shut up" is irksome.

[DWEarhart]

That's cool. I'd hate to see this become some after school special.
But I think the whole attitude of "We've dealt with the problem, now shut up" is irksome.

That's the movie Vinny Mac wants to see.

But, seriously, until another famous or even semi-famous wrestler/sports entertainer dies in a wicked manner, and it doesn't even have to be related sterioids, although you know the media will make it one anyway - - but until then, no one is going to talk or budge on the issue. It is going to take another death for people to start talking about it again.

[Royal]

That's the movie Vinny Mac wants to see.

But, seriously, until another famous or even semi-famous wrestler/sports entertainer dies in a wicked manner, and it doesn't even have to be related sterioids, although you know the media will make it one anyway - - but until then, no one is going to talk or budge on the issue. It is going to take another death for people to start talking about it again.

And then bury it again to go after another "big fish".

The only way this is going to stop is when people stop going or an outside force starts taking things in their own hands.

[DWEarhart]

And then bury it again to go after another "big fish".

The only way this is going to stop is when people stop going or an outside force starts taking things in their own hands.

Seeing how the citzens of N. America handled the Bush administration, I agree, I expect shit to happen. People seem to forget what rights they have as long as something free is coming their way.

Yes, another will die, another media scandal will evolve, and will die down like all the rest.

[Royal]

Seeing how the citzens of N. America handled the Bush administration, I agree, I expect shit to happen. People seem to forget what rights they have as long as something free is coming their way.

Yes, another will die, another media scandal will evolve, Sportscasters will flaunt their "moral superiority" instead of doing something and will die down like all the rest.

fixed it for you.

[Royal]

WWE's response to "The Wrestler"


"While 'The Wrestler' is a very engaging movie, it portrays how wrestling was conducted in some independent wrestling circuits, unlike WWE, which is a global brand with millions of fans."


Buddy, fuck you!

[Kid Kamikaze10]

WWE's response to "The Wrestler"



Buddy, fuck you!

Yeah, that's so much BS that I think the mainstream media can even see through it.

One word: Benoit. (I really hate bringing him up in such a negative light, though)

[The Zapper]

WWE's response to "The Wrestler"



Buddy, fuck you!

We don't agree on much, but we agree on this.

[Bill Thompson]

Tremendous movie, not surprised by the reaction from the WWE, they are one giant tool.

[ultramandingo]

..........it finally made it out to the burbs - jeeze , and i thought rourke was a mess in " barfly " this ones up their in the sports movie patheon with raging bull , slap shot , breaking away and the bad news bears - " use his leg ! use his leg ! use his leg ! "

[DWEarhart]

..........it finally made it out to the burbs - jeeze , and i thought rourke was a mess in " barfly " this ones up their in the sports movie patheon with raging bull , slap shot , breaking away and the bad news bears - " use his leg ! use his leg ! use his leg ! "

"Wanna play the Nintendo?"

I still got mine.....somewhere.

I really think this film should also be nominated for a best editing award sometime somewhere, not that award shows mean squat these days, but it'd be nice.

[Shadowfax32]

Rourke talks about the movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orzz2FsSAaw

[ultramandingo]

I really think this film should also be nominated for a best editing award sometime somewhere, not that award shows mean squat these days, but it'd be nice.

.........award for best musical number - marisa tomei pole dancing to the Scorpions (!!!!!)

[ultramandingo]

.......looks like rourkes "new" fame is finally gonna get elmore leonard's " killshot " released - the good - great book , its a rumble fish reunion with diane lane (!) plus joseph gordon-levitt - the bad - its been sitting on the shelf since 2005 , directed by the guy who did " captain corelli's mandolin " - yeessh

[DWEarhart]

Mickey Rourke won the Golden Globe for best actor in a drama.