ActionFest Buffet 3.0: Leftovers

On the Menu: THE RAID: REDEMPTION (2011)

Aftertaste: Possibly the best action flick of ActionFest 2012.

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On the Menu: THE DAY (2011)

Aftertaste: Like THE ROAD, but with young peeps, including the lovely Shannyn Sossamon.

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On the Menu: BAD ASS (2012)

Aftertaste: A real-life viral video becomes a vigilante flick starring Danny Trejo. It's WALKING TALL with a fanny pack.

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On the Menu: COMIN' AT YA! 3D (1981)

Aftertaste: The most fun movie at ActionFest 2012 not named MANBORG, but it's not purposefully ridiculous. It's just ridiculous.

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On the Menu: SLEEPLESS NIGHT (2011)

Aftertaste: This secret screening was a nice surprise. You'd never know Tomer Sisley is a stand-up comedian by trade. Dude rocks the action-thrillers.

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On the Menu: THE LOST BLADESMAN (2011)

Aftertaste: A little confusing with all the characters, and I was hoping for more action. More of a drama until the second half.

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On the Menu: GOD BLESS AMERICA (2011)

Aftertaste: Goldthwait's stuff is always risky/ballsy. Twisted and over-the-top, but I agree with most of the soapboxing when it comes to how our culture has devolved.

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On the Menu: WONDER WOMEN! (2012)

Aftertaste: A well-done mix of comic book history and girl power. Sometimes inspirational, too. I'm still waiting for the live-action Wonder Woman summer blockbuster. I vote for Gina Carano.

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Moneyball (2011) - February Filmathon Film #6

On the Menu: MONEYBALL (2011)

Ingredients: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt, Reed Diamond and Brent Jennings. Directed by Bennett Miller. Run time: 133 minutes. Rated: PG-13.

At First Bite: Well, after watching a mediocre sports film, I had to go with one I knew would be much better. I love movies about baseball: THE NATURAL, SANDLOT, BULL DURHAM, THE BAD NEWS BEARS, FIELD OF DREAMS, EIGHT MEN OUT, MAJOR LEAGUE, FOR LOVE OF THE GAME, SOUL OF THE GAME and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.

Growing up, I played baseball for 10 years. I didn't hit for power, but I got on base, hustled on every play and had a better-than-average glove. I was a Moneyball guy. I'm still that kind of player when rec league softball comes around each year.

MONEYBALL is the story of how Billy Beane (Pitt) tried to re-invent the game of baseball in 2002 with a salary of just around $40 million, which was almost 3 times less than the New York Yankees.

Tough to Swallow: The film begins at the end of the 2001 season. Billy and Pete (Hill) pick Jeremy Giambi and Chad Bradford as two of the guys to sign for the 2002 season. In reality, both players were already on the roster (since 2000).

Standings, as of May 23, 2002, are shown on screen. The A's record is 20-26. However, the next home game they lose in the film is to the Baltimore Orioles (when Billy confronts a dancing Giambi). In fact, the May 23rd game was the last time the A's played the O's at home that season.

In the film, Carlos Peña is traded before the 20-game winning streak. Yet, during footage of the 14th win he's shown running in from 1st base to celebrate.

Game Five of the 2002 ALDS was a day game, not a night game.

Although the film shows Tim Hudson a couple of times, there's no mention of the Big 3 as a factor in the team's success. Hudson went 15-9 with a 2.98 ERA. Mark Mulder went 19-7 with a 3.47 ERA, and Barry Zito went 23-5 with a 2.75 ERA.

I'm not sure anyone would believe Kerris Dorsey is the daughter of Brad Pitt and Robin Wright.

The scenes of the young Billy Beane have him playing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1985 as a New York Met. Beane played 8 games as a Met that year, none against the Dodgers. In fact, Beane never faced the Dodgers in his career.

The Boston Red Sox 2004 and 2007 championship banners are visible when Billy goes to Fenway Park about a job offer (at the conclusion of the 2002 season).

Something to Chew On: The project began in 2009 with Steven Soderbergh at the helm. Pitt and Demetri Martin were the leads, and numerous former players/coaches were set to play themselves.

This is Miller's second feature film. He previously directed CAPOTE in 2005.

The character of Peter Brand is based on Paul DePodesta.

Spike Jonze appears uncredited as Alán, Billy's ex-wife's new husband.

Beane had remarried, but scenes shot with the new wife were cut.

Former major leaguer Royce Clayton plays Miguel Tejada.

Former major leaguer Chad Kreuter plays A's pitching coach Rick Peterson.

Stephen Bishop, who plays David Justice, is a former Atlanta Braves minor leaguer. His nickname was Young Justice.

Derrin Ebert, who plays Mike Magnante, was a reliever for the Braves in 1999.

Glenn Morshower (Aaron Pierce on "24"), mostly known for his roles as military personnel, law enforcement officers and government agents, plays A's scout Ron Hopkins.

Pitt is also credited as a producer.

The film received 6 Oscar nominations: Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Picture.

Aftertaste: It's a baseball movie, but it's more about the business of the game than the game itself. The movie focuses on Beane and Brand and their new approach to finding players, Moneyball. Makes sense. When you have the second-lowest payroll in Major League Baseball, how do fill the gaps made by losing three of your best players? Sabermetrics. Google it.

That's not all the movie is about though. Otherwise, it's a 133-minute long movie about how certain stats are more important when it comes to evaluating players. The movie is also about the man, Billy Beane, and his struggles. I think Pitt's performance is what will appeal to non-sports fans. He shows the frustration and pain on his face even when he seems like he might have it all together. And, Hill was great is his first serious role.

I wouldn't be surprised if Aaron Sorkin doesn't take home the screenplay Oscar again this year. He had help from Steven Zaillian this time though.

It's a compelling drama with some baseball tossed in for good measure.

Maybe not a homerun, since, even with the help of MLB, the filmmakers got their facts wrong in some instances.

Perhaps, a stand-up triple.

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The Blind Side (2009) - Get Ready to Tear Up

On the Menu: THE BLIND SIDE (2009); Blockbuster Rental DVD

Ingredients: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins and Kathy Bates. Directed by John Lee Hancock. Run time: 129 minutes. Rated: PG-13.

At First Bite: I love Sandra Bullock. I love sports movies. Plus, it was nominated for Best Picture, so I figured I should see it once I had the opportunity.

As a child, Michael Oher (Aaron) was taken away from his crack-addict mother. He ran away from foster parents, and ended up sleeping wherever he could find warmth, e.g. a friend's couch.

One of those friends helps Michael get into a mostly-white private school because of his size and athletic ability. His grades are lousy, but it's because his former teachers just passed him through the system. His teachers at this new school don't think he's smart enough to be there. None of the kids seem to want anything to do with him.

Socialite Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) and her family pick up Michael one night as he's walking down the street. They take him in and teach him about football... and family.

Tough to Swallow: The only problem I had with this dramatization of a true story is the issue of racism isn't really covered. Sure, Leigh Anne's friends show their ignorance at lunch, but that's pretty much it. Collins, the daughter, tells her mom kids are being "juvenile," but that's as far as it goes. You can't tell me Hollywood didn't sugarcoat it. REMEMBER THE TITANS is a Disney film, and it wasn't afraid to show things how they were.

The passage of scripture on the archway at the fictional Wingate Christian School reads, "With man this is possible, With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 reads, "... with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [italics are mine]

When Michael gets his first C+ in biology, his name is spelled "Micheal" on the test paper.

On his history test, the first question asks where the Battle of Waterloo took place. Michael's answer of "Germany" is marked correct.

During Coach Phil Fulmer's visit, he refers to Sean, Jr. by S.J. the first time he talks to him, but then calls him C.J. when ending their conversation.

Something to Chew On: Julia Roberts was offered the role of Leigh Ann Tuohy, but turned it down.

Briarcrest Christian High School is the actual school Michael and the Tuohys attended, but administrators didn't want the school's name to be used because they didn't like how the teachers were portrayed in the script (doubting Michael's intelligence and capability to learn).

Michael Lewis, the author of the book, told Fox Sports News that Oher wasn't pleased with how the film portrayed him as "idiotic." Oher did not attend any of the film's premieres or the Oscars.

Leigh Anne Tuohy was an interior decorator for former-Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey. There's a scene in the film where she is on the phone talking about him.

A handful of former college coaches play themselves, e.g. Phil Fulmer, Nick Saban, Lou Holtz and Tommy Tuberville.

The film currently has a 7.7 user rating on IMDb.com (31,075 votes).

Sides: This rental version has no special features. But, hey, even the retail version only has deleted scenes. So, to me, that seems like the bigger rip-off.

Aftertaste: The movie opens by showing a clip from a Redskins game. Awesome. Sure, it's the game where Theismann's career was shattered by LT, but you can't be choosy. As a 'Skins fan, I don't have a lot to cheer about nowadays other than the signing of Donovan McNabb.

There aren't necessarily a lot of football scenes, which is disappointing. However, this film is more about the drama. For the story it's trying to tell, the movie doesn't need to be longer than 2 hours, but it is. Oher has stated he wasn't totally inexperienced when he started playing football, so maybe more time could have been spent on his childhood, relationship with his brother or any racism he faced once joining the Tuohy family, instead of showing workouts and practices.

Bullock is the best part of the whole thing. I don't really know how much of a stretch it was for a Southerner to play a Southerner. Maybe the tough part was Tuohy is also a Republican and devout Christian. Even so, this is Bullock's ERIN BROCKOVICH.

The movie does what it intends to do: tug on the heartstrings. I must admit I got teary-eyed a couple of times. It has a good message and one great performance, but I don't think it should have been nominated for Best Picture.

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Bronson (2008) - Glutton for Punishment

On the Menu: BRONSON (2009)

Ingredients: Tom Hardy, Matt King, James Lance, Hugh Ross and Juliet Oldfield. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. Run time: 92 minutes. Rated: R.

At First Bite: I've seen and own many films from Magnet Releasing (this being one of them). The preview made me think of the 2000 film CHOPPER starring Eric Bana, which I enjoyed immensely.

BRONSON is about Britain's most famous and most violent prisoner, Michael Peterson. In 1974, the 19-year-old Peterson robbed a post office and was sent to jail for seven years. He's still there. At the time of the film's release he had spent 30 of the 34 years in solitary confinement. The film's title is a reference to Peterson's alter ego, Charles Bronson, which is the name given to him by a boxing promoter during his short stint of freedom. He's shipped to a few different jails with an asylum thrown in the middle. Why? Because he makes a game of taking hostages in his cell, stripping naked and then proceeding to lay vicious beatdowns on the guards until he's overpowered.

He tells us early on that his parents aren't to blame for what he's become (it just happens to be a scene with an infant Michael behind the bars of a crib). He's a nutter, but he let's us know from the start that he wanted to be famous and knew he was meant for bigger things. It's like everything is a performance, which makes the director's choice of having Bronson on a stage speaking to us and a fake audience in between flashbacks even smarter. When addressing the camera he sometimes wears clown makeup, performs skits or even sings. It's actually funny, if not disturbing. These scenes seem to be representations of his imagination or hallucinations (he did seem to be drugged up a lot in the asylum).

Maybe he's just a delusional artist, who has become institutionalized. A telling scene for me is with the prison art instructor near the end of the film. The instructor, who had tabbed Bronson a "living Magritte," tells him, "You are finally going to get what you've always wanted." Bronson replies, "What you know about what I [really] want?" Then, the camera looks at him through the staircase (once again he's framed between bars). Cue the game, but not before Charlie creates his own Magritte while listening to Act I of the Delibes opera Lakmé.

That's another wonderful thing about this movie -- the music. The opening beatdown is hauntingly set to "The Electrician" by The Walker Brothers. The soundtrack includes stuff from Wagner, Strauss, Puccini and even the Pet Shop Boys, whose song plays at a dance for the inmates of the asylum.

There were a couple of other points about the opening and closing prison shots. Both involve cages (the last one not even big enough for him to stretch his arms out) and the colors of the shots are simply red and black. Either we're supposed to see a caged, bloody animal or someone trapped in a hell of his own choosing.

Tough to Swallow: It's hard to understand what is being said for most of the movie (and even the DVD's special features), and there are NO English subtitles. There are Spanish subtitles, but I took four years of French. Oh well.

Something to Chew On: Jason Statham was asked to play Bronson, but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts. It's weird I actually thought Tom Hardy seemed like a mix between Statham and Cole Hauser. Hardy ended up putting on 42 lbs. for the role. Hardy won the 2009 British Independent Film Award for Best Actor for this film, and deservedly so. Michael Peterson said he shaved off his mustache and gave it to Hardy to use for the movie. Peterson, using the Bronson moniker, has at least 8 books available on Amazon.com right now, including a book of poems, a fitness book and a prison guide. The Magritte painting that is recreated is The Son of Man. Magritte has this to say about the painting:  

... Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see. There is an interest in that which is hidden and which the visible does not show us. This interest can take the form of a quite intense feeling, a sort of conflict, one might say, between the visible that is hidden and the visible that is present.

Hmmm. The artist hidden within a muscle-bound prison?

The film currently has a 6.6 user rating on IMDb.com (5,177 votes).

Note: I DID, in fact, eat everything in the title photo. Yes, all 3 sandwiches, plus the bacon and fries.

Sides: This  DVD has a nice collection of special features. The "Charles Bronson Monologues" lets you listen to the real-life Bronson talk about his current cage, meeting Tom Hardy and, among other things, his time on the asylum roof. There's a making-of featurette that lasts maybe 12 minutes. Another featurette shows the training Hardy went through to become Bronson. There are interviews with Refn, Hardy and Matt King (some of which are included in the making-of featurette). The DVD also includes some behind-the-scenes footage and the trailer.

Aftertaste: After seeing the BRONSON trailer I immediately drew comparisons to CHOPPER. Both are amusing and disturbing. This movie is sort of a biopic, but it's more a dark comedy. I've seen other comparisons including A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (my guess is because of the use of violence and music) and THE KING OF COMEDY (obviously linking the delusional main characters who think themselves to be great artists). Hardy was done a disservice by not being nominated for an Oscar. He was brilliant.

Refn has described this as a feminine film. I can see that. I mean, it's not your typical prison movie -- the prisoner wants to stay locked up. The smaller the cell, the more comfortable he is. Does the cage represent the womb? He doesn't seem to have a strong paternal figure. Jack (his uncle), Phil (his art instructor) and Paul (his prison friend) are all feminine characters, and Bronson seems to be at ease around them more than anyone else besides his mother. Aside from the fighting, the focus is more on the creative mind of the madman, e.g., his painting and his love of music. If you're a fan of British films, violence and dark comedies, then you'll love this. Now, be warned there are a few scenes involving male frontal nudity, but I told you about the guy's M.O. earlier. Also, there's a scene in the loony bin involving defecation. Regardless, I could watch the movie again. I'm a glutton for punishment, especially the stylish and intelligent kind.

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