Tonight's marathon is a continuation of last weeks intro into the theme of overcoming adversity. Last week we opened up this theme with outstanding human dramas such as A Beautiful Mind, Shawshank Redemption, A Little Princess, and The Pursuit of Happyness. Tonight we continue that trend but take a slightly different approach to it dealing with the theme of boxing. There have been several amazing dramas that have revolved around this theme. For the theme of boxing drama, we have on our line up for this evening:
Rocky 1976, Cinderella Man 2005, The Fighter 2010, and Rocky Balboa 2006
We begin with the film that started the whole theme of boxing dramas. Sylvester Stallone's 1976 blockbuster Rocky, is a timeless story about a man who starts at the bottom but is given the opportunity of a lifetime and rises to the top. It is also one of the screen's most heartwarming love stories and one of pop culture's most inspirational films. In this story, Stallone plays Rocky Balboa, a small time boxer who gets a rare chance to fight the heavy-weight champion, Apollo Creed played by Carl Weathers. During this bout, Rocky strives to go the distance for his own self-respect. It is a wonderful story about hope and aspiring to make one's dreams come true. The second film in the lineup is Ron Howard's boxing drama titled Cinderella Man. In this film, Russell Crowe plays James Braddock, a washed-up boxer who comes back to become a champion and an inspiration in the 1930s to help provide for his wife played by Renee Zelwegger. As great as this film turned out to be, it was ultimately snubbed of any major Oscar recognition although it secured nominations for best film editing, makeup, and a supporting actor Oscar nomination for Paul Giamatti. The third film in the powerful marathon is The Fighter. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams. This story is centered around the early years of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his brother who helped train him before going pro in the mid 1980's. All three of these actors turn in stunning performances and the film packs an emotional punch that echos the previous two films in the lineup. The fourth and final film of tonight's lineup makes everything come full circle and reverts back to its roots. Rocky Balboa is a film that can be classified as all heart and a fitting end to the popular boxing franchise. In this film, Rocky is a retired heavyweight champion now entering his twilight years as a widowed husband. About thirty years after the first fight, Rocky comes out of retirement and dons his gloves for one final fight against the reigning heavyweight champion named Mason 'The Line' Dixon. Stallone reportedly was disatisfied with the outcome of Rocky V, and wanted to give the series a more powerful ending that touches the humanity of the first film. The great thing about Rocky Balboa is that it works so well as a direct sequel to the first film, you don't need any of the other sequels in between because they connect so perfectly together.
The theme of adversity continues here but takes a different route than the one presented last night. This one focuses on the underdogs who got special chances by society to prove themselves, and ultimately succeed in the end against all odds. Rocky Balboa drives home the message that it's never too late to make your dreams come true no matter how old you are.
No comments:
Post a Comment