5.19.2012

Cinderella Man and The Muppets : A movie review


I'm going to review 2 very different movies in this post; hope you like them.
Out of desperation for a movie to watch last night, we got "The Muppets" from Redbox.
Here's the synopsis from imdb :

When 3 Muppet fans learn that Tex Richman wants to drill under the Muppet Theater for oil, Gary, Mary and Walter set out to find the Muppets who have been split up for years so that they can put on one last show and save the Muppet Theater. Kermit the Frog now lives in his own mansion depressed in Hollywood, The Great Gonzo is a high class plumber at Gonzo's Royal Flush, Fozzie Bear performs with a tribute band called The Moopets, Miss Piggy is the plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, and Animal is at a celebrity anger management rehab center in Santa Barbara.

Let's settle one thing first : I am a Muppets Fan. Call me what you will. I love them, especially the great Christmas classic at our house : The Muppet's Christmas Carol (one of the best!).
I'll admit, I was worried to watch this, because, if you've seen the trailers, it looked pretty cheesy; and the singing definitely caught me off guard. I was not expecting that. But, I liked it a lot. It was super fun, very clean, and had sooo many cameos I was cracking up. Especially Jack Black and Emily Blunt's ones (Jack Black as himself and Emily Blunt as Miss Piggy's secretary); then I thought it was so funny because here are some of the best actors (Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel, and, sure Jack Black) and haha, they weren't even trying. But in a good way. It was very good. 7.5/10 stars.

Now for my second review, Cinderella Man (synopsis from imdb ) :

During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock--a.k.a. the Cinderella Man--was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him--his family--was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete...

Starring Russell Crowe and Renèe Zellweger, this is an Oscar worthy film.
I was seriously tempted to jump up in the air and scream when I was watching this, but being 11:30 at night, my mom would have probably killed me ;) the fights were very intense, and bloody, but if you've ever watched some of the better UFC (Ultimate Fighter Championship), it's not that bad.
The swearing was pretty bad. A lot of s-words, a**, uses of God's name in vain (and of Jesus Christ).
Sexual content?? Some kissing, but between Jimmy (James) and his wife, Mae.
And the thematic elements were intense, because it was in the Great Depression.
I love this so much. It was the very meaning of inspirational without being all goody goody, "I know it's going to be okay" type thing that seems to be in everything. Russell Crowe was outstanding as James Braddock, I mean, amazing. He is one of the best actors of the this time, honestly.
And Renèe Zellwegger will never cease to crack me up. She is awesome.
And their 3 kids were precious. So overall rating, 9/10 (1 star less because of the swearing), but I guess age would be 13 and up!! You should definitely watch it!
J.A.M.

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