Hands Up Hu Likes Communism!

Hello again devoted readers. It's been over a week since the last post and hasn't it been a crazy time! Well no actually, it's been pretty routine with some periods of extreme sloth interspersed with snippets of frantic movement. Pre-season training has started at soccer, which I believe to be a blessing in disguise. Every time I think about the word "pre-season" I envisage long runs, gruelling fitness work, being yelled at by two fifty-something Scotsmen and subsequent aches and pains for the next week. To my immense joy though I have thoroughly enjoyed the two sessions I have joined so far. Something about physical activity really floats my boat and I generally feel really pumped afterwards. Besides, we really don't do as much fitness work as I imagine, plus I'm a goalkeeper, which means even less fitness work.

Anyhoo, I've seen three fillums since last post: "Good Night, and Good Luck", "Cinderella Man" and "Dear Wendy".

"G N 'n' G L" is the story of Ed Murrow, a journalist who exposes Senator Joe McCarthy communist witch hunts for what they are. It's a bit pedestrian, but if your familiar with the time and events it's quite enjoyable. The fact that it's all filmed in black and white adds to the charm. David Strathairn plays Murrow and he is backed up by a solid performance from George Clooney.

"Cinderella Man" suffers from the same problems that afflict all Hollywood productions - the fact that the film must take you through the full range of emotions. Grief, fear, anguish, admiration, love, respect, joy, excitement, they're all there. My opinion is this slows the film down a bit, which is a shame. because it tells a good story. Russell Crowe plays James J. Braddock, a boxer who was once close to being heavyweight boxing champion of the world. The Great Depression in 1929 brings hardship to Braddock and his family and his boxing career slumps. He is offered a second chance after a last minute cancellation puts him in the ring with the number two contender for the heavyweight crown. Braddock KO's the chump in three rounds when popular opinion was that Braddock himself wouldn't last one. He then stitches up two more contenders before he takes the ring against the then current heavyweight champion, Max Baer.

Being based on a true story, I imagine it would have been difficult for the makers of this film to build any suspense, but lo and behold they succeeded. I found myself on the edge of my chair during several of the fights. I also thought the film gave a good snapshot of what things were like during the great depression. If you want to read the real story about James J. Braddock and check out some cool photos to boot go to: http://www.jamesjbraddock.com/.

Simple enough for even a boxer to remember eh?

I will write about "Dear Wendy" when I have had time to muse about it. Until then......