The Cinematic Review-verse

  Sydney Sweeney as former professional boxer Christy Salters in the film ‘Christy.’ Courtesy of Black Bear Pictures. In a combination of ‘Rocky’ and ‘Fighting with my Family,’ Sydney Sweeney lead the way in ‘ Christy ’, a biopic about female former professional boxer Christy Salters . I really liked Sweeney’s performance as Christy when she empowered herself in and out of the ring. I also liked the scoring and cinematography, specifically during the fighting. The film started off with Salters’ boxing career taking off as she finished high school in the late 80s. Her brother seemed to be the only one who supported her, until she proved herself to doubtful trainer and her future husband Jim Martin , played by Ben Foster . As her career of successful knockouts went on, Christy took a turn for the worst when Jim’s paranoia and controlling behavior with her professional and home lives made her act like she was in her own psychological thriller. Christy Salters, played by Sydney Sweene...

Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in 'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.' Courtesy of 20th Century Studios. In another 20th Century Studios musical biopic drama, Jeremy Allen White took the lead as New Jersey 's Bruce Springsteen in 'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.' It seemed similar to other biopics such as the ones about Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, with a hint of Bart Millard, but it's the passion and characterization in White's portrayal accompanied by a colorful characters and powerful heartland rock songs that made it a great film in its own right. And it makes me want to listen The Boss a bit more. 'Springsteen' switches between the late 50s and early 1980s, chronicling Bruce's overcoming childhood trauma from his abusive father, played by Stephen Graham, and creating his Nebraska album. There's also the matter of his burgeoning romantic relationship with single mother Faye Romano , played by Odessa Young . White did a ...

Photo courtesy of William Beavers. Hello, readers. In Dwayne Johnson's latest acting/producing work, he starred as former wrestler/mixed martial artist Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's 'The Smashing Machine.' At first, I wasn't too impressed because of Kerr's hunger for victory and blood in the fighting ring. But as he recognized that drugs were messing up his life and he went in to rehab, I liked Kerr's characterization and Johnson's performance of him. I felt that Johnson and his character reminded me that fighters are human beings that want to do their best out of the ring. I also liked Emily Blunt's performance as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples. Blunt gave emotional power in her character trying to reason with Kerr and make sure Kerr looks out for her own wellbeing. Though I could see it was not easy when there were times when they would argue and Kerr would snap their door in half in frustration. On the other hand, it was nice to see that they co...