Two amazing motion pictures both opening in KC on the same date!
Coincidence? Not really.
After all it’s Hollywood’s Oscar nominations weekend and both films are taking advantage of the extra buzz and publicity.
The first, of course, is the earlier reviewed AMERICAN SNIPER.
The other is MONEYBALL director Bennett Miller’s fascinating FOXCATCHER which features Steve Carell’s mesmerizing transformation into oddball John DuPont.
It’s a creepy portrayal of the multi-millionaire’s tragic obsession with the sport of wrestling – not pro wrestling, mind you – and his attempts to gain the respect of his peers by coaching a world class American team in the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul, Korea.
The focus here is on his very dark relationship with two champion wrestlers who happen to be brothers. They’re brilliantly played by Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum (who delivers the performance of his career).
FOX CATCHER is a true story of great wealth gone awry – emotional bankruptcy at its most tragic.
Make no mistake, the dynamics of the story will turn SOME moviegoers off!
And the film stuck in my head longer than it should have, which doesn’t happen very often.
So keep in mind that FOXCATCHER certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
But if you’re willing to take a walk on the wild side, by all means TAKE THAT WALK!
And Steve Carell AS DuPont….WOW!
What a performance of a troubled soul with major psychological issues!
“I am a patriot. I want to see this country soar again.”
That may have been true. But getting there, and getting past his disappointed mother (Vanessa Redgrave) was a misguided trip of immense proportions.
The fascinating story of John E. DuPont, now tragically brought to the big screen in FOXCATCHER.
The emotional time bomb is new this weekend showing in semi-limited engagements throughout the metroplex.
It scores a disturbing B+.
(Note that the film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Actor (Steve Carell), Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Best Director (Bennett Miller), Best Original Screenplay and Best Makeup/Hairstyle.)
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES every Friday morning at 6:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. on 98.1-KMBZ and anytime on Facebook.
Several elements have been changed from what happened. First, Mr DuPont’s mother had little, if any, influence on her son. It was the grandmother who could reach him.
His wife was his ICU nurse following a bad crash. She was abused and when she filed for divorce, DuPont’s family stood with her.
The undercurrent of homosexual activity within the organization was greatly underplayed. A number of those there realized it was part of the package.
I had a direct vantage point from my shop at ARCO Chemical Company. ACC had bought the 400+ acres from DuPont’s grandmother. The high bidder was the Rev Moon. A long court fight followed the sale.
And John had many issues with ACC. He would fly his copter on strafing runs of the R&D buildings.
ACC & DuPont were big givers to the township. Several times the police had their offices redone by ACC.
And DuPont was allowed, encouraged, to take drugs from the evidence locker. Some 10-pounds of pot and several pounds of cocaine were reported missing. Later it was admitted the drugs were handed out to DuPont.
I was stopped by him one night going home from work. Every cop in Newtown Square showed up. Mostly wanting to know if I was OK, had he roughed me up or struck me.
He had a police car, a uniform and a Junior Officer badge. He was dangerous and the local authorities enabled him.
Excellent post, Orph
The police were charged with stealing over $10,000 worth of wrestling attire during the siege of the mansion.
A 50,000-gallon tank of ethylene oxide was on our property for R&D use. DuPont had a clear line of sight from his mansion to the tank.
The police never thought of him taking a shot at it, there was enough in there to kill most of Delaware County, PA.
Between this and Birdman I don’t know which one I want to see this weekend. Help me out guys, which one should I see.
haha…. My point being you never know if you’re going to get a kind and benevolent robber who just wants your money and won’t harm you or if you’ll get Hey I think I’ll shoot you in the face just for giggles Robber. the past few days we have heard how statistically you’re safer just to give them whatever they want and time and again that’s proven wrong.
Mark Smith is the best commenter on this site. I believe him much more than the other convicted felon. And I am completely serious.
Literally “oil checking”, the movie
Do you even wrassle, bro?