[Magooglie]

I'll watch it when it comes on cable

[stroppa]

Saw it, and man.

Disappointed to say the least. The fighting was done reasonably well, given that it WAS still a movie.

But the plot. Holy shit.

[Diyako]

yeah even though the plot was kinda odd it was still a really good movie. imo

[igorvswanderlei]

It's a real good movie, but if your watching it mostly for the fight scenes, there are not many and you will likely be dissapointed. This film is more about the story. One person here complained that the film relied too much on coincidence, but these things are the style of David Mamet's writing. Fans of his will not consider what that poster is referring to as "coincidences".

[EolGul]

Originally Posted by igorvswanderlei

It's a real good movie, but if your watching it mostly for the fight scenes, there are not many and you will likely be dissapointed. This film is more about the story. One person here complained that the film relied too much on coincidence, but these things are the style of David Mamet's writing. Fans of his will not consider what that poster is referring to as "coincidences".

SPOILERS BELOW

Basically every major point in the plot relied on coincidences.
-The lawyer just happened to hit his car, walk into his school, and just happened to shoot out the window. He just happened to need a lawyer later in the movie.
-She just happened to have been raped and was interested in learning from him.
-He just happened to be in a bar when a famous actor was also in the bar, picking a fight. (this coincidence set up the movie's major conflict)
-The actor's wife just happened to have the same job as Mike's (the main character's) wife, which of course led to her betrayal.
-The movie guy just happened to be secretly working with the fight promotion.
-He just happened to see the man turning the white marbles to black (an event that brought about the end of the movie).

[The Stainy Yak]

Originally Posted by magicman531

I liked this movie myself. It's definitely not along the lines of a steven segal by any stretch. The fight scenes are more realistic. The story's not that great.

For mma fans it's worth a watch.

Saw it last week myself, true it's not cheesy tripe like Seagal but the story/production is absolutely terrible man, the only thing it's got going for it is it's about Jiu Jitsu and has Randy Couture in it.

I could tear this movie to shreds but I wont spoil it for those who haven't seen it, just don't get your hopes up unless you see film as an excuse to not think for over an hour.

[Three Gun Fish]

I loved the movie and the dvd will be out August 26. Or 28. I can never remember my sixes and eights. Anyway, I thought it was a great piece on prevailing over obstacles. It's a surreal film, deep within Mike Terry's perspective. Greatly dramatic and rises to a climactic finale.

And while all films should follow such a simple structure, most fail.

Originally Posted by EolGul

SPOILERS BELOW

Basically every major point in the plot relied on coincidences.
-The lawyer just happened to hit his car, walk into his school, and just happened to shoot out the window. He just happened to need a lawyer later in the movie.
-She just happened to have been raped and was interested in learning from him.
-He just happened to be in a bar when a famous actor was also in the bar, picking a fight. (this coincidence set up the movie's major conflict)
-The actor's wife just happened to have the same job as Mike's (the main character's) wife, which of course led to her betrayal.
-The movie guy just happened to be secretly working with the fight promotion.
-He just happened to see the man turning the white marbles to black (an event that brought about the end of the movie).

Well, if you keep using the word "just happened" I guess it does sound pretty contrived.

I think you're focusing on the events when you may have enjoyed it more if you focused on Mike Terry and the way he reacted to these events. He dealt with them calmly and easily, but it just kept getting worse and worse. And still he dealt with it until it began stretching his endurance and tolerance. And then his very belief in himself.

Then again, it is a movie and not real life. But I understand you were not as entertained by the film as I was.

[normaldude]

I saw it, and liked it.

It's not really about the fight scenes, and the plot doesn't have to be believable.

It's more about the theme of honor vs corruption.

[EolGul]

Originally Posted by normaldude

I saw it, and liked it.

It's not really about the fight scenes, and the plot doesn't have to be believable.

It's more about the theme of honor vs corruption.

I can't figure out why Mike thought that fighting in competitions was corrupt, but fighting in a dojo or a bar was honorable.

[Three Gun Fish]

It's not so much the setting of the fight as the context. In the dojo, it's practice. Everywhere else, it's real life and self-defense. Fighting because you have to. After all, martial arts isn't chiefly designed for fighting so much as physical self-discipline. Fighting is not the point.

In competition, fighting exists only to fight. But it's not a real fight -- there are rules and expectations. It is a performance.

Lastly, Mike isn't about honor. He makes that clear. He only does what he believes is correct.