"Everything Must Go" "Moneyball"

"Everything Must Go" (2010) Director: Dan Rush Starring: Will Ferrel, Rebecca Hall and Christopher J. Wallace

This was a very interesting film. I really enjoyed the story but I wasn't completely sold on the writing. There were times in the film where I felt that Ferrel was acting the scene well but the words he was given did not do the situation justice. I am going to have to watch this film a few more times to be able to form a more concrete opinion about the writing. I am positive about one thing and that is that Christopher Jordan Wallace (Notorious B.I.G's son) has a very bright acting career ahead of him. Wallace is not only able to go stride for stride with Ferrel in that very dry and sarcastic humor throughout the film but is also able to hold his own in the very emotional scenes. Ferrel does an acceptable job in this film. He did a wonderful job playing the alcoholic who's life has just been thrown out onto his front yard, but he has trouble with the darker scenes where his character displays the darker side of alcoholism. Most notably in a scene where Ferrel and Rebecca Hall's characters get into a late night argument about Ferrel's life and Hall's absent husband.

Overall: B- The acting is good; not great but good. If the story sounds interesting to you then it is worth watching. I recommend this film to any Will Ferrel fan. This films shows that Ferrel has range in his acting ability and should not be defined by his early comedy work. His comedic timing is spot on in this film but he as handles the more dramatic scenes fairly well.

 "Moneyball" PG-13 Director:  Bennett Miller Writer: Aaron Sorkin Starring: Brad Pitt and Johan Hill

This fill was really well done in every way. I will start this article off with getting my bias out of the way; there is not a baseball film I don't like. Moneyball is beautifully made. It takes the words or Sorkin and allows them to tell the story without one element out shining the rest. The story is flawless, the directing is simply superb, and the acting seamlessly flows together. Pitt did a wonderful job (for a guy who doesn't know anything about baseball) but, I was most surprised by Johan Hill's great performance. I have enjoyed Hill in a lot of comedies but I was very worried about him in this more "adult" role. Hill was able to go toe-to-toe with Pitt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. There isn't much to say about this film other than it is wonderful example of good acting combined with a well written story.

Overall: A. This is a great film and if you like baseball go see the film. I have nothing bad to say about this film. Just go see it.

"Exit Through the Gift Shop" and "Warrior"

"Exit Through the Gift Shop" R 2010 Director: Bansky Starring: Bansky, and Thierry Guetta

I don't have much to say about this documentary. It is an interesting film about the underground world of street art. If you are a fan of graffiti this is worth watching. My major complaint is with Bansky himself because the entire movie he is in his mask talking with a computer voice. Personally I found that off putting but overall doesn't detract from the film too much.

Overall: B+ The documentary is well made and Bansky does a really good job of tell the story and keeping the audience interested. I recommend the film to art fans and people who are enjoy films about underground counter-culture.

"Warrior" PG-13 2011 Director: Gavin O'Connor Starring: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton

I loved this film. It was a everything a good MMA movie should be and it had a way of keeping the old sports movie storyline interesting. From the trailer you know that the two brother make it to the finals of the tournament and then entire film I couldn't figure out how they were going to handle that how are they going to make one brother defeat the other, without giving away anything, I feel they did a perfect job handling this very delicate story point. It is obvious that Hollywood loves Tom Hardy, and he does a great job in this film, but Joel Edgerton did an absolutely superb job and in my humble opinion out shined the rest of the cast. The acting overall is the best part of this film. The story is able to walk that thin line between happy ending without being cheesy and unbelievable. 

Overall: A- I recommend this film to any fan of MMA and sports movies. Simple as that. If you are a fan of either of those you will enjoy this film and you should support the work of the smaller production companies.