Starring Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts and Elisabeth Moss, Chuck, a.k.a. The Bleeder, is the Philippe Falardeau-directed story of the life of heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner, the fighter who inspired Sylvester Stallone to write the Rocky movies.
I’m certainly not a major boxing fan since I haven’t yet watched any of the Rocky films. But I am interested in the story of the man who inspired them. Also, this looks like a great role for Schreiber. Am I right or am I right?
A career of fighting in the context of sport has never been for me. It’s unsurprising, since, in high school, I was one of a few who refused to head the ball in football (soccer), because I didn’t want a headache afterwards. It’s no wonder then that I’m curious about the brave ones, those who don’t give a second thought to putting themselves in harm’s way for sport’s sake.
Directed by Vlad Yudin and with narration by Kevin Costner, The Hurt Business offers a comprehensive look at the world of Mixed Martial Artists of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Along with learning about the history of the sport and its increasingly bright-looking future, we get to watch interviews with the UFC’s biggest names. Names including Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey, Jay Hieron and Chuck Liddel to name just a few.
The Hurt Business (2016), Holly Holm, Jon Jones
I enjoyed The Hurt Business because it answered all the questions I had about the MMA and UFC world, especially as I’m someone who has never watched a single match and probably won’t anytime soon. Why? Again, the clue was right there in high school: Whenever a fellow pupil rushed into the cafeteria to shout ‘fight, fight, fight, fight!’ to announce that a massive fight had started outside, I never rushed out to see said fight. And, I can promise you that my decision had nothing to do with how badly I wanted to finish my food.
What I like most about The Hurt Business is the fact that one of the UFC’s biggest names, Jon Jones is featured quite prominently throughout. It still didn’t feel like quite enough though – because who doesn’t want more time to look at greatness up close?
On another note, I’ve also forgiven Yudin for not featuring the very charismatic Conor McGregor more. He couldn’t, really, because The Hurt Business was made in 2015 and McGregor was yet to have his big record-breaking 2016. Now I want a Ronda Rousey documentary.
To watch The Hurt Business or not to watch The Hurt Business? Do it if you’re curious like I am. It’s also good for anyone contemplating a future as an MMA fighter or anyone who knows someone who is, because the documentary offers a balanced look at what life can be like; the highs, the lows and everything in between.
If you know about the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), then you know what Mix Martial Arts (MMA) is, the increasingly popular sport that has just sold to a group of investors for $4bn, making it the largest franchise sale in sports history.
About the topic of today’s trailer; directed by Vlad Yudin, The Hurt Business looks at the rise of Mix Martial arts through the eyes of its biggest stars, including Chuck Liddell, Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, Kenny Florian and Tito Ortiz.
First, I want to say, well done, trailer maker! Second, I’m actually not a watcher of MMA myself. But I am curious about the fighters and what makes them tick.
Bleed For This (2016), Miles Teller as Vinnie Pazienza
Starring Miles Teller as World Champion Boxer Vinnie Pazienza, Bleed for This is the true story of an athlete’s extraordinary comeback following a major setback.
Directed by Ben Younger, the reason’s I’ll be tuning into this one is the inspiring story and Miles Teller’s talents. The man is great in Whiplash (2014) after all.
Today’s trailer is for a different kind of boxing movie. For T-Rex is a documentary about Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields, the first American woman to win a boxing gold medal at the London Olympic games.
Well done trailer maker. Good edit and choice of music. I’ll be watching because who isn’t inspired by champions?
Shields definitely looks like she could belong in the same family as Tennis’s Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, but I’m guessing they’re not related.
T-Rex Release Dates: June 1, 2016 premiere on Vimeo on Demand; June 24 theatrical release in New York.
