Such a frustrating disappointment

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

About four years ago,I read a review in a pro-wrestling magazine called Power Slam,praising a film called The Smashing Machine.Sadly,I always kept pushing the film back,thinking "Ill pick it up one day",even though I am a big fan of the fantastic Mickey Rouke film The Wrestler (in interviews,the makers of The Wrestler,have said that this was one of the main inspirations for the film.)Thankfully,with my best friends birthday coming up very soon,I suddenly remembered this film,so I decided that as soon as the DVD arrived in the post,that I would sit down and watch the film.The moment the end credits started,my instant feeling was one of speechlessness.The outline of the film:The film looks at the highly-rated Mixed Martial Artist (MMA) Mark Kerr,who goes to the world biggest MMA company (Pride).When Pride announces that it wants to decides an undisputed champion,by holding a tournament.One of Kerrs friends (Mark Coleman)decides to come out of retirement (he badly lost in his last MMA fight a few years ago)to try and win the championship,and the $200,000 prize money.Whilst most of the fighters are focusing on battling their rivals and winning the cash prize.For Kerr,the toughest rival that he must beat are himself and his own demons,that are eating his life away.With his girlfriend having trouble dealing with her drinking problem,and Mark having a terrible addiction to dope,that he is shown shooting himself up,whilst also being addicted to painkillers,that leads to him being rushed to hospital,when he ods.View on the film:The first thought that hit me like a knock-out knee to the face,was the raw,open wound feeling of what Kerr had surprising given the documentary filmmakers permission to film.Which included some of the most distressing scenes that I have seen in any film.With the painfully agonising long take,of Kerr sliding a needle into his veins,to his friends rushing to be at the hospital,when Mark frighteningly almost reaches the bottom of the downward spiral.Impressively,Directors/camera men John Hymans and Steve Schleuter make sure to not show any of the people in the film as glowing heroes or boo! hiss! villains.Instead they are mostly shown as good,though very flawed people.With even Kerrs girlfriend not being corned into the clichés hanger-on role (also known as the Yoko role)but getting shown as a likable,but very confused girl.For the MMA fights,the makers wisely decide not to fill the fights with rubbish "edgey" radio-rock and MTV style jump-cuts,instead they use some well-filmed views from the ringside,with a soft ambient soundtrack that even includes moments of silence!.Though a lot of the film is very dark,it does thankfully have an optimistic side,with the return of Mark Coleman,whose strong friendship for Kerr shines in the film,which makes his trophy raising moment,almost impossible to not smile to.Final view on the film:A stunningly made documentary,of an absorbing story,that is easily one of the best films made in the last ten years.

I won't describe this movie, since you've probably figured out what it's about by now, but I will say one thing that REALLY stood out. When you watch thismovie, because it was so brilliantly edited, you will feel like it is a legit hollywood film, and not a documentary. The timing of the cuts, the music, the mood, all make this documentary feel more like an amazing Rocky-type movie. Whatseems most hollywood of all is the story, the rise and fall of a hero... all the helping characters and evil villains he runs into along the way... and it's all REAL. There is one scene where this guy that he is going to fight, who is the size of godzilla, is with all his evil little cronies and they're laughing it up in a huge pool like a bunch of villains would in some movie. The movie had it's own Ivan Drago type (from Rocky 4)... you know the Russian champion who nobodycan beat because he's so tough. It was just really cool. So if you see this, think about what I've said, and you'll notice right off the bat!!

I was turned on to the UFC and Pride in the mid-1990's. UFC and Pride give fans of boxing and professional wrestling something different, exciting, and very real. Two men enter an octagon or ring and fight, no holds barred. You can punch, kick, elbow, etc. The loser is usually carried or helped out of the ring. Mind you, this is not Hulk Hogan phoney stuff, this is real and it is rough. However, it is not a mindless toughman contest. These are expert grapplers and martial artists who train and are at the top of their games. This excellent documentary gives fans an all too real view of this sport, what goes on in front of the camera and behind it. The movie spotlights both Mark Coleman and Mark Kerr, two of the best fighters in the world. You also get to see other legends like Bas Rutten, Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie. If you are a fan of the sport, this will be one of the greatest movies ever. If you are a little timid, you might want to watch it through your hands. Excellent drama and action. I loved it! **** out of ****.

"The Smashing Machine", which follows mixed martial arts competitor Mark Kerr's career from late '99 until the Pride Grand Prix 2000 tournament in Japan, is a stunning and provocative look at a man whose fights with his own personal demons rival those he encounters in the ring (or in the octagon). Also featured in the documentary is Mark Coleman, who at the time was coming off a two-year slump in the sport.I think what struck me the most was the dramatic aspect of it. Kerr, for one, surprised me with his willingness to bare his soul before the camera. The movie goes a long way to dispell many stereotypes that many people have of shootfighters, as both Kerr and Coleman come across as genuinely good people (and in Coleman's case a devout husband and father). John Hyams provides the audience with an extremely candid look at the life of Kerr, who deals with a drug abuse problem and a potentially dysfunctional relationship. For those who aren't fans of MMA, the access Kerr grants to Hyams will shock and move you. For those who are fans, the bouts that are shown (through clips) become even more pivotal and dramatic.For fans of Mixed Martial Arts the documentary will forever change the way you'll look at Kerr and Coleman, while also adding an added dimension to the drama that occurs within the ring (or octagon). "The Smashing Machine" provides a moving glimpse into the lives of people whose weaknesses make them more identifiable to the audience than any other documentary subject or film character, despite their profession and physiques.Highly recommended for fans and non-fans alike,, and especially for those who view MMA as barbaric and its fighters as testosterone-driven madmen.