'Pain &Gain' Consensus

I'm still seeing this. Why? It looks like something you have to be able to talk about. That, come to think of it, may describe all of Michael Bay's work. However, some movies don't even have that, so, that's something.





















.

Probably Read Better Than It Plays -- or -- Movie Reality Versus Real Reality

Looking forward to 'Pain & Gain'. That it's based on a true story makes it even better. If this were pure fiction nobody would care. It's too plain, too straight forward to work as fiction. 'Body builders kidnap a rich man to force him to give them his money' isn't a viable slugline unless it's based on a real case.

'Fargo' would be another good example of this kind of thing.

That this actually happened makes it interesting, gives people a reason to go see the movie. But, that doesn't mean you can have scenes that aren't entertaining. This clip doesn't work. There's nothing real about it (even if this exact thing actually transpired). The guy giving the seminar is nothing more than a grating caricature. Wahlberg's reaction doesn't work, has no flow and, while such a thing might actually happen in real life, while someone might act just this dorky, it doesn't work as entertainment. It's too embarrassing to appeal to an audience. People will be squirming.

What this needed was to be handled as if the kidnapping featured in the movie never happened. That is, this scene would benefit from being treated as if it were in a script that was completely made up and not based on actual events. If it were it would have been cut or rewritten to be more fun, easier to watch. That this very thing may have happened someplace sometime doesn't mean such a scene belongs in a feature film.

'Based on a true story' doesn't save clunkers like this.
























.

Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson Talk 'Pain & Gain'

Not the usual fluff. Worth a couple minutes.

Movie could be surprising.























.

Is There More Pain Or More Gain?

Looking forward. Based on a ridiculous series of events in Florida in the 80s.

And, remember:


























.

'Pain & Gain' Red Band Trailer

I like the first one better. Tone for this one is all over the place. It's okay, but never hits its stride or finds the core.

Still though, plays nutty as hell and sort of looks like fun. If it weren't based on a true story nobody would bother.

Bottom line: They need a better trailer.






















.

No Way. I Actually Like 'Pain & Gain'

So. I see Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson with the weights, big muscles, and an American flag behind them, and I see (in very small letters) it's a Michael Bay production, so I'm not pumped (sorry) to watch the flick or the trailer. But, what the hell, I'll give it a spin.

Starts situational, typical. Looking like a by-the-numbers sit-com-y comedy. Boring. Then, we get deeper into these characters and they actually seem real. Iron pumping cheeseheads, yeah, but like real cheeseheads out there -- believable. Now the movie is interesting.

Then, Ed Harris? He's in this? What's he doing in a movie like this? Who cares. I'm in, I'll watch this, I'm sold.

Then, we learn it's a true story and that's when the pieces start to fit. It had that 'too stupid to be made up' quality that makes you go 'wha?'. No screenwriter would pound this shit out. So, I look it up. This movie is based on the Sun Gym Gang killings in Miami in the 90s. Here's a clip from the Miami New Times:

• For weeks, he said, he'd been chained to a wall and tortured in unspeakable ways. He'd been forced to sign away his house, his investments, his bank accounts, his life insurance. In the end the kidnappers tried to kill him, and they nearly succeeded. Although blindfolded during the ordeal, he recognized one of his captors: a former business partner, a protégé. Help me, he begged Du Bois. He wanted his house back; he needed his money. But most important, he had to make sure they wouldn't find him and finish the job.

And all the sudden, just like that, 'Pain & Gain' has become must-see. Love it, can't wait, looks great.






















.