New on DVD: Fighter and Hereafter

The Fighter

Drama

The Gist: Mark Wahlberg plays Mickey Ward, a boxer who has what it takes to make a name for himself. He also has a blue-collar, sometimes controlling, sometimes loving mother (Melissa Leo) and a brother whose addiction cost him his own chance at glory (Christian Bale). Amy Adams is the girlfriend who sees how crazy his family is and wants to do things without them.

The Ups: To say this movie is excellent is an understatement. It’s transcendent. Bale plays a man torn between loving his brother and addiction so perfectly, it will remind you of Charlie Sheen. The dynamic between Ward and his large, overbearing, sometimes supportive and sometimes draining family is so well drawn that it echoes real life. Plus, there’s a great sports story in there too.

The Downs: There really are no downs for this fantastic film.

The Verdict: Watch it. It’s one of the best movies of 2010. It’s “Rocky,” but with a gritty reality and an update. It’s also based on a true story.

Be Aware: Rated R for language throughout, drug content, some sexuality, and violence. Mostly language. The characters talk like the underclass Massachusetts family they are. Sexual content is relatively mild. It’s completely organic to the story, as is the violence. It’s one of those movies that is so good, it’s worth considering showing to your teens despite the constant profanity.

Hereafter

Drama

The Gist: In the wake of the 2004 tsunami, a French news anchor who almost died in the water finds herself wondering about the profound experience she had. A London schoolboy loses his twin, which is almost like losing himself, and wonders where his brother is now. An American (Matt Damon) may be able to help. He can speak to the dead, a gift he neither desires nor enjoys. Read our full review.

The Ups: First of all, the most powerful scene in the film is the beginning scene of the tsunami. In the light of recent events in Japan, this film has stopped showing there. It’s harrowing and expertly done. Beyond that, it’s nice to see Hollywood, this time in the form of director Clint Eastwood, at least try to address spiritual questions.

The Downs: I suspect eternity itself is shorter than this bloated and depressing movie. It thinks that it is profound, but merely scratches the surface. There are people around the world who spend Sundays, Wednesday nights, Friday nights, and/or Saturdays at their church, Bible study, synagogue, or mosque (not to mention all the other forms of spirituality out there) actively contemplating death, the hereafter, mortality, and what may lie beyond. Any of them will get this thin movie in about five minutes and then sit through the rest of the two hours waiting for some sort of insight.

The Verdict: Skip it. Life is too short to waste two hours on this mess.

Be Aware: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements including disturbing disaster and accident images, and for brief strong language. The tsunami scene will be especially disturbing in the light of the tragedy in Japan. Also, be aware that large sections of this film are in French with English subtitles. The rest is in English.