Fighter

Now this was a solid movie.
Plot: B
The storyline was based in real life. But even it were not true, it would still be solid. The fact that it was true added an extra element to my enjoyment. How ever, the story had been done before. And in my personal belief, boxing is a dying sport. So people don't really have anything new to expect from a boxing movie. You either win the fight, or you don't. So this movie offered little surprise in the expectations. However some of the close to home attributes of the characters made it engrossing. So I was quickly drawn in.
Soundtracking: B
For the most part the music and songs were era and environment appropriate. Always on Que with some of the boxing arena jams and subtle daily life buzz sounds. I would have liked the sound engineering to be a little more left right feel. As it was majoritively coming straight at you. The only way you could truly complete the experience is to feel it; disorienting you perceptions with sound to give you the total feeling, as if you were there. And honestly that is the only reason this didn't get an 'A Rating'.
Cinematography: A
Wow! When you watch a movie, the actions in the movie are always understood to be fake. It's the camera director or cinematographer's job to get the shots in such a light and angle so that the SFX guy can complete the movie magic with as little digital register work as possible.... Well, hats off to you! I could not tell from one fight to the next whether the actors were pulling punches or really landing body jolting shots. You think that obviously they're not hitting, but then you watch the rest of the body. Watch to see if the punches are sending shockwaves thru the bodies. And as I sat there watching, let me tell you. Some of the scenes, I am absolutely convinced. They were hitting eachother. There ain't no amount of movie magic to remove the micro expression from someone's face after they just got their bell rung a little.
To top it off, they also retro filmed various scenes. Were they take and film with an older type of camera tech, and incorporate the footages together. This adds an era correct feel to the visual flow of the movie.
Acting: A
Whether it was cinematography or acting, Christian Bale looked the part. He did his job with the speech and body twitches. But the sunken eye makeup and body moistures. He, for all reason in my mind, could have been addicted to crack for this movie. The dialogues between characters was as enjoyable as the fights. From the opening scene of the movie, you understood that you had just feel down the rabbit hole. And now were looking straight into these peoples life. Acting was superb, nothing left to say.
Film Ended Feelings: B+
I was surprised by the ending. I felt as tho I had just witnessed the major events of these dysfunctional peoples lives. I was happy to have seen it, and in my opinion, was one of the best movies this year. But Most likely will never watch it again.
And on a side note.... Amy Adams.... Hot!

Overall, one of the best boxing movies I have seen and the dysfunction of the family's was close to home. I give it a, B Rating.