Weekend at the Movies

At the weekend I saw some films. First up was Murderball a documentary about wheelchair rugby. I don’t know if I would call it uplifting, but when you see how determined these guys are, after what they’ve all been through, it makes you feel quite petty moaning about your own trivialities.

The movie centres on the rivalry between the US and Canadian teams. However it doesn’t hold on to the sporting drama as the focus tends to turn to the personal relationships and trials of the guys in the teams.

Joe Soares the Canadian coach is one of the standout characters. A US wheelchair rugby legend he flipped when he was left out of the side and went off to coach Canada. His mission now is to beat America at all costs. He comes across as a bit of a nutcase and a guy disliked by most folk.

Although the film could be seen as being hard going in places, it’s well worth seeing as it tells a worthwhile story entertainingly.

The other film I saw was Thumbsucker. Based on the novel by Walter Kern it’s the directorial debut of music vids (Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys, Air & Moby) director Mike Mills, Thumbsucker centres on a precocious 17 year old boy as he struggles through school and relationships.

I think the most obvious comparisons to draw would be with Donnie Darko or Rushmore.

Lou Taylor Pucci is the Thumbsucker in question with Kelli Garner his young love interest.

It features a great performance from Tilda Swinton as his Mother well as Vincent D’Onofrio as his Dad, Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn as his teacher. Don’t let Keanu’s performance put you off. Jo was dreading his appearance, but she came away thinking that he was all right in it. Though his orthodontist character is supposed to be a bit of a dick.

I would be giving it away if I said too much but my favourite bits were the Power Animals and ‘Thanks for saving my ass,’ a great cameo from Benjamin Bratt. It also has a fine soundtrack from The Polyphonic Spree and Elliott Smith.

Here's an article from The Guardian about how hard it was to get the film funded.