SiM First Look: Iron Man 2

Mickey Rourke was reportedly signed on for Iron Man 2, then money became an issue so he wasn't in Iron Man 2, then he signed back on to star as Whiplash the next villian Robert Downey Jr. must face. Look for Iron Man 2 in theatres May 7, 2010.

SiM Poster: The Expendables

Sylvester Stallone writes, directs and stars in the Expendables, a tale of a team of mercenaries that are headed to South America on a mission to stop a dictator who has caused violence and destruction for the last 20 years. The government sets to plan the assassination to put an end of his tyranny. A star studded cast led by Sly has action stars from the past three decades with Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke and Steve Austin.

SiM First Look: Iron Man 2

Director Jon Favreau returns to helm the sequel to last summers suprise hit Iron Man. Favreau has revealed that the sequel is set 6 months after the events of Iron Man, and he also stated that Stark's revealing of his identity is taking its toll on him. Favreau also revealed their version of Iron Man's comic book nemesis the Mandarin "allows us to incorporate the whole pantheon of villains", while S.H.I.E.L.D. will continue to have a major role. Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson will be reprising their roles and will now be joined with Don Cheadle (taking over for Terrance Howard), Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell.

SiM Photo Op (Reunited)

Golden Globe winner Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Oscar winner Kim Basinger (L.A. Confidential) were photographed together at the premiere of their upcoming feature film The Informers, in Los Angeles on Thursday (April 16). This was the first time the stars have seen each other since starring in Adrian Lyne's 1986 exotic classic Nine and a Half Weeks. Rourke and Basinger both appear in The Informers (due April 24), but never had a scene together, so met for the first time in 23 years on the red carpet. Photo by Albert L. Ortega/PR Photos.

The Comeback Kid

'80s bad boy Mickey Rourke brings own personal lows to a familiar character in The Wrestler

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

It looks as though Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler has become more of a comeback vehicle for its star Mickey Rourke, than anything else, and deservingly so, as the former "it guy" mounts one of the most refreshing revivals in recent years.

Rourke, 52, is cast as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a mullet-sporting professional wrestler who reached his peak back in the Eighties, though this film focuses on the man two decades after his glory days. This older Randy Robinson is battered and beaten, physically and emotionally, alone in a bitter shadow of himself. He still wrestles, but with fellow has-been's, at smaller venues, and for paycheques that has him moonlighting at a local deli and living in a run-down trailer just to make ends meet.

Robinson is victorious only when he steps into the ring, to partake in low-key, premeditated fighting matches, which results in a near-fatal heart attack. When Robinson is forced to retire from wrestling he temporarily--and half-heartedly--rekindles his relationship with his only daughter (played by Evan Rachel Wood), and finds solace in a kinship with a local stripper, played by Oscar-winning Marisa Tomei. Rourke and Tomei's characters are steadily similar, as lost souls and single parents who degrade themselves to entertain others, parading around onstage, near-naked, performing worn-out routines for what seems like spare change. That is why they always seem to come back to one another, when no one else gives a damn.

The movie culminates in a 20th anniversary rematch that a destitute Robinson can't turn down, despite the risk to his ailing heart. But before we find out whether "The Ram" triumphs over his opponent or succumbs to the one thing that truly makes him come alive, Aronofsky pulls the plug and the credits begin to roll, leaving us only to guess. Perhaps we're better off.

The role was made for Rourke to play, reminding us of his real-life struggles that had him almost obsolete amongst the Hollywood elite. Like Robinson, Rourke's heydays were in the Eighties, with memorable roles in hit movies like Diner (1982), Rumble Fish (1983), and Nine and a Half Weeks (1986). But filmmaking was put on the backburner when Rourke took up semi-pro boxing in the Nineties, using Guns 'N Roses' "Sweet Child O'Mine" as his entrance song, just as Robinson does in The Wrestler. In 2005 a delapitated Rourke returned to his prime with a lead role in the cult favourite Sin City, and then took center stage with last year's The Wrestler. Earlier this month Rourke's resurrection earned the aging actor a Golden Globe statuette for Best Actor, perhaps his most deserved honour since winning a Worst Actor Razzie Award for 1991's Wild Orchid.

Looking back at The Wrestler I couldn't help noticing its semi-autobiographical story, pulling Robinson and Rourke together so that ends could finally meet, by breaking away from the standard sports films to deliver its point. The only thing standing in the way of giving this movie a perfect rating was not knowing what happens with "The Ram" in the end, although this same reason is why I avoided giving it a '4-out-of-5' as well.

Sometimes its the not-knowing that leaves us content and settled, a feeling I left with when The Wrestler ended, with none other than Bruce Springsteen setting the tone with one of his melancholy rock ballads. Now lets just pray Rourke will build on this role, bending the bar with stories that comebacks are made of.

4.5/5 stars

The Wrestler And His Fight

This is a very simple and basic film. Although it is an encompassing tale of a pro wrestler who is far past his prime, it is a story about being alone. Mickey Rourke plays Randy “the Ram” Robinson, who was a giant in the wrestling business in the 80s. Only to be fighting for crowds in gymnasiums and community halls for miniscule amounts of money 20 years later. The money is so little that Randy is required to work in a supermarket to hopefully pay all his bills at the trailer park which he lives. We witness the rise and fall of Randy during the opening credits. Empty and alone is how Randy lives his life but makes an effort to change his ways after suffering a heart attack after a fight. Though Randy does not change, attempts are made. Randy tries to fill his empty life with the only people who he feels may care for him.

Marisa Tomei’s role as the stripper-mom portrays a parallel to Rourke’s character. She opens Randy’s eyes enough for him to realize that some mistakes will be given a second chance. This is the only meaningful relationship that Randy has during the whole movie and is his only chance not to be left alone. While trying to reconcile with his daughter, Rourke gives us some spirited moments and shows us the difference between being alone or with someone you love. From being a hard nosed fighter to a loving father in just a few scenes, Rourke brings us to believe that Randy could lead a normal life.

Just as Rourke and director Darren Aronofsky bring Randy the most happiness he has had in many years when not inside the ring they deconstruct it back to square one. As everything comes crashing down around him, Randy realizes his only true family is his fans. Randy’s emotional words echo before the final fight as he points to the fans “In this life you can lose everything you love, everything that loves you. A lot of people told me that I'd never wrestle again, the only one that's gonna tell me when I'm through doing my thing, is you people here."

Aronofsky shoots the film almost like a documentary and uses the most basic of backdrops. All gritty, grim and raw like the characters throughout the film. Aronofsky does do one thing very well; he doesn’t make fun of the sport of wrestling. Showing exactly how a fight is tabulated and the pain caused by it afterwards. Aronofsky also treats us with another score by long time collaborator Clint Mansell as well as a new Bruce Springsteen track while the credits roll.


5 out of 5
Colin Enquist