Steinesongo Too many fans seem to be blown away

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

ChampDavSlim The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Cody One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

leethomas-11621 Not your typical sports-themed movie. Unfolds slowly but entertains. Great acting from all three leads. Didn't recognise Steve Carell under his makeup. And the wonderful Vanessa Redgrave makes an appearance. Being based on true events adds another dimension.

The Couchpotatoes Foxcatcher is a long movie but it never gets boring and that's something. As a Belgian I never heard of this story so for me it was all a surprise. I like movies based on a true story, certainly one like this one. The make-up crew should also get credits because what they did to Steve Carrell and Channing Tatum was very well done. It's because Steve Carrell as a specific voice that I recognized him immediately but with his changed physics I could have been fooled. He plays a really annoying character, one of those rich guys that thinks you can buy anybody or anything. But he did a very good job playing that arrogant prick. Channing Tatum looks like he came out straight of a cavern. He also did a good job, like all the rest of the cast. The story is interesting to watch and the end was surprising to me. I'm not a big fan of the wrestling sport but for this story it doesn't matter if you like it or not. Certainly worth a watch.

sol- Invited to train for the Seoul Olympics at a facility run by an eccentric millionaire, a young wrestler struggles to maintain his sanity in this downbeat but engrossing drama based on a true story. The project is carefully directed by Bennett Miller who deliberately paces the material with many elongated silent shots of the protagonist just sitting around and contemplating. This might not sound particularly interesting, but with Channing Tatum in solid form as the wrestler in question, all these non-action based moments give us a great glimpse into his mind. Steve Carell is also excellent in a supporting turn (the BAFTAs got the category correct) as the mysterious millionaire with an unspoken hidden agenda. On one hand, it is a little underwhelming how the dynamics of Carell and Tatum's friendship are only ever implied with only some suggestion of Carell liking Tatum as more than just a friend; on the other hand, there is a lot to admire in how Miller leaves it up to our imagination regarding the highs, lows and rifts between the pair. Mark Ruffalo is also terrific as Tatum's brother, though he is far less subdued. Providing far more questions than answers regarding what occurred between the real life Mark Schultz and John Du Pont, 'Foxcatcher' does not necessarily offer the most satisfying narrative out there, but there is much to like in how moody and unsettling an experience it is.

Leofwine_draca FOXCATCHER is a film I knew nothing about when I sat down to watch it and I think that's the best way to go. Certainly if you know the events of what really happened - this is a true story - then it will spoil the experience. I knew nothing and watched the tale unfold at a leisurely pace, finding myself drawn into the lives of the characters even though the subject matter bored me.In essence, this is a tale about two wrestling brothers, one of whom is sponsored by a millionaire eccentric to train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. There's no more story to it than that. This is a slow, character-focused drama that probably could have used some judicious cutting to excise some of the more repetitive moments; still, there are a couple of powerful set-pieces that really work and make it worth watching.Channing Tatum is well chosen for the main role; I've never liked the actor but he convinces as the wrestling meat head here. An unrecognisable Steve Carell garnered all the attention for playing the kooky oddball and he's certainly very good, but my favourite performance was Mark Ruffalo who gives an excellent performance once again. Just as in ZODIAC and SPOTLIGHT, Ruffalo plays a quiet and intensely sympathetic character full of nuance and realism. It makes me wish he'd make more great thrillers instead of wasting his time in token comic book fare.