The Smashing Machine (2025)

[BluBonnet]

DJ and the real Mark Kerr at the Venice premiere

[spanky87]

“Academy Award nominee The Rock”

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

DJ and the real Mark Kerr at the Venice premiere

Dwayne lost 60 pounds.

[DThompson]

Took a couple decades, but it's nice to hear the Rock finally learned how to act.

[BluBonnet]

Got a feeling that Oscar race for best actor is going to come down to Dwayne and Adam Sandler

[Mr. Chaverria]

Originally Posted by DThompson

Took a couple decades, but it's nice to hear the Rock finally learned how to act.

While never the most impressive of actors. If he is that good in here, I'd wonder if he can get near that quality again. It's not unheard of that certain directors can get great stuff out of actors who aren't at that level either consistently

I've yet to see anything by the director cuz I haven't gotten to him yet. But I remember Kerr from way back. So this might be the one that makes me jump into seeing the rest of the director's stuff.

[Tony208]

Originally Posted by DThompson

Took a couple decades, but it's nice to hear the Rock finally learned how to act.

He always could act. Just got too comfortable or lazy doing blockbusters.

[spanky87]

Yeah, I always knew he could pull something like this off which is why his film career was so frustrating/disappointing to me. He was chasing box-office and got too comfortable with unchallenging roles. It’s a shame he waited so long, but I’m totally here for Rock’s kino era.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Yeah, I always knew he could pull something like this off which is why his film career was so frustrating/disappointing to me. He was chasing box-office and got too comfortable with unchallenging roles. It’s a shame he waited so long, but I’m totally here for Rock’s kino era.

Southland Tales must've spooked him.

[testmon112]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Southland Tales must've spooked him.

I still love that film, messy but prescient as hell.

[Cards_Fan_15]

Originally Posted by Tony208

He always could act. Just got too comfortable or lazy doing blockbusters.

100%. I've wanted to see him take chances like this for a while. That's why I liked the roles he took in Faster and Snitch. They weren't paint by numbers blockbusters or IP. They were grittier roles even if they weren't the most challenging.

His film career from basically Jumanji and Baywatch to this is very blah and uninspired. If these early reviews on this are correct, than give me more of this version of DJ in films!

[maverick22]

Can’t wait for this! I’ve always been a fan of DJ and sports movies based on a true story / events.

I have been a fan of DJ since he was the Rock in WWE. I’ve enjoyed his movies for the most part. I don’t get all the hate over the course of his career. He’s an action star - most of them stick to action movies (Arnold, Sly, JCVD, etc). None of them are in the same league as, say, Denzel. I thought he was fine in most of his roles though. Did he have some stinkers? Yeah, but so did all of the other action stars.

[Aardvark_DK]

I don't know if someone else already mentioned it, but everyone should watch the documentary "The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr", directed by none other than John Hyams (the guy who made the two best Universal Soldier movies). It's incredible.


edit:

Oh!

Originally Posted by HipsterTrash

If y'all haven't seen the documentary with the same name, check it. John Hyams directed. It's great.

[Cremildo]