The Same, Yet Different..."That Gal...Who Was In That Thing"

That Gal Who Was In That Thing (2015)

Not Rated

Starring Jayne Atkinson, Paget Brewster, L. Scott Caldwell, Alicia Coppola, Roxanne Hart, Catherine Hicks, Roma Maffia, Donna Massetti, Cristine Rose,

Directed by Ian Roumain

The Story:

In the original documentary, That Guy Who Was In That Thing, director Ian Roumain took a look at a bunch of character actors. You know, the supporting characters in tv and movies. The best friends, the lawyers, the cops, the doctors, even the bad guys...but never the star. And he looked at their careers and why they love to do what they do.

Well, Roumain returns a few years later, and this time, he brings the ladies along for the ride. It's much the same, although there is a bit more resentment and bitterness brought to the table this go round.

Shocking, I know, but apparently life in Hollywood is much harder for the actresses than it is for the guys.

Unless they are insanely hot and young, most of these ladies end up playing moms and grandmothers when they reach their 30s or later.

If they are even employed at all once they hit 40.

That sucks and you'd think that in the 21st century, we would be long past that, but apparently not.

Also, we're apparently still not away from the "casting couch", where if these ladies really want a job, they better be willing to do anything, and anyone, to get it.

Ick.

So yes, it's got a harder edge and less fun to watch this time around, but still good nonetheless.

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade:  B

Another Inspiring True Story..."Gridiron Gang"

Gridiron Gang (2006)

Rated PG-13

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Jade Yorker, Setu Tasse, Mo McRea, James Earl

Directed by Phil Joanou
The Story:

At the Kilpatric Juvenile Detention Facility, supervisor Sean Porter (Johnson) has seen enough. The kids come and go and come back again, or wind up dead or in jail. He wonders if he can give them some direction and guidance by bringing football into their lives.

If he didn't succeed, we wouldn't be watching this movie, now would we.
:)

Yep, another based on a true story which are always nice to drum out the annoying headlines of the news.

Here we go back a decade,  in case you missed it on the first go-round for the film, to a young wrestler turned actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as he was still billed.

One of his first forays into Hollywood outside of WWE studios, and thankfully this one was better, and more successful than his other movie from 2006: Southland Tales.

Raise your hand if you endured that one.

Me too, and I'm sorry for your loss.

But you see the chemistry and charisma and Johnson lights up the screen whenever he's there. The guy is a natural, and it's been fun watching his career move from the ring to the screen with occasional forays back to the squared circle to relive past glories.

Be forewarned, while this could be a film that is viewable for the entire family, this isn't a sugary sweet Mighty Ducks type of affair.

I had forgotten how violent the movie starts out with, and the violence is targeted at kids.

But that's also life in some streets in America.

Worth a viewing or a revisit if you haven't seen it in some time.

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade:  C+