**Some people are so tough, because that's how they grew up!** A biographical sports film directed by some Venezuelan filmmaker and actor Edgar Ramirez in the lead with De Niro in a supporting role. This is the story of a famous boxer from Panama, Roberto Duran. Takes place during the 1980s, when protest was intensified to free Panama canal from the US control. Duran was interested in boxing since he was a little and then he was helped by a local small time coach. But when his professional fight begins to take off big, he required someone who can handle him at the big stages. So that's where a former American boxer comes in and what happens between them, followed by how Duran's life turns out is what covered in the rest. Biographies are always good to watch. Sometimes it inspires, how those persons struggled to achieve something big. But this film was just okay, similar to most of the sports films. I did not dislike the story, I did not like how it was made. All I wanted was a better screenplay and it kind of failed on that part. The actors are the best thing in this. Both De Niro and Ramirez were decent, though expected big. Those 80s atmospheres were so good, but the stunt choreography was average. As based on a real person, it is a good film, though watching it for entertainment is a little disappointment. Overall, definitely worth a try. _7/10_
**Hands of Stone tells an interesting story with solid performances but doesn’t pull all its elements together for a satisfying final result.** Hands of Stone is a little-known historical drama focusing on renowned boxer Roberto Duran with a solid cast, including an early in her Hollywood career, Ana de Armas. While well-done and well-acted, it still struggles to satisfy. Its most significant barrier would be the decisions and attitude of the main character. Duran is portrayed as incredibly brash and selfish, making his rival a more sympathetic character. Usher’s performance as Sugar Ray only furthered my support of his character. In addition, there is a surprising amount of sex and nudity in the film that constantly distracts from the story and character development. That said, the story is fascinating and had me googling to see what actually happened between Duran and Leonard. Ramirez poured a lot of heart and effort into his performance, making Hands of Stone take a step from mediocre to decent. Unfortunately, Hands of Stone didn’t make it good or excellent.
The heartbreaking but hopeful tale of Danny Kenny and Peggy Nash, two sweethearts who meet and struggle through their impoverished lives in New York City. When Peggy, hoping for something better in life for both of them, breaks off her engagement to Danny, he sets out to be a championship boxer, while she becomes a dancer paired with a sleazy partner. Will tragedy reunite the former lovers?
Floyd Baer is failing a class. He thinks tutoring will help. But when his supposed saviors are revealed to be the front for a fight club, Floyd will have to literally fight for the grade.
Billy used to be a great boxer, but he's settled into a hardscrabble life that revolves around drinking, training horses, and the one bright spot in his existence — his young son, T.J. Although Billy has had custody of T.J. since his wife, Annie, left the family years ago, her return prompts a new struggle for the former fighter. Determined to hold on to his son, Billy gets back into the ring to try and recapture his past success.
A former youth boxing champion, Jimmy McCabe is a man in search of hope but looking in all the wrong places. When he hits rock bottom he turns to his childhood boxing club and the only family he has left: gym owner Bill corner man Eddie and promoter Joe. Back in training, years after anyone thought he was a contender, he risks his life, as he tries to stand tall and regain his place in the world.
With only his wife by his side, a promising young boxer flees communist Poland to chase his dream of becoming the greatest fighter in history.
Bennie, a clumsy criminal who's touchy about his weight, teams up with his adoptive father's biological (serial killer) son, his employees who in his absence turned his snack-bar into a quiche bakery, a suicidal manic-depressive woman and a Yugoslavian who keeps blowing things up unintended. They need to get 300000 Euro to get Bennies father a new liver.
A man training on his boxing bag thinking about his past fights and the upcoming ones that he must win.
A young rising boxer is torn between choosing two women to be with in his life, a hooker and a TV star, both of whom join forces to make him be dependent on one forever.
The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.
A boy, obsessed with comparing himself with those less fortunate, experiences a different life at the home of his aunt and uncle in 1959 Sweden.
A fictional story inspired by North America's most famous female boxing promoter, Jackie Kallen. Her struggle to survive and succeed in a male dominated sport.