THE PRICE OF FAME: FAME , FAMILY OR FAITH?

The resurgence of professional wrestling in the eighties led to the super star status of the wrestlers of that time. Where those that were the most well-known in the early days had fame few had fortune. That changed when it became the big business that it is today. Documentaries have already been made about pro-wrestlers like Jake the Snake Roberts and his decline into drug addiction and the struggles Mick Foley went through to become the infamous Cactus Jack. Now we have the story of Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man.

THE PRICE OF FAME tells his story, how his father left at an early age and how he was influenced by his stepfather Mike DiBiase who was a professional wrestler. Those days were not like the current style where money and drugs flowed freely. They were hard workers and men of integrity and that rubbed off on young Ted. He dreamed of following in Mike's footsteps. Unfortunately Mike died early and in the ring of a heart attack.

DiBiase did follow in those footsteps though. He trained and worked his way into the regional wrestling promotions making a name for himself rather than resting on his stepfather's laurels. He was considered a top technical wrestler who not only looked good but made those he wrestled with look good. It eventually got him noticed by the WWF just about the time things took off. Vince McMahon had a character in mind and thought he'd be prefect for it. That gimmick was The Million Dollar Man.

DiBiase's fortunes rose as he played the man who said "Everyone has their price". He was a star in the WWF, he was making money and he was traveling first class as the promotion wanted to make him appear to be and live just like the character he was portraying. But it took a toll on him in reality. DiBiase had a wife and kids at home. And while his being away on the road was something they might be able to live with the lifestyle he was choosing wasn't.

DiBiase was drinking and womanizing each night on the road. The accessibility of women who were fans was plentiful. He truly loved his wife and children but the lure and temptations he faced nightly were enough he took advantage of them. When word reached his wife, a Christian in the true sense of the word, he was faced with the reality of what he'd been doing. At the height of his career he walked away to rebuild the faith his wife had in him and the faith he had in God.

The structure of the movie is a mix of home movies, a minor amount of snippets from his wrestling days and more. The majority of it involves a journey he makes with his son Ted Jr., a wrestler in his own right, to discover who his father was and what he went through. They visit the city where Ted Sr. grew up as well as the grave of Mike. They talk about what happened with his other son. Both boys feel like they were left out of the loop when decisions were made and learn why that was. The journey is as much that of Ted Jr. as Sr. and it's a touching trip they make.

What we end up with is discovering what the price of fame truly is. It's a piece of your soul. It's nearly losing your family. It's a loss of faith and God. It's a loss of integrity. And it's a loss of respect. Ted DiBiase went through all of that and came out the other side stronger and more powerful than he was when he was wrestling.

The movie is a story of redemption, of coming back from the abyss. It isn't a case like so many stories of other wrestlers where we see the battle scarred bodies that function less than they did at their prime. This movie talks about the scars that are within the wrestlers who entertain us.

The movie also brings in those who knew DiBiase best when he was working. Famous faces like Gene Okerlund, JR, Shawn Michaels, Jake Roberts, Roddy Piper and more provide insight into both the way things were and their relationship with DiBiase. If you watch the film don't stop when the credits roll because right after is a 15 minute or so interview between DiBiase and Shawn Michaels where they reflect on their pasts.

I will say if you're a wrestling fan and expect this to be a collection of best matches or greatest hits you'll be disappointed. Stick to the DVDs released by WWE for those. This is a more personal story one that tells you about what happens behind the explosions, the lights, the glitter and glam that is associated with professional wrestling. At the same time it's not an indictment of the entertainment giant. No blame is laid at their feet and all is placed on the actions of the individuals. That someone like DiBiase can go through that and come out the other side better than ever is a testament to the man and to faith. If you want to know that story then this movie is one worth watching.

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EXTRAORDINARY MISSION: ACTION PACKED

Most viewers in the US will think of little more than the Kung Fu Theater films of the past when they think about action films from China. While those films were entertaining they can’t begin to compare to the product coming out of China now. Led by director John Woo in the eighties the country has followed his lead by making some of the best action films out there. Consider EXTRAORDINARY MISSION among them.

Lin Kai (Xuan Huang) is an undercover officer with a past providing him a reason for wanting to take on the drug lords. His mother killed herself using the heroin they ship in large quantities now. Lin infiltrates the gang at a slow and steady pace, first ingratiating himself with the local dealer. But he’s working his way up the ladder for the top man.

Each step of the way finds Lin in more danger than a secure position. When his immediate boss is killed before his eyes and he is targeted next only his skills allow him to survive and reverse the position. But rather than kill those sent to kill him he instead pledges his allegiance and discusses wanting to take over the old boss’ territory.

Moving up in the ranks Lin is eventually brought before the man at the top known as The Eagle (Duan Yihong). It is a journey spent mostly with a bag over his head that transports him from his home location into Thailand and beyond. The Eagle’s home base is a city that he runs, complete with a school to take care of children as the factory he’s built refines and packages drugs. But being his city it also allows his private army to control the town and his safety. 

As greed prevails The Eagle tries to direct the council he heads into taking on the methamphetamine trade. Thinking they already have a lock on heroin and not wanting to step on the toes of the South American cartels they decline. When the most vocal of them is shot and killed, their tone changes.

With information in hand, Lin passes it on to his handler, Li Jianguo (Zu Feng). An incorruptible officer determined to take down the drug lords Li is stunned to learn that the man in charge is The Eagle. Li has a history with The Eagle, an association with his past where he thought the man was dead. When Lin passes the name on to him he recognizes there is more at stake than just drug trafficking.

The last 30-40 minutes of the movie finds Li required to go to the city owned by the Eagle to confront him for past sins. The end result is a fast paced and frenetic exhibition of stunts, pyrotechnics, gunplay, hand to hand combat and more that fill that full 30-40 minute period. It is one of the longest onscreen battles that I can recall seeing put on film. Best of all it works, moving along at such breakneck speed that you don’t consider the logistics or unending supply of ammunition to the guns on hand, instead getting caught up in what’s transpiring.

The movie is one of the best action films I’ve seen in some time. It provides enough story to draw you in but before those moments take up too much screen time someone is shooting, being shot of fighting to propel the story forward. It was a fun movie to watch and one that I know I’ll revisit.

Director Alan Mak directed the film INFERNAL AFFAIRS which was highly praised. I missed seeing that one but it’s now on my personal radar and one I’ll be seeking. I can only hope that he follows in the footsteps of Woo and makes his way here to the US to work with English speaking actors and brining his sense of style and action to films here.

Not only does the film provide story and action it looks amazing. The grainy films of those old kung fu flicks is nowhere to be seen here. Instead the crisp, clean images are amazing to behold. You feel as if you’ve been placed in the jungles here, feeling the sweat drip down your spine from the humidity. That the images can convey that speaks volumes.

Too often US movie fans will bypass foreign films, many like this with no English dialogue and subtitles only. That’s sad because if they’d bother to take the chance and watch movies like this they’d be delighted with the end results. So set aside those prejudices about language and make a point of seeking this movie out. If you love action flicks you’ll be stunned and have the time of your life. And it might make you decide to expose yourself to more, taking your viewing habits out of the safety zone and into films that are just as good as you’re used to if not better.

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GREAT BALLS OF FIRE: CARTOONISH AND FUN

I was fortunate to grow up in the sixties and seventies. It was a time when music changes and a love of music gave you the opportunity to be exposed to so much of it at the time. Original music was being made and the hits of the past were celebrated by the new musicians coming up. The Beatles were playing Buddy Holly tunes. Sun Records was a destination musicians made to pay respect for giving birth to Elvis Presley. Tunes past and present were being used in films. All that is mostly gone now, replaced by pre-programmed performers more inclined to seem like fabricated Vegas stars than actual musicians. Auto tuned vocals have replaced talented singers. There may yet be hope but not like there once was.

The seventies and eighties also provided us films that celebrated the lives of those great rock and roll originals, the giants of the time. Gary Busey was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal in THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. Lou Diamond Phillips brought Richie Valens alive. And Dennis Quaid took a turn as well in this film as Jerry Lee Lewis.

The movie launches as Jerry and his cousin Jimmy Swaggart are peering in the window and a local black speakeasy. Jerry is lured in by the thumping beat of the piano as tunes are beat out of the black and white keyboard. Fast forward to years later as Jerry (Quaid) has convinced his cousin J.W. Brown (John Doe) to be in a band and get a recording contract with Sam Phillips at Sun Records.

They record the records but are told that he won’t draw a crowd because girls are more interested in guitar players who can move while playing. A gig at a local redneck bar changes all that when the promoter sees Jerry Lee seduce an entire crowd by leaping to his feet and kicking away his bench while playing.

Their next concern is the content of the song he played which Sam’s brother thinks will be a huge hit. They know the song “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is an innuendo for sex but take the risk. The station plays it, kids flock to buy it and parents condemn the song as immoral. There is no better form of promotion to a teen than a parent who says this is bad for you. Lewis scores big, lands his contract and is on the road to success and fame.

While all of this is transpiring another momentous decision looms. Lewis has been living with Brown and his family and J.W.’s daughter Myra (Winona Ryder) is smitten with him. The feelings are reciprocated and the two find themselves in love. The only problem is that Myra is only 13 years old. Eventually Lewis and Myra drive to Mississippi where they can marry legally. Needless to say this doesn’t go over well with J.W.

It has more serious repercussions when the word gets out to the rest of the world. Lewis in about to take on a major tour of the UK where he is set to rival Elvis as the king of rock and roll. He insists that Myra accompany him on the trip. When the press gets word that she is his wife and her age, the outrage expressed is monumental. Lewis becomes a pariah, his tour is canceled and recovering from this decision will affect him from there forward.

Most of this is well known to those who are aware of the story of Jerry Lee Lewis and his ill-fated marriage to second cousin Myra. If not this is a decent exposure to the story and one that’s an entertaining film at the same time. But while entertaining it is a bit more of a fluff piece than a deep digging expose of the story.

The film tends to gloss over the facts and is based on a relatively short period of time. There is little or no depth to the depictions on screen. It feels more like a Cliff’s Notes version of the story of Jerry Lee Lewis. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but it leaves more questions open than answered.

Quaid’s performance here is interesting if nothing else. I’ve been a fan of his since his work in BREAKING AWAY. He’s an accomplished actor and has played more roles and done better than here, as entertaining as he is to watch. But the choice to give him the bright colored flopping mane of Lewis along with the most caricature styled facial expressions makes him appear cartoonish at times. It’s as if director here made the decision that Lewis would be “on” at all times was the determining factor resulting in a Lewis that never seems real and seems more non-stop performer. When you compare this performance with that of the aforementioned Busey and Phillips it seems unnatural.

The end result does offer an entertaining film that can be enjoyed though. The music and the musical performances by Quaid lip synching Lewis who did the vocals and piano playing are electric. Olive Films has offered this title at an affordable price for a blu-ray and fans will now be able to have a quality version to add to their collection. But if you decided to do a tribute night of early rock and roll stars start with this one and end with Buddy Holly. 

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THE LOST CITY OF CECIL B. DEMILLE: HOLLYWOOD TREASURE

Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how long Hollywood has been making movies. It is difficult to believe that it’s been going on for well over 100 years. And yet so much of the history of Hollywood has disappeared even though the means to preserve it have increased over the decades. When you read a list of lost films that are known but no longer exist it is astounding. Recently efforts have been made to preserve the John Wayne directed and starring film THE ALAMO, only made as far back as 1960 and yet deteriorating as we speak in the vaults of MGM.

But what if you learned that there was a bit of history of classic silent film making that still existed? Not a page or two of a film script or a few feet of film but almost an set built up from scratch to be a part of one of the most expensive and awe inspiring films of its time. An entire city buried in the dunes of California and undiscovered for decades. Wouldn’t that be something worth discovering?

Such was the mindset of film maker Peter Brosnan when he heard the story about the buried sets for Cecil B. DeMille’s THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Not DeMille’s 1956 classic but his first take on the film released in 1923. After hearing the stories about the construction of the massive set used in the film and how it was demolished when the film finished, his curiosity got the better of him.

In 1982 he went to Guadalupe, CA, and met some of the folks who lived there and talked to them about the production. A few of them were even in the film and still living. Through the information he gathered he went to the nearby dunes where folks had noticed that while the sand shifted and changed the shapes of the dunes they didn’t seem to affect just one of them there. This was where the set had been.

Using a combination of the story of Cecil B. DeMille and his career and the search for this lost city, Brosnan tells a fascinating story that offers not just the tale of his search but a source of information about the way films were made when they first began. For instance one might ask why, after constructing such a huge and costly set, would DeMille order it destroyed? The answer, provided in the film, is that had he left it standing other studios would have swooped in to use the same set for their own movies, many of which would have been rushed into production to beat the release of his film and thus making the sets seem old to movie goers by the time his film came out. By tearing them down and burying them he prevented that from happening.

Bouncing back and forth with the historical aspects of making the film is Brosnan’s own journey into both digging up the lost city and his making a film about it. If ever there were a tale about bureaucratic red tape, the need for less government intervention and corruption it is this story. Brosnan didn’t try to dig up the city once but several times over the years. The end result was that it took over 30 years to finally get the story told and the film artifacts recovered. And by then time had taken its toll on them.

I’ll admit that for many this film has a dry subject matter to be discussed. But when you consider the historical aspects of the film it becomes a fascinating movie. In the end not everyone who signed on to be involved in the project is still alive, the financial people behind it change from one to another, voices from people who were in the film are lost as they pass away and the town of Guadalupe learns to embrace their film heritage.

It may not be a blockbuster film or have a chance of beating out the next Marvel hero to grace the screen. But the movie is interesting and worth watching to learn about his lost city. Who knows, maybe there are more lost treasures just waiting to be found. For now enjoy the story of this one.

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