Film Fest: Wrestling
In anticipation for Wrestlemania 34 this Sunday, I recently watched four documentaries about some of my favorite wrestlers. They include Hulk Hogan (Hulk Still Rules), Rey Mysterio (Rey Mysterio 619), Steve Austin (The Stone Cold Truth), and the Ultimate Warrior (The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior). I grew up watching that era of wrestling, just before the Rock or John Cena entered the scene, and loved the high production value of fighting without computer imaging. Hulk Hogan was my favorite, I also liked watching his feature length films, and he will always be one of the most popular wrestlers since his debut in 1979. Rey Mysterio is the most acrobatic wrestler, steals the attention in every match with his high flying, and his film was surprisingly candid (taking the viewer in the hospital for a surgery and later, into his own house). Steve Austin I enjoyed for his brute strength and blunt delivery of trash talking, was surprised to see his transformation over the years, and whose film included much of his family and childhood. The Ultimate Warrior was exciting for his entrances into the ring, wild hair, tassels, and amazing physique, and while his film does not include interviews with him, it includes numerous other interviews. All four DVDs include hours of wrestling matches and promos each in addition to an hour long documentary. The documentaries all moved along at a healthy pace, filled with footage from matches and new interviews in which all of those interviewed sound more sincere than any previous televised appearance (here they are out of character). I also watched the WWE event Judgement Day from 2004, bringing back many memories of watching the ongoing, often barrel chested, soap opera.
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules
2002, 14A, 6h
Rey Mysterio: 619
2003, 14A, 3h 10m
WWE: The Stone Cold Truth
2004, 14A, 3h 15m
The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior
2005, 14A, 3h
WWE Judgment Day
2002, 14A, 3h