The Proposal and Tyson

That Guy Named David surfaces with two new reviews

The Proposal (C-)

I propose that no one go watch this movie. Plot: guy (Ryan Reynolds; most famous for marrying Scarlett Johansson) works for witch of a boss (Sandra Bullock; famous despite lack of acting ability and marriage to motorcycle repairman Jesse James), she finds out she is going to be deported to Canada, she makes him act like her fiance, they go to Alaska to see his family, they fall in love, Michael Jackson dies. Okay, the last part probably has nothing to do with the movie; although, I think there was a point where I was wishing I would come down with a serious illness so I could get out of the movie. Seriously though, there is nothing redeeming about the movie. Bullock plays the exact same role she plays in every other movie, Reynolds was more convincing (and more entertaining) as Van Wilder, and while I admit to getting a kick out of reruns of The Golden Girls, the inclusion of Betty White in the cast fell flat for everyone in the theatre under the age of 65. Save your money. Wait until it is picked up by TBS.

Tyson (A-)

In my humble opinion, there is little in cinema that outshines a good documentary. Unlike the originator of this website, who enjoys documentaries on birds, penguins and watching paint dry, I prefer my documentaries to be about cultural icons (Bob Dylan in No Direction Home; Muhammad Ali in We Were Kings), sports (Hoop Dreams, When It Was A Game), or other topics that do not put me to sleep. So, the documentary Tyson by James Toback was right up my wheelhouse. It did not disappoint. Tyson primarily consists of an interview with the former heavyweight champion with highlights (and many lowlights) from his career sprinkled throughout. The greatness of this particular documentary, however, is that it demonstrates just how entirely dysfunctional Mike Tyson was during his glory years and remains, although to somewhat a lesser degree, today. One second, Tyson will sound like a professor (with a strong lisp) outlining his thoughts and motivations as he dissected his opponents and worked his way from the streets of Brooklyn to the heavyweight championship while still just a kid. The next second, he will sound like the raving lunatic that beat his wife, was convicted of raping a pageant contestant and bit off half the ear of Evander Holyfield. He is a sociopath that you come close to feeling some sympathy for as the interview progresses. Makes for a good documentary.