by James Caldwell, Assistant editor

-- Chauncey DeVega, from the blog "We are respectable Negroes," sent word of a recent review of "The Wrestler" published on the blog, which has been linked to the Atlantic Monthly's website.

DeVega takes an in-depth look at the highs and lows of being a pro wrestler, and the risks many wrestlers face when they begin to live for the "pop" or the roar from live crowds; defining themselves based on the reactions from thousands of anonymous fans.

In the review of "The Wrestler," DeVega paints a great picture of Mickey Rourke's transition from walking out to the wrestling ring versus walking to work post-career.

Excerpt: "When the Ram walks down the aisle to work in the deli section of a Supermarket, you will understand how utterly devastating this juxtaposition is: from walking through that tunnel to the applause of tens of thousands, to now doing 'the walk' as an anonymous functionary, we can imagine that pain."

I strongly recommended reading DeVaga's review: "There is No Old Timer's Day for Professional Wrestlers".

-- "The Wrestler" finally opens in Houston this weekend, debuting at one of the oldest theaters in Houston at the River Oaks 3 theatre.

To coincide with the very, very limited release, the Houston Chronicle, which rates the movie three-and-a-half out of four stars, splashed the iconic photo of Mickey Rourke bowing in the ring on the front page of today's "Preview" section listing the weekend's entertainment and TV happenings around town.

Included in the featured story is an interview with Rourke, who talks in hushed tones to a newspaper reporter about being in a dark place prior to taking the role and simply wanting to experience the light again.




Links: Featured article from Chronicle and Chronicle's official movie review

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