John Pollock and Wai Ting review The Smashing Machine, the A24 biopic starring Dwayne Johnson as troubled MMA legend Mark Kerr.
They dig into Johnson’s physical transformation, the film’s faithfulness to the documentary it’s based on, and discuss why the movie’s blend of combat sports, drama, and authenticity did not land with mainstream audiences. Talking points:
- Dwayne Johnson’s dedicated performance and transformation into Mark Kerr.
- The movie’s faithful adaptation of the original “Smashing Machine” documentary.
- Exploration of addiction, recovery, and the realities of fame in the fight world.
- Strong supporting cast, including Emily Blunt, Bas Rutten and Ryan Bader.
- Discussion about box office struggles and the movie’s niche appeal versus Oscar buzz.
- Whether or not someone can enjoy this film without having seen the documentary.
- The film’s soundtrack and how it shapes atmosphere and character.
Plus, their reactions to the Toronto Blue Jays moving on to the ALCS.
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The DOUBLE SHOT is where John & Wai review things that don’t really fit on their other shows. Previous episodes: https://www.postwrestling.com/category/podcasts/postwrestlingcafe/doubleshot/
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