subject: Watch Fightville Movie 2012 Stream Online [print this page] Over the last decade, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has grown from a controversial no-holds-barred gladiatorial sideshow into a billion dollar phenomenon. MMA has eclipsed boxing as the dominant combat sport in the world, and is so popular that MMA fights regularly appear on U.S. network television even as a longstanding ban remains in force in New York State. But far from Las Vegas, in sweat-soaked gyms and low-rent arenas across America, the big lights are but a dream. Here, men fight to test their mettle, fortified with the mythic promise that an ordinary man can transform into a champion.Directed by the accomplished filmmaking duo of Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker ("Gunner Palace"), "Fightville" takes us to Southern Louisiana, where a group of young athletes, including future MMA powerhouse Dustin Poirier, strive towards personal and professional greatness. The reward? A triumph that could ultimately yield an opportunity to compete professionally in the sports upper echelons."Fightville" is a microcosm of life, a physical manifestation of the American Dream and the relentless dedication required of all who hope to attain it. Here, men are not born, but are instead built through self-determination, hard work and faith. In "Fightville," thats what
The image of mixed martial arts as the day labor of professional sports is hardly contradicted by "Fightville," an up-close-and-personal doc that climbs into the ring with several Louisiana-based warriors with an eye toward illuminating the entire cage-match phenomenon. Ready-to-order fan base certainly means exposure, but helmers Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein aren't interested in glorifying the gore of ultimate fighting as much as revealing its heart. And yet, given their political inclinations, the filmmakers convey far less perspective about the economics of a sport that's been called "human cockfighting" than might have been expected.For the fighters, the draw of mixed martial arts -- which is usually awkward, graceless and lacking in any of the poetry that trained boxers bring to the ring -- is obviously the money. Shots of shotgun shacks, boarded-up stores and general poverty in petrochemical southern Louisiana tip us off to the desperation behind so many fight careers. But in their last film, "How to Fold a Flag," Tucker and Epperlein were far more upfront about the last-ditch nature of the military as a career choice. With "Fightville," they seem to have drunk a bit of the Cajun Kool-Aid.
MMA is sport in which contestants are known to scrap for no pay and suffer injuries that can nip fledgling careers in the bud. That the film's chosen subjects are beyond that stage of the game doesn't mean those aspects have ceased to exist. One of "Fightville's" principals admits as much. "Most of these guys will never make a penny and few will ever step into the ring or cage again," says Gil "the Thrill" Guillory, a leading promoter of cage matches in rodeo arenas around Lafayette, La. "If you can't sell tickets, I can't use you."If you're someone like Dustin Poirier or Albert Stainback, however, Guillory is on your side. Poirier, who's been fighting for the hell of it all his life, finds in MMA a way to channel his rage for profit; Stainback, the more complex figure of the two, is better able to articulate his feelings about the sport and his failings. (That Stainback's ring persona is a "Clockwork Orange" Droog, replete with bowler hat and "Singin' in the Rain" theme music, says plenty about him.) Pic follows both young men as they weather the ups and downs, as well as the ego bruisings and bodily injuries, that come with incipient MMA stardom.
Perhaps predictably, there is no end of self-serving blather in "Fightville," during which Tucker and Epperlein allow their principals -- notably, Gladiator Academy owner "Crazy" Tim Credeur -- to wax philosophical, often to the extent that the film loses its way. This kind of stuff may be a staple of sports movies, but it's unclear here whether the audience is supposed to be laughing, or if the shots of hardscrabble Louisiana are supposed to be empathetic. The filmmakers find themselves caught between two fronts: their documentary instincts and their very understandable sympathies. "Fightville" may not be good journalism, but it is stimulating viewing. Anyone who thinks mixed martial arts is just a vicious, bloodthirsty sport where grown men beat the crap out of each other for fun might think differently after seeing Michael Tucker and Petra Epperleins Fightville, an in-depth and beautifully shot look at the world of MMA through a group of fighters, trainers and promoters in Southern Louisiana. Watch free movies online
Fightville follows a cast of characters in and around the Gladiators Academy in Lafayette, a small local gym where philosophy-spouting veteran UFC fighter, Crazy Tim Credeur trains amateur and rising professional fighters. Far away from the bright lights of the big time promotions like the UFC, the movie takes a look at what essentially amounts to the minor leagues of MMA where guys are fighting to prove themselves and learn what it takes to become champions. Glamorous it aint (the fighters have to mop up their own blood after fights) but what it lacks in luster it makes up for in heart.Dustin Poirier and Albert Stainback are two young fighters working their way through the lower echelons of the brutal sport. These arent bad kids who just got out of prison and need a way to make some fast cash, theyre intelligent and driven guys who believe in the honor and integrity of the sport. Young and determined, yet soft-spoken and friendly, Poirier has all the makings of an MMA star. (Since filming hes made it to the UFC). Trailing slightly behind is Stainback, a well-spoken and charismatic kid whose troubles off the mat lead to struggles on it, and while Stainbacks performance starts to suffer, Poiriers star just keeps rising.
Both Poirier and Stainback are trained by Credeur, a well-known mixed martial artist who takes the term artist very seriously (were not fighters, were artists, he stated quite emphatically at the after-screening Q&A). Credeurs tough love approach to teaching endears him to his students, but beware the pupil who shows a lack of commitment and dedication (blow off practice or give him some attitude and hell teach you a lesson you wont soon forget). Also featured prominently is Gil The Thrill Guillory, an up-and-coming MMA promoter who shows just as much determination and enthusiasm as the fighters hes promoting. For him, the business of MMA is his livelihood and he goes around promoting his fights with his wife and three young kids (theres something just so darling about seeing a four-year-old pass out flyers for cage fights). For him, every big fight can be the difference between his family having a home to sleep in at night and losing it all. Together these men represent the many facets of the mixed martial arts experience.
In many ways Fightville is an old-fashioned story one about dedication, discipline and the value of hard work. It just happens to take place in the context of a very controversial subculture (one that is captured brilliantly with terrific camera work, including some beautifully shot fight scenes). And make no mistake, it is brutal. Guys can get knocked out in a matter of seconds. (Although much is said in the film as to why MMA is actually much safer than many popular sports and its quite convincing.) Whats impressive about the film, though, is that it speaks so well to this culture without excluding outsiders. People who arent particularly interested in the sport should be duly impressed by this universal and very human tale of commitment, discipline and finding meaning in adversity. Without a doubt, Fightville is a knockout.
