THE SMASHING MACHINE vs ELEANOR THE GREAT at the Gateway Film Center!

If the rumors are to be believed, we could be witnessing The Rock in an Oscar caliber film with THE SMASHING MACHINE! This biographical sports drama from A24 stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt and follows a real-life MMA fighter and influential figure in the sport who struggled with drug addiction throughout his career. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event:

DESCRIPTION: This biographical sports drama chronicles the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr and his journey through mixed martial arts world during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The film highlights his achievements, struggles and addictions. It is written / directed / edited / co-produced Benny Safdie and stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten and Oleksandr Usyk.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJuS4baeaxU

BUZZ & ACCLAIM: Early buzz is strong with critics praising Dwayne Johnson's transformative and "raw, vulnerable" performance in this "gritty biopic." The film premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival wher it won the Silver Lion (Best Director) award for Benny Safdie!

SAFDIE v SAFDIE: The Safdie Brothers directed a pair of outstanding (and personal favorite) A24 films together: Good Time and Uncut Gems! This year, they’re both making solo directorial debuts in A24 films and in what will likely be one of the bigger narratives of the season! Benny is directing this film, THE SMASHING MACHINE, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. His brother Josh will release of his film, MARTY SUPREME, starring Timothee Chalamet, on Christmas Day! And you know we’ll be there for both!

Possible Alternate Choice: ELEANOR THE GREAT! While The Smashing Machine is our Featured Film, not everyone may be feeling a film about an MMA fighter. Not enough space on the calendar for both, so we’ll set this one up as an alternate choice. First time director Scarlett Johansson teams up with June Squibb in this drama that follows a 94-year-old Floridian woman who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old student in New York City. The film is directed by Scarlett Johansson and stars June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht and Chiwetel Ejiofor. This will likely be a super limited release so it may be here and gone before we know it. But, if we have an opportunity to schedule both (even if it requires us to switch theaters) we will! Exact plan, showtime, and location will be confirmed and announced the week before the event. Here’s a trailer for ELEANOR THE GREAT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ6l2ue--KA

PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet inside the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime! Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the comments below. Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer.

Look forward to seeing you there, Dan