Shadowboxer (2006)

I enjoyed this movie for all the reasons why the critics panned it - the sex scenes, the violence, the trash talk, the 'predictableness'. Of course, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Helen Mirren are favorite actors of mine, and they played their roles superbly. Helen Mirren's character's death scene was cinematically riveting. That movie was the first time I had seen Stephen Dorff and found that some subsequent roles had him typecast. He played the same vicious, depraved personality as a vampire in "Blade" that he does as the sadist in this movie. Joseph Levitt's role was surprising. I guess because I hadn't seen him do anything since "Third Rock", in which he was a little kid. To see him performing sex acts! Wow! Mo'Nique was good, but her acting skills grew after this.But the music! "Libertango" is a very exciting composition by Astor Piazzola. Love it! Maybe that's why I was glued to Mirren's death scene. Overall, I found this movie thrilling.

The year is 2012 and I have just completed watching this movie. To be honest I think this is one of the few movies where I saw some intense stuff from Cuba Gooding Jr. however I feel the antagonist could have been a little more satirical and Joseph Gordon was simply wasted in this film. Mirren did OK and the lady love Vanessa Ferlito was expressionless however the plot was interesting.When the question comes to execution this movie is somewhat derailed despite the futile effort of the director, I guess it shows the weakness in the script. What if is the biggest question in this movie's execution. What if the scene was executed in this manner, what if the actor executed the dialogue in this manner and stuff like that. I guess we will know now.One of the biggest disappoint was Mo'nique's role and yet it is one of the better executed role. I guess in Hollywood African American women aren't provided much chance to express their talent again it is a loss to the cinema.On a scale of ten I rate this one 6

Shadowboxer is certainly a movie that left me scratching my head, and not in a good way either. The performances aren't the problem, it's the surrealism of the script. I really had a lot of problems getting into this one, and just a lot of weird stuff, in fact too weird happened for my liking. The sex scenes between Cuba and Helen Mirren are not only disgusting to witness, but didn't plant many pleasant visuals in my head either. Mirren and Gooding are above this kind of stuff, but some how they are both game for this movie. There isn't much action to go around, and I honestly felt the story to be rather dull in my opinion. I really don't get why Cuba is floundering in obscurity with these DTV efforts. He's done some decent ones, but his talent level is so above this. The title certainly doesn't live it up to it, because aside from Cuba's playful boxing in the shadows, boxing has nothing to do with this movie.Performances. Cuba Gooding Jr is effective that's for sure. His intensity and quite demeanor served him well, but I wish he was in a better movie. Helen Mirren is classy and excellent in her role here. She could have easily phoned it in, but didn't do that. Her chemistry with Cuba was great. Stephhen Dorff is a good baddie, but his role is sadly underdeveloped. Vanessa Ferlito is OK, but her accent does the talking, aside from a few decent scenes. Joseph Gordon-Levitt isn't yet famous like he is now, and didn't really have a whole lot to do here. Mo'Nique is OK, nothing more.Bottom line. If you can figure out this movie, be my guest and check it out. It wasn't for me though, and it's not something I care to revisit again.4 1/2 10

If I had the say over whether children could be in movies there would be no children in movies. Parents must leave there parenting instincts at the door when making these decisions for their children. This movie taught a little boy how to kill. This was a weird movie, Helen Mirren must have been paid millions for doing this stinker. The British will do anything for money. Cuba was good but he's always good and this was not worthy of him. I'm sorry I watched this garbage. I was truly shocked to see Helen and Cuba in this movie. It was tawdry and left a bad feeling with me. I guess I do not want to see that underbelly of the world.