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Awix (3310 KP) rated I, Tonya (2017) in Movies

Feb 20, 2018 (Updated Feb 20, 2018)  
I, Tonya (2017)
I, Tonya (2017)
2017 | Biography, Drama, Sport
The most bad-assed ice skating movie in history blows the lid off the vicious, cut-throat world of people who whizz about on a rink all day wearing tulle. Reasonably true story of how Tonya Harding rose from wrong-side-of-the-tracks background to become top US ice dancer, suffered through various horrible relationships, briefly became infamous for (possible) involvement in an assault on her rival.

A smart movie that has fun with the grotesque outrageousness of much of the story, manages to avoid most sports movie clichés too. There's an extent to which serious issues are (wait for it) skated over in favour of very funny black comedy, but great performances and moments mean that doesn't feel like much of an issue. In the end, it manages to feel genuinely sympathetic to Harding as a person; the viewer likely will, as well. Movie is a contender; makes Margot Robbie look like one, too.
  
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Andy K (10821 KP) Feb 20, 2018

What about Blades of Glory? :)

Blades of Glory (2007)
Blades of Glory (2007)
2007 | Comedy
7
5.5 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell), and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder), are as opposite as two men can be. Chazz is loud, boisterous, and highly sexual, whereas Jimmy is soft, artistic, and reserved.

In the new comedy Blades of Glory the two rivals are about to become the talk of their sport when both lose their medals and are banned from competitive skating after an on ice incident shortly after they tie for the gold medal.

While both are devastated by the events, Jimmy has an even higher cost to pay as his adoptive father disowns him since he is no longer a star athlete who will bring him fame an attention.

Flash forward 3.5 years and we find that life has not been easy for the former two stars. Jimmy toils away in a sporting good shop, while Chazz is reduced to playing a masked character in a themed ice show.

Fate steps in when a stalker informs Jimmy that he is only banned from singles skating and is able to compete in pairs competitions. With the signup for qualifications two days away, Jimmy heads to a local ice show in hopes of finding a partner for the competition.

Sadly Jimmy has chosen the same show were Chazz works, and the two bitter rivals soon find themselves fighting once again.

When the footage makes the local news, Jimmy’s old coach (Craig T. Nelson), hits upon the idea of having the two men compete as the first male team in skating history.

Naturally the two men hate the idea, but with a deadline looming and no other options, Chazz and Jimmy begin to train.

As shocking as this turn of events is to the sporting world, it draws the ire of the reigning champions the Van Waldenberg’s (Will Arnett and Amy Poehler), who setout to ruin Jimmy and Chazz so they can once again capture the gold.

As they train, one hilarious situation after another arises, as the two men with vastly different lifestyles and outlooks must find a way to work with one another to recapture their former glory.

At first I was worried that the films premise would grow old after a few minutes, but I am happy to say it did not. The film is very silly and filled with juvenile humor, but has an easygoing charm that makes it a fun if forgettable film.

Heder and Ferrell work well with one another, and their skating sequences have some truly funny and inspired moments. I do not think I will soon forget the look on Chazz’s face when he has to lift Jimmy one handed while balancing him in a sensitive area.

The film will not be confused anytime soon for a comedic work of genius, but if you want some laughs and are not expecting a deep plot or characters, then this film may be what you are looking for.
  
Blades of Glory (2007)
Blades of Glory (2007)
2007 | Comedy
5
5.5 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I've always found Will Ferrell to be a bit hit and miss: sometimes he is funny and has some good movies (Elf or The Lego movie belonging near the top); others are cringe-worthy bad (Step Brothers).

This one falls in the middle somewhere, with Ferrell starring as one half of the main duo Michaels and MacElroy (Jon Heder), two former Olympic figure-skating champions who have been stripped of their medals and banned from their sport after a public dust-up on the podium, but who have now discovered a loophole that will allow them to compete again as a pair (and as the first all-male pairing in the sport).

It's as ridiculous as it sounds.

Best bit? Probably the slow-speed chase near the end that shows why skates should only be worn on the ice!