Fightville

Bam! Bam! Bam!

WARNING! - If you are someone who simply cannot enjoy (even slightly) watching a man being royally pulverized by another, then "Fightville" certainly isn't gonna register as entertainment for you.

But, on the other hand - If you wanna see the real thing here where a bunch of very dedicated young men (who seem to have a lot of inner-rage to vent) punch the living daylights outta each other (all in the name of glory with little or no monetary gain), then this well-produced documentary (from 2011) is certainly worth a view.

Through interviews with MMA fighters, their trainers (and, yes, even opinions from concerned parents) - Fightville introduces the viewer to these feisty, pugilistic, young lads from Gladiator Academy (located in Lafayette, Louisiana) who travel around the State with promoter Gil Guillory in order to proudly demonstrate (to the ever-curious public) all there is to know about anger-management, one-on-one combat and the disciplined art of MMA fighting.

If you like MMA, you owe it to yourself to see "Fightville." This documentary takes you to the minor leagues of MMA, to the de facto "farm system" that exists for would-be's, poseurs and wannabe's who dream of making it to the Big Stage of the UFC. Some may make it to those big leagues. Most will not.

"Fightville" depicts unsparingly the blood, sweat and tears of those who undertake the journey. Much of the film depicts the rise of Dustin Poirier, who now is an up and comer in the UFC. (In fact, he is headlining a UFC event on May 15th against "The Korean Zombie" in Fairfax, VA.) Equally compelling, though, are the stories of the fighters whose quest for pugilistic fame and monetary fortune fell short, those who juggle personal life turmoil, injuries, jobs and broken families to chase their dream.

This is a compelling slice of life view of small town MMA in southern Louisiana. In the midst of this unlikely setting, we see the MMA training facility run by Tim Credeur, an MMA fighter, trainer and former contestant on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show. Whether speaking to the camera about the lifestyle price to be paid, in beating the #$%$ of a fighter who has been skimping on training, Credeur embodies a 21st century manifestation of The Warrior Ethos. It is an ethos he tries to impart to all of his fighters – unflinching, all in and no excuses.

Also fascinating is the side story of the Gill "The Thrill" Guillory, who promotes these small town MMA events. He runs the business on a shoestring, engaging his wife and kids to help him promote the events. He sets up the stage, contracts for the venues at state fairgrounds, rodeo parks and coliseums, promotes the fighters and does everything but wash dishes and sell programs. His passion for the fight game is palpable.

"Fightville" also features a very slick soundtrack, which I really enjoyed. In short, if you are an MMA fan, watching "Fightville" will be a treat, like the biggest slice of your favorite pie for dessert. Each story line is fascinating. The tale is often bitter, occasionally sweet and offers a glimpse into modern day gladiators who continue a centuries-old tradition that propels some men to enter the cage to test their mettle. Two thumbs up for "Fightville'!!

This film takes you inside the lives of people who are literally fighting for survival. They are doing everything they can to just win and fight another day. From the promoter to the fighters themselves this is an look inside the cage that left me in awe and with a deeper understanding of not only the sport but the people inside it.

The film makers did great job getting interviews with the fighters, trainers, and promoters to present a amazingly real and close up document of the facts of their lives. I would also add that this does not glorify the violence of the sport but the commitment that all those involved have toward each other. It is beautifully shot and thoughtfully presented.

I recommend this not just to fight fans but everyone because at the end of the day this is not a fight film. It is a survival film and a story of hope.

The film is so much more than a look at mixed martial arts as a sport. It covers the personal stories of some very interesting individuals. We come to know some up-and-coming mixed martial arts fighters. They are humble, hard-working but serious in the octagon.

The filmmakers are adept in capturing the stories, the fighting, and the surroundings. The cinematography is great and you'll see what I mean from the still photos. Whether you are a fan of the sport or not, I think you'll find something to relate to in the film. We are all striving towards a goal or goals and sometimes we achieve them and others, we have to pick up the pieces and try again.

Fightville was such an excellent documentary and it gets you to see inside the life of a cage fighter. Cage fighters train day in and day out to be the best. The sport is not just a sport, but a way of life. They make unbelievable sacrifices that most people have a hard time doing. But in the end, when you have that win, it makes all the tears, sweat, beatings, and training all the more worth it. This movie did such a great job seeing the part of MMA that most people don't ever see. There's a lot more behind a pair of gloves and a clever nickname and more people need to realize this. This movie for sure gets a 10 out of 10.