Actualités

Since moving from her hometown, a ski resort in Colorado, to sunny Los Angeles, Betsy Sodaro has been a fixture in the L.A. comedy scene. She's been performing sketch and improv for about six years, most often at the Ucb Theatre with her Harold house team "Bangerang!." This fall, she'll reach a much wider audience as an animal handler named Angela on "Animal Practice," NBC's new comedy series starring Justin Kirk as an ornery veterinarian. Sodaro was originally cast as a guest star in the pilot, but was promoted to her first series regular role after the series was picked up in May."I have been really influenced by Chris Farley," Sodaro says of her comedic roots. "He is such a lovable person in everything you see him in. You are immediately on his side and his commitment is incredible. I also love physical comedy. I would like to say I.

The "Rocky" formula has been recycled in many different arenas, but "The Hammer" might come the closest to matching the tone of the original "Rocky".

The film hardly could be credited with breaking any new ground, but it has a hangdog charm, much like its leading actor. Adam Carolla, who also provided the original story, stars as Jerry Ferro, a construction worker who has just turned 40 and feels his life slipping away.

He was an amateur boxer years ago, and he teaches a boxing class at a local gym. When a promoter spots him, he invites Jerry to compete for a spot on the American Olympic team, and Jerry sees a chance to redeem himself.

The movie, which has made the rounds on the festival circuit, will never become a blockbuster, but it will please audiences who manage to catch it.

The movie benefits from unpretentiousness; it never takes itself too seriously. The script by Kevin Hench actually has a lot of snappy dialogue. Jerry is more of a wit than Rocky Balboa, and he enjoys trading barbs with his co-worker Ozzie (Oswaldo Castillo), as well as his fellow boxers. Director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld ("Kissing Jessica Stein") isn't much of a visual stylist, but he keeps the action moving swiftly, and he works smoothly with the actors.

Carolla exudes relaxed masculinity, even when he's playing the schlub. You warm to him because he refuses to swagger. He has a deft way with a one-liner, and he's generous in allowing his co-stars to share the spotlight. Heather Juergensen, who had a leading role in "Jessica Stein", plays a scrappy public defender whom Jerry woos. Her rapport with Carolla is infectious. Castillo is delightfully funny as Jerry's Nicaraguan cohort, and Harold House Moore glowers convincingly as Jerry's truculent boxing rival who becomes (too predictably) his ally. As the crusty trainer who initially encourages Jerry and then schemes to dump him, Tom Quinn brings brio to a stock part.

As a narrative "Hammer" is slightly undernourished. There aren't enough complications as Jerry makes his way to the Olympic trials. The boxing scenes are competent but not as pulverizing as one might hope. However, the seedy Los Angeles locations are well caught, and the song selection is winning.

Like the original "Rocky", the movie ends with a defeat that is really a victory, and this low-key finale proves to be a lot more satisfying than the bombast that infects most sports movies. If "Hammer" doesn't quite pack a wallop, it's a funny, engaging, loping journey along the sidelines of the sporting life.

THE HAMMER

International Film Circuit

Ace Carolla Entertainment, Eden Wurmfeld Films, Bentley Filmgroup

Credits:

Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Screenwriter: Kevin Hench

Story: Adam Carolla

Producers: Eden Wurmfeld, Heather Juergensen, Eric Ganz

Executive producers: Adam Carolla, Steven Firestone, Gregory Firestone

Director of photography: Marco Fargnol

Production designer: Mickey Siggins

Music: John Swihart, Matt Mariano

Co-producer: Kevin Hench

Costume designer: Abigail Nieto

Editor: Rich Fox

Cast:

Jerry Ferro: Adam Carolla

Lindsay Pratt: Heather Juergensen

Ozzie: Oswaldo Castillo

Robert Brown: Harold House Moore

Eddie Bell: Tom Quinn

Victor Padilla: Jonathan Hernandez

Malice Blake: Jeff Lacy

Mike LeMat: Christopher Darga

Nicole: Constance Zimmer

Running time -- 90 minutes

MPAA rating: R...