screentime

Reminded me of two things -- one when I was in Catholic school, and two being a young teenager. Very few films combine religion with real people living real lives. Most films that seem to touch on anything concerning faith come off preachy. This one doesn't in the least. You can't help rooting for and liking the main character. The film is kinda like a family version of Rocky concerning a kid who runs the Boston Marathon to try and wake his coma ridden mother via a miracle. The miracle being a fourteen year old even running in the marathon yet alone trying to win it. The father/coach played by Cambell Scott assures him it would be one of the biggest miracles of all time!

I was just reading an article on addiction and doctors when I rented this one...

How appropriate. Never heard of it before and was surprised. A much better film than the cover (which looked kinda "B". It is obviously a low budget film but certainly has heart and good performances. Dug that it wasn't afraid to be a little sexy too. A tad slow for a commercial film. Had a late sixties/early seventies feel to it (sans the hip hop soundtrack) which made me dig it all the more. Online I found a mention that the film was based on a true story. If that is so it is actually quiet a scary film.

Good to see Muay Thai used in the film finally. While there is a great deal of "staged fighting" and acrobatics in the film the basic Muay Thai fighting is all there (although surprised how little they use their hands - which most pro Muay Thai fighters use a good deal). It is a very practical art that is hard to beat. Kind of like a good boxer or good wrestler is hard to beat (coming from experience not movies).

Tony Jaa has a great presences. It will be interesting to see what happens with him and if he will be brought to the US to showcase his skills.

Basic story (as most martial arts films are) but has moments of humor and the beauty of Bangkok.