Gettin' Funky on the Mic Like an Old Batch of Mistle Toe!!

Lol @ this illustration by Dr. Nick D. Kim of Nick's Cartoons.

Merry Christmas my loves!!! As many of you know, Christmas is a time ripe with traditions both spiritual and personal, and while no two families celebrate the season exactly alike (ok, maybe they do, but just play along:), here at Glam Vita we like to celebrate in our own special way. And what way might that be, you ask? Well, lets just say it involves an all-up-in-your-grill film review, some snarky celeb commentary and a dollop of whatever else I want to discuss, damnit!! (Still not sure what you're in for? Click HERE to see last year's Christmas post for further preparation.)



Christian Bale schools Mark
Wahlberg in the ring in The Fighter.
Photo Courtesy: Paramount Pictures

 So, yeah, on to the film review!! Going to the movies on Christmas night is an established tradition in my family and it's usually a film both of my parents can get into, which usually means action and solid acting for my dad's taste, and lovey dovey romance plus numerous costumes and dance numbers for Mamacita. (What can I say? The lady is a die-hard Bollywood buff!!) Given the family's criteria coupled with my own penchant for shirtless hotties a solid plot when it comes to picking a flick, we all agreed The Fighter with Mark "yummy abs" Wahlberg and Christian "What don't you f*ckin understand??" Bale would be the best bet.

Mark Wahlberg channels his inner southie
boy to play boxer Mickey Ward in The Fighter.

The film is based on the life and career of prize fighter "Irish" Micky Ward, a true-to-life man's man outta gritty Lowell, Mass., and his trashy-as-all-hell family that just can't stop dumping on him and capitalizing off of him all at the same time.

That being said, what I liked most about the film is how it takes the universal theme of the underdog held hostage by a chronically unhealthy family dynamic, and turns it on its chain-smoking, beer-drinking ear into something completely fresh and engaging.

While the direction and writing are impenetrably tight, the acting is equally as ferocious. It's been reported Marky-Mark has been training for this role since, like, The Funky Bunch, and while that hard work translates through his performance, it's actually Bale's performance as big bro and ex-fighter Dickie Eklund (ugh, so many lame names in this movie) that really packs the punch in this film (no pun intended). Who knew Batman could lose the cape and play the part of a toothless crackhead so well??! Bottomline: You've gotta catch this flick!

Speaking of unfortunate life turns, it's come to my attention that old skool R&B artist and one-time Rick James protégé, Teena Marie passed away in her sleep the day after Christmas at age 54...Can't say I was a big fan of hers, but I do have a special love for the post-disco, Prince-esque, funk-pop genre she carved her neon guitar niche in. And I must admit, her big hit Lovergirl was the JAM of that era!! Here's a vid of it for those not familiar:

..."I'm for the real, and for you I'm true blue"...indeed...