This movie was a total surprise for me. I had no desire to see it, only going because I wanted to see Nick Nolte’s performance. Not only was he excellent in it, the movie was one of the best movies I have seen this year. Nolte plays a former alcoholic boxer who is surprised when his youngest son shows up one day, wanting his father to train him. What Rocky did for boxing, this movie does for mixed martial arts.  We have heard the story before, but the way it unfolds is fresh and wonderful. The audience cheered, they cried and we left feeling good. Don’t miss this film.

3 3/4 stars