The article discusses the making of the film "The Smashing Machine," a biographical drama about Mark Kerr, a former mixed martial artist. The film stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who transformed his body to play Kerr and went through a personal transformation in the process. The film's director, Benny Safdie, also experienced a change by taking on a solo project for the first time.
Johnson's performance was praised by critics, with some noting that he has finally found an outlet for himself as an artist. He has expressed his gratitude to Christopher Nolan, who spotted the depth of Johnson's performance and recognized the complexity of Kerr's character.
Safdie, who is known for his collaborations with his brother Josh, also experienced a change in his career by taking on a solo project. The film "The Smashing Machine" was an adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater's 1976 young-adult novel about a child left home alone who hears music coming from another dimension.
Johnson has been open about the challenges he faced while making the film, including the emotional toll of playing a character who struggled with addiction and personal demons. He has also expressed his desire to take on more challenging roles in the future, citing his need to push himself as an artist.
The article concludes by noting that Johnson's performance was widely praised, with many critics recognizing him as a serious actor capable of conveying complex emotions. The film "The Smashing Machine" was a critical and commercial success, with many praising its nuanced portrayal of Kerr's life and the performances of its cast.
Key quotes:
* "From 'Smashing Machine' forward, I will make movies for me. Because they're my dream. Not anyone else's." - Dwayne Johnson
* "I took that moment, and applied it." - Dwayne Johnson
* "What this has allowed me to do — and perhaps I didn't realize this in the past — is, when I find something, whatever it is, I can give my complete heart and soul." - Dwayne Johnson
* "It reads, 'Vanquish.'" - Dwayne Johnson (on his new slogan)
Key images:
* Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
* Benny Safdie on set of "The Smashing Machine"
* Daniel Pinkwater's novel cover
* Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie in the film
Key themes:
* The transformation of Dwayne Johnson as an actor, from a franchise player to a serious dramatic actor
* The challenges faced by actors playing complex characters with personal demons
* The power of storytelling and the importance of authenticity in art
* The growth and development of filmmakers, particularly Benny Safdie, who takes on his first solo project.
Johnson's performance was praised by critics, with some noting that he has finally found an outlet for himself as an artist. He has expressed his gratitude to Christopher Nolan, who spotted the depth of Johnson's performance and recognized the complexity of Kerr's character.
Safdie, who is known for his collaborations with his brother Josh, also experienced a change in his career by taking on a solo project. The film "The Smashing Machine" was an adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater's 1976 young-adult novel about a child left home alone who hears music coming from another dimension.
Johnson has been open about the challenges he faced while making the film, including the emotional toll of playing a character who struggled with addiction and personal demons. He has also expressed his desire to take on more challenging roles in the future, citing his need to push himself as an artist.
The article concludes by noting that Johnson's performance was widely praised, with many critics recognizing him as a serious actor capable of conveying complex emotions. The film "The Smashing Machine" was a critical and commercial success, with many praising its nuanced portrayal of Kerr's life and the performances of its cast.
Key quotes:
* "From 'Smashing Machine' forward, I will make movies for me. Because they're my dream. Not anyone else's." - Dwayne Johnson
* "I took that moment, and applied it." - Dwayne Johnson
* "What this has allowed me to do — and perhaps I didn't realize this in the past — is, when I find something, whatever it is, I can give my complete heart and soul." - Dwayne Johnson
* "It reads, 'Vanquish.'" - Dwayne Johnson (on his new slogan)
Key images:
* Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
* Benny Safdie on set of "The Smashing Machine"
* Daniel Pinkwater's novel cover
* Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie in the film
Key themes:
* The transformation of Dwayne Johnson as an actor, from a franchise player to a serious dramatic actor
* The challenges faced by actors playing complex characters with personal demons
* The power of storytelling and the importance of authenticity in art
* The growth and development of filmmakers, particularly Benny Safdie, who takes on his first solo project.
I MEAN, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE ROCK COULD PLAY A CHARACTER LIKE MARK KERR WITH SUCH DEPTH AND COMPLEXITY??? IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH HE'S GROWN AS AN ACTOR AND HOW MUCH HE'S WILLING TO PUSH HIMSELF TO NEW HEIGHTS!!! 
also, benafy safdie being a solo director for the first time is huge, we need more ppl taking risks in the film industry 
. Benny Safdie's direction just elevates the whole experience to another level - I'm excited to see more of his solo work 
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! What I love most is how this film feels like a true story - like you're witnessing something real and raw 
. It's not just another Hollywood blockbuster; it's an art piece that makes you feel 
.
so like i was watching this old episode of my fave show "Stranger Things" and i saw that they had this new pizza place in town that just opened 
, so i gotta try it ASAP! anyway back to dwight johson... he's def proving himself as more than just a pretty face 
, but what i wanna know is... has anyone tried those avocado toast trend bars? idk if they're worth the hype 
. First off, Dwayne Johnson's transformation into Mark Kerr is crazy – like, he literally bulked up to play the role of a former mixed martial artist! But what's even more impressive is how he used that experience to fuel his own growth as an actor. It's clear that playing this complex character has given him a new depth and range 
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. And let's not forget Benny Safdie, who took on his first solo project and totally crushed it! It's amazing how his passion for storytelling can shine through in every frame.
. He's been open about his newfound passion for storytelling and it's clear that he's finding a new sense of purpose in his work. It's like, "From now on, I'm making movies for me" – isn't that the coolest thing? 
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. He's known for his collaborations with Josh, but this shows he's got what it takes to lead a film on his own. The fact that Johnson and Safdie both experienced personal growth through this project is no coincidence – sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to find your true potential 
. It's clear he's a serious actor now, not just a Hollywood star looking for his next paycheck 
. I'm excited to see what he does next – maybe more dramatic roles that showcase his range?
But anywayz, Benny Safdie's solo project thing is kinda cool, I guess 
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. It's amazing how both of them pushed themselves creatively and came out with something truly special.
. That takes a lot of courage, especially for someone who's been in the industry as long as he has. He's finally finding his true calling as an actor, and I couldn't be happier for him 
.
. It's not just about the biopic, but about the human experience of struggling with addiction and personal demons. And the way Dwayne Johnson pours his heart into the role? Unbelievable 
.
It's crazy to see him take on roles like this and actually nail 'em.
. He's finally found his voice as an artist and we couldn't be more stoked! 
. And what about Benny Safdie taking on a solo project? That just shows how desperate filmmakers are for fresh faces and new ideas 
. The fact that Johnson is getting all this praise just makes me think there's more to it than meets the eye 
. Bring it on!