I, Tonya (2017):

I, Tonya (2017):

“Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.”

Well, I learned a lot watching this movie. I was very young when Tonya Harding's trial was going on, and I don't remember too much of it. I remember it as she herself who attacked Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. Turns out, it was her abusive husband's friend of a friend who was pretending to be a top counterterrorism expert. What a wild and intriguing story.

Margot Robbie plays Tonya Harding, from her training with her controlling mother at age 4, to right up until she's BANNED for life from skating after “the incident”. She allegedly just meant to scare her competition off. But, her ex hires a wannabe hitman to break her leg. Tonya goes back to being a waitress. Later, she's approached by an agent who wants to recruit her for Team USA in 1994. Then, she gets in after Kerrigan is taken out, and then the court case begins.

To ensure that she wins, her then ex hires a wannabe CIA goon to take out Nancy Kerrigan, her competition in Team USA. It's a wild story. Like I said, I always thought she did it herself until I saw this movie. I had no idea how many people were allegedly pushing her, (even her mom.) and how forced she was into figure-skating. I think she should've just been a hockey player. That's just me. She had the talent and anger issues.

Ultimately, it's a story of narcissism and abuse. Everyone abuses everyone. Everyone acts tough and has insecurity. I liked how it showed what happened, and how it showed Tonya Harding as a human. She's vulnerable. Even though her boyfriend at one point calls figure-skating her “superpower”, she's not a superhero, or a monster. She's a human. This is the best biopic I've seen in a while. If you have time, give it a watch!

The Bronze (2015):

The Bronze (2015):

“A foul-mouthed former gymnastics bronze medalist with local celebrity status reluctantly trains a rising Olympics aspirant.”

Melissa Rauch plays a fictional foul-mouthed Olympic bronze medalist (Hope Ann Greggory.) with a heart of...well, bronze. I mean, I guess she turns out to kind of care about other people. She's still selfish, entitled, and jealous. She expects people in small-town Ohio to give her free food, and gifts. She doesn't really respect her dad, and lives off his money after her injury.

So, she receives a letter from her dead coach, asking her to train her new rival for another Games. Well, she tries to train her wrong, as a joke, but then discovers 1.) she won't get her coach's money if her trainee doesn't qualify, and 2.) another rival coach is there, ready to tell on her and break the deal. This mostly results in her trying to undo the damage she's already done, giving her good gymnastic advice, and putting her on a better diet...but, not without insults.

The most interesting character is Ben (Thomas Middleditch), the gym owner's son, who suffers from facial ticks. Hope mockingly calls him Twitchy. Ben later confesses that he admires Hope for her athleticism. It spurs her to go on a date with him, and shape up a bit. She becomes a little nicer when someone appreciates her as she is...injury and all.

Look, it's not going to win any awards or anything...but I enjoyed it. Especially as a look into what motivates people to be better. She doesn't change who she is, just becomes a little less bitter. Watch it with some snacks, don't take it too seriously, and this sweet-and-sour comedy will be a treat!