Story perspectives

New Releases: Dwayne Johnson's MMA Drama and Springsteen's Journey

1/24/2026

Summary

Dwayne Johnson's MMA Journey

The Smashing Machine is now streaming on HBO Max and stars Dwayne Johnson as MMA pioneer Mark Kerr.
The film portrays Kerr's addiction struggles and the brutal realities of mixed martial arts, with critics noting its departure from typical sports narratives to focus on psychological depth.
The documentary "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" is available on Hulu and emphasizes Bruce Springsteen's introspective journey behind his 1982 album "Nebraska."

Summary

Miami Police Navigate Cartel

The Rip, directed by Joe Carnahan (director) and starring Matt Damon (actor) and Ben Affleck (actor), follows Miami police Lt. Dane Dumars and Detective J.D. Byrne as they navigate a cartel operation.
Critics describe the performances as strong, particularly from Teyana Taylor (actress).
However, critics say the execution falters, with a lack of suspense and cohesive writing.
The film is set against Miami's backdrop and has earned a two-star rating.

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Dwayne Johnson's MMA Journey

The Smashing Machine is now streaming on HBO Max and stars Dwayne Johnson as MMA pioneer Mark Kerr.
The film portrays Kerr's addiction struggles and the brutal realities of mixed martial arts, with critics noting its departure from typical sports narratives to focus on psychological depth.
The documentary "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" is available on Hulu and emphasizes Bruce Springsteen's introspective journey behind his 1982 album "Nebraska."

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