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| Movie Review: Orthodox Stance Alternate Title: Kosher Knock Out
Story: How many Jewish mothers
do you know would want their sons to grow up to be boxers? This very
entertaining documentary by Jason Hutt is a loving
tribute to one very special young man, Dmitriy Salita.
Hutt followed Salita for three years, through 22 bouts, two managers
and a few promoters as he makes his journey towards a quest for a shot
at the Junior Welterweight title. How does an Orthodox Jew manage to keep his faith
while seeking his secular passion? Salita came to the US from the Ukraine
with his parents and older brother when he was nine. Poor, and bullied
at school, he sought retreat to the local gym where he learned how to
box. After his mother's death he sought solace in the local Chabad-Lubavitch
temple. His wise Rabbi, did not dissuade him from his dream and even
enlisted his own brother, who loved the world of boxing, to become his
manager. With a supportive family and his religious manager, he is able
to keep Kosher on the road and stay true to his faith by not fighting
on the Sabbath. The media is drawn to his unorthodox story as surely,
you will too. It turns out that at the beginning of the 20th
Century there were many Jewish Boxing champs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jews_in_sports#Boxing). Watch this video as Salita fights Shawn Gallegos
in 2005 for NABA Title.
Dmitriy came into the ring ushered by the reggae Orthodox superstar
Matisyahu and was in charge from the get-go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wIc_ZFjjrs Acting: It is a documentary so this category does
not apply. Predilection: I like documentaries.
Critters: None
Food: Interesting Kosher meals prepared on the road.
Sex Spectrum: Verboten for this group.
Soundtrack: A fun soundtrack including Matisyahu
Opening Titles: White type over black background.
Theater Audience: This is only playing in one theater
in Manhattan. It was more crowded than I thought it would be.
Weather: Boxing is indoors. We do get to see NYC in
the four seasons.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: 85 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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