Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

toohaokan Pulling John is a movie that will surprise you as it showcases one of the world's premier strength athletes. I was told that I "had to see this movie, you won't believe it!". I watched it with low expectations as I could not care less about arm wrestling, but I was astonished by the thought that there was a 200 lb, guy out there, who for the past twenty years has been beating every giant that has challenged him. the other reviewer is correct in that the movie does not have a great deal of depth to it, however, I thought that there was moderate development in terms of showing the big Russian's way of life, and the American hick's upbringing. The nearly universal awe and fear in which John is held by all the other competitors is amazing. I highly recommend this inspiring picture.

Sean Lamberger A mostly superficial glance at the world of professional arm wrestling, framed around the late-career biography of John Brzenk, the sport's resident living legend. With twenty-five years of domination (and a role in Sly Stallone's infamous action bomb Over the Top) under his belt, Brzenk knows his days are numbered, and Pulling John introduces his two most likely usurpers: the quiet, contemplative Russian Vassiliki Khonsari and his bombastic American counterpart, Travis Bagent. The trouble is, since each man has dedicated so much of their lives to the sport, there really isn't enough engaging material behind any of them to support closer scrutiny. We see them work out, watch them prepare for a match, meet their family... and always reach an uncomfortable lull in the conversation when it becomes clear that's all there is to see. The matches are a real spectacle, incredibly tense and exciting, even though most are over within moments. That's more a compliment to the drama of the sport itself, though, and not the work of the filmmakers. The backstage stuff isn't especially interesting, except perhaps to especially hardcore arm wrestling enthusiasts, and the electricity of the events would be just as effective on an ESPN2 broadcast.

BernardoLima John Brzenk isn't a household name unless you follow the sport of arm wrestling -- but if you do, Brzenk is to his sport what Michael Jordan is to basketball or Muhammad Ali is to boxing. Born in 1964, Brzenk began competing seriously at age 16, and two years later he won his first world championship. Since then, Brzenk has been the man to beat in any serious international competition, and he has held the world arm wrestling championship for close to a quarter of a century. But at the age of 40, Brzenk finds himself facing the same questions that vex any great athlete.Should he retire while he's still at the top, or wait for time, age and stronger, younger competitors to strip him of his title?This documentary also profiles two men regarded as likely candidates to take Brzenk's place as arm wrestling's king of the mountain -- Alexey Voevoda, a Russian from a long line of military heroes who wants to bring the championship home to his country, and Travis Bagent, a spirited young American who has followed Brzenk's career since he was a child and sees himself as the heir to his throne.I thought Pulling John was an interesting documentary. I had no contact at all with arm wrestling; I didn't even know that there are official tournaments and it was nice to get a bit of insight into an overlooked sport that very few people talk about. At the same time, the subject is a bit limited. We are given some information about the beginnings of the sport and how it has evolved, the different techniques and so forth but let's not kid ourselves; in the end it's two guys trying to pull each other's arm. There's not a whole lot to talk about. That's why Pulling John focuses almost completely in this 3 individuals. Travis Bagent, the up-and-coming American who's extremely loud and obnoxious, Alexey Voevoda, the calm and collected Russian and Brzenk, the living legend. The human component is definitely what makes this documentary an interesting watch. Overall, it's quite entertaining and insightful, specially for someone who isn't familiarized with the sport of arm wrestling but it's not a great documentary by any means.6.5/10

ElijahCSkuggs Man-oh-man, have I been waiting for this flick. Come to think of it, I forget how I even found out about this movie. I think arm-wrestling is badass and all, but I don't think I was looking up arm-wrestling movies….or maybe I was. Actually, yeah, I think that's exactly how I came to find out about Pulling John. And the rest is history. Or in fact, rather, it's just the beginning.I love me some documentaries, especially good ones. And when I started looking into Pulling John and finding out about the ultra talented John Brzenk, my interest certainly took a turn towards peaking the hell out of itself. And when I was introduced to the uber-charismatic Travis Bagent and the 'massively' likable Alexey Voevoda, I knew in an explosion of creamy, sticky arm-tugging goodness, that Pulling John will be mine. And the story of the three men also sounded swell.And it was.John is pondering about retirement, but also about how he should go out. Should he retire at the top, or possibly take on the up and coming freaks of the sport? You see so many other athletes, great friggin athletes, calling it quits at such stupid times. Look at Jordan, look at Couture…they all made comebacks, which we were happy about, but ultimately we all shook our heads at such premature ejaculation. Saving face is what it is. I just have to say, John Brzenk ain't no face saver. He's a competitor, and one that deserves respect of the highest level.The flick's core undoubtedly revolves around John and his legendary career, but its two side characters are just as important to the film's success. Travis brings the laughs and energy to the film that would have been sorely lacking if he was absent. And with Alexey, it brings….it brings…Ivan Drago; a cooler, thoughtful and more friendly Drago. With two steam-rolling powerhouses like Travis and Alexey the film truly does become the documentary I was so hoping it would. Either of the two men is interesting enough to have been the stars of their own documentary. It's this aspect of the film that makes you want to compare it to Pumping Iron, King of Kong, Riding Giants or any other great movie with numerous likable and relatable personalities.Navid, the producer of the film was kind enough to personally email me concerning the updates of the DVD, and even though I thanked him a half dozen times, I'll do so again. Thanks, man. Yourself, and your partners have done a great job here. The production was high, the animations were slick and impressive, and the story presented was goose-bump inducing, and also, without a doubt, it created the some of the best feelings of cinematic trepidation I've had in a long, long time.If you like documentaries, sport flicks, a combination of both, or just flat-out damn good movies, you should check out Pulling John. And with 50 minutes of extra footage and commentaries by the director and Brzenk, I'm very much looking forward to watching it again and again. But first, time for some pull-ups.