My Movie Reviews

Release Date: 22 December 2006
Time: 2 hr 4 min
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox
Grade: B

Synopsis: In November 1970, a plane carrying almost the entire Marshall University football team, its staff and fans crashed, killing 75 people in all and devastating the small town of Huntington, West Virginia. WE ARE MARSHALL, directed by McG (THE O.C., FASTLANE) tells the tragic true story of how the university and the citizens of Huntington rebuilt the football program and dealt with the loss of so many of their own. The university's president, Donald Dedmon, earnestly portrayed by David Strathairn (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK), hires the only willing coach to take on such a daunting task, Jack Lengyl (Matthew McConaughey). With the help of the lone Marshall football coach Red Dawson (Matthew Fox) and the three remaining players who weren't on the plane, Coach Lengyl sets out to restructure Marshall's team, and spirit. But for some in the community it's still too soon, including Paul Griffen (Ian McShane) who lost his football-star son. They fear that moving on so quickly is disrespectful to those who died and to the loved ones who still mourn. The film emphasizes this issue, illustrating the struggle of that harrowing time at Marshall, and in college football history. Although WE ARE MARSHALL contains a similar theme to other sports movies, rising from adversity, the tragedy of so many lives lost in a small community and the painful recovery sets this film apart. Strong performances by McConaughey (FAILURE TO LAUNCH)—his wit and energy adds much needed doses of comic relief, Fox (LOST), and McShane (DEADWOOD) successfully help bring the historical and inspiring story of Marshall University to the big screen, a must-see for all sports fans.

My Review: This is quite an incredible story about the Marshall football program and what it went through to come back to national prominence. McConaughey gives a pretty good performance as the head coach of the new team and like many sports films, it makes you believe in the power of coming together as a team. The film was a bit long at some points and I hoped it would move a little faster, but overall a pretty good film.

Recommend: Possible date night film or if you don't have anyone to watch with then this would be a good one to watch on your own.

Release Date: 14 December 2007
Time: 2 hr 8 min
Distributor: DreamWorks
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Khalid Abdalla, Zekeria Ebrahimi
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Finding Neverland director Marc Forster adapts author Khaled Hosseini's critically acclaimed novel about two childhood best friends forever torn apart as their country is ravaged by endless war and bitter strife. As children, Amir (Khalid Abdalla) and Hassan were inseparable; their long days under azure Kabul skies often spent getting into innocent mischief or preparing for the highly anticipated kite-fighting tournament. When the day of the tournament arrives, however, a glorious victory is quickly offset by a timorous act of betrayal that ultimately serves as the catalyst for catastrophe. Not long after that fateful day, Amir moves away to America, leaving his old friend behind just as the ominous specter of war turns tragically tangible. Two decades later, Amir returns to Afghanistan to find his beloved homeland has now fallen under the iron-fisted rule of the Taliban. Still, all hope for redemption hasn't been lost just yet, because now that Amir stands face to face with the irrepressible secrets that he struggled so vigilantly to bury, he will receive one last chance to make peace with the past, and lay the groundwork for a brighter future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: This was a good film about a young man from Afghanistan. The film is based on the book by Khaled Hosseini and follows it pretty closely. The reason for me watching the film was to see how closely it actually followed the book. The film was pretty well done, but I felt like it was a little slow at some points, but that is probably because I had read the book. The film is pretty moving as the book is. If you are going to read the book then do so before watching the movie. Otherwise, the film is a decent substitute for the book. The acting was pretty good. It was interesting to learn more about Afghanistan and its history.

Recommend: Adults, maybe a date night. There are some more advanced themes in the film that are probably not as appropriated for younger children and they won't be interested. Note that most of the movies is subtitled so be prepared to read.

Release Date: 10 October 2008
Time: 2 hr 10 min
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid
Grade: A-

Synopsis: (THIS SYNOPSIS CONTAINS A SPOILER) Finding Forrester star Rob Brown steps into the cleats of Heisman Trophy-winning gridiron giant Ernie Davis in director Gary Fleder's inspirational sports docudrama. As a young boy reared not far from the northern Pennsylvania state line, Davis dreamed of blasting through the end zone and scoring a triumphant touchdown while fans rose to their feet and cheered. When Davis later became a star running back for the Syracuse Orangemen, his dreams were finally on the way to becoming a reality. Under the wing of coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), it seemed as if there is nothing that could stop Davis from entering into the annals of sports history; even during an era in which the civil rights movement was just gaining momentum, this fledgling gridiron giant never once doubted his ability to rise to the top. When Davis was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after being drafted into the NFL, however, his will to survive soon eclipsed his dreams of success. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: Excellent film and right up there with all the other great sports movies. This film really hit home with me and once again made me greatful to live in a day when such dark times are behind us. This story is truly inspirational and the film is a lot of fun. I had never heard of Ernie Davis before watching the film and I grew to greatly respect him for what he did. Great film.

Recommend: Absolutely, and especially if you are a sports fan of any kind. This film is a great one to learn the history of the sport of football as well as America.

Release Date: January 13, 2006
Time: 1 hr. 58 min.
Distributor: Disney
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Josh Lucas, Jon Voight, Derek Luke, Alphonso McAuley, Mehcad Brooks, Al Shearer, Damaine Radcliff, Sam Jones III, and Schin S. Kerr
Grade: B+

Synopsis: A true-life story of a basketball team who broke down barriers while racking up victories is the basis for this sports drama. Don Haskins was a high school and college basketball star who, after six years of working with high school teams, became the head coach at Texas Western University in 1962. At that time, Texas Western's basketball program was not well respected, but Haskins was determined to change that, and in 1966 Haskins assembled what he was certain was a winning team. However, Haskins' starting lineup was comprised entirely of African-American athletes at a time when racially integrated teams were still a novelty in the South and West. Despite generating a firestorm of controversy, Haskins and his players showed they could succeed where it counted -- on the court. In post-season play Haskins and the Texas Western team found themselves competing for the NCAA championship against the University of Kentucky's all-white team, lead by legendary coach Adolph Rupp. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Review: This movie is based on a true story and that makes it even greater. The storyline is very good and very interesting. The one thing I didn't like is that the film looked like it was made about 10 to 15 years ago. Other then that, the actors did a great job making you feel like this really was taking place in the 1960s.

Recommend: Definitely one for the whole family. The story is so uplifting, and it really makes you realize how badly black people were treated. There are a couple of scenes that may be disturbing for the little ones, but other then that a very great movie to make you realize how great the black people of this time really were and what they had to go through.