Movies

film review: When The Game Stands Tall

Based on author Neil Hayes novel and directed by Thomas Carter (Coach Carter, Save The Last Dance), WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL is a film that reaches for greatness only to be weighed down but it’s own self induced expectations.

Inspired by a true story, WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL brings to life the incredible winning streak of the De La Salle High School football team: 151 straight victories over 12 years. All along the way, as Coach Bob Ladouceur builds his seemingly invincible national powerhouse, he has emphasized purpose and significance rather than streaks and titles. But when real-life adversity leaves the team reeling, the Spartans must decide if the sacrifice, commitment, and teamwork they have always trusted in can rebuild what is now disintegrating around them

THE GOOD
There are rare glimpses of “behind the curtain” moments that I really enjoyed in WTGST. Players life at home, coaches relationship with the players. Meetings about expressing feelings openly to make the team a stronger unit. This was all really unique, cool stuff that kept me locked into the movie.

When The Game Stands Tall also does a real commendable job to show the love that goes into the game from the coaches and the players. This film projects a side of H.S. football that empathizes the teaching, mentoring, brotherhood, and family aspects that the game of football teaches. That I can respect and get behind.

THE BAD
There are a couple things here that are too alarming not to be seen. Firstly, making an idol out of head coach Bob Ladoucer, played by Jim Caviezel. Caviezel actually plays him very well I thought but unfortunately the film is so busy beautifying its protagonist that it makes him into a grave idol rather than a man. It becomes almost unobtainable to connect with him by the end of the film.

The bigger glaring issue though is simply WTGST is just too complicated, too convoluted. Look, this was a simple story to tell and honestly it’s an inspiring one. But when the film tries to jam pack every sports family movie trope into 2 hours it starts to lose perspective. In the end we get a confused narrative that leads us nowhere. The message and journey that are in the movie are great and inspiring, but they try and pack in way too many unnecessary details that leaves us with unclear, complicated experience.

THE VERDICT
It’s difficult to love a film like When the Game Stands Tall. The movie takes several notable missteps along the way with a few strange tonal shifts. But it’s also hard not to appreciate its heart and its love for the players who are openly vulnerable with their feelings and ultimately realize that there are more important things in life than setting records and scoring goals.

This football film suffers from an inherent contradiction that this sincere, heartwarming film grapples with more honestly than most. True, there’s more to life than football, but then again nobody wants to watch a movie about studying for your SATs. Its not that I wouldn’t mind watching a film that touted life more than football, I would actually welcome it. But at the end of the day I have to believe it.

If your are looking for an inspirational football movie to usher in high school football season, try “Undefeated” a great, little know 2011 documentary. Not that “WTGST” isn’t worth your time, but if your time is limited, choose wisely!

 

5/10

Life

QT: depression & anxiety

In light of the Robin Williams news and some other incidents that have happened recently I started becoming very interested in depression and anxiety. This interest prompted me to do a bunch of research about those subjects and my findings were really amazing. The past couple of weeks my eyes have really been opened to the reality of these unfortunate conditions and how people deal or attempt to live with such hardships.

Then I did the only thing I really know how to do to express my thoughts, I started writing a short story about some of the stuff I learned. I am still putting the finishing touches on it and adding a detail here and there. There are many dark elements in the story that I have never written about publicly. Hard things people go through, the reality of the situation. How I am I to leave these out? It would be a an inaccurate account of my findings and an incomplete work of reflected stories that I have found.

I am thankful I did some digging and learned about something I knew nothing about. Sure I had preconceived notions, but I didn’t know any facts. I hope you all enjoy my story and maybe gain awareness to such a frightening, dark world that maybe someone you love is going through.

Short story should be done within a week or so…

Movies

The Giver 8/10

From the pages of author Lois Lowry’s novel and adapted for the screen by writers Micheal Mitnick and Robert B. Weide, ‘The Giver’ is a film that will have you talking about many larger than life questions long after the credits roll. Director Philip Noyce (Salt & Patriot Games) has crafted a movie that isn’t afraid to ask big questions and most importantly, deliver on a thesis.

In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy portrayed with striking innocence by Brenton Thwaites (Prince Charming in this summer’s “Maleficent”) is chosen to train with an elderly man (Jeff Bridges) for the role of “Receiver of Memories.” This figure holds the collective memories, history and experience of every generation that came before in order to provide wisdom for the future of the current community.

Too often in life we just accept and forget to ask why. Progression is stopped and learning is usually hindered. Enter ‘The Giver.’ What I love about this movie is how simple it’s premise was. It’s literally the oldest movie trope: where something is clearly broken and an underdog needs to go against the current to fix it. But it works here on so many levels. It elevates the concept of personal responsibility and glorifies the courage of taking a righteous stance. The film does a great job of making us look out our own life and analyze our surroundings. Any movie that challenges you in a capacity that evokes change is a great movie in my opinion.

It also doesn’t hurt that Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep are hitting on all cylinders either. Even the younger, supporting actors are all really solid. The acting here is all very strong and completely seamless to combine great acting with an age old, (still fresh) classic plot.

Also it should be noted that director of photography Ross Emery’s magnificent use of color and montage elicits the most emotional response in the viewer. His slow introduction of color… pulls the plot forward as much as the action. He should be included in any praise of this film. His images are striking and beautiful in the grey and dull environment they exist in.

Loose ends are really what held back this from being a film of epic proportions. The topics that are dealt with are so big that we needed some backstory and details, unfortunately ‘The Giver’ provided little of that. The music also felt a little generic for a film with such personality. All in all, there is nothing that is horrifically bad, for me it was just a bunch of little elements that combined to spawn an incomplete feeling of the film.

In my opinion though, the biggest issue with ‘The Giver’ is that, at it’s sleek hour-and-a-half, some of its most dramatically ripe scenes play way too quickly and to convey the impact they’re having on the main character; no sooner has he witnessed an unspeakable memory of horror than it swiftly disappears, filed away in his internal archive.

Conformity and ideal conventions are generally how we go about our lives. ‘The Giver’ breathes life to the lifeless and liberates the suppressed. While ‘The Giver’ isn’t by any means a perfect film, it hits the head on intended targets so well its hard to fault it on its loose ends. Viewing ‘The Giver’ would be a great way to start learning about the value of choices, the importance of memories, and the power of love. For all the adults among us who find that cheesy, I kindly ask you to check your pulse. For the young adults who find that statement engaging, please go buy a ticket and be wide open to a challenging yet largely rewarding experience.

Movies

Film Review – Guardians of the Galaxy

Originally spawned by Marvel Comics and recreated by Writer and Director James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy isn’t just another Marvel movie, it packs a powerful punch in every category imaginable with an end result that is easily the best film I’ve seen this year.

After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, human Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team known as the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to save the world.

I myself am hypercritical when it comes to Marvel films nowadays. Unfortunately Marvel has rested on their laurels with many recent releases, so while excited for GotG, I went in with dampened expectations. It didn’t take long for my personal thoughts to be erased and rewritten.

THE GOOD
Guardians of the Galaxy is easily Marvel’s most unique and entertaining film to date. Wrapped in 80’s pop music, I am amazed Marvel let this film be made as it stands. It’s uniqueness sets a tone throughout the film and one of it’s strongest points is its dedication to itself. GotG isn’t trying to be any “other” film and you start to admire that as quickly as your brain can realize it. This is a unique adventure with unique characters and a consistent, singular voice. All rare elements in todays big budget films.

So absent are the ponderousness and world-stabilizing dreariness of so many comic-book movies that for long stretches, Guardians plays like a parody of the genre. But in banishing self-seriousness, it harbors a reverence for the joys of fantasy and reality. Fantasy in a sense of what you’re actually seeing (space, aliens, talking raccoon comes to mind) but reality in the heart breaking understory of Chris Pratt’s mother’s death and the continual theme of redemption. You see, GotG’s ability to combine worlds is it’s real weapon. Worlds of dark and light, funny and sad, reality or fiction. They are so seamlessly wound that they are inseparably experienced. That’s what makes a fantastic, magical journey that guardians makes good on the moment it begins.

Most attempts to relive your youthful cinematic enthusiasm almost always fail miserably (just ask anyone who hitched that particular pony to the Star Wars prequels or the latest Muppet movies), but Guardians of the Galaxy really does invoke that feeling of being a wide-eyed ten-year old falling in love with movies for the first time.

THE VERDICT
The ultimate, bottom line reason this film works is simple. GotG locks us into familiar, classic movie archetypes. Pratt plays a combination of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Zoey Saldana plays a lethal Princess Leia. Bradley Cooper breathes life into a computer-generated raccoon to be another form of Han Solo. Both Groot and Drax serve as our Chewbaccas. All familiar, all hold a special place in movie lovers hearts but not to redundant so the experience is cheapened. To be heightened for this generation’s movie goers.

2014 has been a rough time at the movies, but Guardians of the Galaxy delivers what many of the other films have been lacking: a intensely good time with great characters, punchy dialogue, fantastic action sequences and a lot of heart and humor. There have been few must-see films of the 2014 summer season, but “Guardians of the Galaxy” is definitely one. Easily the best film I have seen all year.

Guardians of the Galaxy – 9.7/10

Family, Life, Short Stories

music box

She used to kiss my cheek and whisper “cherish each day.” The rhythms of her voice gently danced on my face. Looking back, I never quite knew what she met at such a young age. Through my years of time with her she kept a music box. Nothing fancy, just a simple wooden box. For the longest time, I never knew what she kept in there. Only sometimes I would walk past her bedroom, the door slightly cracked, and hear music. It became clear to me, whatever was in that music box meant a great deal to her. Sometimes I would walk in on her just closing the box; the music coming to a soft end. She would just look at me and gaze. Almost marveling like she never saw me before. Like I was still a newborn baby,

As I grew older I started to wonder more and more what could be in that music box. Teenage years and adolescence blinded me from seeing things from a simple angle and such the magic of the music box drifted away. Nevertheless, from day to day my mother would still have that look on her face. That “music box” look. Although things got loud and fast in my life, I still recognized her look of awe. How couldn’t I? The music box melody streaming in the background of my life like a constant love from a mother to a child.

In my 30’s life started to slow down, in unison as did my parents. They were growing older and time was slipping away. My mind starting bending back to what my mother would always tell me as a child: “cherish each day.” Something I was beginning to desire and something my parents were mastering. Age started to mature and humble me. I started spending more quiet time in my life. Reading, pondering and spending time with them. I learned quiet is good medicine for any cause or concern.

One day everything connected. The idea of the music box started making sense to me. I still didn’t know what it contained, but the idea of simple and pure enjoyment was a yearning I had gained in my older age. I approached my mother and asked if I could see the contents of the music box. To my surprise, she declined. She said softly “Sometimes, the journey is finding your own music box.” I took to her words. I understood. It would be simple for me to crack open this box. It would be a whole different thing to discover my own. “It’s something that finds you” She said, “Not something you look for.”

In my 50’s, My parents were talking slow and moving even slower. Unfortunately, time has a way of passing in a tricky yet constant manner. I spent many moments in thought pondering their lives and how I appreciated them so. The sacrifices they made, their discipline as parents and most importantly, their love for me. I started to wonder what kept them so strong, so in unison, so in immense enjoyment. Not only of each other, but of life also.

After my parents had passed, I went to their house to help box belongings. While cleaning, a twinkle from the corner of my eye sparked. Sitting peacefully, the metal from the music box shined in humbleness. Gently opening it, a paper appeared with my mom’s handwriting, underneath that paper were dozens of old photos of our family. The paper read as follows:”we’ve reached the end of our journey, son. Yours is just beginning, One picture a day is all you’ll need. Look at it, cherish it. These pictures are all you need to know what’s important in this life. When you’re having a rough day, week or year, know whats really matters. It’s in this box, thats all that matters.”

After that, I never went a day missing the opportunity to pull out a photo and just admire every inch of its contents. We need time daily to truly appreciate what is important to us. People, not things.

Whether you know it or not, all of us have a music box. It’s not about creating one, its about letting it find you. Find what’s really important to you and be true to who you are, thats the winning recipe. More significantly, work to prioritize your life in such a way that when your gone, someone, somewhere will say your life was worth living. If not for you, for them.

Movies

Film Review: Earth to Echo

Earth to Echo – 6.5

When a construction project begins digging in their neighborhood, best friends Tuck, Munch and Alex start to get strange, encoded messages on their cell phones. Convinced something bigger is going on, they tell their parents and the authorities, but no one will take them seriously. The three friends set off to crack the code and follow it to its source. But they soon find themselves in way over their heads when they discover an alien from another world who needs their aid to help him get home.

Yes cellphones are involved and no, no one phones home.

THE GOOD
Comparisons to Steven Spielberg’s E.T. are unavoidable, along with other similar films like The Goonies or more recently, Super 8. However, I don’t think director Dave Green was trying to hide his influences, this is 100% pure Spielbergian coming-of-age sci-fi. The ever present sense of wonder is always felt, with the leads going on an adventure to help a wounded alien and in the process, learning more about themselves and life. The deeper content is balanced pretty well by the family-friendly humor, which is charming in its simplicity, never going for the more vulgar, adult-oriented comedy that so many “kid” films employ these days. Like its influences, Earth to Echo wears its PG rating proudly.

The other strong element in this film is it’s dedication to friendships. I felt refreshed to see a movie strive to display kids connecting with one another. Yes, there are cell phones and the kids all have one, but they don’t spend the entire movie faces down, mashing buttons. Seeing kids really interact with one another reminded me why adventures are so great when you are young. It’s about experiencing things with others and Earth to Echo honestly attempts and scores a win in this department. It also helps a bunch that the child actors are all pretty solid, making sure their characters are never annoying and often believable. They all share a great chemistry, which maintains authentic relationships.

THE BAD
The adult actors are insufferable in this film, tend to just be bystanders and thankfully don’t get a lot of screen time. In particular, the film’s “villain,” a government stooge named Lawrence Madsen, is straight from the pages of a fully undeveloped thought process. He serves no story purpose other then being the antagonist. No backstory, no motives. Nothing. I’m positive the story could have survived fine without him and his cronies. I couldn’t tell from just one viewing if this was a script problem or just an actor thing, nonetheless, every single adult in this film were just useless to the story. They serve no real purpose and ultimately just get in the way.

THE VERDICT
Overall, Earth to Echo was a lot better then I expected it to be. The more cynical viewer will likely just see another sappy coming-of-age story with an alien. However, the solid presentation, decent script, and charismatic actors elevate this above many other such films. In the end though, this is a movie for kids, kids who might not have seen E.T., The Goonies, or The Monster Squad, and if Earth to Echo can inspire in them the same wonder and imagination as those movies did for children of other ages, then I’d call it a success.