Category Archives: Sport

Biography, Drama, Sport

THE PROGRAM (2015): New Trailer For Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal Biopic

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The Program (2015), Ben Foster
The Program (2015), Ben Foster

Ben Foster, Chris O’Dowd and Guillaume Canet are the stars of Stephen Frears’s latest, The Program,  the film adaptation of former road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace.

I actually wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the first trailer when it was released a few months ago. Reasons included doubts as to whether Foster actually sounds like Armstrong. I’m still not convinced that he really does but this new trailer is definitely better.

I don’t feel quite ready for a movie version of a story that was only recently told by the documentary, The Armstrong Lie (2013). However, I’m presuming it will be interesting to see dramatisations of events we’ve so far only been told about. Foster will likely do a good job of portraying Armstrong even if I feel like he didn’t get the voice quite right.

The Program (2015), Chris O'Dowd
The Program (2015), Chris O’Dowd

I’m most looking forward to seeing Irish actor Chris O’Dowd excel in a serious dramatic role. 

Dustin Hoffman, Jesse Plemons Elaine Cassidy and Bryan Greenberg also star.

The Program Release Dates: October 16th 2015 (UK & US)

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, Sport

CONCUSSION (2015): Intense New Trailer With Will Smith As Dr. Bennet Omalu

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Concussion (2015), Will Smith
Concussion (2015), Will Smith

I knew this public holiday had to gift me with a great new trailer. And it has, for Will Smith has a brand new movie.

I can’t wait to see this, first because it looks good, and second, Smith sounds absolutely nothing like himself, therefore making for an even more satisfying transformation for the spectator.

Concussion is written and directed by Peter Landesman, the man responsible for 2014’s Kill The messenger starring Jeremy Renner.

Alec Baldwin and British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw also star, along with Stephen Moyer, Luke Wilson and Albert Brooks.

Due for release stateside on December 25th (2015) and January 29th (2016) for the U.K.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Sport

UNBROKEN (2014): A Note On How to Achieve The Impossible, Starring Jack O’Connell…

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Unbroken (2014), Jack O'Connell
Unbroken (2014), Jack O’Connell

When I saw the trailer for Unbroken in 2014, I became very excited; first because I love Angelina Jolie. Second because Jack O’Connell is one of my recent favourite actors (he was brilliant in Starred Up (20013) and lastly, the Louis Zamperini story.

Directed by Jolie and with British actor O’Connell in the starring role, Unbroken is the story of a man (Zamperini) who overcame one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after another.

Zamperini’s story of physical and mental endurance began well before the near fatal plane crash in WW2 that changed the course of his life.

Unbroken (2014), John D'Leo, C.J. Valleroy
Unbroken (2014), John D’Leo, C.J. Valleroy

It is, in fact, the vital relationship he had with his family, namely his big brother, Pete, that really helped prepare him for every extraordinary thing he was able to accomplish in the years that followed.

Thank goodness for the people who add immeasurable value by the way they encourage and believe in our capabilities, especially when we don’t.

The screenplay was penned by the Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan. As such, clearly, the film had everything going for it from the writers, cast, crew and beyond.

The performances that stick in my mind come from O’Connell, of course, and Miyavi who plays the character of Sergeant Watanabe. Garrett Hedlund, Domhnall Gleeson and Jai Courtney also do a great job

If you haven’t already watched Unbroken, know that it’s a brilliant story of the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. One that is so well told that you’ll be glad you had the chance to learn about Mr. Zamperini.

As if I needed more reasons to love Angelina Jolie!

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, Sport

CREED (2015): New Trailer For Michael B. Jordan & Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Spin-Off…

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Creed (2015), Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan
Creed (2015), Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan

 

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Creed (2015).

I’m guessing that Rocky (1976) fans will be very excited right about now. The trailer for Creed (2015), the seventh Rocky film and spin-off from the Rocky film franchise, just arrived, and ‘promising’ is the word.

Starring Sylvester Stallone as former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa, Creed sees Balboa serve as trainer and mentor to young boxer Adonis Creed, played by rising star, Michael B. Jordan.

Fans of the Rocky films will know that Adonis Creed is the son of the late Apollo Creed, a friend to Balboa, plus a former rival – all of which makes for an interesting dynamic between the two main characters.

I’m going to confess right now to the fact that I’ve never seen any of the Rocky movies. Yes, shock horror!

However, I am contemplating finally changing that fact, and just in time to watch this new release, plus, also possibly to keep FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) at bay.

We’ll see how that goes.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Documentary, No Spoiler Reviews, Sport

PUMPING IRON (1977) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tonnes of Charisma & Intelligence

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Pumping Iron (1977), Arnold Schwarzenegger
Pumping Iron (1977), Arnold Schwarzenegger

Pumping Iron is a 1977 documentary that follows amateur and professional bodybuilders as they prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests.

In this George Butler and Robert Fiore directed documentary, you’ll meet some of the top bodybuilders of that period, including France’s Serge Nubret, Lou Ferrigno from the USA, Franco Columbo of Italy and of course Arnold Schwarzenegger of the USA via Austria.

Watch and listen to stories of how several of the athletes came to choose their particular paths. Stories that inform us of all  the attributes necessary to compete at such high levels – and for the extraordinary few, actually win.

Along with Schwarzenegger’s famous charisma, humour, work ethic and focus, look out for two brilliant anecdotes about his response to a family tragedy just before a competition and his ‘advice’ to a massively delusional wannabe.

There are a number of reasons to watch Pumping Iron, and being into bodybuilding is only one of them. Personally, my reasons are that I’m ever curious about the human, greatness, and I’m, like many, a Schwarzenegger fan.

Happy Film Loving,

G