Category Archives: Sport

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Sport

CREED (2015): For The Story & Performances By Michael B. Jordan & Sylvester Stallone…

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

Written/directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson, Creed is more than I expected.

Having never seen any of the previous Rocky movies, I was imagining plenty of fighting footage for at least one-third of the time. Luckily, as a lover/non-fighter, I’m glad to say that this isn’t at all the case.

What I like most about Creed is the way it seems to focus on the stories of the main characters and their relationships with each other, more so than on actual boxing. Nevertheless, Creed is still very much a boxing movie and fans of the sport, especially fans of the Rocky movies will have a good time.

I tuned in because I liked the trailer. Also, I’m just someone who never seems to tire of well-told stories about pivotal life decisions. Especially when the stories are about people choosing to do what is in their hearts, over what is expected/comfortable. Creed is a movie that captures a compelling example of what that journey can be like.

Watch it for the relatable themes of human experience, the choreography of the main fight sequence, plus, the rather well-paced editing and camera work.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, Sport

EDDIE THE EAGLE (2016): New Trailer Starring Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton, Christopher Walken…

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Eddie The Eagle (2016), Taron Egerton
Eddie The Eagle (2016), Taron Egerton

Everybody loves a story where the underdog triumphs in the face of great doubt – and so comes the film of Eddie (‘The Eagle’) Edwards; Great Britain’s first Olympic Ski Jumper.

Starring Christopher Walken, Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman and Jim Broadbent, I’m looking forward to this one because the message is one we can all use from time to time.

I’m also excited about the comedy – and I’m certainly not just referring to Taron Egerton’s facial hair.

Eddie The Eagle is directed by Dexter Fletcher. If you didn’t already know, he played the rather memorable ‘Soap’ (the Chef) in one of my favourite – if not my absolute favourite British film, Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998).

Release Date (s): February 26th, 2016 (US), April 1st, 2016 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Sport

SOUTHPAW (2015): Nothing New But Good Performances All Round…

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Southpaw (2015), Jake Gyllenhaal
Southpaw (2015), Jake Gyllenhaal

Antoine Fuqua is the man in the director’s seat for Southpaw; the movie where Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Billy Hope, a successful boxer seeking redemption after an unbearable tragedy derails his life completely.

Gyllenhaal’s physical transformation is noticeably impressive but it comes second to everything he manages to achieve with his character’s emotional journey.

As you watch Southpaw, you may find yourself cursing testosterone for being the cause of at least one of the bad things that happens to Hope. However, what seems like an absence of good sense is likely also part of the problem.

Overall, there’s nothing particularly surprising or refreshingly new in Southpaw. Though, there is one key aspect of the plot that would have been a great surprise – had it not been revealed in the trailer months prior.

Watch Southpaw because you like the filmmaking team and you’re curious about the movie’s exploration of redemption, regret, second chances, starting over and of course, the sport of boxing.

Forrest Whitaker, Naomie Harris and Rachel McAdams also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Drama, Sport

RACE (2016): New Trailer For The Story Of American Track & Field Athlete, Jesse Owens

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Race (2016), Stephan James
Race (2016), Stephan James

The trailer is here for the new film about Jesse Owens, the American athlete who achieved greatness against massive odds.

It’s a shame that upon returning to America after winning 4 gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, Owens wasn’t treated as well as you might expect for an American hero.

During that time, as bad as things were in Nazi Germany, they weren’t great for people of colour in the United States either. Nevertheless, Race, the story of Owens is a powerful one, especially for all oppressed people with big dreams.

Directed by Stephen Hopkins; Stephan James stars as Owens with Jason Sudeikis, William Hurt and Jeremy Irons in the key supporting roles.

Release Date (s): February 19th 2016 (US), May 5th 2016 (Germany)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Documentary, Sport

RONALDO (2015): New Trailer For Cristiano Ronaldo Documentary

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Ronaldo (2015), Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo (2015), Cristiano Ronaldo

I have very fond memories of watching football matches that featured Cristiano Ronaldo when he was still at Manchester United. The greatness of the athlete was and still is, undeniable.

From award winning director Anthony Wonke, Ronaldo is about what it is that makes the man. Through  unprecedented access to the much celebrated footballer and his inner circle for over 14 months, we’ll get to know more of Ronaldo’s story from the beginning through to his life today.

Ronaldo will be good for my general curiosity about extraordinary humans. May this documentary be at least half as memorable as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Pumping Iron (1977).

Release Date (s): November 9th (UK)

Happy Film Loving,

G