PLAY ON, a new film about the sport of Rugby has been gaining some buzz. It’s a story of greed, money, family, and the love one can have for their sport.
ABOUT THE FILM:There’s the road less traveled. There’s the road to redemption. And somewhere in between is a one-way ticket to Kansas City for wayward Scottish rugby star Keir Kilgour.
Even at the highest level, rugby didn’t pay players until the mid-1990s; it held on to the amateur ideal longer than any other sport. And now, the greedy but talented Keir and his old-school father, rugby legend Finlay Kilgour, find themselves stranded on opposite sides of that ideal. When Keir’s drive for fame and money collides with his quest for love and respect from his critical father, things get ugly. Following an appalling act of selfishness, Keir flees his rugby background in a delusional pursuit of greater stardom in the high-profile world of professional American football.
When the bubble of his rash, big money dream bursts, Keir — demoralized, broke, but too proud to return home — stumbles upon an unlikely group of saviors, the Kansas City Wanderers. A failing second division rugby club, the Wanderers are a motley collection of weekend warriors who are amateurs in the worst sense of the word.
As the Wanderers can attest, everyone does stupid things. But, it’s not always what you do that matters. It’s what you do next.
At last we’re off to the races with the opening of SECRETARIAT – the rousing tale of the 1973 Triple Crown winner and the greatest race horse of all time!
Based on the novel “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion” by William Nack, SECRETARIAT centers on Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), Secretariat’s owner, and how she broke into the “boys only club” of thoroughbred horseracing in 1969. The real Penny Chenery, now 88, even has a cameo in the film as a spectator at the Belmont Stakes race. Walt Disney Pictures decided the time was right and put the story in the very capable hands of director Randall Wallace (MAN IN THE IRON MASK, BRAVEHEART screenplay) and writer Mike Rich (THE ROOKIE). With the unbelievable, mud-in-your-face cinematography of Academy Award winner Dean Semler (DANCES WITH WOLVES) and the galloping sound work of 20 time Oscar-nominee Kevin O’Connell, SECRETARIAT is as close to a real horserace as you’ll ever get.
What’s terrific about SECRETARIAT is that it’s not a feminist film by any stretch of the imagination. It’s purely the story of a woman who, as Chenery recently said, wanted to be recognized for doing something as a person, not solely as a woman. For once in her life, Chenery took the lead and stood her ground with one of her father’s wealthiest business partners. Going up against a husband and brother who tried to dissuade her, a lonely Chenery found the inner strength to turn Big Red into a champion.
Oscar nominee Diane Lane is spot on in her role as the The First Lady of Horse Racing and gives the portrayal such bravery and confidence. She’s the tie that binds the film. Look for a possible Best Actress nomination for Lane. The on-screen meshing between she and Secretariat trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) is electric.
That’s what I love about Malkovich. The actor can go from buffoonery roles like in the upcoming spy-comedy RED to the more serious outing as the down and out, eccentric trainer Laurin. He has a range and method that most actors can only dream of. To be sure, the film is filled with affable performances from James Cromwell, Fred Thompson, Kevin Connelly, Dylan Baker, and Dylan Walsh, with particular notice to Nelsan Ellis (HBO’s True Blood) as Secretariat’s groom and real-life jockey Otto Thorwarth as Secretariat’s jockey, Ron Turcotte. But it’s Malkovich’s easygoing scenes that are really the most absorbing.
With the stirring score by Nick Glennie-Smith (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films) and the precision editing of 2-time Oscar nominee John Wright (HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, SPEED), ultimately the movie comes down to the three big races of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes are both recreated magnificently with real race horses and jockeys. But what die-hard racing fans would hope for comes in the second race, the Preakness, in which we are treated to seeing the actual race from 1973, complete with the original “here comes Secretariat!” call of the race. One of the film’s highlights are 3…THREE!… big race scenes and even though we all know who wins, its nonetheless very exciting.
The best thing about this movie is that they don’t add a lot of extraneous storylines for dramatic effect. It never tries to be more than it is. The focus is solely on the story of where Secretariat came from and how he won the Triple Crown, a feat that had not been achieved in 25 years. Unbelievably, only two other horses have won since Secretariat. Seattle Slew in 1977 and Affirmed in 1978. The filmmakers have done a good job of keeping everything relatively historically accurate, even though they made it seem like Secretariat came from a broken down, failing horse farm. The reality is, the same owners had Riva Ridge, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont the previous year, 1972.
Special props to the makeup & hair designers and costume designers Michael Boyd (GETTYSBURG, WE WERE SOLDIERS) and Julie Weiss (TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE, SHANGHAI) – their contributions to this period piece truly breathe extra life into this special film about two superheroes. What impressed me the most was what director Wallace captured in the film – not another documentary, but the fact that Secretariat wasn’t racing against other horses; he was running for the joy of it.
Seeing that it’s truly a great, heart-warming film, look for SECRETARIAT to be this year’s THE BLIND SIDE come Academy Awards time. At the various screenings which began in March, everyone has been cheering and yelling out “go, go, go” even though we all know the outcome of the victorious ride. SECRETARIAT is the kind of Disney family film from the golden days sure to make you laugh, cry, and give you a euphoric boost – a little something we all need in these trying days.
Rating: 5 out of ***** stars
SECRETARIAT opens today. The film is rated PG for brief mild language. Check out the film’s official site here, on Facebook and Twitter.
Here’s the new trailer for LEGENDARY starring John Cena, Patricia Clarkson, and Danny Glover.
A screening for this sports movie took place out in Hollywood tonight and the positive buzz coming out afterwards is that the former WWE champ has a bonfide hit on his hands.
Synopsis:
Cal Chetley (Devon Graye) is an extremely bright, engaging, undersized fifteen year-old. Neither blue collar nor athlete, both qualities that make up his small Oklahoman town, Cal’s been picked on most of his life primarily because… he’s always been a little different. Mike, Cal’s older brother (WWE Superstar John Cena) and one time world-class high school/collegiate wrestler, left him and his mother, Sharon Chetley (Patricia Clarkson) behind years ago after a tragic car accident killed their father…an accident to this day Mike feels responsible for. Hoping to revive a relationship long since forgotten, Cal joins his high school wrestling team in the hopes his brother will train him. More importantly, Cal uses wrestling as the tool to reunite his family.
From WWE Studios and Samuel Goldwyn Films, LEGENDARY will be in theaters on September 10, 2010. Like It on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.
Well its finally arrived. Based on the Impossible True Story, here’s the trailer for Disney’s SECRETARIAT….
Click here to read our exclusive first look at SECRETARIAT from March. After seeing the trailer I have to agree with what our reviewer astutely wrote, “Doesn’t it seem weird that there hasn’t already been a movie made about 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, arguably one of the greatest, or perhaps the greatest race horse of all time?” Yeah, it is weird and very surprising for we horse-racing fans. A long wait is in store until the film opens in October, but its nicely positioned to be the first one out of the gate for the Fall awards season.
Based on the remarkable true story, SECRETARIAT chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (DIANE LANE) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery, with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (JOHN MALKOVICH), manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.
Rated PG, SECRETARIAT will be in theatres on October 8, 2010. Be sure to check out the film’s Facebook Page.
From Secretariat.comand StitchKingdom come these beautiful new stills from Walt Disney Pictures upcoming film, SECRETARIAT.
The sports drama is the story of how Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) broke into the “all boys club” of thoroughbred horseracing and saw, along with the help of trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), her horse go on to fame by winning the Triple Crown in 1973. Just last month, we gave you an early lookof SECRETARIAT from a friend to WAMG’s who sat in on an early screening of Disney’s upcoming film.
From director Randall Wallace (Man in The Iron Mask; Braveheart scribe), SECRETARIAT is rated PG for “brief mild language” and will gallop into theatres on October 8th.
Apparently ‘Moneyball’ isn’t dead yet, and this is the best news of the day because this is one project that I think Brad Pitt is absolutely perfect for. Aaron Sorkin has come on board to adapt a new script that will replace that of Steve Zaillian’s earlier draft. We get this from THR:
The writer has been brought on to do a draft of the baseball drama, drawing on Steve Zaillian’s earlier take. The studio wants to move forward quickly with the new iteration, with Sorkin set to turn in his version as soon as next month.
Brad Pitt remains on board to star, but Steven Soderbergh no longer will write or direct and is not involved in the film.
Its tough news to hear that Soderbergh will have nothing to do with it at this point but I think the movie will be a “homerun” (wow, I just went there) and has the potential to be one of the best baseball movies of all time.
First of all, I apologize for posting this a day after it aired on ESPN. They will probably repeat it soon though, and if not, it will be released on DVD May 19th. I also apologize that this may be my shortest review ever.
There is really not much for me to say about this film. It is a deep all-access look at Kobe Bryant during a playoffs matchup between the Lakers and the Spurs. The game is presented in almost real time and the cameras also take us inside the locker room before, during and after the game. Kobe is also mic’d so we hear him through most of the game. Throughout the whole film, we hear Kobe Bryant give a running commentary that was recorded a while after the game. I may be unfair in my assessment but the whole thing comes off like a super high quality version of a dad videotaping his son’s baseketball game and focusing on him the entire time. Except the dad is Spike Lee and the kid is Kobe.
If you are a fan of basketball, you will probably enjoy this film. If you are a Lakers fan, you will probably love this film. If you don’t care about basketball, stay away.
‘Kobe Doin’ Work’ Premiered Yesterday May 16th on ESPN and Will Be Released on DVD May 19
If I were to ask what the Top 5 best sports on the planet are, my money would probably be pretty safely bet against table tennis. On the other hand, that bet is entirely subject to who you’re asking. For years now, I’ve had a personal fascination with the sport of table tennis from a spectator’s point-of-view. Sure, I’ve played my share of the game, but I’m not any good. Then again, I do love to watch those who are talented. I even make a point not to miss table tennis in the Olympics.
‘Ping Pong’ (2002) is a Japanese film I came across in a “used store” about a year ago and was powerless against it’s magnetic draw it had on my wallet. Without hesitation, I snatched up the DVD from the shelf and upon reading the back the movie was mine. Having never seen the movie before, it was a gesture of faith that the filmmaker would do the subject justice, and that he did.
Directed by first-timer Fumihiko Sori, also known simply as SORI (Visual FX Artist and Producer of the anime ‘Appleseed’), ‘Ping Pong’ tells the story of two friends who grew up playing table tennis together. Hoshino, aka Peco, (Yà ´suke Kubozuka) is an outgoing and obnoxious player with a questionable understanding of what good sportsmanship is, but it all comes down to a love for the game with him. Tsukimoto, aka Smile, (Arata) on the other hand, is a quiet and reserved person who plays not for the love of the game but because he has nothing better to do. These two friends continue to play through high school, but on different terms, causing some tension between them and their fellow teammates.
The heart of ‘Ping Pong’ lies in it’s character development. Peco and Smile are both very likable characters, but for vastly different reasons. For Peco, it’s a story of losing one’s self in defeat and finding a way to rekindle that fire of passion he once had for the game. For Smile, it’s a story of coping with unwelcome success and the consequences it has had on his friendship with Peco. For both of them, it’s a mutual story of discovering what it means both to be a hero and to have a hero.
‘Ping Pong’ begins as a casual, light-hearted comedy but develops slowly into a wonderful dramedy that takes the essence of ‘Rocky’ and ‘Karate Kid’ and transplants what made those films great into the world of table tennis. Peco and Smile must both contend on various levels with worthy opponents. They both go through vigorous training to take them to the next level and the significant battles that are fought at the tables are every bit as engaging and dramatic as Rocky’s fight against Ivan Drago or Daniel’s match against Johnny in ‘Karate Kid’.
An eclectic arrangement of music is used to further entice the viewer’s interest in ‘Ping Pong’ by appropriately setting the mood for many of the scenes. Visually the movie is fairly straight-forward but does slip several crafty techniques and styles just under the radar in a successful effort to enhance the visual storytelling without getting in the way.
By far, the most gratifying experience to take away from ‘Ping Pong’ is the sincere underlying message of what friendship and personal sacrifice are worth, the value of people having heroes and that the joy of those relationships only work if they are mutually embraced. The movie culminates with a shifting of outcomes between the two friends that actually makes the most sense.
‘Ping Pong’ is based on the best-selling comic book by Taiyo Matsumoto. The film won the New York Asian Film Festival that year and received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Village Voice. The DVD was released in September 2007 as a two-disc special edition that included the following features:
54-minute Making of ‘Ping Pong’ featurette
A 16-minute parody of the film called ‘Ting Pong’
A 16-minute short film called ‘How to Play Ping Pong’
ESPN has embarked on a fascinating new project that will have well-known filmmakers take on stories within the realm of sports that they are passionate about. The ambitious series will consist of thirty one-hour documentaries on a wide-range of sports, with each being helmed by a different filmmaker.
The first episode will air this fall, followed by new ones on a regular basis through 2010. So far, the following roster has been lined up…
Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog) will tackle the Baltimore Colts sudden move to Indianapolis in 1984.
Barbara Kopple (Havoc) will look at the Steinbrenners and the transfer of owner ship from George to his children.
Albert Mayles (Gimme Shelter) will focus on the 1980 match between the champ Muhammad Ali and the young Larry Holmes.
Dan Klores (Crazy Love) will look at the Pacers’ Reggie Miller and his eight-point explosion against the Knicks in the 1995 playoffs.
In addition, Spike Lee, Mike Tollin and Richard Linklater will also be adding their two cents to the mix with their own episodes.
So, we’ve seen Clint’s final acting performance (perhaps) but he’s still staying as active as a twenty-something behind the camera. His next film will be ‘The Human Factor’ based on the book called Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation (whew! long title) by John Carlin. The story is centered around the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Damon plays rugby star and South African team captain Francois Pienaar, who along with former South African president Nelson Mandela (Freeman) created an event that gave the country’s whites and blacks a common cause to rally around as the country healed from years of apartheid. — TBAU
Here’s a few “on set” photos of Clint and Matt, caught by The Bad and Ugly… check out the website to see them all.
