Screenwriter: Jamie Linden
Director: McG (Charlie's Angels)
Actors: Matthew McConaughey (Reign of Fire), Matthew Fox (Smokin' Aces), David Strathairn (L.A. Confidential), Ian McShane (Death Race) and Kate Mara (Shooter)

Labels: David Strathairn, film, Ian McShane, Kate Mara, Matthew Fox, Matthew McConaughey, movie trailer, sports movie

After the football team is killed a plane crash the West Virginian Marshall University is devastated. The students of the university rally to have a team rebuilt. Following the wishes of the students, The college president, Don Dedman (David Strathairn) brings on quirky and hyperactive coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey). Lengyel works to get a functional team together and struggles to keep them from breaking apart.

This is a traditional sports film and offers the expected highs and lows. Director McG plays up the right parts of the story to keep this a surprisingly light and enjoyable movie (considering the whole thing is built on the graves of dead students.) Strathairn act as the anchor to the movie. His moody performance grounds the glossy parts of the film that threaten to make this production a bit too affected. In contrast to Strathairn's solemn work is McConaughey. The best word I can come up with for McConaughey's performance is "hammy." He all but winks at the camera. His character is eccentric, to be sure, but his performance is too broad and it distracts from his scenes.

This is a good movie even with its healthy servings of sentimentality. This won't change any lives, but it will entertain and most people will probably be satisfied with it in the end.


Related Reviews:
Matthew McConaughey movies
13 Conversation About the Same Thing (2001)
Sahara (2005)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Celluloid Heroes
The Armchair Critic

Labels: David Strathairn, film, Jate Mara, Matthew Fox, Matthew McConaughey, movie review

The first act of this film is quite good and sets up what promises to be an enthralling thriller. The rest of the film works diligently to dismantle this effective opening. Dennis Quaid heads up an ensemble cast in this film about an assassination attempt on the President of the United States. The film unfolds by showing multiple viewpoints of the crime while also uncovering the conspiracy that lead to the shooting. The film presents these layers carefully and does well to keep things clear and unconfused. The film fails because the conspiracy just isn't that interesting and many aspects of the film are predictable. This is a properly structured film but it's not a smart one.


Related Reviews:
Dennis Quaid movies
The Rookie (2002)
In Good Company (2004)


Other Critic's Reviews:
The Daily Beaconline
Desert Entertainer

Labels: Dennis Quaid, film, Forest Whitaker, Matthew Fox, movie review, Sigourney Weaver

Andy and Larry Wachowski (The Matrix) bring the famous cartoon to the cinema beginning May 9th. From the looks of the trailer, the film is like having an acid trip inside of a pinball machine. Make sure you take your seizure medication before going to see it.




Screenwriters: Andy and Larry Wachowski (V for Vendetta)
Director: Andy and Larry Wachowski (Bound)
Actors: Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild), Christina Ricci (Sleepy Hollow), Matthew Fox (Smokin' Aces), Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise), and John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.)

Labels: Christina Ricci, Emile Hirsch, film, Matthew Fox, movie trailer, Susan Sarandon, Wachowski Brothers