Goat: Life Post The Right Side Up

Summary: On its surface this film looked generic, the idea of a sort of off brand Space Jam, looked readily apparent, and we shared that view via our socials. However, the film actually has some charm and manages to have moments that do make you smile.

That is not to say it isn’t a generic sports animated film, it is you have seen things like this before many times over, however, it is not soulless as it may first appear from the marketing.

A point to be made about the film is that it is strongly reliant on internet meme and social media culture so if you are older or not the most active online then you may be confused by a number of the references.

Overall, a watchable animated film with some charm.

3/5

Pros.

The charm

Its watchable

Its well paced

Cons:

It’s repetitive structurally

You have seen it before

It is too similar to Space Jam

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Marty Supreme: The Most Unlikable Sports Person In History

Summary

A film about a guy doing lots of crimes and playing table tennis

So this film was well done and it was snappy. It moved with a pace that few films do, considering it was on for 2 and a half hours it didn’t feel like it, unlike other new releases like Avatar.

I’d argue the central issue this film has is that it makes Marty a dick, he has few to no redeemable qualities yet the film still wants you to root for him. The thing is when I watched this I thought it was based on real events and so that’s why they had him behave like that but a hell of a lot of the film is just fiction, so it was a choice to make him like that.

The strangest thing about this film is that it doesn’t feel at all like a sports biopic, it feels like it moves between genres sometimes it’s a crime film, sometimes it’s a plucky underdog story with comedic elements. If you don’t mind the constant switching between things in terms of tone then you’ll like the film but others might find this jarring.

Overall, a well made film with utterly unlikeable characters.

3/5

Pros.

It is well done

The performances are good

It is snappy

Cons.

The characters are unlikable

It makes a lot of unneeded additions

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Saipan: Roy Keane Implodes His Career

Summary: the lead up to Ireland’s attempt at the 2002 world cup.

I question the need for this film, it was entertaining but I don’t know if there was enough of a story there for a feature film.

One thing I will give it credit for is that it never took anyone’s side and it showed the unprofessionalism of all sides of the endeavour. Mick, Coogan, had points, but so did Keane, Hardwicke. In that respect you could not call it a hatchet job against Keane.

I think the film does a lot to show the experience of the footballers during the tournament and to make you feel like you were there with them, it also makes football feel like a personal endeavour rather than a billion pound industry. This film can be watched without any knowledge of football, I for one did not know anything about the sport or this world cup before watching the film yet found it very accessible.

Overall, a watchable film but one in which I would question why it was made.

2.5/5

Pros.

It’s watchable

It has good performances

It is engrossing

Cons.

What was the point?

Pacing issues

It ends abruptly

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Chirsty: The Left Will Only Support Films About Lesbians If They Star Left Wing Luvvies

Summary

Sydney Sweeny takes on the role of a legendary boxer.

This film was hard to find for me thank goodness for the internet.

This film reminded me somewhat of Sweeny’s turn when she played a whistleblower facing her life being destroyed around her, I feel like she really does have a great propensity for dramatic work and is more than just her body. I think she delivers a solid performance here, despite, what washed up has been Ruby Rose has to say about it.

Throughout the film you really emote with Sweeny’s lead and feel for her and her situation, particularly in the second act of the film, it works as a sports film in the way that the journey and the personal struggle become the thing that defines the film, and the main thing that makes you as an audience member enjoy it. I wouldn’t quite call it Rocky in terms of being inspiring, but I would say it is a lot more real.

I think the main reason this film is not getting more attention is due to the perception that Sydney Sweeny is right wing and so is being shunned by a lot of the film journalists that would normally call something like this stunning and brave.

Overall, Sweeny is good and the film works well as an inspiring sports film with harsh dramatic turns.

3.5/5

Pros.

It is inspiring

You believe the personal struggle

Sweeny is good

It is well paced

Cons.

It does get a bit depressing at times

The third act needed tightening

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The Karate Kid: THE Sports Movie

Summary

The Karate Kid is born.

Honestly this film should have been a one off, as you can tell from my other reviews of the franchise the rest of the Daniel run are not good and get steadily worse.

This film works well as not only does it have all the standard beats of a sports movie, but it also has a lot of emotional depth for Mr Miyagi and makes him a rounded character, they could have relied on racist stereotypes and cliches but they didn’t for the most part.

I thought the bullying storyline was very played out even for the time period it came out, but I did like the evolution of the fight your bully and stand up for yourself storyline turning it into this grand sporting event. Doing this allowed the film to feel a little like the later Rocky films but on a smaller scale as its aimed at kids.

Daniel works as a blank slate that you can project yourself onto as a kid, rather than how he gets in the later films.

Overall, a solid teen sports movie with its heart in the right place.

3/5

Pros.

It is a good sports film

It has a good soundtrack

It is fun

Cons.

Some elements are generic

Its predictable

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Karate Kid Two: Daniel In Okinawa

Summary

Daniel, Ralph Macchio, goes to Japan.

In many ways I feel similarly about this film as I do the third film in the franchise, really it didn’t need to exist. In many ways it would have been better to have gotten a Karate Kid prequel about a young Mr Miyagi, Pat Mortia, learning Karate in Japan then this.

We see the beginnings of brat Daniel here as well, when he is a whiny little prima donna. There is still some good training sequences wherein he is learning new moves and his interest in Japanese culture is nice to see. However, in how he treats Mr Miyagi and those around him it is clear to see which way the character is heading.

There is some rather outdated and offensive depictions of Japanese culture which feels quite jarring on the rewatch, and the villain of the film imbibes a lot of these qualities and feels almost cartoonish at times. The ending of the film really feels like a natural end point for Daniel’s story.

Overall, it is interesting to have a focus on the background lore of the first film and to explore what Japan looks like in this world, however, more needed to be done to justify this films existence and Daniel is incredibly annoying at times.

2.5/5

Pros.

The focus on the life and lore of Mr Miyagi

Going to a new location

The training sequences

Cons.

Daniel is irritating

It doesn’t need to exist

It is badly paced

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Air: Born In The USA

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A film about the making of the Air Jordan

If this film proves nothing else it proves that Ben Affleck is a hell of a director. Whilst I wouldn’t say this is perhaps to the same level as Argo I would say it was a very fun film that worked on pretty much every level.

I found more than enough to like about the plot to keep me engaged even though I am not interested in Basketball. The business aspects of the film felt almost like classic Sorkin, and I thought that the scenes between Damon’s character and Davis’ character wherein they discussed Jordan’s future with Nike were easily the best of the film.

In a lot of the more dialogue heavy scenes the terrific performances that Affleck is able to get out of his cast really come through. Not only were the previously mentioned Affleck, Damon and Davis great, but I also really liked Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman. Bateman in particular had a number of really strong dramatic scenes that connected with me emotionally, in particular his scene about how his daughter only wants to see him because he can give her shoes.

However, the feather in this film’s cap is its soundtrack. All of the Eighties hits that you could possibly want are featured here at every turn and it is glorious and helps the film to feel lively and keep you engaged.

My one complaint of the film would be that, as is so often the case, the pacing isn’t good. Like with many modern films this out stays its welcome and would have been a better film if it was shortened.

Overall, bar the pacing issues a great film and a directorial comeback for Affleck, though I personally liked Live By Night.

4/5

Pros.

The business scenes are really sharp

Everyone is bringing their A game

The soundtrack

The unexpected emotion

Cons.

The pacing issues

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Creed III: Why Talk About Your Issues When You Can Be Violent Instead?

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Adonis, played by Michael B. Jordan, has to beat up someone from his past.

I will lay this out right here at the start of the review, I am not a fan of boxing movies and the Creed films have always just to me felt incredibly repetitive. I watched this as I had heard good things, but it ended up being the same old structure rehashed. A new threat emerges, it is established as legitimate, they best or beat the hero in some way, then the hero beats them. It is tiresome and repetitive.

I thought the film really had something when it was discussing and Adonis and Damian, played by Jonathan Majors, were physically abused as kids. This would have allowed the film to talk about deeper themes that can’t just be solved by random violence, but guess what it all just devolves into a punchout. Adonis beat up the abuser when they were kids causing Damian to pull a gun to defend his friend and go to prison, now he’s out and angry and the only way to settle old trauma is with a fight. It is boring.

Despite him now being somewhat problematic Jonathan Majors is the best part about this film and acts circles around Jordan at every turn. I also thought that Tessa Thompson did a really good supporting turn here, and her emotions when Adonis’ mum dies feel very genuine.

Overall, yet another needless sequel that tells the same story we have seen done time and again.

2/5

Pros.

Thompson and Majors

It has a good soundtrack

Cons.

Jordan lacks any range

The story is repetitive

It is afraid of any kind of deeper conversation about violence

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Champions: Anyone Can Be A Hero

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Woody Harrelson plays a basketball coach who after getting into a drunk driving accident has to coach an intellectually disabled basketball team.

This film has its heart in the right place. Though some have said that it comes across as patronising towards intellectually disabled people or the issues they face, I found that despite its sometimes questionable messaging that this film was at its heart an uplifting film. Not only that but it goes out of its way to spread inclusivity and the message that anyone can be a champion and that people are so, so much more than how others classify them.

Moreover, I think Harrelson is just curmudgeonly enough to pull this role off. Though I think that the sudden change from this character being a self-interested narcissist to learning to love second place and to be happy with what he has was incredibly rushed. I think his performance commands real emotion and that he has great chemistry with his on-screen love interest played by Katlin Olsen.

The plot is incredibly cliched and generic and all the hallmarks of classic feel good sports films make an appearance, so much so that you could turn it into a bingo game fairly easily if you wanted to.

Overall, a happy uplifting film that doesn’t always land its’ the message.

3/5

Pros.

Harrelson

Olsen

It is uplifting and restores your faith in humanity

Cons.

It is incredibly cliched

It can come off as patronising at times

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Home Team: Adam Sandler Is Even Bringing His Kids Into His Films Now, Will The Nepotism Ever End?

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Adam Sandler’s dependence star in a true story about a disgraced NFL coach, played by Kevin James, who ends up coaching his son’s peewee football team.

This sports film just rehashes cliches, honestly there isn’t much more to say; I could end the review there. To expand, the plot of this film is not just overly familiar it is almost plagiaristic. The beats and forced emotion it is going for, but crucially never achieves, have been done so much better before elsewhere.

Moreover, I get him and Sandler are pals but whoever thought James was a good leading man? Does Sandler? Is that why he gets cast in the lead role in so many of Happy Madison’s productions? To answer some of those questions for you, nepotism is the only way James can get these roles as his talent just isn’t there. Whether playing happy, sad or quizzical James comes across with all the emotional range of a shopping bag.

Overall, it is fine, technically there is nothing wrong with it, however, if you want more than deeply forgettable then you will be left cold and disappointed.

Pros.

It is watchable

Taylor Lautner returns

Cons.

James

It is boring

It is generic

The nepotism is blatant

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