Category Archives: Sports

2008, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sex, Nudity, Sports, Violent, Vulgar

Rudo y Cursi (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Stuck working on a banana ranch, two super competitive soccer-playing brothers dream of getting off the farm and finding stardom: Beto (Diego Luna) as a pro goalie and Toto (Gael García Bernal) as a singer — but it might break them. When a professional soccer team ignores Beto’s goalie skills in favor of Toto’s fancy footwork, Beto signs on to a rival team, and the battle between brothers is on. Carlos Cuarón directs this comedy.

In Spanish “rudo” means rough or rude whereas “cursi” means precious or fussy or affected. The soccer culture in Mexico City nicknames Beto as “rudo” and Toto as “cursi”. If there were not such large numbers of people, especially crowds, involved, you might think of this as an independent film. You watch two hicks (apparently anyone who is not from Mexico City is a “hick”) get taken by a talent scout to the city to play soccer. Toto fancies himself a singer (he is not that good). The story is the usual rise and fall of two country boys in the big city. At first I thought “I’m never going to last this whole film”. But the details are somewhat captivating: just sit back and watch the happening (think “Rake’s Progress”).

It is not just the language that is Spanish. Notable are the extreme emotional reactions, especially anger, in most cases. If the movie fairly represents the culture of soccer and Mexico City, then corruption touches every aspect of life: team manager decisions are motivated by bribes, gamblers try to get players to lose on purpose, players are lured into gambling and losing big time, camp followers only sleep with the winning players, players are introduced to drugs, and the list goes on.

WARNING: The script is very, very vulgar. Crowds yell amazing and unprintable streams of taunts and invitations to the players. There is nudity such as female breasts and initiation scenes in the mens’ shower rooms. There is only once fairly modest sex scene.

Constant excitement kept me interested. In fact there is never a calm moment. This is NOT a soccer mom’s film. Have fun!

2003, Drama, Not Feel Good, Nudity, Redemption, Sports, Violent

Undefeated (2003)

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From NetFlix:

Lex Vargas (John Leguizamo), a Latino boxer from the mean streets of Jackson Heights, Queens, discovers that his success with his fists (and the big financial payoffs) alienates his friends. Question is, can he balance victories in the ring with life outside the squared circle? Robert Forster co-stars in this film, which marks Leguizamo’s directorial debut (he also co-scripted).

“Undefeated” is an unimportant, unexceptional, acceptable film. For this reason I might say it is a “B” film. However, there are no inconsistencies, all the actors do well, the story makes sense and offers a tale of partial redemption. For this reason I might say it is an “A” film.

There are many, many boxing scenes which prompted the “violent” category.

I don’t regret seeing the film, but then as a retired person I have a lot of time to do so.

2003, Could Be Hard To Watch, Docudrama, Sports

Touching the Void (2003)

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From NetFlix:

Mixing interviews with dramatic re-enactments of the event, this gripping
docudrama retells the mountaineering trek gone awry of Simon Yates (Nicholas
Aaron) and Joe Simpson (Brendan Mackey). While climbing in the Andes,
Simpson falls and breaks his leg. Yates, who’s tethered to him, attempts
to lower him to safety but fails. He makes a pivotal decision that may or
may not save both of their lives. Was he right?

Mid-May 6 of us (wife Kathy, daugher Kate, her boyfriend Nigel, brother-in-law Jack, sister-in-law Nel, and I) had spent 2.5 hours walking up a mountain path in England’s Lake Discrict to the summit. Almost as soon as we started down, I stepped on what looked like firm soil only to have it collapse under me. My leg and ankle twisted, I heard a “pop” and felt pain. My first thought was “How will I ever get down this mountain ?” By putting my arms around the necks of Kate and Nigel I hopped down on one foot to an awaiting volunteer rescue team with ambulance. Upon returning to the U.S.A. I discovered I had broken my fibula. While helping me down Nigel tried to calm me by talking about the film “Touching the Void”.

So: contrast my minor inconvenience with the story in “Touching the Void”. It is a true and tensely scary story. In the filmed docudrama the three narrators are actors replacing the actual climbers. But it is not just talking heads. The horrors are re-enacted quite effectively. This is not a film for the squeamish. I was glued to my broken-bone sick-bed throughout. At the end you see photos of the real climbers as well as some printed notice of what happened later, including the controversy.

If you can stand it, don’t miss it!

2004, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good For All, FilmReview, Sports, Western

Hidalgo (2004)

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From NetFlix:

    Viggo Mortensen stars as Frank T. Hopkins, reputed to be
    one of the best riders of the Wild West. His chance to
    prove his talent comes when an affluent sheik invites
    him to join one of the most outrageous and grueling
    races of all: a 3000-mile trek across the Arabian
    Desert. Previously open only to those who ride Arabian
    horses, the event allows Hopkins to join with his
    Mustang, Hidalgo. Can they win?

Goosebumps and more goosebumps! “Hidalgo” is not just a
western. It’s a feel-good, an adventure, and almost a
sports movie (horse-racing). The story is true. In fact
there is a Frank T. Hopkins WEB site.

Viggo Mortensen has proven himself an adaptable actor
(Good,  Appaloosa, Eastern Promises, A History of Violence,
Lord of the Rings, 28 Days). He speaks 4 languages
fluently and 2 others acceptably.

As I have said, a good western has to have good guys
and bad guys. “Hidalgo” has some great villains including
a beautiful British woman who continually speaks through
her nose and plots evil deeds.

Underlying the entire film is a clash of cultures: U.S. Army
versus the Sioux indians, British versus American, Cowboy
versus Bedouin.

Be prepare for a few sobs as well.

2006, Feel Good For All, Sports, Underdogs win

We Are Wallace (2006)

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From NetFlix:

After a plane crash takes the lives of most of Marshall
University’s football team, new coach Jack Lengyel
(Matthew McConaughey) must rally the surviving players and
a grieving community to victory. Based on true events, this
inspiring drama follows Lengyel and his assistant coach
(Matthew Fox) as they try to renew Marshall’s football
program and help the close-knit West Virginia town find
new hope. David Strathairn and Anthony Mackie co-star.

You’ve seen this movie before in many guises. Nonetheless
it is always a warm feeling seeing an underdog finally win.