Spring Film Round-up
THE LAST TWO weeks brought the Tribeca Film Festival (tribecafilm.com/festival), the All Sports L.A. Film Festival (allsportslafilmfest.com) and the release of two movies from SI Films (si.com/films). Here are some capsule reviews, with a guide to how they address some sports movie tropes
Sports Illustrated
FILMS
JaMarcus Russell
The top pick of the 2007 draft, who played three disappointing NFL seasons, reflects on what he has learned, in this short. Alive and well in his hometown of Mobile, Russell remains a compelling figure.
[LAST CHANCE] [MENTAL ANGUISH] [STAR POWER]
The Phenom
A psychologist (Paul Giamatti) is hired to help gifted MLB pitcher Hopper Gibson (Johnny Simmons) regain his control. The dialogue sings and Ethan Hawke terrifies as Hopper's tyrannical father.
[COMEBACK] [KLEENEX MOMENT] [MENTAL ANGUISH] [STAR POWER]
Sports Illustrated
FILMS
Patrick & Zo
Brotherhood is the theme as Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning, connected by college, coaches, competition—and a kidney transplant—reflect on their relationship. It'll make you call your college roommate.
[FRIENDSHIP] [SAGE OLD COACH] [STAR POWER] [TRIUMPH]
Team Foxcatcher
This documentary uses archival footage to show how eccentric millionaire John du Pont went from patron to predator, culminating with his murder of gold-medal-winning wrestler Dave Schultz in 1996.
[FRIENDSHIP] [KLEENEX MOMENT] [LIFE OR DEATH] [MENTAL ANGUISH]
The Play
The 1982 edition of the Big Game, between Cal and Stanford, gets an in-depth treatment, with every major player participating. It examines the rivalry, the colorful history of the band and that fateful final play.
[COMEBACK] [LONG ODDS] [MENTAL ANGUISH] [TRIUMPH]
Soul on Ice
This doc goes from the Maritime Coloured Hockey League (1895--1930) to Willie O'Ree, who broke the NHL color barrier in '58, to Jaden Lindo, a OHLer from Brampton, Ont., to examine what it means to be a black player.
[BIG BREAK] [LONG ODDS] [SOCIAL CONSCIENCE] [TRIUMPH]
BIG BREAK
COMEBACK
FRIENDSHIP
KLEENEX MOMENT
LAST CHANCE
LIFE OR DEATH
LONG ODDS
MENTAL ANGUISH
SAGE OLD COACH
SOCIAL CONSCIENCE
STAR POWER
TRIUMPH
UNDERDOG
THEY SAID IT
"HOW MANY 22-YEAR-OLDS ASK ANYBODY FOR ADVICE?"
Jack Nicklaus
Golf legend, talking about the surprising trend of young PGA Tour players visiting him in search of tips.
SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE
A Nigerian soccer official assigned referee Wale Akinsanya to a match last week. He died in January.
TWO PHOTOS
SI FILMS (RUSSELL, PATRICK & ZO)
PHOTO
COURTESY OF RLJ ENTERTAINMENT (PHENOM)
PHOTO
KWAME DAMON MASON (SOUL)
PHOTO
ROBBIE BYERS (PLAY)
PHOTO
NETFLIX (FOXCATCHER)
PHOTO
ROBERT BECK (NICKLAUS)
TWO ILLUSTRATIONS
