Intramural Football Antics..."Balls Out"

Balls Out (2014)

Rated R

Starring Jake Lacy, Nikki Reed, Kate McKinnon, Beck Bennett, Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney, Jay Pharoah, D.C. Pierson

Directed by Andrew Disney

The Story:

Caleb (Lacy) was the star of the college intramural football team, but when tragedy struck, he disbanded the team. Now, facing his impending wedding to Vicky (McKinnon), he wants one last shot at greatness with his old team as they face down their biggest rival (Bennett) one more time.

In the vein of just about every sports movie you've ever seen comes a film that used much of the talent that would go on to become the current cast of Saturday Night Live.

The results, like many SNL skits, are as varied and all over the place as you might expect, but the cast gives their all for the sake of the film.

McKinnon's Vicky is easily the craziest psycho you've ever laid eyes on, and it's no wonder that Caleb wants to do something, anything, to distance himself from their impending relationship.

Bennett plays the evil counterpart very well and makes the most of his screen time. It also allows him to broaden his range from the usual nice guy routine that viewers are accustomed to seeing.

The funniest part of the movie is the commentary from the bleachers by Pharaoh and Pierson who provide play by play for nobody in particular besides themselves.

The movie could have used some more of their wit overall, but you've likely seen worse movies out there.

Not a horrible start for the next generation of SNL players.

Currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Final Grade: C

A Great Movie Made With "Spare Parts"

Spare Parts (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring George Lopez, Marisa Tomei, Jamie Lee Curtis, Carlos PenaVega, Jose Julian, David Del Rio, Oscar Javier Gutierrez II

Directed by Sean McNamara

The Story:

Four Hispanic high school students (PenaVega, Julia, Del Rio, Gutierrez) come together by different circumstances to form a robotics club under the mentorship of new teacher, former engineer Dr. Fredi Cameron (Lopez). Cameron is using teaching as a stopgap while he tries to get back into engineering and doesn't really care to be part of the robotics team at first. But with a trip to the underwater robotics championship on the line, the team is going to attempt to pull off a miracle.

Can they do it?

Should I mention that this is based on a true story?  Well, it is.

Think of this as an underdog sports movie, but now replace the sports with science.

Underdog nerds!

: )

Now, while Lopez, Tomei and Curtis receive top billing, it's the boys that carry the movie, and they do a remarkable job.

It's when the team arrives at the competition that things take an interesting turn.

They decide to take their high school team out of competition with the other high schools because they'd rather come in last taking on the college teams than coming in last against other high schools.

It's an insanely brilliant plan, but a funny thing happens on the way to failing.

I would prefer you watch for yourself, I think you'll like it.

As for me, it's one of a very small handful of movies in the running for best of the year honors.

Final Grade; B+

Get On Up, It's Bobsled Time! "Cool Runnings"

Cool Runnings (1993)

Rated PG

Starring John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle Lewis, Malik Yoba,

Directed by Jon Turteltaub

The Story:

Based on the true story of the first Jamaican bobsled team.  When 3 promising sprinters (Leon, Lewis and Yoba) are involved in a botched Olympic trial, their dreams of competing in track are dashed.  When Derice learns that a former Olympian (Candy) and friend of his father lives on the island, he decides that they should try their hand at the Winter Olympics in the bobsled event.

The results will amuse and inspire you.

Over twenty years removed from this movie playing in theaters, and closing in on 30 years since the Jamaicans first captured the minds and hearts of the world, Cool Runnings is just as inspiring today as it was upon release.

This is truly an underdog story of a team that had no shot, and some would say they had no business even being there.

Yet, they nearly pulled off the 2nd greatest miracle on ice and captivated a world while they did it.

It should come as no surprise that Disney produced this film.  That is what they do best, family entertainment.

However, when real-life continues to give us these feel good stories, I'm glad that studios make them, and I'm happy to line up to keep seeing them.

Easily the greatest movie about bobsledding ever made.

:)

It is a bittersweet farewell to John Candy as the last good movie that he starred in. 

Recommended, especially if it's been 20 years since you've seen it, or never taken the plunge.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Own it. Love it. Watch it. Still makes me laugh and gives me goosebumps. :)