Year: 2014
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‘In the Hands of the Gods’ (2007) first docu from Fulwell 73
In the Hands of the Gods follows five British freestylers over a 6-week odyssey as the young men work their way from London to Argentina to meet Diego Maradona. This documentary is very similar to the movie Pelada, but it has a lot more friction and conflict, because the five have set out on their…
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Review: The Art of Soccer with John Cleese (2006)
Variously named as the The Art of Soccer with John Cleese or the Art of Football from A to Z, it appears this made for TV film was commissioned by Germany for World Cup 2006. John Cleese pontificates on 26 alphabetical aspects of the game.
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Fits of ‘Kicking & Screaming’ (2005) not funny next to kids
Although Will Ferrell often plays a psychotic jerk, he is really a jock who majored in sports broadcasting at USC. Maybe that’s why so many of his movies have a sports theme. Kicking & Screaming is his soccer movie.
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The rough start for ‘Chivas USA: Sí, se puede’ (2005)
Chivas USA: Sí, se puede follows the front office and coach Thomas Rongen as they try to convert a 99-year-old Mexican product (Club Deportivo Guadalajara, aka Chivas Guadalajara) into a successful MLS expansion team.
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‘Dias de futbol’ (2003) a funny Spanish buddy film
Días de fútbol, or Football Days, is a pretty funny Spanish buddy film about 7 men who resolve to enter and win a soccer league in order to cheer up Jorge, who has been dumped by his long-time girlfriend. All of the men have troubled love lives, and they are all terrible soccer players. They are…
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‘El Portero’ (2000) a pretty Spain in the ugly era of Franco
In El Portero, a former Real Madrid goalkeeper known as the King of the Penalty Kick, travels the Spanish countryside, wagering men to score against him. The villagers and the underground openly express their opposition to the repressive military dictatorship via a comedic penalty kick shootout versus the soldiers.
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‘Mad About Mambo’ (2000) samba on a Belfast pitch
Mad About Mambo isn’t known as a soccer movie, but it portrays soccer (and dance) ambitions in a light-hearted boy-wins-girl story that is sweet, humorous, and romantic. A 16 year old striker (William Ash) learns to samba with Keri Russell so that he can tryout for Belfast United.
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‘Bossa Nova’ (2000) dances into your heart
Are you 40 to 50-something and need a romantic comedy for a date night? Bossa Nova is your ticket, with a touch of soccer and a still-sexy Amy Irving.
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‘Switching Goals’ (1999) is so cute cute cute
A Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen made-for-TV soccer movie. Have I hit bottom? But no, Switching Goals is actually pretty good. Great family fun! Comedian David Steinberg directs the film with good pace and pulls many funny moments from the mom, dad, and other supporting characters. The 11-12 year old twins are their usual selves…
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‘Yesterday’s Hero’ (1979) Football meets Suzanne Somers
Rod Turner (Ian McShane) is Yesterday’s Hero, a former big soccer star and womanizer drinking his way to the end of his career. The pop star owner of the third division Saints signs him for the semi-final game of the League Cup over the protestations of the team Manager.
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‘Playing for Keeps’ (2012) a muddled $35M mess
In Playing for Keeps, a retired and penniless Scottish soccer star (Gerard Butler as George) moves to a small town to reunite with his 9 year old son and soon-to-be-remarried ex-wife (Jessica Biel). George ends up coaching his son’s team on the way to becoming a responsible adult male and finding a new career as…
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‘The Soccer Nanny’ (2011) a little too coy for today
In The Soccer Nanny, a recently widowed mother (ex-pornstar Traci Lords) hires a male au pair from Norway to provide a role model for her 9 and 16 year old sons while she runs the family’s bison farm in the “Little Sweden” town of Lindsborg, Kansas.
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Review: ‘Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story’ (2011)
Unfortunately for viewers who don’t know who Jay DeMerit is, the first-time filmmakers of The Jay DeMerit Story present his history chronologically. So it takes awhile for the non-soccer fan to understand why his story is even worth telling.
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‘Hermano’ (2010) a dark tale in a Venezuelan barrio
Hermano (aka Brother) is the story of teenage brothers who are unbeatable together on the soccer field and have a chance to tryout for the local pro team.
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‘Soccer City’ (2010) lacks passion for the game
Nick Fitzhugh went to South Africa during World Cup 2010 and filmed Soccer City, ostensibly about the impact of soccer on South African culture. He interviewed and followed the lives of various youth players and former National Team members.
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‘Rudo y Cursi’ (2008) a story you can’t forget
Rudo y Cursi is an artful story of hick half-brothers from banana plantations in the Cihuatlán Valley between Jalisco and Colima. An agent discovers them and signs them to opposing First Division teams in Mexico City, where they succumb to the trappings of success.
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‘Below the Earth’s Surface’ (2008) can this stadium be saved?
Below the Earth’s Surface (or Gaping Abyss) is a German TV action movie in a stadium, it is not really a soccer movie. But it has good production values and rolls along at a tense pace.
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‘Her Best Move’ (2007) tale from a soccer dad
Family friendly, Her Best Move rises above the other teen/kid soccer movies in the authenticity of the players and the story. The film accurately portrays the trade-offs and stresses on soccer prodigies as well as their families and coaches.
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‘Goal II: Living the Dream’ (2007) and continuing the franchise
Goal 2: Living the Dream continues the rags-to-riches fantasy of Santiago Munez, who migrates from the streets of Los Angeles to become a super-sub at Newcastle. In this sequel, Santi and his buddy Gavin end up at Real Madrid, with Santi on his way up and Gavin on his way down.
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Challenges of the Palestine NT in ‘Goal Dreams’ (2006)
Goal Dreams follows the Palestinian National Team in the month leading up to their all-important World Cup 2006 qualifying game against Uzbekistan. The team has many problems to overcome. They must practice in Egypt and play their game in Qatar, in an empty stadium. Six players cannot exit Gaza until 2 weeks before the game,…
