Author: MJ-A

in Drama

After winning a short film competition at Sundance 2004, Israeli directors Erez Tadmor and Guy Nattiv obtained funding to develop Strangers into a feature length film. Influenced by the Dogme95 au naturel approach to filmmaking, the directors set out without a script, but with 2 actors and 1 camera. The plan was to film from…

The blokes and fans of ‘The Class of ’92’ (2013)

Apr 29, 2015

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The Class of ’92 started when Gary Neville got his old teammates to agree to make a film about their “Class of ’92”, Alex Ferguson’s young guns who went from youth academy to winning the treble in 1999 (FA Cup, EPL, and Champions League). Directors and brothers Gabe and Benjamin Turner, owners of production company…

‘Bad Parents’ (2012) roguishly true before it goes dark

Apr 26, 2015

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in Comedy

The title Bad Parents is a clue that this indie film is in the Bad Grandpa, Bad Teacher, Bad Santa genre. But it is more than that because up until the 58th minute, this indie film rings roguishly true.

‘Believe’ (2013) is best for adults

Apr 17, 2015

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in Drama

Director David Scheinmann extends Believe beyond the well-worn story of motley kids trying to win a tournament. The film pivots on the parallel story of Coach Matt Busby redeeming his survivor’s guilt.

The horror and coverup of ‘Hillsborough’ (2014)

Apr 15, 2015

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It’s fitting to review the ESPN film Hillsborough today, the 26th anniversary of the April 15, 1989 football stadium disaster where 96 Liverpool fans died from suffocation and crush injuries.

‘Kicking It’ (2008) an entertaining film that matters

Nov 19, 2014

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Kicking It is a Ted Leonsis production that tries to influence you to do good while wrapping you up in a good story. It is “filmanthropy”, according to Leonsis, a billionaire sports team owner, philanthropist, former AOL executive, and media maven. Leonsis spotted Director Susan Koch $1 million so that she could follow players in…

Is ‘The Beautiful Game’ (2012) the best way out of Africa?

Nov 14, 2014

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Producer Julian Cautherly and Director Victor Buhler began working on their Africa10 film project in advance of WC 2010. Their lofty goal was to show how a passion for soccer encourages development and change in Africa. But for those in poverty, soccer is more like a winning lottery ticket out of the country to a better…

The culture of Argentine ‘Fútbol Violencia, S.A.’ (2009)

Nov 10, 2014

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in Cultural, Documentary

Sometimes I don’t learn much from watching a soccer movie, but it confuses me enough that I research the subject to understand what the movie was really about. Fútbol Violencia S.A. (Football Violence, Inc.) is such a movie.

‘Downtown Dawgs’ (2010) – a homeless team honestly portrayed

Nov 10, 2014

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Brothers Kevin and Mike Scullion originally intended to create a fictional movie about homeless men joining a soccer team. Instead, they ended up documenting the Downtown Dawgs’ journey from a Calgary drop-in shelter to the 2010 Homeless World Cup in South Africa.

The reviews deserve to be harsh for ‘Fondi ’91’ (2013)

Oct 14, 2014

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in Drama

Fondi ’91 follows a team of 16 year old Jersey boys who travel to the small town of Fondi, Italy in 1991 to play in a soccer tournament. Some of the boys are very randy and keen to hook up with Italian fillies or stallions.

The sexism of ‘Gregory’s Girl’ (1981) can’t be tolerated today

Sep 16, 2014

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in Comedy

Gregory’s Girl is an iconic coming-of-age movie from 1981. Using a cast of teenagers from the Glasgow Youth Theatre, Writer-Director Bill Forsyth follows Gregory as he schemes to win the heart of the ground-breaking girl who has joined his high school football team.

‘This is Not a Ball’ (2014) shows the process of artist Vik Muniz

Jul 19, 2014

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The documentary This is Not a Ball was made in anticipation of the 2014 World Cup, but it is not really a soccer movie and instead captures the creative process of the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz.

Traveling the world to play pickup ‘Pelada’ (2010)

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in Cultural, Documentary

This documentary follows a pair of collegiate players who, unable to make a pro soccer team, channel their competitive-soccer addiction by traveling the world looking for Pelada — not a drug, but a Brazilian word for pick-up game.

Soccer fans bind together in ‘La Gran Final’ (2006)

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in Comedy, Cultural, Drama

Soccer cannot unite the world. But for a few hours, the motivation to watch a game allows people to set aside their differences. La Gran Final is a triptych of disappearing cultures joining with the modern forces that swallow them, to watch, with ebullient shared enthusiasm, the 2000 World Cup Final of Germany versus Brazil.

‘Bend It Like Beckham’ (2002) tops soccer movie box office

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in Cultural, Romance

Bend It Like Beckham proves that when a story is close to the heart, it can make an outstanding soccer movie and family film. At $78M, BILB is probably the top-grossing soccer movie of all time (made for ~$7M).

‘Looking for Eric’ (2009) and finding a wise Cantona

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in Comedy, Drama

Don’t be put off by the opening scene of Looking for Eric, where Eric the postman tries to kill himself by driving on the wrong side of a roundabout. Stay for the ride, because this movie is a comedy-drama with an outrageous feel-good ending.

I liked ‘Green Street Hooligans’ (2005) even if Brits did not

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in Drama

After suffering the mindless violence of The Football Factory, I was reluctant to watch Green Street Hooligans. But what a surprise– Hooligans completely sucks you in.

‘The Two Escobars’ (2010) explains narco-fútbol

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in Cultural, Documentary

For its 30th anniversary, ESPN commissioned 30 respected filmmakers to produce 30 documentaries on the impact of sports on society. 30 for 30: The Two Escobars is the fascinating story of player Andrés Escobar and druglord Pablo Escobar.

The rise and fall of Brian Clough in ‘The Damned United’ (2009)

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