Well, what’s not to like about Nick Park and Aardman Animations’ Early Man? Apparently it depends on whether your country favors the round or pointy kind of football. Continue reading “Review: Early Man (2018)”
Review: Flitzer (Streaker) (2017)
A comedy about streaking sounds like a joke that would run out of steam fast. When introducing Flitzer at the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival in San Francisco, the announcer acknowledged the Swiss stereotype of being so serious all the time. Continue reading “Review: Flitzer (Streaker) (2017)”
Review: Funny Soccer (2016)
Director Lam Tze Chung, who played the fat monk in Shaolin Soccer, has put together an enjoyable family film that explores what happens on the pitch when social media becomes more important than scoring. Continue reading “Review: Funny Soccer (2016)”
Review: Jules and Dolores (2016)
O Roubo da Taça, which literally translates as “Theft of the Cup”, could have been a who-done-it about the heist of Brazil’s Jules Rimet trophy in 1983. Instead, Writer-Director Caito Ortiz made the story into a how-dumb-it comedy. You are constantly asking yourself, how dumb can these two guys be? Continue reading “Review: Jules and Dolores (2016)”
Review: K-9 World Cup (2016)
A movie about dogs and soccer should be a winner—the most popular topics on the internet, right? K-9 World Cup is indeed a very clever story which made me chuckle throughout. A coach has one month to recruit and train the MexiCanine National Team for the Canine World Cup. Continue reading “Review: K-9 World Cup (2016)”
Review: The Nation Holds Its Breath (2016)
In 1990, a young Irishman’s anticipation of his child’s birth coincides with the breathless anticipation of his nation as it competes in the World Cup for the first time. Continue reading “Review: The Nation Holds Its Breath (2016)”
Review: Celtic Soul (2016)
Jay Baruchel and Eoin O’Callaghan drive across Ireland in search of Jay’s Irish roots and their shared Celtic Soul. It’s a self-described collection of lovely moments tied together within the larger context of what it means to be an immigrant, to be Irish, and to be a fan of Celtic FC. Continue reading “Review: Celtic Soul (2016)”
Soccer Movies When You’re Depressed
Has life got you so far down, you can’t get off the couch? Your significant other left you? Your best friend lost your phone number? Your child wants someone else to be his/her parent? Your parent wants someone else to be his/her child? You’re in despair with the new President? Continue reading “Soccer Movies When You’re Depressed”
Review: Lusers (2015)
Lusers is a delightful comedy of cultural differences as strangers from 3 countries travel the Amazon basin to the WC 2014 final in Brazil. Each of the trio (a Chilean, a Peruvian and an Argentine) is escaping a personal problem (thus a loser), but the trip presents even more challenges. They wreck their vehicle, are pursued by a hitman, are captured by an indigenous tribe, and discover a stolen relic. Continue reading “Review: Lusers (2015)”
Review: La Dream Team (2016)
Add La Dream Team to the list of really good soccer movies that have sprung forth for our viewing pleasure in the past few years*. Réalisateur Thomas Sorriaux accomplishes what American directors seldom do: work comedy into a family film that appeals to both kids and adults. Continue reading “Review: La Dream Team (2016)”