Tag: USA

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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.

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.

Amanda Bynes sparkles in ‘She’s the Man’ (2006)

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in Kids

She’s the Man is a clever adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a story of mistaken identity and cross-dressing, played on a high school soccer field. Amanda Bynes sparkles as Viola, a girl masquerading as her brother Sebastian in order to play on the boys team (under coach Vinnie Jones).

The 99ers and their ‘Dare to Dream’ (2005)

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The HBO documentary Dare to Dream: The Story of the US Womens Soccer Team faithfully captures the build up and heartbreak that is US Soccer’s Womens National Team (USWNT). If you are a fan, you need to watch this film. If you watched it when it first came out in 2005 (like I did), you…

‘Goal! The Dream Begins’ (2005) soccer movie with a decent budget

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in Drama

First conceived in 2000, the trilogy Goal! was dropped and then restarted production after WC 2002. This first Goal movie was made by 3 Brits in Hollywood who love soccer, and therefore, they try to portray the game realistically and honestly.

Football trafficking in ‘Soccer’s Lost Boys’ (2010)

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in Cultural, Documentary

Soccer’s Lost Boys is an evocative documentary about soccer trafficking in Africa. Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller interviews players, parents, and coaches to show how West African families hand over life savings to agents who promise a tryout in Europe.

Review: ‘Once in a Lifetime – NY Cosmos’ (2006)

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If you care about the biz side of the MLS, and you didn’t experience the NASL, you need to watch Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos. This 2006 documentary reveals the marketing manipulations and public excitement behind the 1970s New York Cosmos.

Rodney Dangerfield earns respect for ‘Ladybugs’ (1992)

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in Comedy

Ladybugs is the first soccer movie to make me laugh all the way through! Chester knows nothing about soccer, but he volunteers to coach the boss’ daughter’s team in the hopes of getting a long-deserved promotion.

‘Kick Like a Girl’ (2008) is full of positive role models

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in Documentary, Kids, Short

Kick Like a Girl is a 25-minute HBO documentary that follows a team of 8 year old girls who, having devastated all competition the previous two years, decide to get more challenge by playing in the boys division.

‘Soccer Mom’ (2008) is a movie for moms

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in Comedy

The first time I saw Soccer Mom on cable, I didn’t like it. The soccer was bad, and the makeup for Missi Pyle—who masquerades as a famous male Italian footballer in order to coach her daughter’s team—was so unbelievable it was distracting.

Fits of ‘Kicking & Screaming’ (2005) not funny next to kids

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in Comedy, 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.

The rough start for ‘Chivas USA: Sí, se puede’ (2005)

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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.

‘Switching Goals’ (1999) is so cute cute cute

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in Kids

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…

‘Yesterday’s Hero’ (1979) Football meets Suzanne Somers

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in Drama, Romance

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.

‘Playing for Keeps’ (2012) a muddled $35M mess

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in Romance

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…

‘The Soccer Nanny’ (2011) a little too coy for today

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in Comedy, Drama

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.

Review: ‘Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story’ (2011)

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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.

‘Soccer City’ (2010) lacks passion for the game

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