I am mystified that the Spanish media was mostly critical of Que baje Dios y lo vea (Holy Goalie), faulting it as clichéd and unimaginative, with actors in roles not much different from what they portray on popular TV shows. One writer even complained that there were too many jokes. Does Spain have the best television comedy in the world, so that this film pales in comparison?
Continue reading “Review: Holy Goalie (2017)”
Review: Dirty Games (2016)
As sports fans, we should all thank Director Benjamin Best for his investigative journalism. We like to think that the games on which we spend so much time, money, and emotion, are equally true to us, the fans and supporters. Continue reading “Review: Dirty Games (2016)”
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] Save The Crew: The Fans vs The System (2017)
If they give an Oscar for brilliant documentary made under incredible time pressure, Save the Crew: The Fans vs the System wins hands down. Continue reading “[Review] Save The Crew: The Fans vs The System (2017)”
Review: Ayaktakimi (2015)
In Turkey, Supporters Groups are the real fans, and everyone else is just a spectator. Filmmakers Naz Gündogdu and Friedemann Pitschak have documented a life that Americans have not yet experienced: being a fan in the face of political oppression. Continue reading “Review: Ayaktakimi (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)”
Review: Trainer! (2013)
How good is Trainer? It’s so good, you will never want to become a soccer coach in Germany. Director Aljoscha Pause follows 3 coaches in the 2nd and 3rd divisions of the German leagues during the 2012-2013 season. The men are under constant pressure from the media. But they are also constantly pushing themselves to excel and to someday reach the Bundesliga. Continue reading “Review: Trainer! (2013)”
The Miracle of Bern (2003)
Das Wunder von Bern is one of the top soccer movie money-makers. It portrays the WC 1954 final, known as the Miracle of Bern, from the standpoint of a struggling mining town post-Hitler. A German POW returns from 11 years in the Soviet Gulag to a young son he didn’t know existed, and to a family that has grown up in his absence. Continue reading “The Miracle of Bern (2003)”
[Review] Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001)
Intelligent and brilliantly stupid, Steve Barron’s mockumentary, Mike Bassett: England Manager, is one of the most successful soccer movies, scoring over $23M at the box office*. Second division manager Bassett tries to lead England Continue reading “[Review] Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001)”
Review: The Class of ’92 (2013)
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).