FILMMAKERS STUDIOS WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS MOVIES : TOUCHBACK

Take me away, I don't mind but you better promise we get back in time for another Frank Capra like Football Classic with  Touchback.

Touchback flashes back to the biggest game of the year of the Ohio State Football Championship of 1991.   Scott Murphy (Brian Presley)  is Coldwater High School's next best thing to Tom Brady leading the school to what could become the biggest upset in High School history against the rival town.   However, a  shattering knee injury smashes his college hopes and dreams away .

We then cut to the present where Scott is tending to the Murphy Farm alongside his wife Macy (Melanie Lynskey)  and their children.  Hard times have fallen upon the Murphy household and as a result Scott must bring in a good crop of beans before the end of the fall harvest.  When frost spreads rampant through the field  and all hope is lost Scott sticks a rag into his exhaust  and waits for the Grim Reaper to come only he doesn't come a knocking.

Instead , as if by magic he jumps into Doc Brown's DeLorean and re-arrives back in 1991 just a week before his big high school championship game.   He seems quite out of place at first but when he is back on the football field again  re-training himself to re-learn his football plays he's figured he's been given another shot at redemption.

Now this movie plays from the same "if you could re-live your past how would you do it differently" formulas that made It's A Wonderful Life, Back To The Future, and even the Family Man memorable classics.  So it's nothing you haven't seen before it just adds a touching sports element into the mix.

Scott has been granted a second chance to be reunite with his mother (Christine Lahti) and re-live  and appreciate the romance shared that brought him and his wife together.

At first he doesn't for he is back to his old self again dating the prettiest gal in school (Sarah Wright)  and thinks of his future wife as nothing more than a band geek.  However, a startling turn of events causes Scott to perform a good dead to think not of his athletic glory but of others when he reaches out to petition signatures to save Marcy's High School Band.

Even his coach (Kurt Russell) notices some changes in him when he appears to be wise beyond his years.  However Scott is faced with difficult decisions leading up to the big game with pressures to sit out the game by Ohio State University or his friend who wants him to make him look good in the game.

In the end , the Frank Capra like magic that causes Scott Murphy's character arc to risk it all by playing  is his realization that he would never had met his loving wife and family had not been for this big event of his life.
He gets a new perspective on life on giving back in helping out others such as the nerdy kid (Kevin Covais)  he once despised. Overall he looks at his town of Coldwater and feels blessed to live in such a close knit community surrounded by a strong group of loving and supportive people.

His wife Marcy is a positive person in his life.  She loves the town of Coldwater and the people in it and wouldn't dream of raising her family anywhere else.  When the crops freeze and they are on the brink of financial ruin she reaffirms her belief in miracles mentioning to him "You'll find a way to win you always do".

 When Scott asks his Mom if she had to do it all over again would she still remarrying his Dad knowing it lead to a divorce.  She answers she would because had it not been for that Scott would never be born and even though she was never regularly available to watch his game just hearing about his accomplishments brought her much joy and happiness. This is a key turning point in the movie that allows Scott to look back on his life and make an amend to change.

Even Coach Hand is a wonderful example of a mentor who encourages Scott and his teammates to take what they have learned on the football field  about  teamwork,, persistence, and passion and apply those same principles in their own lives.  "I want you to be a man who's good for more than one night a week," he tells Scott. Coach Hand places a strong importance on education and warns his teammates the consequences of not suiting up when they don't put any solid effort into their studies.   Lastly, he places a strong importance on family values and encourages all of his players to  "Go home. Tell your parents you love 'em, and get some sleep." Afterall, it is right to give thanks and praise for those who gave us life , a roof, and a house, and a opportunity to fly in this world and should never be taken for granted. In the end who knows what the future holds for us all tomorrow.

Touchback certainly is touching and is another example of the triumph of the human spirit reaffirming the old saying that "It is never too late to turn your life around".  However, second chance movies such as Back To The Future, A Christmas Carol, and It's A Wonderful Life have been around since the test of time so this type of film is nothing new.

In the end the protagonist always has a reaffirmation about his life due to his second chance experience and realizes his life was never as bad as he had thought.  Even the title of the film Touchback suggests that in our lives we fumble and go through many setbacks that we think our life is worth more dead than alive.  However, if we take the time to pause, think, and reevaluate our life's decision we can therefore find a way through the obstacles that stem to bring us down.  We can huddle around the strong support of those around us to help us confront diversity in this grand game we call life.

FINAL RATING: 5/5

RE-SCREENING THE JOHN HUGHES CLASSICS : SIXTEEN CANDLES

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Happy birthday sweet sixteen
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Happy birthday sweet sixteen

Sixteen Candles is a delightful classic reminding every grown gal the various events that happen in her life as she enters adulthood such as (1) boob changes, (2) over protective family watching over you ever minute (3) sister or brother dating a complete loser  you absolutely despise ,(4) your fascination with the opposite sex, and (5)  your first crush. 

If any of you have any pre-conceived notions that this is a teen sex comedy movie like Porkys or American Pie  then I'm sorry to disappoint you.  It's a carefree wild, fun,  goofy, cheerful movie that does not mock its characters but rather takes us deep into the hearts and minds of high school teenagers. 

The first of  kickoff to the bratpack films stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha  a bright-eyed gal whose movie is told from her own My So Called Life  point of view as she faces pressures  juggling her hectic life at home and at school as she struggles to fit in.  It's more of a coming of age film where not just Molly but the other supporting characters deal with complex  issues related to sex and sexuality but are unsure of how to express themselves.  

Samantha (Molly Ringwald) falls in love with the star Quaterback Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling)   but absolutely stutter steps in how to approach him or what to say.  

She therefore  requires the assistance of The Geek (Anthony Michael Hall)  to make the introduction.  In addition this film features  other complications involving Jake's relationship with his current stuck up girlfriend, Samantha's noisy Grandparents, and the ever loud abnoxious foreign exchange student from the far  East Long Duk Dong(Gedde Watanabe)  whose only motivation is party, party, party and girls, girls, girls.  

Sixteen Candles is quite notable because it set the tone for other 80s to 90s teen romantic comedy with its newest film formula in reshaping the teen romantic comedy which involves : dancing, makeout session, beer,  and wild partying.  However, John Hughes doesn't turn this into another Porkys or any other sexploitaiton film  that came before it he listens to his characters, problems, while generating light hearted solutions for all.   

For example in this film features an encounter with The Geek finding the Prom Queen smashed.  After The Geek rejects The Prom Queen's request to leave they bicker and argue but eventually find out that even though they come from different social circles they are one and the same.  They are both lonely and insecure people that make a better match and in the end they hit it off.  The beautiful message that this film sends  despite its sheer fun, goofiness, and insanity that no matter what labels people or our schoolmates may  place on us opposites can attract. 


FINAL RATING: 5/5

RE-SCREENING THE JOHN HUGHES CLASSICS : SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL

Today you don't see much movies made about teenagers and the trials and tribulations they deal with in terms of sex and sexuality,  dressing up in the stylish new trends,  driving the newest car, fitting in certain social circles,  and finding your place in the world as you transition from childhood into adulthood.  We don't see films about a group of teenagers wanting to better themselves , improve their relationships with those close to them and those around them,  and live better lives  knowing all to well that how they act right now will impact how they grow up to be the man and women they become tomorrow.  That's why I look forward to watching  John Hughes' films of the bratpack era because we can all relate to our teenage experiences and those experiences that helped shape and mold us into a well-educated, well-rounded, mature individual we see today.

Some Kind of Wonderful although written by John Hughes and Directed by Howard Deutsch is not a great movie.  It's not a great movie only because it uses standard characters in a typical 80s comedy the popular guy, the popular gal, and the unpopular guy from the slums with his sidekick.

However, what makes this film memorable in my mind  is not so much about the unpopular guy getting the popular gal .  It's about whether if she is all cracked up on what she is supposed to be.

The film stars Mask star Eric Stoltz, as Keith,  a unpopular kid who has a hard time fitting in at school and would rather be alone expressing himself through his paints rather than with people.

Keith's only friend is Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) a loner who also has a hard time fitting in because of her tomboyish looks.  He later on develops a crush for Amanda Jones (Leah Thompson)  who becomes the Sex Symbol of the school for all to desire.

The John Hughes magic and message  comes through with the characterization of Lea Thompson's character.  Although she is seen as this unattainable object of all of her classmates desires she really is someone who has feelings too.

Its at the final scene where Watts serves as Keith's chauffeur that she isn't spouting off romantic advice but reminding him to be true to himself and not fall for how people look on the outside.  After the date he learns that  you don't have to look hard for all the finer things in life because they are a lot closer than you think.

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The funny thing about adolescence is that it's a cross between Leave It To Beaver and The Wonder Years.  John Hughes films such as these are special and hold a candle to my heart.  He understands the social pressures, risks, and many disappointments teenagers face as they strive to make their mark on the world.

 Some Kind of A Wonderful is still a worthwhile film of his to see because of the human emotions Keith shares with his father who wants to re-live his life through his son, to Keith's sister who lacks confidence in her own looks.  It's quite noteworthy to see because of its themes of life, insecurity, rejection, and learning from your mistakes in which to mature as a individual.

FINAL RATING: 4/5

JOE WATCHES A MOVIE: BULLET TO THE HEAD

Bullet to the Head is a throwback to the 80s action films that gave Walter Hill his notoriety who directed such hits as Red Heat, 48 Hrs, and The Warriors.  Now back in the Director's chair since 2002 this is his first film starring Sylvester Stallone .

The movie stars Sylvester Stallone as an aging assassin  James Bonomo who seeks out his revenge on all those responsible for taking out his partner in crime.

During the course of the film Stallone works his way up the criminal food chain dispensing from little fish to big fish all the way up to the head honcho himself Keegan played by Jason Momoa.

Even though the film is quite fast paced from the get go it leaves little room for any character development whose narrative was quite hard to comprehend.   It was only at the end did I finally realize who the main enemy was when Stallone and Momoa were locked in a Mortal Kombat Brawl for all 80s style.  There were supporting characters added in Stallone's quest but they did little to enhance the story.

 Stallone's partner Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang)  , a cop, is after the same vengance as Stallone's character that their two storyline's don't compliment each other.

In addition Stallone has a foxy daughter (Weronika Rosati) whose only contribution to the film is giving us all a little va-va-voom moment.

Although I have to admit at age 67 I have to admit Sylvester Stallone can still pack a punch and is quite in his physical presence to be performing the strenuous stunt work at his age. He may have the face of a tired old Boxer but he's still has got the body of a Adonis.

Stallone's protrayal as  a no-nonsense assassins who gets what he wants by intimidation or by brute force is right on.  He doesn't have a conscience, nor sense of right or wrong he only has himself and a job to do and isn't in it to make any friends.  However, a goof up on the screenwriters part was to turn this into a buddy cop type movie.

Usually in buddy cop movies such as Lethal Weapon opposites attract.    Riggs and Murtaugh although coming from different backgrounds find a common bound and pool their different skills together to defeat the enemy.

However in Bullet To The Head, Detective Kwon's screen presence is merely there to be more of a hanger to Stallone who only acts  a resource to connect one bad guy to the next and nothing more.

Given the title of this movie it's not surprising at all to watch a movie high in violence and action that mimics any other made to video DVD in a rental store.  Unfortunately endless scenes of shooting, fights, and carnage  is the gift that keeps on giving in this movie that offer little suspense or shock value.  However, when you are dealing with a revenge movie expect a film that offers little on human emotion or story but high MDK's (Murder Death Kills) and getting even in the end.

Although this film was as brutal to the end as its title implies but in the end  it wasn't as enjoyable to watch as I thought it would be.

FINAL RATING: 1/5

JOE GOES TO THE MOVIES : 2 GUNS

(Singing) If I had 43 Million Dollars

(Singing) If I had 43 Million Dollars

WOW! AICHEE WOW WAW! When you think about it that's an awful amount of greenbacks to bring out the dark intentions of anyone wanting a piece of that pie.

It's  also wonderful and inciting to know that in 2 Guns there are no moral principles or any decent respect of humanity shown but becomes a rat race to the riches in a Modern Day Wild West shoot out.

The dirty players involved a interesting mix of those above the law and those breaking the law.

Batting first in the lineup is Papi Greco (James Edward Olmos), leader of the Mexican Cartel, who decapitates all to show off his masculinity and his lust for power.

Batting Second is the crooked CIA agent  (Bill Paxton) who charges rent to the Cartel to turn a blind eye to their operation so he can collect his riches.

Batting third,  in the  scumbag hole is the Naval Intelligence Officer (James Marsden)  who catches wind of the CIA's operation to set a plot to rob the bank to keep it all for himself. Finally Batting Fourth, in the cleanup spot is the DEA whose job is to cover up the robbery plotted by Stigman (Wahlberg) and Trench (Washinghton).

With this crooked cast thrown in a shark tank vowing for that main prize, its just a matter of time before these parties collide in all out shoot fest.

The two who are vowing to pit the bad guys vs the bad guys is the deadly duo team of Bobby Trench and Marcus Stigman.  Both are on the case to bring down Papi and his Drug Cartel Empire .  They both think one of them is a crooked criminal. .  However, when one discovers of each other's undercover exploits it further raises the bar of the movie exponentially.  They both still oppose of each other's methods out of jealous but remained united as one against those who committed wrongly against them.  When the clock is ticking and all the Dark Forces have their scopes set on Stiman and Trench they know they must unite or die.

 Stigman's Commanding Officer Quince (James Marsden) , wants Stigman off duty to cover up his tracks in the robbery by having him killed.

Then there is DEA Agent Deb (Paula Patton), who is Trench's handler, part time lover,  who was there after Stiman's arrest , working with the Naval Intelligence Officer, to collect the money and make it disappear.

The last of the who's who of corrupted scumbags is CIA Agent Earl (Bill Paxton) , a sadistic Country Boy, with a lust for torture involving thumbtacks on notecards and Russian Roulette.  He is the soul owner of  the $43 Million for his CIA services rendered in providing protection to all Drug Operations and the price is right for him to collect on what is so rightfully his with brute force.  Neither Stigman nor Trench are aware of his involvement but have no less than 24 hours to clear their good names or forever be hunted as bank robbers in a crime they didn't commit.

Screenwriter Blake Masters who adapted the comic book series by Steven Grant  does a brilliant job in combining all of the characters backgrounds, expositions , and intentions in way that progresses the movie forward.  The brilliance of his penmanship rise when  the audience get lost in many of the plot twists , turns, and loyalties to one another. These discoveries keep us guessing and have us thirsting for more.  The relationships between each character is never made clear but it doesn't matter.  What matters and what we get out of this is that our system is corrupt and the only way to defeat a crook is act like a crook by whatever means necessary to expose the truth.  Sometimes you have  got to get your fingers a little dirty if you want to get ahead.

Director Baltasar Kormakur (Contraband) keeps the action scene short, concise, and sweet that puts the audience in the driver seat.  Knowing when to make use of a wide angle shot when the Navy building blows up to a wild west shoot at the end makes for a entertaining modern cowboy film.  It's a rough and violent film but plays upon it with amusement against those crooked individuals who deserve what's coming to them.

The contrasting of opposing performances by Washinghton and Wahlberg is what makes this film work.   Washinghton is the senior partner whose been out in the field too longer who strategizes and does things with a plan.  Wahlberg on the other hand is like grown kid much like his previous role as Detective Allen Gamle in The Other Guys .  He is excited to have a partner, thinks before he acts or speaks and undresses every women he sees.  The two constantly bitch and moan like Riggs and Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon  but its the genius of this film of how these two opposing forces can overcome each other's differences and  pool their strengths and skills that really bolsters this film.

FINAL RATING :  5/5