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Wow,
they hit the nail on the head. You have here what it is like to be a
part of a high school football team in Texas. You see how much work
it is, how important it is to the community, and the overboard zeal
of those not directly involved with the team. High school football is
religion in certain pockets of Texas (I'm a native Texan who played),
and none are more legendary than the Odessa-Permian Panthers. They always
fielded teams of smallish players who absolutely whipped the hell out
of everyone they played. American Football is a great game, and the
drama that's freshly written each Friday night in high school stadiums
all over the state of Texas is the pinnacle of the human experience
for some of those involved. We see that a few times here with the men
still living in Odessa and re-living their glory days vicariously through
the kids on the field. That's a major thread in this film, and one that's
well illustrated. Tim McGraw effectively plays the abusive father who
has nothing in his past but his High School championship, and nothing
in his future far as he can tell. You feel for Derek Luke's character
Boobie who knows nothing in life but football, and has his dreams dashed.
Grover Coulson, who plays his caring uncle, makes the most of his screentime.
Not only do Boobie's dreams get crushed, but his uncle's dreams for
him are dashed in one split second...that's life. The story is multi
layered and you'll want Panthers to win just as much as you wanted the
Titans to win a few years ago when Denzel was coaching. Billy Bob is
wonderful as always, but it's great to see his sidekick from Sling Blade
all grown up. Lucas Black plays the quaterback of the Panthers and you'll
remember him as the boy that Karl befriended in the legendary film Sling
Blade. I'm really excited to see that Lucas has been cast to play in
a film from one of my favorite directors, Sam Mendes (Jarhead - 2005).
The film clips along really well during the football scenes, and 99%
of it looks realistic...well done. They even made a ballsy choice with
the music to introduce the teams during the state championship by using
a mostly unknown song called "New Noise" by the now defunct
band Refused...this song friggin' rules! Can't believe they even knew
about it much less used it! Overall this is a realistic look at high
school football that will entertain and perhaps make some people think...at
least the ones who are perhaps pushing their kids a bit too hard for
all the wrong reasons.
- veg |
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