Forever Strong

Rick (Sean Faris) is a star player on his dad's rugby team until a DUI lands him in a reformatory. While he's serving his sentence, tough rival coach Larry Gelwix (Gary Cole) allows him to play for his team, which helps Rick straighten up his act. Upon his release, however, Rick becomes a pariah to his former teammates and even his father when he refuses to divulge Gelwix's strategies. Sean Astin co-stars in this inspiring true story.

I enjoyed watching this film. The rugby sequences were really good and the story was uplifting. The acting was not really up to par and the lines were predictable, but all in all this is a good film. Sean Astin is the best actor in this flick co-staring as Rick's counselor at the juvenile detention facility. Rick is not your typical young man and if your teens can relate to him, well, then you have issues. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to Forever Strong

Swimming Upstream

Jesse Spencer ("House M.D.") stars in the true-life drama of Australian swimming champion Tony Fingleton. Desperate to escape his tortuous older brother and alcoholic father (Geoffrey Rush), Tony finds sanctuary and his life's calling at the local public pool. And though his new passion is marred by his father's growing animosity and illness, the talented athlete nevertheless perseveres, ultimately gaining both sports glory and self-respect.

Aside from his violent father and some profanity this is really a pretty good film. It's well acted and a great story. Tony rises to the top in spite of terrible odds motivated by his mother's love and his desire to go to the states to attend a prestigious university. He proves that anything is possible if you really want it. The terrible consequences of alcohol are portrayed with some disturbing scenes of domestic violence, and one is left feeling a certain degree of simpathy for Tony's father who is a victim of his past. I felt a desire to cheer Tony, love his mother, cry for his family, and help his father. It made me wonder what a difference it would have made in the life of this family to have found the gospel. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to Swimming Upstream

The Express

Rob Brown stars in the true story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win football's Heisman Trophy. Dubbed the "Elmira Express" for his relentless drive, Davis also lived up to the nickname off the field as he battled for racial equality. Dennis Quaid co-stars as Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who teaches Davis the game and in return learns much from his running back's bold civil rights achievements.

This is great film because Ernie Davis was really a great guy. Rob Brown is as good as he always is as is Dennis Quaid. I like seeing good people to great things and for the right reasons. This film may have a bit of a racial twist, but the story is fantanstic nonetheless. -->Kimball****

Netflix link to The Express

Believe in Me

After accepting a job to coach high school basketball, Clay Driscoll (Jeffrey Donovan) is disappointed to discover he's been assigned to the girls' team. But the harder he works his female players, the more he sees that they're just as capable of greatness as boys are. Samantha Mathis and Bruce Dern co-star in this small-town sports drama based on the true story of an Oklahoma coach who led his team to the state championships in the 1960s.

This film is based a true story. Jeffrey Donovan is not a great actor in my opinion, but he does a fare job with this one. Bruce Dern in the same old bad guy you've come to love from his past films. The story is a good one and if you like sports shows you'll like this one. -->Kimball ****

Netflix link to Believe in Me

The Greatest Game Ever Played

With a pint-sized caddie (Joshua Flitter) at his side, amateur golfer Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) shocked the world at the 1913 U.S. Open when he outplayed defending British champ Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane). But Ouimet's rise to the top wasn't easy, with a hard-nosed father (Elias Koteas) and a hard-knock life to overcome. Actor Bill Paxton (in his third time out as a director) helms this inspiring true-life story based on actual events.

A good family drama for teens and adults. Well acted, and good story. I like films based on real events. This is a low key film, not any action to speak of, but it gave me reason to cheer for the underdog. -->Kimball ***

Netflix link to The Greatest Game Ever Played

The Final Season

Tiny Norway, Iowa, loves baseball; games played by the high school team, the Tigers, unite the community. So when authorities decide the town is too small for its own school, the residents are devastated. Now, rookie coach Kent Stock (Sean Astin) must lead the Tigers to victory for one last season. Based on a true story, this touching drama co-stars Powers Boothe, Rachael Leigh Cook, Michael Angarano, Larry Miller and Tom Arnold.

This was a nice film. A bit slow, not high quality acting, but nice. It’s a good story, and worth seeing. The baseball sequences are very good, and believable. Sean Astin did alright with his roll, but I just couldn’t quite let go of him as Frodo’s buddy Sam. He wasn’t a very convincing coach. The film is a good relaxer. ->Kimball * * *

Netflix link toThe Final Season

Facing the Giants

This inspirational drama from award-winning producers Alex and Stephen Kendrick combines faith and football in the tale of high school coach Grant Taylor (Alex Kendrick), who rises above failure to create a winning spirit on the field. Taylor faces a losing team, a failing marriage and the possibility of being fired. At the end of his rope, he puts his life in God's hands and, in doing so, finds a stronger purpose and, ultimately, salvation.

This is the second of Alex Kendricks films. The first is "Fly Wheel", also worthy of seeing although the acting and production are lacking some. The message of his films thus far have been the same; Give your life to God and things will work better. I happen to agree with him. For us LDS people, we need to look beyond the obvious protestantism and get the message. I think he has done a great job. His next film is Fireproof. It’s on my queue and I’ll be seeing it soon. This film, Facing the Giants, is a good watch. Enjoy.–>Kimball


Link to Facing the Giants