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The Express, a review by Rich

The Express



Based on a true story, "The Express" follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations. Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, he became a hero who superseded Jim Brown's achievements and set records that stand to this day. Decorated veteran Schwartzwalder was a Southerner with a single vision of a national championship and hardened ideas about how the world worked. But, though he and Davis clashed mightily, he taught the player everything he knew about football, just as Davis helped him learn the true meaning of victory. As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the '60s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. Refusing to flinch from others' prejudices, he achieved all his goals--until he faced a challenge that would make most men crumble. He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field.

These 'uplifting' true sports stories are becoming more and more common, and I sat down for this worrying it may fall into the 80% made which are too gushy and overdone to be pallatable.
Fortunately this film about Ernie Davis was made in a thoughtful, realistic, and straight down the line way, and was pretty enjoyable, albeit despite it's name of Express, it rather crawled along through the story.
Perhaps the time has come now to reduce the making of such films portraying the overcoming of bygone 'black' bigotry by American sportsmen, and discover some new avenues to pursue on the screen. The focus of the film IMO strayed too far on the portrayal of the coach, one assumes due that the star billing Dennis Quaid played this part? I'd have liked to have learnt more about Ernie Davis, who seemed a very interesting character.
In summary I enjoyed the film, it is definately not the best of its genre, but by no means not the worst.
 




(From Riches Random Reviews on January 25th, 2009)

Old School, a review by addicted2dvd

Old School: Unrated and Out of Control: Full Screen (2003/United States) DreamWorks Home Entertainment Director: Todd Phillips Writing: Court Crandall (Story By), Todd Phillips (Story By), Scot Armstrong (Story By), Todd Phillips (Screenwriter), Scot Armstrong (Screenwriter) Length: 92 min. Rating: Unrated Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: DTS: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Commentary

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Stars:
Luke Wilson as Mitch
Will Ferrell as Frank
Vince Vaughn as Beanie
Jeremy Piven as Pritchard
Ellen Pompeo as Nicole
Juliette Lewis as Heidi

Plot:
Get ready for the UNRATED and OUT-OF-CONTROL version of Old School that you couldn't see in theaters!

What's a guy supposed to do when he catches the early flight home and finds his girlfriend in a bed with a room full of naked strangers? Return to college and start a fraternity! Before you can say "wild and wet wrestling," Frank "The Tank" (Will Ferrell, Saturday Night Live); Mitch (Luke Wilson, Legally Blonde) and Beanie (Vince Vaughn, Swingers) have their own frat raging with out-of-control antics. But when things get too wild, the dean sets out to shut them down. The laughs are top of the class (even if the guys aren't!) in the hit comedy from director Todd Phillips (Road Trip).

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Production Notes
• Closed Captioned

This is the first time I have seen this movie. It is a movie that was given to me in a big box of DVDs recently. It is however the full Screen version. But that is ok... I can always upgrade if I see it for a decent price. There were a few familiar faces of people I know from different TV Series in this movie. There was Elisha Cuthbert (24... Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy)... and there was Leah Remini (King of Queens)... all of whom I enjoy.

As for the movie itself. What did I think.... hmmmmm.... It's not a bad movie... but it did feel like something was lacking. I found it entertaining... but no real laugh out loud moments. I would say it is worth watching... and I can even see myself watching it again at some time. But not one I will be popping in very often. Pretty much just an average comedy.




(From TV Stars in the Movies: On-Going Mega Marathon on July 3rd, 2011)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: By impersonating Starfleet officers and Patrick playing "Admiral Patrick" the four genetically enhanced patients come back to the station. Bashir tries to free Sarina from her catalepsy in which she's been since she was a child. And when Sarina finally awakes she turns out to be a beautiful young woman and Bashir immediately falls in love with her. But will her improvement be permanent?

My Opinion: I really liked the Sarina's blossoming. It was so nicely done how the other tried to help her with her voice training. That was beautiful. And their attempt of trying to find a way to stop the universe from collapsing in 70 trillion years was also funny to watch.

Synopsis: Odo is contacted by a cardassian informant he has known for years. But when he arrives at the secret meeting point he only finds Weyoun. But this isn't the Weyoun who led the war against the Federation. The fifth Weyoun clone was killed in a transporter accident a month ago. And this Weyoun 6 wants to defect and serve Odo. Odo and Weyoun 6 fly back to DS9 aboard a runabout but Weyoun 7 and Damar are willing to stop them at any cost. Meanwhile Nog is once again a sailor on the river of the Great Material Continuum and tries to acquire a graviton stabilizer for Chief O'Brien.

My Opinion: It was an OK episode. What I really liked about this episode was Nog's explanation of the Ferengi believe that there is actually something like the Great Material Continuum where those meet who have too little of one thing and too much of another and that the river brings these people together.

Synopsis: Kor hasn't been able to get a command of his own in the current war and he asks Worf for help. As it turns out Kor once prevented Martok from becoming an officer in the klingon military and now Martok is "returning the favor". But Worf secures him a position as third officer in a dangerous mission Martok and Worf are about to embark on.

My Opinion: A nice farewell for Kor. He was allowed to die as a warrior, as it should be. And he died a death worty of a Dahar Master. Songs will be sung about this deed. And unfortunately also one of the last appearances of John Colicos who also died two years later. I loved him both in the role of Kor but especially as the diabolical Baltar in the original Battlestar Galactica. "To Kor, a noble warrior to the end!" - Martok

Synopsis: The Defiant brings supplies to a group of Federation soldiers who defend a Dominion communications relay. And the Jem'Hadar want it back badly. The unit has lost many people and Sisko decides to stay until reinforcements arrive. And it's the first ground assault experience for both Nog and Ezri.

My Opinion: A very dark episode (literally and metaphorically). I think such episodes are important when you show war in a TV show. It's easy to forget or dismiss the dead when it's "just" starships that get blown to pieces. But to see them die one by one in close combat makes it much more real, especially when you have a connection to the characters.

(From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon on March 1st, 2009)