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Rudy (Deluxe Edition)

Rudy (Deluxe Edition)

List Price: $24.95
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding story of will and determination.
Review: This film is a must see for any sports fan and for that matter, anyone with a heart! The true story of Rudy and his dream to play football for Notre Dame goes beyond just sports, but shows that whatever the odds your dream can come true. This movie will make you laugh and cry. You will find your heart aching through each obstacle Rudy faces and the exciting climax at the end when Rudy realizes his dream, will fill your heart with joy. You will walk away from this movie with the feeling that you have just accomplished something great. A must see heartwarming fantastic movie for all.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You gotta see this!!
Review: This movie is THE BEST MOVIE I've ever seen in my whole life. It's so powerful and moving and I can't stop crying everytime I see this movie. Script and acting are perfect and it really encourages me and tells me about importance of having dream. This is much worth than lectures or books I learn from university. This will be the bibble for people who struggle to achieve their dream. I recommend this movie to all of you. This will be a wonderful gift to others or to yourself. I absolutely love this movie!! Go Rudy!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great illustration of one person's contribution to a team!
Review: This movie is not about sports. I use it to illustrate to leadership students in the Army about how individual efforts make a team work. I also recommend "Hoosiers" as a demonstration of the collective efforts of the whole team.

Aside from the training value, this film is one of the most inspiring stories I've ever seen. If you have kids that think they can't make it into college, rent this one and show it.

The cast was well selected for an outstanding story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You'll be cheering!
Review: Excellent movie - one of my alltime favorites. The ultimate story of overcoming against all odds. Inspiring!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "Rudy" is one of the finest films I have ever seen.
Review: This film is a testament to human determination. It's about finding courage inside yourself to surmount life's many obstacles---the ones we create for ourselves, as well as the unexpected ones. Every child should see this film. Every struggling adult student should see it as well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An uplifting experience.
Review: Whenyou are at the lowest moment of your life, this movie will pull you out of the abyss. It is one of the most heartwarming stories I've ever been told. A sure fire hit. One you shouldn't miss.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is both an inspirational and motivating movie
Review: This movie is such a great inspiration to my adult students that I show it to motivate them to realize they have the potential to achieve their dreams. Through Rudy's trials and tribulations they learn that success is attainable if one perseveres and continues to work towards the dream. Many of my students come with some of the same baggage (low self-esteem, poor grades, learning disabilites, no family or teacher support) as Rudy but soon learn that if they contine to try, they will someday succeed. I've probably seen it close to a dozen times, but still love the movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A must see !!!
Review: This is a movie that every athlete can relate to. The desire and heart of a young man can take him a long way. The pride felt in the end of this movie is something that every parent should experience!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "Rudy": One film that touches the heart (and soul)!
Review: "Rudy" - the 1993 blockbuster starring Sean Astin in the title role, is one motion picture that reminds us no goal or obstacle is too big or too small to be accomplished successfully, if one is willing to persevere through all hardships. "Rudy" gets this message across to the viewer quite well, and with no major stumbling blocks or any errors, for that matter. Determined to defy all those who doubt his dream of playing football at the University of Notre Dame, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger sets off for South Bend, Indiana with a duffle bag filled with hopes and a bus ticket. Once arriving at his intended destination, he is met by a caring Catholic priest (Robert Prosky), who sees Rudy's heart and desire, and is determined to help this young man accomplish his goal. A timeline is established, where Rudy must maintain a respectable grade point average at Holy Cross Junior College in a year's time. If grades are successfully met, he'll be one step closer to realizing his dream of both playing football for the Fighting Irish, thus gaining admission into Notre Dame. Adding a bit more meat and potatoes to "Rudy"'s storyline, are fine, upstanding, believable performances from Ned Beatty (as Rudy's father), Scott Benjaminson (as Rudy's doubting Thomas brother), Lili Taylor (as Rudy's girlfriend) and Jason Miller (as legendary ND coach Ara Parseghian). Charles S. Dutton's performance as the head stadium groundskeeper mustn't be overlooked, either. To sum everything up, "Rudy" is a film that's about more than just football. It's about conquering mountains, big and small, which isn't impossible, as long as one keeps their nose to the grindstone, or, in this case, to the gridiron. Having doubts about whether or not you can win life's battles? See this movie. Hearing nothing but negativity from those around you while en route to accomplishing your goal? See this movie. Do you dream of getting a college degree, and want to make it a reality? SEE THIS MOVIE!!! Oh, and see if you can spot the cameo appearance of Mr. Daniel Ruettiger himself (INTERESTING TIDBITS: The exterior shot of the Holy Cross College campus, is actually one of the colleges on the Notre Dame campus. The scene in the campus coffee shop where Rudy and D-Bob (Jon Favreau [another actor I (almost) overlooked!]) are talking/studying, is shot in ND's O'Shaughnessy Hall, and the interior Holy Cross classroom scenes were filmed at a nearby high school). With so much to offer, "Rudy" truly lives up to its moniker as the "Rocky Of The '90s"! See it, if you haven't already. You won't be disappointed!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Generally Irresistible But Occasionally Manipulative
Review: My Four Star rating reflects both overall enjoyment while seeing the film (Five Stars) and occasional irritation with director Anspaugh's manipulative strategies insofar as emotions are concerned (Three Stars). The dramatic impact of Rudy Ruettiger's struggles to suit up for, if not play in a Notre Dame football game is diminished by such manipulation. That said, Sean Astin is wholly credible as Rudy. Other noteworthy performances are provided by Ned Beatty (Rudy's father, Daniel), Charles S. Dutton (Fortune), Robert Prosky (Father Cavenaugh), Jon Favreau (D-Bob), Lili Taylor (Sherry), and Scott Benjaminson (Frank). Both the "Real Rudy" and the "Reel Rudy" faced two significant barriers to being admitted to Notre Dame and then playing in a varsity football game: weak grades and diminutive size. Eventually, through tenacious study while enrolled at nearby Holy Cross College, both Rudys are finally admitted to Notre Dame; through rigorous training, both then became fit enough to be selected to play on the practice (i.e. fodder) squad. And finally, both play (the "Real Rudy" for 27 seconds) in the last home game against Georgia Tech in 1975.

Others have their own reasons for liking this film so much. Here are three of mine. First, the casting of Astin in the lead role. His performance is endearing, to be sure, but also convincing. Hence my discomfort with Anspaugh's use of gimmicks when none is necessary. Second, the exteriors shot on the Notre Dame campus which is especially lovely during each of the four seasons. I really did feel as if I were tagging along with Rudy as he attends classes, works for Fortune as a member of the stadium's groundskeeping crew, and then participates in especially brutal team practices. Third and finally, I enjoyed observing what seems to be a totally authentic respect for Rudy among the team's starters both on offense and defense. That respect was earned day in and day out, brutal practice after brutal practice, as Rudy and his battered companions helped to prepare the team for its next game. It is worth noting that Rudy Ruettiger was the only player ever to be carried off the field at Notre Dame stadium. The filmmakers recreated the scene with real fans during a break in the 1992 Boston College game. Some 60,000 fans stood and cheered as actor Sean Astin was carried off the field.

Those who enjoyed this film should also check out The Natural (1984), Hoosiers (1986), Babe (1995), Remember the Titans (2000), and Miracle (2004).
___________________________________________________________________________________

Those who are curious about the "real" and "reel" Rudy Ruettiger are encouraged to visit http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/rudy.php. Here are brief excerpts:

Q: Was the groundskeeper played by Charles S. Dutton a real character?

A: Rudy answered no to this question himself during an interview with the Pigskin Post by saying the following, "He was a composite, but that was reality. And that's what happened in my life...all through my life. I would encounter people like that and they would help me get through the tough times through their wisdom and their encouragement."

Q: Was there actually a priest who helped Rudy get into Holy Cross Junior College?

A: In the same Pigskin Post interview as above, Rudy replied to this question by saying, "There were several who played important roles, but, again, you can't develop them all in one two-hour movie."

Q: Did Rudy really sleep in the maintenance room of the football stadium?

A: Rudy actually slept in a room in the basketball arena. The school had the room there for someone to stay during off-hours for insurance reasons.

Q: Was coach Dan Devine really that cold-hearted against dressing Rudy for the last home game of Rudy's college career?

A: In Devine's autobiography, Simply Devine, he writes that it was his idea to dress Rudy for the final game of his college career and also to play him. Devine says that the screenwriter, Angelo Pizzo, told him that the plot would only work if Devine became the heavy. He agreed in order to help out Rudy, someone whom he calls a friend. "I didn't realize I would be such a heavy," he writes.


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