Rating: Summary: Good Message, Good Story, Bad Movie Review: I am a fan of movies. Most of my friends are fans of film. I consider myself fairly easy going when it comes to reviewing movies because I only have two requirements: (1) I walk away feeling entertained and (2) the acting is decent enough to at least keep me in my seat for the entire duration of the movie. Therefore, before I buy a DVD, I read all the reviews... and look for comments to those effects. Was the reviewer enthusiastically entertained? (ie. Even if the story wasn't believeable, did the reviewer walk away feeling like they'd seen something cool.) Was the acting above par? (ie. Did the reviews bash the acting of any of the actors?) Unlike my friends who appreciate good film (ie. good plot, cinematography, musical score, character development, etc.), I just appreciate good movies.This was NOT a good movie for the following reasons. I felt like I was watching "Varsity Blues 2: Emotional Victory." But this time, they decided to go low-budget all the way to the endzone. The acting was terrible for the most part with the exception of a good performance by Denzel. But to call this movie "Denzel's Best Yet" as one review did is probably a bigger insult than the intended compliment. And the daughter of Coach Yoast? Cute girl, but can you say, "overacting?" Now I can see how Hollywood gets actors who look 10 years younger than they are... Ralph Macchio step aside, this girl was probably a 16 year old cast as a 7 year old who was acting like a 16 year old. At least Ralph had everyone believing he was 16. This movie was also a lesson in how NOT to compile a soundtrack. The songs were supposed to bring you back to the day when this movie took place, but instead I found myself thinking about driving along in my car and listening to the oldies station. I believe it was the costumes and set design that contributed to my feeling that the movie just wasn't taking place when it was supposed to. Watch the beginning of "Born on the 4th of July" to get an idea of the era "Remember the Titans" was going for... but failed miserably at reconstructing. Anyway, this was my first disappointing purchas... after having read the reviews.
Rating: Summary: Painful to watch Review: This should be in the Fantasy section. Anyone, white or black, that can swallow this insulting portrayal of race relations should look in the mirror and ask themselves why they enjoy being deceived. If only it was as easy as singing Motown tunes in a locker room. Cheers.
Rating: Summary: The True Story of a Football Team that ended Hate Forever! Review: "Remember the Titans" is what you would get if you mixed the basic plot from "The Bad News Bears" and some of themes in "Do the Right Thing" together. This movie is basically the standard high school sports movie with racial tension thrown in to give it extra dramatic zing. The acting is fine, although the actors portraying the high school students/football team look to be in thier mid to late twenties, I kept thinking they where all in college. The soundtrack is just the average collection of 50's/60's/70's music that you can hear on the radio a hundred times a day. If you want to see how a soundtrack is supposed to work in a movie see Rushmore or for that matter any of Leone's westerns. I really disliked this movie, but you may enjoy it, taste is subjective after all...
Rating: Summary: Not Just Another Sports Movie! Review: I thought that this movie was going to be another sports movie trying to be a drama. But it is so funny and wonderfully written that the sports aspect seems like a backdrop. After awhile you can't help but feel something for every character and try to find out what other movies they'll be in, because they acted that well. This movie is a movie I could watch over and over and never be tired of. The features on the DVD are great; from the Behind the scenes to the deleted scenes (which some of you might agree should have made it into the film). This DVD is definately a must buy.
Rating: Summary: An outstanding film!!!! Review: Remember the Titians is a film that packages the serious subject of desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement into an enjoyable and emotional film. The tough issues that the characters faced in this movie made the film even more touching than a simple lighthearted film. From seat choices at the dinner table, to the choices in music that the football players listened to, the director turned some pretty heavy issues such as integration into quite comical scenes of bonding. Music became a link that brought players together in the locker room singing scene. This movie provides the viewer with an in depth look into how a racially divided community had to deal with court ordered integration, while at the same time has enough lighthearted comedy to keep the viewer entertained. In 1971 there was quite a bit of controversy over new court ordered desegregation in Virginia public schools. This film showed the tension as well as well as many of the problems that might have plagued T.C. Williams High School during its integration. Much of the South had already integrated their high schools in the late 60's, but this was the first year of racial integration for many of the Virginia High Schools. The coaches knew that the black and white football players had to come together as a team if they were going to be successful. A mandatory summer camp for the team was set by the coaches to integrate them. This summer camp was intense and took the team from being divided to a sense of brotherhood. But the rest of school had not had this coming together and on September fourth the first day back to school, a segregated school was once again apparent. It did not take long for the two star players Julius, being black, and Gerry, being white, to take the school and the city by storm. Successful desegregation, a winning football season, and a budding friendship, was what drove these two players. Most of other players on the team were ready to take on whatever had to be done to keep the high school together as one integrated unit. The Titan football team had an undefeated season, but that was not their main accomplishment. By creating their bond as a football team, readily apparent to anyone watching, they also demonstrated to everyone what it meant to be integrated, and in doing so, they were able to set an example for everyone in the city to follow. Remember the Titans is complete with every trial and tribulation one would expect from a great film. In my mind this film is sure to go down in history as one of the best ways to illustrate a real case of desegregation by showing humor, character, and courage. A good example of how players made the shift in thinking from being determined to outplay a person of a different race, to having some real feeling for another person's culture was done with humor and music. By having the players singing in the locker room to the likes of the Supremes, shows just how comical this movie was. Imagine a six-foot two, three hundred fifty-pound white guy singing "Aint No Mountain High Enough". While it was obviously funny, it showed that a team has to come together on many levels, and so do racial groups in general if "harmony" is going to develop. The football team confronted their fears and attitudes about race and culture, and set the tone for successful desegregation in one of the most racially divided communities in America. Remember the Titans brings history alive in a way that strengthens our bond as a people.
Rating: Summary: Denzel's Best Yet Review: A riveting movie. Denzel was Oscar worthy in this film. This film encompasses overcoming adversity and racial differences in life. This is a must see movie. It is also one of the greatest sports movies of all time as well.
Rating: Summary: Remember This Movie Review: Remember the Titans is the best movie I have watched all year. There isn't one bad actor in this movie and Denzel Washington is exceptionally great. The movie set in a Virginia town with a young girl narrating the story at a funeral. She tells the story of how a black coach named Coach Boone(Denzel)moved to town and became the assistant coach to an all white highschool football team. This is during the civil rights movement in the 70's and the town is very tense. You can just imagine how upset they are when a black coach coaches the highschool football team. The football team is the Titans. They are the best in the region. Boone was a coach in North Carolina and he had the best team in the region. Boone lets white and black players on the team and that causes a large disturbance between the players. They hate each other. Boone fixes this throughout the video until the point when the players love each other no matter what color they are. I refuse to tell the rest because it is such a good video. The action in his video has hard hits in the football games and the fights going on because of the different races. The sound and picture were great on the VHS and would be superb on DVD. I recommend this video to all and you should buy it. There is no need to rent it unless you are very unsure if you would like this movie.
Rating: Summary: I hate football, yet have (so far) watched it 3 times! Review: I first saw this great film at the college I attend. There wasn't a dry eye in the class. At first I thought, oh no not a football movie...uhg! But almost from the very beginning I was totally hooked!!! I have since watched it three times and will probably purchase it, as it is just one of those movies you have to own. Another thing I was very impressed with; strong points were made throughout the movie, yet without all the typical profantiy you hear in most movies today. It had the strong 'in your face messages' and all without one F--- word! I didn't have to plug my 5 year-olds ears for once. Sure hope they make more movies like this one. I know I am going on and on, I really don't get this excited over movies anymore, this one just surprised me... football and all, LOL! The actors were great and should be proud of their work, as this movie could be very healing, as well as entertaining. Maybe it will help a few of us see past the color of a person's skin and into their heart of a man or woman. You just have to see it and even if you don't like football (like me) you will enjoy the story. Oh, and I even learned a little bit about the game in the process.
Rating: Summary: Silly and predictable Review: This movie is so silly and corny, it made me uncomfortable just sitting through it. It is very manipulative in that all the whites in the movie had to become more "black" in order for the team to work well together. That's not how it was in the 1960-70's!! It is probably a good movie to show your young children, but beyond that it is pretty useless. Denzel Washington is very predictable as the rough and tough yell alot coach who eventually perseveres. If you want a good football movie that isn't trying to be preachy, just watch Varsity Blues or Rudy.
Rating: Summary: A Great Story with a great message Review: This is a film that reminds us of the racial problems that plauged this country as recently as the 1970's. This is also a film about teamwork on the football field and in the community. It seems predictable, yes. It is a Disney film after all.The message is that skin color does not matter. It is what is inside that counts. I bought this for my kids to renforce that lesson. It is a valuable one that is often forgotten in society today. Denzel Washington gives another terrific performance as always.
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