Ed's Review Dot Com

Anthem Productions, Paul Schiff Productions,

Finn Wittrock, Aaron Eckhart, Robin Tunney, Sarah Bolger

Based on the book “Courage Beyond the Game: The Freddie Steinmark Story” by Jim Dent this biographic film of Freddie Steinmark follows the history of his life as one of the best high school football players who was recruited by Texas and played in the Game of the Century against Arkansas in 1970. The film is pretty accurate in portraying Freddie’s life story. Being only 5′ 9″ and well under 200 pounds everyone told him he was too little to play defense. But he had been trained by his father very well and was really full of grit and able to play way beyond the level he should have been able to play. An inspiration to the team, Freddie motivated the team to win the SW championship and to be rated Number 1 in his final year. Freddie hid an injury from everyone and played through the pain in the final game until finally he had to go see the doctor and was given a very serious diagnosis. This is a heartwarming, tearjerker of a story showing the enormous fight in this kid.

This film got lost in the shuffle around all the other releases when it came out in the theater in late 2015. Many people have overlooked this film, but it is a very good retelling of the true story, and unlike most docudramas, this one seems to be very accurate on most all points. The research was thorough and it seems they really got it right. Starring Aaron Eckhart as Coach Royal and Finn Wittrock as Freddie, the performances are very good. The characters really look like the real people as well and the actual scene is presented at the end of the film, and it’s real, not recreated. This is a touching story, similar to a lot of the true sports tales, but since it is a true story of an amazing life and how he touched so many people, I was truly impressed with it and though many critics didn’t like the way it was portrayed, I felt it was done properly, with loads of respect, and though a sad story, told in a remarkably upbeat and uplifting way. This is a great football film with lots of sports action that is recreated very close to the actual history, and I highly recommend this film as a good film for all ages.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Indomitable Entertainment, Paul Schiff Productions, Purple Pictures,

James Marsden, Thomas Jane, Billy Bob Thornton, Piper Perabo, Scott Glenn, Adam Beach, Michaela McManus, Kelly Curran

Rowan (James Marsden) has returned home to the chagrin but finally acceptance of his brother Becket (Thomas Jane). Rowan is searching for his wife who is missing in an area called the Grizzly Maze. This is an area that is hard to cross where the Grizzlies reign supreme. But as prepared as they are for the battle, one absurdly large and angry grizzly intends to kill the entire party.

This movie is kind of schizophrenic. It has it’s ups and downs. First the locations are stunning and really spectacular to look at. Secondly the cast is very good in their roles. On the down side, everything is really predictable and the CGI of the bear attacks is a bit annoying. Furthermore, this bear has such a grudge that it gets silly after while. I feel like this is the back woods version of Jaws, where the grizzly hates them and makes a point to seek them out for vengeance. It is a little over the top for my acceptance of the incredible. But it is a decently made wild animal film and is certainly not all bad is worth watching. If you you’re a fan of the outdoors and the magnificence of wild creatures (enhanced by a little too much CGI), then give this a shot. It’s excitement, but it’s a stretch.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog