Last Chance U Basketball, A Near Perfect Season

Netflix has become a staple for many around the world in the area of entertainment. They not only bring us quality movies, they also bring quality series and documentaries. As an athlete for many years and now a fan, I have greatly enjoyed the Last Chance U series that looks at various Junior College Sports seasons. Up until this season, football and this season for the first time, Basketball has been the focus. So, it is as a former college athlete and as a film reviewer I review this particular season.

I must say, as a former athlete I have binged and loved every season. Basketball is the 6th season in the series but is being considered as season 1 for basketball. Each season focuses on a particular school and follows the schools team throughout the season. This season has the documentary team following ELAC (East Las Angeles College) and the team and coach John Mosley. I have to say, the coach John Mosley is one I personally loved above and beyond any coach in any other season, largely due to the emphasis on his faith as a Christian.

There are clearly players that seem to put up with Coach Mosley's actions and faith but as the season goes on and comes to a tragic end, it also becomes clear at the impact this coach has had on many a young men that recognize the honor of playing for him. This season, more than any other, has a positive reference of a coach that actually cares above and beyond for his players and does not go overboard with his coaching style. Sure, there are unique attributes with Coach Mosley, but he gets the job done. 

There are things I would like to know, for example, the series follows ELAC's season to obtain the California State Jr. College Championship, yet I know that a few miles away from me in Hutchinson Kansas they have a National Jr. College Championship Tourney. Never in the series was that tournament mentioned. It forces me to assume that the California Champion does not participate in that tournament.

As anyone who follows sports will know, the ending of this story is not encouraging and is somewhat of a letdown. I'll say about it is that the season recorded is the 2019/2020 season. You can figure it out. What I will say is the impact of some things have/had a tremendous impact on some that prepared their entire lives for a moment.

Coach Mosley is the star of this series. Sure, there are basketball players we become intrigued with along with assistant coaches but there is just something likeable about Coach Mosley. I loved that Netflix covers and portrays his deep Christian faith in such a beautiful and real way without exaggerating or diminishing his faith. We see a man dedicated to his players, his family and making constant sacrifice, yet, above all, dedicated and committed to his faith. He even goes so far that he sought guidance from his pastor before accepting the opportunity to do the series.

I loved this series and this season. Coach Mosley is the type of coach I would want my children to play for. One to push them to the extreme, overcome the obstacles and all along the way, keeping a focus on faith while loving and giving his players a chance. He exemplifies grace as a coach like no other season up to date.  

During the season of March Madness while I review this, for the perfection of the game of basketball, I give a perfect 10 as a series for the letters in the word, basketball. - 10

 

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The Courier, When Enemies Become Friends

The Courier is a movie released in 2020 but just now hitting theaters due to Covid. While it is late to the screen, it is a film that is a great reminder of the times that were. Set in the early 1960's we see the story unfold where the Cold War between The West was at a most heated moment with Russia. We came so close to a nuclear war that would have been devastating for the world. It was a time where the world realized the pressures of societal interaction and the importance of understanding that not everyone on our planet plays fair. When that happens one must take actions that may not resemble morality. Thus was and still is the case where nations don't abide by ethical ways.

The Courier is a terrifically acted and directed film that looks at the actions of a businessman who undertook the role of a spy for the British Government which provided valuable information to the United States specific to the Cuban Missile Crises where the United States and Russia came extremely close to Nuclear War. This true story is acted brilliantly by the principles Greville Wynne played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Russian General Oleg Penkovsky played by Merab Ninidze. The intensity that builds through the film is beautifully directed by Dominic Cooke. While this is not what I would consider an action packed movie it is filled with drama and intensity.

One of the beauties of this film is the understanding of the possibility of brotherhood despite taking place during a time when that was not seen so much as possible and so much hatred was prevalent around the world. There was a desire and sacrifice made among some, including a regular guy trying to make a difference that resulted in the lives of many around the world being saved. Yet, their story with many today goes unknown. It is one of the beauties of good historical film; to reeducate perception to an understanding of reality; a reality such as the world around us could do harm.

Surprisingly the Cuban Missile Crises is merely the backdrop of the story. The real story focuses on thefriendship built between two individuals trying to prevent a devastating war. I think of the Bible teaching that tell us to love even our enemies. This is an excellent representation that if we take the time to get to know our enemies, we may discover we may be more friends than foes. Of course we have to be careful as the reality is there are those who would do us harm. It becomes difficult as to who we can, and can't trust. When we discover a real friend though, that friend will stick with us until the end.

I strongly recommend this movie. We live in a world where there is so much discord and an unwillingness to get to know each other because of who they voted for, where they go to church, or the fact that they may have a differing experience than ourselves. The possibility of friendship may not seem to have a world changing impact, but, it will for those who make the effort and if we work at changing our own individual worlds, can have an impact on the world around us.

On a scale of 1 - 10 for the fact that I had to reflect after seeing it, I give it a well deserving 7 for the number of letters in the word reflect. - 7

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You're Next

Let’s get one issue out of the box, right off the bat, I will admit, I like horror, especially good horror. I will also admit, right of the bat, I don’t like bad horror. Now to clear up another expected misconception, I review film, I hardly endorse it. Some people think I endorse film simply because I review it, wrong! This view irritates me to the max. So, now that I have that off my chest, let me start, a new release I expect to do incredibly well on opening weekend is the release of the new slasher film, You’re Next. I went out with some friends for the advance because it was available to see. I didn’t expect much from the trailers, didn’t really want to see this movie as I am not generally a fan of slasher films but I decided to go anyway. What did I get? Exactly what I expected.

You’re Next starts off with a couple engaging in some rather explicit love making, my inward thoughts, (maybe I said something out loud to my friend Robert who was with me) was; their dead! Don’t they know Rule #1 in all horror movies? No Sex! Now to give you fair and advance warning, there is virtually no way to do a review of this film without giving some spoilers, I will try my best not to do it, but be forewarned. Now, back to Rule #1, opening sequence, involves sex, seemingly for no other reason than to show the sex, by the way, like I said, everyone should know Rule #1 prior to being someplace where there is creepy music (not the soundtrack it was actually quite nice hearing long time favorite Dwight Twilley) but the soundtrack, situation, back in the woods away from everyone else, well, remember Rule #1.

Shortly thereafter we are introduced to a rather strange and large family. We see a mom and dad driving back into the countryside to their seasonal home. While the home is large and isolated they are going there to celebrate 35 years of marriage. There have been some psychological issues but things are looking up for the wife. During the first couple of days there are a few strange occurrences in the house but all the children arrive along with boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives. The family is together and like many families there is conflict and sibling rivalry. Mom and Dad don’t care though; they feel blessed that the family is back together. They sit down for dinner, complete as a family with guests on the first night they are all together. They pray over the meal they are about to eat in an apparent sincere way. One of the boyfriends notices something outside, goes to look and during the midst of an argument between two brothers he is shot through the head with an arrow from a crossbow. Immediately the onslaught starts and a blood fest takes place over the next 90 minutes or so. What happens on screen next may be enough to garnish the favor and awards from film festivals and patrons but I just didn’t enjoy it.

You’re Next is a low budget film and it shows, from the sound to the direction, to the very predictable plot I
wasn’t impressed. The acting at times is okay and the exception is Sharni Vinson the Australian actress who plays the part of the heroine, Erin. She is exceptional at playing a believable heroine who as a strong woman who caries the load not only within the plot of the movie, but in many ways, for the movie itself. Oh yeah I did enjoy the Dwight Twilly songs in the soundtrack even though I heard them, over, and over, and over.

There are themes in You’re Next that I think worthy of discussion, including how it seems that many in our society have a lackluster perspective of the family. While sibling rivalries are to be expected, one has to wonder, has the family unit gone the way of the dinosaur? We see presented here, a mother and father who have gone through some difficulty, from the actions and attitudes of their children one wonders of the contribution the children may have played in the ultimate downfall of this family. Families in general, now don’t sit around the table, don’t play, they compete, fall apart and out of love with each other. While there are evil people involved in this story, the real tragedy is rooted in the lack of and inability of this family to legitimately love and care for each other. It is unfortunately more about the individual than it is the family unit. There is no respect for the parents and what they have gone through in life. While many of the patrons in the half way filled auditorium I saw this film in laughed throughout the movie, I didn’t, I found the movie poorly made but also sad in its themes. Is this what we have come to? Is there no hope for loving families anymore?

For me, outside of the good job done, and the strong female themes played out particularly by Sharni Vinson, I found this movie to be a waste of time and money. While the themes regarding the breakdown of the family are worthy of discussion, I can’t help but wonder, could the family, especially the mother and father, have done a better job at teaching their children about a relationship with God as opposed to just knowing of God? I wondered are we as a society doing any better today. Do we run the risks presented here, not of a bunch of killers with masks killing us off one by one, but instead, of us as families growing a part day by day. There are lessons here not just for the family unit but also this thing called church, which often refers to itself, as a family. It is here, in the not knowing, loving, and sharing in life together that I wonder, are we all experiencing the potential horrors represented in You’re Next?

Due to not really enjoying myself at all, seeing a movie where the themes and plots have been done far better many times before, I unfortunately give this movie a rather distasteful review. On a scale of 1 – 10 for the things three things they were lacking in life, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I give a very disheartening 3

To see the trailer for the film just click on the video posted below, if the video doesn’t appear, click on the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufUQWpEkbf0


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Last Tango In Paris, Blu-ray

The Last Tango in Paris is a film that has raised eyebrows for over 35 years now. Marlon Brando was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, Director Bernardo Bertolucci, nominated for a Best Director award would later win, like Brando Academy Awards for his respected category, and the actress Maria Schneider would have her life changed forever. It seems that as the years moved on that both Scheider and Brando would have all kinds of regrets for doing this film, even at times, expressing hate and resentment towards Bertolucci, saying he abused them, and manipulated the scenes in the movie which would help in many ways, bring about the sexual revolution and change the perspective of sexuality in movies. Last Tango in Paris was banned in many countries, and later on a subdued version was created to bring the X rated film down to an R rating to garnish potentially more viewers. The X version still garnished respect, or spoils from many around the world, for some branding it a work of genius, and for others, a tool to be used to perpetuate the religious argument against movies.

The Last Tango follows the sexual exploits between two unnamed individuals who find each other while looking at an apartment flat in Paris. The American, played by Brando has just lost his wife to suicide and the female, played by Schneider is working on a movie being filmed with her own love interest who wants to marry her. At first The Last Tango appears to be a sex filled movie intent on breaking barriers and taking us to places we may have never discovered on the movie screen. The acts of sex are explicit as is the nudity of actress Maria Schneider who would swear off ever doing nudity again after her experiences in this film which she would state later on, took her to a point where she would shed tears over some of the scenes filmed with Brando. In one rape scene, she would state that the tears shed in the scene were all too real. As the movie transpires, primarily through sex scenes, we see the development of the characters as we find out about them and their perversions. The characters develop in a snowball style throughout the movie with some tight direction, and unique perspective that mixes in the story with French in English subtitles, along with various scenes spoken in English. Even this transition of languages and subtitles, keeps the viewer glued to even the most difficult scenes to watch.

While there are aspects in filmmaking that are worthwhile, the subject matter is still difficult to watch, and appreciate. I had always wanted to see this movie but had never done so. The release of the Blu-ray DVD opened up the doors to watch what many consider one of the most influential films of all time. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray had little to anything to offer but more on that later.

While the story of The Last Tango in Paris is well known, I will assume, that many, like I, have not seen the movie. What I will say is this, all through the movie the lack of discovery in each others character is of key importance. It is only towards the conclusion of the film that the Brando character starts to share of his life in detail for various reasons. It is also here, that the dreams and illusions of the other character looses confidence in her experiences, and in the character played by Brando. This builds to a conclusion that may surprise many, but leaves an impact on the viewer despite what their position is of the explicit nature of the film.

There are many things many can take from this film despite its strong sexual content. One of the clear factors is the role of sex in relationship. While there will be, and has been, in part due to this movie, debate as to the appropriateness and place of sex, there is no denial of the role it plays in the development of relationship between the individuals involved in sexual activity with each other. There is also no doubt as to the harm and danger of unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact, not just in the abusive nature of sex, but in the relationship developed among those involved in the act together. In a brutal way, we see this happen in The Last Tango in Paris. We see sexual activity for the intent of self pleasure and for perverted reasons as opposed to the act of love. Yet, despite this, we also see the magnetic draw of relationship between individuals when sex is involved. Unfortunately, despite the desire to keep the act as a form of self serving pleasure, it does not take away from the feelings and emotions that develop. The Last Tango in Paris details that concept quite well. All too often, many may see the examples in The Last Tango in Paris as extreme. I challenge that while parts of it may be extreme, it is also in many ways more prevalent in today’s world than many either realize, or choose to accept. I would also challenge, the dangers and horrors that can come about are also just as possible today, as they are presented in this film. I am a part of a faith system that respects sex as an act of love. It is a beautiful gift to be respected and shared with one you love. In The Last Tango in Paris, we see a portrayal of what can happen when sex is encountered in a way outside of ultimate love.

I didn’t especially like The Last Tango in Paris. In fact, if not watching it for review purposes I would have turned it off. While it is still deserving of the now NC-17 rating, it is not the pornography that some have presented it to be. I am not saying it is not pornographic in various ways, but it certainly falls far from the ‘Porno’ category. I do think there are things to appreciate in the film. The acting by Brando is seeing one of our former masters at work. This is a film where, like his style or not, Bertolucci got things out of his actors that would impact them for the duration of their lives. While they didn’t say much positive about Bertolucci, his ability to get them to that place as an actor is quite noteworthy. That is not to condone, or destroy his work, it is just a notation.

I must also conclude with making a comment on this DVD in regards to purchase. Personally, I could in no way recommend the purchase of this product, but not because of the sexual content, but the aspect that the DVD Blu-ray concepts give absolutely no benefit to the purchase of this film in this format. The special features are practically non existent, the visual quality is not improved on at all, and the navigation system of the DVD is confusing and difficult to even find. In that regard, while some may appreciate the DVD itself, the Blu-ray version is in my opinion a total waste of money. As to the movie itself, despite the historical nature of the film, the accolades it has received, neither can I recommend it. I personally believe there are better films, dealing with the same subject, without the explicit sexual content. The scenes were disturbing enough for the actors involved for them to not recommend the film; I find it difficult to go against their wishes. Of course if looking to own a historical work, then maybe you want this as there is little to no doubt of the historical contributions this film made. As for me, I desire no last tangos with a temporary, non productive purpose. I prefer instead, relationships that last a lifetime, and for some, quite possibly, an eternity.

To see the movie trailer posted below click on the video. If the video isn’t at full scale or doesn’t show up, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x4UOsLC0OE


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