Concussion - Movie Review

Concussion is a must-see for any parent who has put their child through the American football program.

In my household, and in many other’s across the nation, the fall months are dedicated to Friday night high school games at the local high school and Saturday college games on the big screen TV. We all love our football. Everything, from the fabulous stadiums, to the marching bands, chili cheese dogs, peanuts, and big drinks, and of course, the cheerleaders, makes it a fun event. Team loyalties are passed down to the next generation, and for some fans, the vitriol over rivalries is comparable to gang warfare. The grand prize for any player (or parent of a player) is the dream of being one of the chosen few who go all the way to the NFL to live a life of wealth and fame, even for a short time.

But in my opinion, the greatest draw in any team sport event is the hidden metaphor for one’s spiritual walk, as well as life in general. Case in point, one of the Friday family’s favorite family films is the faith-based football movie, Facing the Giants, which does an excellent job of portraying the inner, spiritual struggle that a football game relays. Fighting against an opponent who is relentless in keeping one from achieving the prize is what makes the game worth watching. And the more daunting the opposition, the better.

Based on truth, Concussion does a nice job of destroying all of this allure of American football by showing the ugly underbelly of the sport. Will Smith is excellent as Dr. Bennett Omalu, who is a Nigerian-born forensic pathologist in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 2002. What would make the average person squeamish, Omalu finds fascinating beyond words. To him, cutting open a cadaver for an autopsy and extracting its organs is a communal experience with the deceased whereby the truth regarding how that person lived is allowed to emerge. Omalu performs his work like a master craftsman and is persistent and unrelenting in getting the answers he senses need to be exposed. He even goes so far as to spend his own money for additional scientific testing.

It is this doggedness for the truth that enables Omalu to discover a horrific brain disorder (CTE or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) that seems to plague professional athletes in the high contact sports arena, particularly football. When the body of a much-beloved Pittsburgh Steelers center, Mike Webster (a great performance by David Morse), shows up on his examination table, the puzzle pieces come together. Omalu discovers that the severe brain damage associated with CTE is due to the long-term effects of repeated trauma to the head, which cause hallucinations, dementia, severe pain, unexplained bouts of rage, and suicide. With the help of the Steelers former team doctor, Julian Bailes (Alec Baldwin), and county coroner, Cyril Wecht (Albert Brooks), Omalu publishes his findings in a medical journal and waits for the reaction of the NFL.  

As expected, the powers-that-be in the big-money sports machine do not take too kindly to their beloved game being vilified by a demure, religious, quiet-spoken pathologist whose home country has no affinity for American football.  Even though they dismiss his findings, Omalu remains vigilant and discovers more NFL victims to CTE, which only bolsters his claim. Finally, the League allows his research to be presented to them at a closed-door committee meeting. But when that day arrives, Omalu is barred from the room and must rely on a third party to plead his case.

**** SPOILER ALERT ****

At this point, the film takes a turn and wanders into the area of conspiracy theory, which makes for great excitement. Omalu, who has no relation to sports other than his connection with CTE victims, soon gets a taste of the extreme opposition that is pervasive on the football field. For example, the NFL harasses him with phone calls, stalkers, and car chases that place his family in harm’s way, all of which are disgraceful tactics to silence the truth. The unfairness of it all brings out the anger in the viewer; Omalu is just a simple, yet brilliant, man who has discovered the mystery behind the horrific and early demise of so many professional athletes. Heart-broken players and their family and friends ponder over how one can sink into such a terrible state at such a young age, and their agony cries out for an explanation. Armed with the truth, Omalu aims to stand firm and not buckle under the thug-like pressure that the NFL places on him to keep quiet. This man is truly an American hero.

Vindication comes when a former player-turned NFL executive commits suicide due to CTE and endorses Omalu’s findings in his suicide note. Finally, Omalu is allowed to present his research to an NFLPA conference made up of players and their families and League executives. In a clever movie moment, we see the specter of Mike Webster (the former Pittsburgh Steeler center) in the crowd, a sign that victory has been attained. Omalu work is accepted, and he is rewarded with the prestigious offer of chief medical examiner for the District of Columbia. It is no surprise that he turned it down in order to continue his work as a pathologist.

The movie makes a final statement that is very disturbing: through Omalu’s discovery, the effects of concussions in high impact sports have permeated down to the little league football field, and still the madness for the game has not abated. The final scene relays this truth very well. As Omalu heads to work, he observes a group of young boys playing football, complete with helmets and pads. As the players run toward each other, destined to collide, the crushing sound of helmets smashing against each other makes Omalu and the viewer wonder if all of his hard work really and truly mattered.

Concussion is a great film that educates, entertains, and makes one reconsider our fascination with American football! Watch it and enjoy!  

Woodlawn

Woodlawn sets a new standard for the faith-based film in that its story, acting, directing, cinematography, and music (kudos to my friend, Paul Mills) are up to par with the best of Hollywood films. For that reason, it was garnered great reviews from secular critics who don’t mind giving a positive spin on well-crafted tales that happen to preach the Gospel.

Set in the 1970s deep South with racial tensions and high school football as its backdrop, the canvas for Woodlawn is perfectly drawn for both the Christian and secular audience to revel in the emotions that come from a story where good versus evil and perseverance in the face of opposition reign supreme. The Erwin Brothers (Jon and Andrew) of October Baby fame have truly outdone themselves by delivering an exquisite film that moves, entertains, and beautifully delivers the message of the love of Jesus Christ. All other Christian filmmakers are now on notice that the bar has just been raised!

The time is 1970s Birmingham, Alabama, where Tandy Gerelds (played by Nic Bishop), a hard-driven football coach for Woodlawn High, experiences every coach’s dream of having a future NFL star on his roster. The problem is, the player is African American, and the white majority are vehemently opposed to newly integrated black athletes filling starting positions. Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille) is the player in question, a sweet, Christian boy from a God-fearing family who eventually becomes a hall of fame running back for the Miami Dolphins. But as this story tells, the road to success is not smoothly paved, even when Paul “Bear” Bryant (Jon Voight) shows up at his door with an offer to play at the University of Alabama.

A comment on Nic Bishop—as a southerner with a keen ear for a fake, southern accent, I must confess that he duped me on his flawless twang! I had no idea I was watching a well-known British/Australian actor who many may recognize from his stint on Covert Affairs. His performance is excellent and helps give the film the Hollywood quality that some other Christian films lack. And his slight resemblance to Russell Crowe certainly helps! I predict he is on his way to the A list.

As integration takes hold on the local community, Gerelds finds that the clash of two worlds under the banner of high school football presents some very difficult issues: the spirit of hate fills the halls of the school, fights are an everyday occurrence, and the negative sentiments of the white townsfolk are reflected in veiled threats. But the greatest obstacle is that the white players refuse to play with their African American teammates, a problem for any coach whose career is dependent on a winning season.  

The answer to Gerelds’ problem comes in the person of Hank Erwin (Sean Astin), a self-professed “sports chaplain” with a limp and a cane and a mysterious past that makes him more prophet than preacher. After several failed attempts to speak to the team, Erwin eventually wears Gerelds down and gets his shot. With a humble demeanor, he delivers the message of the Gospel in a resounding cascade of emotional speech that escalates in power, until he takes on the persona of a commander calling his soldiers to the battle line to save their beloved homeland from destruction; morality, peace, tranquility, love, and communal serenity are at risk of being forever annihilated if these young men don’t rise to the occasion and accept a different way of life. Jesus is presented as the alternative to prejudice and hate, and miraculously, the message is accepted by an overwhelming majority of the players. In a humorous moment, Gerelds and his assistant coach are left with their mouths agape, wondering what just happened.

Gerelds soon realizes that a spiritual transformation has taken place, manifested by changed attitudes that have united the team. The phenomena is so palpable that Gerelds finds he doesn’t want to be deprived of what his players have experienced. In another powerful moment, he stands before a congregation of mostly African American believers and professes his faith in God, requesting to be baptized. Like the scene where Erwin delivers the Gospel message, the spiritual elements in this film are presented very well, with no over-the-top dialogue or cringe-worthy acting which could make nonbelievers squirm. All references to Jesus, God, and church throughout the movie appear to be natural to the story and flow nicely with the ebbs and flows of the plotlines.

Castille does a great job of displaying the pressure history has placed on Tony Nathan’s young shoulders. His dream of playing college football for Alabama is fraught with the wounds that all pioneers bear when new trails are being blazed. He is able to manage the taunts from evil whites and the accusations of betrayal from the black community, but when the danger threatens his family, he reconsiders his decision. Bricks thrown through windows bring a fresh douse of fear that only the support from his father, Bear Bryant, and Gerelds can assuage. In a tender locker room scene, Nathan’s frustrations are released in a highly emotional moment where Gerelds comforts him more as father than coach; the love they have for each other goes beyond skin color and straight into the soul. Drawing on this support, as well as his faith, Nathan summons the courage to risk it all and give football everything he has.

The movie eventually builds to the real-life match-up in 1974 between Woodlawn and two time defending state champions, Banks High, referred to as the biggest game in Alabama high school football history. A record 42,000 fans congregated at Birmingham’s Legion Field to see Nathan play against the best quarterback in the state, Jeff Rutledge. The spiritual changes that started with Coach Gerelds and his Woodlawn football team had resonated in the hearts of this Alabama community, so that for one night, people could forget their differences and come together, play football, and cheer their team on to victory without regard to anything other than the rules of the game.

Woodlawn is a great film that has encouraged the faith of so many Christians. Its success at the box-office is proof that today’s movie-going audience needs more films like this!

A House Divided - UK vs UGA

Today we had two of our children's schools go head to head on the collegiate football field - in Athens, the UGA bulldogs hosted the UK wildcats. Georgia won, but Kentucky did get some points on the board. Even though I would've liked to have seen more points, I was glad Mark Richt got a victory - he needed it. I know Rachel forgives me! She was busy celebrating Cameron's birthday, so I think she was oblivious to her team's loss.  

Sadly, FSU didn't prevail against Clemson in Death Valley, BUT...the Tarheels did beat Duke, which always makes me happy!

Athens is such a great college town; we palled around with Alex and Anna and ate some great food, gorged on ice cream, and then took a long, night walk through campus. Just beautiful! We saw the Richard B Russell Special Library where Anna works and the new Terry buildings where Alex spends much of his time. All is good! Go Dawgs!

UGA Parents' Weekend 2015

The day started out rainy, but the skies cleared before kick-off. Great win by the bulldawgs and then a nice visit with Anna, our senior in college. God is really blessing her! Always a great time when we visit our girl!

Movie Review - Undefeated

I am amazed at the number of excellent documentaries available today, particularly ones that are as entertaining as a stellar Hollywood film. Most recently, my husband and I discovered a jewel at Redbox, entitled Undefeated, which won the 2012 Oscar for best documentary feature. We were enthralled with the true story of Coach Bill Courtney from Memphis, Tennessee, whose mission is to coach a group of ragtag inner-city kids from Manassas High School to success.

The year is 2009 and Courtney, bearing a strong resemblance to Philip Seymour Hoffman, is a loud-mouthed, potbellied, freckled-faced Ole Miss graduate who loves football. He is white and affluent, but every one of his high school players is African American from an impoverished area where sports is a potential golden ticket to a better life. Courtney is married with four children, runs a successful business, but every free moment is spent volunteer coaching his team to a possible state playoff game, something that has alluded the school since its inception in 1899. He sacrifices the pleasures of life with his own family to serve his players, and he does it with drive, passion, and joy.

The odds are stacked against Courtney and the frustration level is high, but this only makes him work that much harder. More mentor than coach, he teaches these young boys what it means to be a man and “dig in,” work hard, and persevere when life’s obstacles seem insurmountable. It is clear his commitment comes from his own broken childhood of having a father leave him at the age of four. His heart is swollen with compassion for these kids who have grown up with similar disappointments and rejections. Most of them are fatherless, like Courtney, being raised by a single mom or grandmother, most have at least one relative who served time in prison, and most have no means of attending college upon graduation, short of receiving an athletic scholarship.

Courtney’s compassion in no way diminishes his aggressiveness in motivating his players. Time is spent checking up on grades, monitoring unruly behavior, breaking up fights, guarding against truancy, and maintaining order. And he does it loudly and forcefully, as one would expect a good coach to do, complete with glistening eyes that reveal a river of love flowing underneath the harshness. He is a Christian man, one of God’s heroes, even though a few curse words leak out every now and again (to which he laments that he will need to go home and pray for forgiveness). He is on a mission to serve, and his story is remarkable.

The three stars of the story are Chavis, a hot-headed delinquent with a penchant for violent rages, OC Brown, who is blessed with physical prowess and skill, and my favorite, Montrial aka “Money,” who is sweet and intelligent with a big heart. The viewer feels the greatest connection with Money, as does Courtney in my opinion, because his story is particularly heartbreaking. His father was killed at a young age, he is bright but has no means of paying for college, and a torn leg tendon midway through the season keeps him sidelined from playing. We watch Money go through the emotions of realizing his dream of a football scholarship is forever crushed, leaving a future that seems very bleak. I shed tears along with him at the unfairness of life.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

But fortunately for Money, Courtney’s tirades emphasizing character, “manning up,” doing the right thing when the wrong thing seems easier, never quitting, and staying focused and vigilant pay off tremendous dividends. In a stroke of fortune, an anonymous benefactor learns of Money’s story and agrees to fund a four year scholarship to the college of his choice. To Money and Courtney, this gift is as wonderful as hitting the Powerball lottery;  when Courtney gives him the news, the emotional reaction sent my husband and me grabbing for the hankies! It is a powerful cinematic moment that many Hollywood filmmakers long to capture in their films.

As for Chavis and OC, they both find success, like Money. Chavis wins the team’s “Uncommon Man” award, which he dedicates to Money in a touching speech, and later becomes captain of the defense his senior year. OC is picked to play football for Southern Miss, expressing his desire to be a coach like Courtney—a tremendous honor for a simple man who is now a national hero. Courtney’s book, Against the Grain, is destined to be a bestseller, his business has grown into a multi-million dollar company, and a Hollywood rendition of this documentary is in the making.

The film builds to the playoffs, where Courtney achieves his goal of taking the team to its first game. They perform well but tragically lose by one point, ending Courtney’s six year run at Manassas. He makes the hard decision of spending more time with his own children, in particular coaching his little boy’s football team, lest he continue the cycle of  paternal rejection. The emotions displayed on the field after that final playoff game are gripping. It is a lesson to us all that miracles can happen in others’ lives if we are willing to give of our time and passions.

The filmmakers, Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin, have done an excellent job telling a compelling story about the power of love and commitment. I watched it a second time before writing this review and cried the same tears. If there were more men like Bill Courtney, our country would be in much better shape!

Undefeated is on Netflix streaming now. Watch it and enjoy!

Raiders at the Dome!

My varsity cheerleader, Rachel, and her friend, Anna Grady. You don't know what coaxing it took to get this picture, since cheerleader moms are supposed to be seen and not heard! Having a great time and the Raiders are up by one point at the half. Always a lot of fun to watch a game in the Dome!.

Off to the Dome!

Walton High has its first football game tomorrow at the Georgia Dome. The Walton Marching Raider Band is ready to roll with Braxton manning one of the drum major helms. Tonight was their practice run through and they're looking great!

Trying to crack him up

Conducting