The Program movie review: on your bike and follow the money (LFF 2015)
Pretty much strictly for fans of Ben Foster and Chris O’Dowd, who are both superb here. Probably not for fans of Lance Armstrong (if he still has any left).
sports
Southpaw movie review: punch drunk and disorderly
Clichéd, obvious, and tired. We’ve seen this story so many times before, but rarely with such a lack of appreciation for just how unheroic its “hero” is.
The Longest Ride movie review: romantic bargaining
For once, a movie based on a Nicholas Sparks book is populated by relatively realistic people dealing with relationship conflict in realistic ways.
McFarland USA (aka McFarland) movie review: run and deliver
“Put Kevin Costner in it and you’ve got a sporty Stand and Deliver. The script writes itself.”
Foxcatcher movie review: the rich are different
A pensive and unsettling film that defies genre description and keeps you wondering just what the heck sort of film you’re watching.
23 Blast movie review: do they play football in Heaven?
The clunky script and amateurish performances are not unexpected in the faith-based genre, but its dubious “inspiration” gives even diehard-atheist me pause.
Beyond the Edge 3D documentary review: because it’s there
Through gorgeous archival footage and new re-creations, thrillingly places us amidst the first successful summit of Everest in 1953.
Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist and The Armstrong Lie documentaries review
Two compelling documentaries about famed competitive cyclists and the corrupted sport that chewed them up.
Next Goal Wins movie review: nothing but net
I could not possibly care less about football, and I fell hopelessly in love with this movie, and with the can-do amateur team it introduces us to.
1976: Hunt vs. Lauda (aka Hunt vs. Lauda) review
As with the semifictionalized Rush, this documentary look at the first superstars of Formula One is gripping even if you couldn’t care less about racing.
