Roll Tide/War Eagle Review

I love the recent trend of sports documentaries on either ESPN or HBO. I love them because they talk about sports history and history that I either wasn't alive for yet or was too young to remember. I love learning about sports history and these docs have been very helpful. I've learned something new watching the recent sports documentary.

I bring this up because ESPN aired their last 30 for 30 documentary last night called Roll Tide/War Eagle. The only feeling that I had during this documentary was "meh". Didn't love this doc, didn't hate it. That's because this doc didn't really delve into the history of the Alabama-Auburn rivalry except for the recent history. And that's where this doc falls short in my opinion.

HBO did a wonderful job of telling the complete history of the Michigan-Ohio State football rivalry and the UNC-Duke basketball rivalry. A half hour of each of these documentaries weren't just focused on a specific two year run like 'Roll Tide/War Eagle' was.

Sure 'Roll Tide/War Eagle' focused on a few aspects of the history of the Iron Bowl before the past two years like how neither school played each other for thirty years, Bear Bryant, Bo Jackson turning the rivalry into a fair competition, and the Gene Julks controversy.

The bulk of the documentary though was spent talking about the past two years of the rivalry. So as expected we got a lot of did Cam Newton take money to play at Auburn footage and creepy Harvey "the tree poisoner" Updyke stories.

Maybe it's because these stories just happened, maybe because these are stories that I really didn't want to relive, but this documentary lost me during the last half hour of the program. I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know. Again I watch these documentaries to learn something new. This doc just rehashed what happened in the past two years.

I wanted to learn more about Pat Dye's time at Auburn and his string of success against Alabama. I wanted to learn more about Gene Stallings time at Bama. I wanted to see Tommy Tuberville's string of wins against Bama. Didn't get any of that. 

So in the end 'Roll Tide/War Eagle' left me wanting more. I wanted to know more about the Alabama-Auburn rivalry and I didn't get that. So this doc in the end gave me that "meh" feeling.

Review: Catching Hell

Last night ESPN started their offshoot to 30 For 30 documentary series with the Alex Gibney doc "Catching Hell". There was a lot of anticipation for this documentary but judging by Twitter last night the documentary fell flat on it's face. Admittedly, "Catching Hell" I felt definitely left more to be desired.

This documentary was advertised as a question surrounding the Steve Bartman play in the 2003 NLCS between the Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins, "why do fans blame Bartman for the Cubs collapse when there were other factors why the Cubs collapsed."

While "Catching Hell" tries it's best to answer this question, the documentary also talks extensively about Bill Buckner and his famous moment in the 1986 World Series. This was advertised by ESPN that almost 30 minutes of the documentary was going to be about Buckner and the Red Sox fans treated Buckner after his famous gaffe and how they "forgave" Buckner after they won two world series'.

Alex Gibney admitted during the first few minutes of the documentary that he is a Red Sox fan. I just wish this was admitted before the documentary and that Buckner would be a part of at least 30 minutes of this movie. I wasn't sure there for a moment if I was watching a movie based on Bartman and the Cubs or Buckner and the Red Sox. That was very off-putting.

Also "Catching Hell" was way too long. This was an hour documentary stretched into a two hour movie. There was no need for all the Buckner parts. Also the fans who were interviewed for the documentary that sat near Bartman were also very unappealing. I hated every single one of those people but that was probably the whole point.

I loved the parts though when the security guards talk about how Bartman left the stadium and eventually made his way home. I loved all the fan footage from that game that centered on Bartman and the Cubs fans reactions to that play and game.

These moments though don't justify watching this documentary though. "Catching Hell" left a lot to be desired. Now excuse me while I throw a pity party for the Red Sox Nation.

Bobby Fischer Against the World

As a kid I never played much chess. Chess is for math geniuses and I'm anything but a math genius. After watching the documentary "Bobby Fischer Against the World", I'm glad I never got into chess.

"Bobby Fischer Against the World" takes the viewer into the bizarre world of Bobby Fischer and chess in general. After watching this documentary I didn't know who I felt more sorry for. Bobby Fischer or all chess players who compete in tournaments?

While the documentary spends a good chunk of time talking about Fischer's match against Boris Spassky. The doc also looks at the deteriorating world that was inside Fischer's head and why his mind deteriorated.

Fischer was born to a single mother who lied about who is real father was. Fischer's mother was also never around during his childhood because she was protesting one thing or the other. Fischer's mom also had a huge FBI profile because it was believed she was a communist spy. Bobby Fischer surrounded himself with chess to get away from the craziness that was his mother.

We also learn in the film that the majority of these chess prodigy's grow up to be very paranoid after they leave the chess world behind. So Fischer isn't the only chess player to loose his mind, he's just the most famous one.

After Fischer left the chess world he started attending the Worldwide Church of God and when one of their Rapture moments never came true it sent Fischer's mind even further into paranoia. Fischer was always anti-Semitic, but that event further pushed him to the edge.

Fischer and Spassky would have a rematch in 1992 but the match was in Yugoslavia during their civil war and when the United Nations placed an embargo on even sporting events on that country. Because Fischer broke the law, he could never return to the United States. And from there he's arrested in Japan, moves to Iceland where he has his famous press conference confrontation with ESPN reporter Jeremy Schaap, and then eventually dies from Kidney failure.

After watching "Bobby Fischer Against the World" it made me thankful I was never smart enough to play chess because maybe then I would have also turned into a tortured soul as well.

Poney Excess Review

On Saturday night, ESPN debuted their newest and last 30 For 30 documentary 'Poney Excess.' Watching the documentary had me thinking about the college scandals we see today and realizing that's child's play compared to what happened at SMU during the early 1980's and mid 1980's.

'Poney Excess' was about the SMU football scandal which lead to SMU being, so far, the only team to receive the so called "Death Penalty" from the NCAA in Division 1 football. The movie delves into how pretty much every team in the old Southwest Conference (Or SWC) was basically paying football players under the table. The movie discussed Texas A&M basically giving Eric Dickerson a Gold Trans-AM to come and play for them. (He went to SMU)

The movie delves into the Texas/Dallas culture of that era. Oil and Real Estate was booming in the 1980's and many of those men were SMU grads. When they realized their school couldn't compete with the Texas' of the world, they decided to pay for players. Not only would these boosters pay for players, but they would actually keep the players on a payroll or pay for a car or give players families houses to live in.

Sonics Gate

This documentary has made it's way through the sports blogoshpere since it debuted. It's a documentary about the history of the Seattle Supersonics and their move to Oklahoma City. If you have the time (the movie runs about 2 hours) watch this film. It's a fascinating study about how the Sonics vanished from the Seattle area.

Not to give too much away, but from what I took from it, is that everyone is too blame for the Sonics move. The previous owner, the new owner Clay Bennett who moved the team, NBA commissioner David Stern, and more importantly the Washington and Seattle politics. In the end, the fans of the Sonics were the ones who were screwed. The very first professional sports franchise in Seattle was gone and there will always be a void in Seattle's heart because of the move.

Part 1


Part 2

Full Movie

Sonicsgate.org

Review: Ted Williams Bio

HBO delivered another top notch documentary last night. This time it was a biography on the late great Ted Williams. The bio delved into Williams' life as a ballplayer, his time as a Marine Corps pilot, his marriages, his relationships with his children, and the bizarre happenings around his death.

The first part of the movie explores his childhood. This section really gives you an idea of what Ted Williams would become as a man. He was born in San Diego to parents who really weren't there for him all the time. His mother was more concerned about her duties to the Salvation Army. His father had multiple jobs and was rarely at home. Baseball is what kept Williams active and it became his obsession. Because his parents were absent all the time, this would factor greatly into Williams relationships with his own children.

Williams was brought up by the Boston Red Sox in 1939 and he immediately wished to become "the greatest hitter of all-time." As Williams was just beginning his career, the United States became a part of WWII. Williams would serve as a Marine Corps pilot. Williams had his choice though with the army. He could have joined the Navy and stayed at home to play baseball. Instead he chose to become a pilot. He began his military career in 1942 and he wouldn't play baseball again until 1946.

Williams returned to the Boston Red Sox in 1946. That year he won the MVP and led Boston to the World Series. But of course the Red Sox lost the series to the Cardinals and Williams would become known as a player who couldn't play in the clutch. The next two years the Red Sox were beaten out of the Pennant by the Indians and the Yankees.

By 1953, Williams was called back to action, this time to fight in the Korean War. But because the army was using jet planes, Williams had to completely re-learn how to fly a plane again. During a mission in Korea, Williams had to land his plane on its belly after his hydraulics were damaged by an anti-aircraft weapon.

Eventually Williams returned to the Red Sox to finish his career. Also to say Williams didn't like the media would be an understatement. He despised the media and he wouldn't mind letting them know that. Also by the end of his career, Williams was struggling at the plate. During one game he started spitting at media members in press row and started spitting at the fans. When Williams hit his last home run, which would turn out to be his last hit, Williams didn't tip his cap to the fans.

After his career Williams was a very active sportsman. He loved to fish and to be outdoors. He also coached the old Washington Senators for a couple of years. The bio also delved into Williams' love life. He married three times and divorced three times. He had three children who he had a very cold relationship with.

Through the years though Williams suffered a series of strokes. His son John Henry would take care of his father. Also the movie talked about how Williams son John Henry would take his father all around the country to sign memorabilia. Also the bio talks about Williams' great charity work with children's hospitals. They even talk about a story about Boston Globe's own Dan Shaughnessy and his daughter who was fighting leukemia. Williams would talk to Shaughnessy's daughter as she was fighting the illness. She would make a full recovery. The movie also talks about his memorable appearance at the 1999 All-Star game in Boston.

The movie also delves into what happened to Williams' body after his passing. His eldest daughter said that his will stated that he wanted his body cremated. His other children, John Henry and Claudia, said that he wanted his body to be frozen for he could meet his children in the future. The case went to court and his two children won the case and Williams' body remains in bio stasis in Arizona. In an ironic case of events, John Henry would die from leukemia and his body would eventually be placed in bio stasis.

If you are a baseball fan then you should check out this movie. It is well done and it delves into the many aspects of Williams' life. Just a great movie all around.

Review: "Battle for Tobacco Road"

I caught the HBO documentary "Battle for Tobacco Road: Duke vs. North Carolina" last night and I was impressed.

While I have no interest in either school, the movie itself dug into why both schools hate each other and how the rivalry started.

Both Duke and North Carolina basketball programs were irrelevant in the first part of the last century. Football ruled the land in North Carolina and especially Duke football. We would have never had the rivalry if it weren't for North Carolina St. NC St. was tired of getting beat up in football so they put a huge emphasis on basketball. Both Duke and North Carolina took notice.

North Carolina struck first when they hired Frank McGuire. He brought in New York basketball players and the program won the National Championship in 1957 when they beat Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain. Recruiting violations forced McGuire out and his assistant Dean Smith took over.

The rivalry took off when both teams started competing against recruits and the rivalry was started. Duke struggled against UNC during the 70's and the focus on Smith was why he hasn't won a National Championship yet.

The movie delves into how Smith desegregated North Carolina, by bringing in Charlie Scott into the program. It also goes into how Smith created the famous "four corners" offense.

It also goes into how Smith brought in Michael Jordan and then he finally won his coveted National Championship in 1982.

The movie also goes into how Duke counterattacked by bringing in an unknown coach name Mike Krzyzewski in 1980. His career didn't start out that well and there were rumors that Duke was going to fire Coach K.

But by the middle of the 80's he turned around Duke and even lead them to the national championship in 86, losing to Louisville.

Coach K had his greatest success in the late 80's and into the early 90's when he lead Duke to five straight final four's and back-to-back National Championships. The movie also delves into how Coach K was tired of seeing UNC get all the calls by the refs and seeing Coach Smith getting away with technical fouls.

While I liked the movie, Duke homers will complain it is too slanted towards North Carolina. Which it is. It delves into how the entire state loves UNC and you have to be a current student or a former student of Duke, to love Duke. It also goes into how K-Ville was started and the creativity of the Cameron Crazies.

It also goes into why so many people either love or hate Duke. It's a great documentary and would recommend it to anyone.

"The Wrestler" Is Worth The Watch

I don't know how many people still watch wrestling today. I personally watch maybe five shows all-year and at least buy the Wrestlemania because it reminds me of when I was growing up.

If you follow wrestling at all though you know about all the former wrestlers who have died before the age of 50. And most of their deaths where from heart related issues from years of steroid abuse.

The day I really quit watching wrestling was the day Chris Benoit killed his wife and son and then hung himself. That was the day I quite caring about sports entertainment. The cause of death was really to many blows to the head.

Wrestling for years has abused their wrestlers then threw them out on the streets when they became useless. The good ole' thanks-but-we-are-moving-on-old guy, throws guys into a world that they are not used to. That's why so many old wrestlers are on independent circuits wrestling on a bad knee, fake hip, poor heart, and broken down legs. They didn't know what to do once their career was over. And most of them have abused themselves so badly that you don't even recognize them if you saw them.

This brings me to the movie "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachael Wood.

In the movie Rourke portrays Randy "The Ram" Robinson an past-his-prime wrestler broken down from years of abusing steroids and his body. He is so broken down that his own daughter hates him, and he thinks the only people that love him are the fans.

But the movie is much more than a broken down wrestler, it exposes what wrestling does to the men. During an autograph session at a V.F.W. hall Robinson is looking around at the other wrestlers and realizes how pathetic they all are. One guy is in a wheel chair, another guy has a fake hip, and another guy has to use a colostomy bag.

The movie also shows what happens when fame goes away. A person will do anything to regain the fame and recognition. "The Ram" will even go so far as to wrestle with a bad heart. Two weeks after the "The Ram" suffered an heart attack and had to have an bypass surgery he was back in the ring. And don't think this really doesn't happen in real life.

This movie just goes to show you that wrestling is in need of some type of pension plan for wrestlers. Retired NFL players had to take their case to capital hill to receive a better pension plan. Wrestlers need the same thing for they don't have to wrestle in bingo halls in their late 50's.

I don't see anything happening in the near future and I don't think anything will happen for these guys. But I do suggest watching "The Wrestler", you will then realize how pathetic these guys are in real life.