Greetings again from the darkness. When Greg Townsend states, ‘hard work overcomes hard luck’, it’s as much a reminder to himself as it is a motivation for the boys he’s dealing with. The film from writer-director RJ Daniel Hanna (MISS VIRGINIA, 2019) and co-writer Christian Sander is inspired by a true story, and comfortably fits into the ‘inspirational sports story’ category, perhaps most similar to MCFARLAND USA (2015) starring Kevin Costner.
Matthew Modine plays Greg Townsend, a social worker at Ridge View Academy. It’s a correctional facility for troubled youths, and Greg is a teacher and mentor. When the state threatens to revoke Ridge View’s charter, Greg decides to take the four boys from his welding class on a 762-mile bike ride to the Grand Canyon. Previously termed Tour de Greg by his co-workers (or Tour de Canyon by Greg), his belief is that the trip will teach life lessons and cooperation to the boys. Without his realizing, it’s also a trip to help Greg himself deal with an ailing (and estranged) father in hospice, an imprisoned brother, and some health issues of his own. Just like in real life, everyone has stuff going on.
Greg encourages (begs) the local bike shop owner, Speedy (Sean Astin), to sponsor his rag-tag team of misfits. Child psychologist and Ridge View co-worker Haddie (Cynthia McWilliams) agrees to drive the SAG wagon (supplies and gear). And after welding the frames of their own bikes … and fighting with each other … the boys reluctantly agree to go on the trip. The boys are Smink (Jackson Kelly), Rice (Zack T Robbins), Atencia (Damien Diaz), and Woolbright (Jahking Guillory), the latter being the most troubled of the group.
The trip goes about as you’d expect – with literal and emotional ups and downs. In fact, the movie itself is easily predictable and formulaic for the genre. However, it’s an inspirational and uplifting story and we find ourselves rooting for the boys to pull together as a team, and for Greg to deal with his own demons while teaching the boys the ultimate life lesson: keep going. The best movie focused on bike riding is probably the classic BREAKING AWAY (1979), and this one from filmmaker Hanna could be called, coming of age on wheels.
Opens in theaters on April 19, 2024
Posted by David Ferguson
Greetings again from the darkness. This is based on the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke who, during WWII, vowed “If I could save a life, I would.” Directed by Louise Archambault, it has been adapted for the screen by Dan Gordon, who was the playwright for the hit Broadway play. Cinema has been utilized many times over the years to shine a light on so many who acted altruistically in protecting Jews from the Nazis. Some of these heroes saved one life, while others saved hundreds. The courage of these folks deserves to be remembered.
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Greetings again from the darkness. It’s easy to forget that Russell Crowe was once Oscar nominated three years in a row, winning Best Actor for Ridley Scott’s epic, GLADIATOR (2000), and has probably deserved two or three additional nominations. His reputation has not won him many industry friends over the years, but to his credit, he keeps plugging away – some minor roles in big films, and some lead roles in smaller films. Crowe can still command the screen with his presence, even when the material is slight (see THE POPE’S EXORCIST, 2023).
Greetings again from the darkness. Owning a home remains the American Dream, and being unrealistic about the topic makes one an American Dreamer. The first few scenes of the film make it obvious that American Dreamer is not just the title of Dr. Phil Loder’s in-progress novel, but also a term that describes him. This is Paul Dektor’s directorial debut, and the script is co-written by Theodore Melfi (HIDDEN FIGURES 2016, ST VINCENT 2014) and Christopher Wehner. It’s loosely based on a true story.
Greetings again from the darkness. Life in west Texas can be harsh. There is nothing romantic or picturesque about the land … unless you are one of the lucky land/lease owners who have become rich by striking oil. Complementing his long career in the art departments of some massive blockbusters, Mark Lambert Bristol directs his second feature film from a script Julie B Denny, adapted from the 1999 novel “Chocolate Lizards” by Cole Thompson.
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