d-j-dekok I just saw "We Are Marshall" again on cable, and again I wept.I vaguely remember seeing the story in our local newspaper on page 1, below the fold (I was 10 at the time) and remember being stunned by the idea that a football team was there one moment and largely gone the next. A few years later I had classmates who had moved from Huntington to our home town, but I never thought to ask them about it until recently.One scene I would like to acknowledge among many outstanding ones is a conversation between Nate Ruffin (Anthony Mackie) and Coach Lengyel (Matt McConnaughey), where Coach Lengyel was trying to convince the team captain that his playing time was done. Mackie, in a performance that should have garnered him at least an Oscar nomination, had been the too-brave face of the survivors, but Lengyel, who cared deeply for his players, the team, and the University, finally broke Ruffin, as he dissolved into tears in grief and frustration and anger. I felt both characters' all-consuming pain as Lengyel kept smacking Ruffin's injured shoulder when Ruffin would insist that "(his) shoulder's fine".In my lifetime, I have seen good sports movies and bad ones--and this is a great one--perhaps one of the best ever made.

edwagreen The unspeakable biographical film traces a plane crash that wiped out an entire college football team, coaches, cheerleaders, parents and others,is well realized in the picture.Losing a coach that preached that winning is the most important objective, the college looks to suspend the program until they see the people in the town demonstrate for it to continue.Obviously, this is a daunting task in total rebuilding and Matthew McConaughey delivers a knockout performance, which should have been recognized by the Motion Picture Academy, as the bubbly new coach, recognizing the huge task that was before him, while stressing that coming to terms with what occurred and going on is more important than just winning. The only thing that I can say is that these films tend to become quite preachy and that is true in McConaughey's delivery.Still a very good film dealing with extremely difficult subject matter is to be treasured.

billsoccer A true-to-life portrayal of the aftermath of the early 70's plane crash which killed an entire football team. The angst of the few who missed the flight. The college decides to restart the program after initially putting it on hold. The search for a coach - Jack Lengyel - whom Matthew McConaughey plays exceptionally well. The meeting with Bobby Bowden, a future football Hall of Famer, who graciously allows the new Marshall coaching staff to scout his team. A well-done movie that avoids becoming maudlin. A must-see. I can think of no real 'buts'. One would have wanted to seem more of what became of Jack Lengyel after his short career there. But, after all, this is a story about the college and football team, though he was a major factor.

SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain Based on a true story, but still very formulaic. The film could have benefited from being grittier and more realistic. It manages to capture the strong and tragic emotions, but when it tries to be inspirational, it pulls out a series of tacky speeches and slow motion back slaps. The story has a great beginning, setting up a town shattering tragedy. The build up is ominous, but still leaves room for surprise. The cast is littered with fantastic actors, from an uncredited Robert Patrick, Ian McShane, and David Strathairn. Each of them plays their roles very well, and I liked the view of different townsfolk. It would have been nice to see more of the town, as McShane and Strathairn are two of the highlights. It also emphasized the painful loss and the needed hope. It does manage to raise some goosebumps, and its raw power is enough to propel it into the end zone. Moving, inspirational, but less than subtle.