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Gridiron Gang
- In theaters Sept 15th, 2006
- Rated PG-13 for some startling scenes of
violence, mature thematic material and language
- Run Time : N/A
- 3.75 out of 5
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Review by Jennifer Pflughaupt
Gridiron Gang, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
and Xzibit and directed by the diverse Phil Joanou,
was a surprisingly moving film based on the true life
of juvenile correctional officer / football coach Sean
Porter.
Let me set the premise for you. Think “The Longest
Yard” for troubled youth and throw in a couple of
tweaks and you have “Gridiron Gang”. Although
there are a million and one stories like this one, each
one still never ceases to warm the heart and give
hope that there still is good out there in the most
unlikely places and more importantly, the most
unlikely people. The thing that I really enjoyed about
this story is that it was based on a true story that
wasn’t sugarcoated and altered it to make it
more “Hollywood”.
I can say that because there is actual footage that
is shown during the credits of the real life heroes of
this movie. Johnson quoted verbatim the speeches
that were given to the kids in the correctional facility
and football team and the situations portrayed in the
film seem to be the mirror image of what really
occurred. I found myself and the audience laughing,
crying and cheering out loud. Although it wasn’t
made more “Hollywood”, this is what Hollywood films
should be about. You want to feel the magic of the
story and be taken on the characters’ ride like you
are part of it yourself. “Gridiron Gang” did that.
And for that I give it a strong 3.75 out of 5.
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Jennifer is a freelance film critic with an overloaded
life. She has a rock star husband, a 2 year old
daughter, a military career in the U.S. Air Force
Reserves, and she is also a full time student at UNT
working towards getting her degree in kicking butt and
taking names. Some of her favorite films are “Heart
of the Game”, “The Lords of Dogtown”, “American
History X”, “The Boondock Saints”, “Miss
Congeniality”, “The United States of Leland” , “Return
to Me” and “Thank You for Smoking”. You can check
out her personal information, plus read her writings
and
reviews on Myspace .
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