Sunday, December 31, 2006

My 'We Are Marshall' Review

Ok, you have heard me pump this movie for almost a year now, and I'm sure most of you are more than a little tired of it by now.

Parts of the movie are very emotional. Some scenes suffer from pacing problems and some rather poor film techniques. For example, when Matthew McConaughey stands in front of the Memorial at Spring Hill Cemetery the background looks like a poor rendered video game. There are other scenes that use this effect that makes the movie look crappy in places. While other scenes show building that weren't built in during the period. I can forgive McG for those.

Ian McShane gives a standout performance. McConaughey isn't as bad as some reviews make him out, but he does give a rather crazy uncle feel to coach Jack Lengyel. It works for the most part. David Strathairn also does a wonderful performance as President Donald Dedmon.

Matthew Fox as Red Dawson is rather wooden. But Red Dawson can be rather wooden in real life. He has carried the burden of the crash and the job of rebuilding the team around he's whole life.

I teared up every time Christian Kanupke appeared as a young Keith Morehouse. He represents all the orphans. His character is one of the best parts of the film. It's also some of the saddest.

I had problems with the Chris Griffen composite character. I could not mourn for him, because he never existed.

I tried to watch this feel from the point of view of someone who does not have emotional ties to the movie, and it just wasn't a good.

If you from West Virginia or ever went to Marshall, see this film. If you have no ties to Marshall or West Virginia, there might not be much their for you. If you want to know the real story behind the movie rent or buy the DVD of Ashes to Glory.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

We Are Marshall: The Morning After


There is much We Are Marshall premiere news this morning.

Rick Lee has pictures. Chris James scores the local media coverage. The Film Geek and Jim McKay, AKA Wabi-Sabi, were there. TheGAZZ was there too.

And, of course, the Charleston Gazette and The Huntington Herald-Dispatch were there. The Marshall University student newspaper The Parthenon was there also.

No one seems to have noticed that Ian McShane, of Deadwood fame, was a no-show.

I got finally got to talk to someone who has seen the movie, and they said it was "wonderful". I can't wait to get to see it for myself.

The movie opens nationwide on Dec. 22.

Update: The Film Geek has posted a review.
Tom Hindman has posted pictures on his blog.

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Monday, December 11, 2006

Richwood Rock Sculpture

Tom Hindman has a great picture of the Rainbow people rock sculpture in Richwood. (I thought I had posted this before, but just in case I didn't, here it is again.)

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Thursday, December 07, 2006

'Ashes to Glory' on TV Tonight.


West Virginia PBS televsion stations will air 'Ashes to Glory' at 8 p.m. tonight. 'Ashes to Glory' is an award-winning documentary about the actual events sounding the Marshall plane crash and the rise of the football program from the ashes. It is also the true story behind the upcoming move 'We Are Marshall'.


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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Send a boy to Space Camp

South Charleston a sixth grader Adam Richardson wants to be an astronaut.

Adam's essay made him a finalist for a trip to NASA's Space Camp. Now he needs you to go vote for him in the final round.

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Friday, December 01, 2006

WV Bloggers on TV

Don Surber reports he, Huntington blogger Stephanie Heck, and Professor Steve Cooper, who I have never heard of until now, taped a segment for West Virginia Media's Bray Cary show "Decision Makers" this afternoon. The show airs on Saturday at 9 a.m. Saturday and is repeated 8 a.m. on Sunday and 12:30 a.m. on Monday on West Virginia Media's TV stations.

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