Believeland

The documentary was terrible btw.

The Day the Series Stopped

Ryan Fleck's The Day the Series Stopped, an entry in the ever expanding and exponentially uninteresting 30 for 30 series, is a disappointing, completely vague look back how game 3 of the 1989 World Series (fought between the A's and Giants, Bay Area ball clubs) was thunderously disrupted and brought to a crashing halt. With great access to footage the film never amounts to much and only succeeds in replicating the disorientation and confusion that must have been experienced during the catastrophe.

** out of ****

Bad Boys

After a dismal showing in the 1970s, the Detroit Pistons luck began to change in 1981 when they acquired Isaiah Thomas in the draft and Bill Lambeer by trade (and eventually Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Rick Mahorn, and Adrian Dantley) and adopted a win at all cost, many would call dirty approach which resulted in two NBA championships at the end of the decade. As part of an ESPN documentary series that went south awhile back, Bad Boys is a pleasant surprise: riveting, impressively edited, featuring a sea of personalities in a well told story that could have been fleshed out even more.

*** 1/2 out of ****

40 Minutes of Hell

When Nolan Richardson was hired to coach Arkansas' basketball team, he imported a ferocious style of play, the likes of which had not been seen by the school, and which culminated in an NCAA Championship in 1994. Richardson also carried a chip on his shoulder, often decrying the treatment of fellow black coaches, and also frequently polarizing those around him, the ugliness of which reared its head during his firing from the university in 2002. "40 Minutes of Hell" is a an excellent sports profile, which prominently features a more collected Richardson, taking us through his prolific career, from his unprecedented championship run with a much involved then President Clinton, to heartbreaking personal tragedies, and his own fiery personality and the resulting exploits.

You Don't Know Bo

By crossing two professional sports seemingly without effort and with freakish, natural athletic ability, Bo Jackson established a legacy of near mythic proportions. Born in small town Alabama and becoming a Heisman winner at Auburn, Bo was a star athlete for the L.A. Raiders in the fall and Kansas City Royals in the summer, before his athletic career was cut short by a bizarre accident. "You Don't Know Bo" is a 30 for 30 entry that falls into what has become a standard trap for the series in that it is heavy on the commentary and exceedingly light on the actual documentation. Jackson's story is told with so much "expert" analysis, and a lot of hyperbole at that, that it is even a stretch to call this film a documentary. The sequences actually featuring Bo and his exploits are interesting, and he seems like a decent enough guy, but hearing a bunch of 40 year old losers talk about his Nike commercials and their fondness for Tecmo Bowl has a counterintuitive effect and diminishes his brief, yet significant legacy.

Ghosts of Ole Miss

In September of 1962, as the federal government was integrating the University of Mississippi and a band of U.S. Marshals were ushering James Meredith in as its first black student, the worst the state had to offer was on display as residents rioted and clashed in protest with the officers--a pathetic swan song and desperate last battle, if you will, of the Civil War. A group of Ole Miss football players determined to show a positive side of their state (bear with me, I'm merely reiterating the thesis of the film) and offered up the only undefeated season in school history. "Ghosts of Ole Miss" is a horribly written historical sports documentary featuring histrionic narration which draws absurd comparisons and conclusions and butchers what should have been an interesting story totally divesting it of any meaning whatsoever. The film is redeemed by interviews from members of that undefeated squad and with Meredith himself.

Benji

In 1984 at Simeon Career Academy, a high school on the South Side of Chicago, Ben Wilson was a rising basketball star. Having just led his team to a state title as a junior, Ben was invited to premier scouting camps and even  topped a highly regarded national ranking of prospects. This was all shattered in an instance though, when a meaningless argument with a random stranger outside of school led to Wilson's senseless killing. "Benji" is a touching tribute by family and friends (which include, perhaps distractingly, hip-hop artists R. Kelly and Common) lamenting their lost friend and his unfulfilled dream, which also comments on the urban violence which continues to this day to plague the Windy City. Directors Coodie and Chike tell a deeply felt, multifaceted, and cohesive story, which is more than can be said about many of the films in this series, especially as of late.

There's No Place Like Home

In late 2010, basketball founder James Naismith's original rules of the game were auctioned off by Sotheby's in New York City. Fearing this monumental document would end up in the wrong hands (most fearfully at Duke University), Kansas Jayhawks fanatic Josh Swade set out on a mission to raise enough funds to purchase the seminal record and return it to the place where Naismith coached for many years and instituted his basketball dynasty. "There's No Place Like Home" plays like a version of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" where Indiana Jones is now played by a smarmy, irritating, and overzealous cheerleader whose mission bears no significance, or not nearly as much as he bestows in it. Swade makes this latest "30 for 30" entry almost unbearable, which it would have been if not for its more even keeled participants (which include Larry Brown and Roy Williams) and some interesting (albeit very limited) history. The film never backs up its argument in favor of the record setting bid Swade achieves  and comes off the same in the end as it does in the beginning: as an entirely unworthy charitable endeavor.

9.79*

With the 1988 Seoul Summer Games approaching, and Olympic drug testing in its infancy, track star Carl Lewis was one of the most celebrated athletes in the world, though Canadian Ben Johnson had recently emerged as a reckonable rival. When Johnson upset Lewis in the 100m dash, setting the titular record and earning the gold medal. His success was to be short lived however, as he was accused of doping charges only three days later and stripped of his accolades. Over time, 6 of the 8 participants in that race would face sanctions for doping charges. Daniel Gordon's "9.79*" is an absorbing, in-depth profile, which includes the athletes involved in the infamous race, most of whom contribute to the film and offer either their regrets, denials, or explanations, and an early history of the Olympic testing, all of which is told in a clear and balanced fashion.

Broke

Following the glory days of professional sports, a staggering number of athletes find themselves insolvent, with figures as high as 60% of NBA players filing for bankruptcy after five years of retirement and 78% for NFLers following just three years. Since the salary booms of the last twenty years, athletes find themselves unable and in many cases unwilling to deal with their financial responsibilities and, after what is more often than not a short lived career, find themselves the targets of scams, leeches, and their own bad decisions. Billy Corben's "Broke", the first entry in the lastest run of ESPN's 30 for 30 series, features candid interviews with several athletes who have found financial strife since their playing days (including Bernie Kosar (above), Andre Rison, Jamal Mashburn), and very little else in terms of documentary film. "Broke" is redundant, devoid of style, and contains not even the slightest modicum of insight. Unless you haven't figured out that "mo' money, mo' problems" and "makin' it rain is like throwin' cash away", or you would care to know what an athlete's model portfolio should look like, or if the pathetic equivocalness of grown ignorant men who have squandered everything is something that interests you, then you can save yourself the trouble and avoid "Broke."

The Announcement

Throughout his professional playing career with the Lakers, Magic Johnson was the toast of L.A.: 5 NBA Championships, 3 MVP Awards, 12 All-Star Game Appearances, in addition to a winning personality to match his supreme talents on the court. However, in November of 1991, Magic shook the world when he announced that he had contracted the HIV virus, retired soon there after, and became the face of a disease that affects over 33 million people worldwide. "The Announcement", a recent entry in the ESPN film series, is a personal and moving account told directly by Magic himself. With highlights from his career followed by some brutal truths and coverage of his new found activism, this sports documentary never ceases to be both engaging and informative, with Johnson's brimming disposition shining through the entire time.

26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story

In 1977, Dewey Bozella was convicted for a brutal murder of an elderly New York woman which was overturned no less than 26 years later, the duration of which was spent at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. With his newfound freedom, Bozella sought to become the oldest person to attain a boxing license in the state of California and took it a step further when, at the age of 52, he fought in and was victorious in his only ever professional match. "26 Years" is a heartbreaking but ultimately triumphant story of injustice and determination. There are times during the course of this brief documentary, which largely follows Bozella's training, when Dewey and other participants are clearly acting for the cameras and the "fly on the wall" effect is lost. However, it is hard to not get behind a story this appealing and inspirational.

The Marinovich Project

Todd Marinovich was the thought to be unstoppable quarterback sensation. Dubbed Robo-QB for his unequaled skills, Marinovich was raised by his father as a machine, with constant workouts, strictly regimented diets, and never accepting the possibility of failure. With a media circus following him around, Todd found success at USC, although the new found freedom of college led to a spiral of drugs and alcohol. As a pro athlete with the L.A. Raiders, Marinovich lasted only two years and his case is often cited as a detraction for overbearing parents of athletes. "The Marinovich Project" is an engaging documentary that tells an interesting story and raises many (some alarming) questions. The film does go on for about a half hour too long, as the father and son's reconciliation at the conclusion is painfully dragged out. Aside from the closing missteps, this is an excellent examination of a parent's role in an athlete's development.

Roll Tide/War Eagle

Separated by 160 miles and comprised of fans who share many similarities, the rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University is one of the most bitter rivalries in all of sports (though Buckeye and Wolverine fans would have a bone to pick with that) and has greatly intensified over the past few seasons. Alabama was usually the stronger team, and even won the national championship as recently as 2009. Then last year, amidst a personal inquiry, a few ugly fan incidents, and a hurricane that devastated the state, quarterback Cam Newton led Auburn to a national championship, further elevated the storied rivalry. "Roll Tide/War Eagle" is a rushed, lazy, and uncinematic celebration of fandom whose production seemed inevitable following the remarkable recent events. Instead of a well thought out documentary, we get a bunch of famed athlete alums from both schools shouting taunts and praises for their respective schools. Director Martin Khodabakhshian has managed to take an interesting story which he clearly holds dear and turn it into an uninteresting snore, even at a running time of less than an hour.

Unguarded

Chris Herren was the pride of Fall River, Massachusetts. The finest basketball player to ever come out of the small town, Chris went to play college ball and fulfill his dream of playing for the Boston Celtics. Just beneath the surface however, he was harboring his terrible secret that he was a drug addict, a problem that escalated throughout his career until he found himself having to be resuscitated in Dunkin' Donuts parking lot following a heroin overdose. In ESPN films "Unguarded", Herron tells his harrowing story of paradise lost and the rocky road to recovery. Listening to Herron's brutal honesty as he relays his horrors at group therapy, you can see the good that will result from his methods and personality. The film on the other hand needs a better treatment and while watching "Unguarded" I was strangely reminded of "An Inconvenient Truth" in that essentially all the ends up being is nothing more than a filmed lecture.

The Real Rocky

When a nobody liquor salesman from Jersey named Chuck Wepner went 15 rounds with heavyweight champion Muhammed Ali, people whistled and cheered the following year as the sensation "Rocky" was released, Wepner's story surely inspiring writer/star Sylvester Stallone. Still, as Wepner's life began to spin into chaos and oblivion, and his exploits continued to mirror those of the character in Stallone's blockbuster franchise, Wepner never saw a dime until he decided to sue the actor for right to publicity infringement. "The Real Rocky" in an engrossing story told by Wepner himself with vivid detail, humor, and brutal honesty which is somewhat inhibited by Jeff Feuerzeig's gimmicky approach, a style that has plagued recent documentaries. Also, a roundtable of critics who covered Wepner's career as well as other "fly on the wall" moments seem staged. Still, Wepner's tale is fascinating and would have been a knockout in more capable hands.

Charismatic

In 1999 an underachieving colt and an overweight jockey fresh out of rehab teamed up for an unlikely partnership that approached Triple Crown glory and ultimately ended in tragedy. "Charismatic" is Steven Michaels' (sportscaster Al's son) documentary of the title horse and his rider Chris Antley, who working with legendary and reclusive trainer D. Wayne Lukas, were able to to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness before the horse collapsed at the Belmont, leading to Antley's self-despair and ultimate demise. It is an engrossing story, somewhat blandly told, though still engrossing nonetheless, as we hear interviews from Antley's colleagues, friends, loving wife as well as old footage of the jockey himself, who carries a sad, elegiac way about him, making his story all the more so engaging.

The Dotted Line

After making documentaries on McDonalds and product placement, Morgan Spurlock now gives us "The Dotted Line", a look at sports agents. Following three agents, one trying to recruit college football players before the combine, another telling of his dealings with Michael Jordan, and a third disgraced ex-agent who blew the whistle on industry malfeasance. While attempting to show the darker side, "The Dotted Line" is Spurlock's baffling attempt to show the positives and usefulness of sports agents. In addition to the ridiculous stances he takes, Spurlock is a grandstanding amateurish filmmaker (here having the ex-agent drive onto a lot behind a collegiate practice field) who resorts to gimmicky and shoddy presentations of his material. I do though await his upcoming films in which he takes us through the history of Walmart and gives us an inside look at the unsung heroes of the banking world.

Renée

Richard Raskin was born into an upper class family and found success in everything he attempted, becoming a doctor and a successful amateur tennis player. Deep down though, he held a desire to become a woman and created a firestorm of controversy he had a sex changed and attempted to enter the 1977 U.S. Women's Open as Renée Richards. "Renée" is a creepy portrait of a disturbed and conflicted individual, presented in an intriguing fashion. The documentary is not particularly well written but director Eric Drath does a nice job of assembling archival footage and interviews with greats from the tennis world, Richards friends and family, and Richards herself. The story is presented in a nonjudgmental fashion, allowing all viewpoints to be heard, including Richards son, who is struggling and still very upset with his father's life choices. Renée Richards comes off as distorted and self-absorbed, but her life makes for an intriguing story.

Catching Hell

Steve Bartman deflecting a foul ball from the reach of Moises Alou in the 2003 NLCS 

In 2003, it appeared that the Chicago Cubs would be able to lift the curse that had plagued their team from 1908. The had a stellar pitching staff, potent bats, and were up 3-2 in the NLCS at home against the Florida Marlins. Then while winning 3-0 with one out in top of the 8th, a foul ball was hit toward the left field wall which looked playable for outfielder Moises Alou, until it was swatted away by fan Steve Bartman amidst a sea of fans also attempting to catch the ball. The Cubs proceeded to implode, lose the game and the following one, ending the Cubs World Series dreams and making Bartman a scapegoat and the target of death threats. In "Catching Hell", director Alex Gibney studiously dissects this incident, as well as the Bill Buckner error in game 6 of the 1986 World Series, and questions why such foibles among a series of others get pinpointed and used as a target by fans and the media. Through interviews with Bill Buckner and fans and security personnel at the Bartman game along with members of Chicago and Boston media, we get a greater sense of how these incidents went down and how the mythology behind them was perpetuated. Gibney ("Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room", Taxi to the Dark Side") is one of the few documentarians who understands how to make his material palatable to viewers and his presentation here is absolutely fascinating. Though it is an extension of and not an actual part of "ESPN's 30 for 30" series, "Catching Hell" is the most accomplished of the group and the first that I would deem warranted for a theatrical release.

Bill Buckner (rear right) chases the ball he booted in the 1986 World Series