Movie Review - The Best of Times

Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Starring: Robin Williams, Kurt Russell, Pamela Reed
Year: 1986

A quintessential sports movie starring two actors who were in their prime; sounds like a pretty good set up.  Kurt Russell was a heartthrob at the time, though he hadn't emerged as a "star" yet.  And Robin Williams was done with Mork & Mindy, ready to make the leap to full-time movie actor.  They teamed up in this film, the hunk and the funny guy, and it would go on to become a sports classic, complete with pep talks, Hail Marys, underdogs, and physical comedy.  Sounds alright and I figured it was a must-see.  Well I saw it, and now I kind of wish I hadn't.

The story takes place in the city of Taft, California.  Football has been important there for generations, and no quarterback was ever better than Reno Hightower.  Unfortunately, in the final game of his career his mighty game-winning pass was dropped by bumbling backup wide receiver Jack Dundee.  Reno & Jack are all grown up, still live in Taft, and have never forgotten that fateful day.  In order to make amends with the past and to fix their broken marriages, Reno & Jack stage a rematch with the same team & players that beat them all those years ago.  Reno wants another chance at glory, while Jack just wants to catch the ball this time, defeating the demons that have haunted him ever since he became the guy who dropped the pass.

I tried to appreciate the movie on a sports classic level.  It had all you could ask for and all that has been mocked & copied ever since.  So in a way it deserves some credit.  But other than that it was pretty terrible.  Kurt Russell isn't a good actor, never has been, and he couldn't really pull off the meat-head QB whose real passion is van painting.  And Robin Williams wasn't very funny as the messed up banker who can't live down his failures.  Then the guys try to revitalize the town and things just get awkward.  It wasn't really entertaining, it wasn't heartwarming, and it never really went anywhere.  I felt bored more often that not, and that's coming from a football fan.  All in all, The Best of Times is no Rudy, and doesn't deserve a rewatch.

My rating: ✰ ✰

Sports - Fantasy Advice

A little fantasy advice brought to you by FanDuel.com

Late Round Running Back Fantasy Sleepers To Focus On In 2013-2014

The NFL season is a week away, which means that a lot of fantasy football owners are making their final adjustments before everything gets started. Even if you have already held your draft, the players listed below could still be available on the waiver wire. Pick them up now, or at least keep an eye on them early in the season to see if they can contribute. 

Kenjon Barner - RB Car

With Jonathan Stewart out for the Carolina Panthers, the touches for DeAngelo Williams and Kenjon Barner are expected to go up. Williams is getting all the hype, but Barner is the bigger sleeper. Barner’s size limits him some, but Williams will need support. 

Christine Michael - RB Sea

Like Barner, Michael is pencilled in as a backup to enter the season. However, Michael is playing behind one of the best running backs in the game in Marshawn Lynch. So where will his touches come from? Pete Carroll loves to rush the football, so he will get plenty of opportunities. Lynch has been a major workhorse these past two seasons, so the team would be smart to limit him a little in the regular season. He’s a very versatile back who can also catch some passes from quarterback Russell Wilson if need be. 

Danny Woodhead - RB SD

Wherever Danny Woodhead goes, he seems to be overlooked. However, being a part of the New England Patriots definitely put him on the mind of fantasy football owners everywhere. In San Diego, he will be asked to fill the same type of role as Darren Sproles in the past. Used on third downs and other unique situations, Woodhead should be able to provide enough value to warrant a late fantasy football draft pick, or at least a look on the waiver wire.

Sports - Pater Familias

Here is my fantasy football team roster going into the 2013 season.  The Draft didn't go exactly the way I imagined it would, but I feel like I ended up with a good team.  Forward legionaries!

QB - Matt Ryan (Atl) - I had Matty Ice last season and he was solid.

QB - Josh Freeman (TB) - I also had Freeman as my backup last season; could be worse.

RB - Arian Foster (Hou) - Yes his injuries worry me, but I'm hoping for a good season total.

RB - Maurice Jones-Drew (Jax) - Should be back strong and he's in a contract year.

RB - Lamar Miller (Mia) - Could be a sleeper and a possible flex guy.

RB - Daryl Richardson (StL) - Same for Richardson; we'll see if you turns into anything.

WR - Julio Jones (Atl) - Julio!  Along with Matt Ryan he should provide consistent points.

WR - Marques Colston (NO) - Always a favorite in NO, though I would have liked Graham.

WR - Dwayne Bowe (KC) - A fine backup/flex guy, we'll see if Alex Smith throws to him.

WR - T.Y. Hilton (Ind) - Not excited about him, picked him up late.

TE - Jermichael Finley (GB) - I'm hoping he & Rodgers keep that chemistry going.

TE - Zach Miller (Sea) -What can you say; backup TEs aren't worth much.

K - Justin Tucker (Bal) - A nice young kicker, should get me some bonus 50+ FGs.

K - Garrett Hartley (NO) - He could be a starting kicker if NO gets going.

Def - Chicago - I'm hoping for a large TD total, if not quite as good as last year.

Def - Washington - Backup defense, shouldn't see much action.