42

There are some stories that have such historical impacts that they need to be told. The story of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League baseball, is one of them.

In a time when we high-tech sci-fi adventures and comic book based films are forced down our throats, a well told tale of bravery and overcoming adversary is a breath of fresh air. I'm not saying that I can't enjoy a decent blockbuster or graphic-novel-coming-to-a-theater-near-you (although, I am growing weary of that genre in particular), but give me a film like 42 as an alternative and I will choose it any day.

It probably helps to have an interest in baseball to begin with (I'm guessing the film plays better in America than any other continent). But even if you don't this is still a good story about post WWII racism in the US.

The film cast some of the usual suspects, Harrison Ford as the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers being an obvious choice, but the title role is played by relative newcomer Chadwick Boseman. Personally, I had never heard of him before. He is brilliant. As are all other actors, whatever side of the argument they are paid to be on in this film.

The one surprising casting would be that of the most vocal racist in the film and real life, Ben Chapman, manager of the Phillies during Robinson's rookie season. The role is played by Alan Tudyk, who we are used to seeing as a likable character. There is a short EW article about his (inspired, brilliant) casting, The nasty curveball of 42: Alan Tudyk puts an unexpected face on racism. Chapman's taunting of Robinson is the high point and low point (if you know what I mean) of the film.

Overall, despite the pathos and slo-mo sequences, this is well worth your time.

8/10

Big Fan

Paul is a die-hard NY Giants fan, hanging out in the parking lot of the stadium with his friend Sal, because they can't afford the tickets. Paul still lives with his mother, works as a cashier of a garage and spends his working hours composing little speeches to give when calling into his favorite radio show, where he is known only as "Paul from Staten Island".

When he and Sal run into their favorite Giants player Quantrell Bishop one night and follow him into a night club before going up and talking to him, what starts as light banter turns ugly when Bishop, who is intoxicated at this point, realizes that the two fans have been following him. Paul gets beaten to a pulp by his hero and spends a few days in the hospital.

He has a difficult time coping and deciding whether or not to pursue a law suit against Bishop, who has not been playing because of pending legal issues in connection to the beating. The Giants, meanwhile, cannot seem to see any land without Bishop, which prompts Paul to tell the police he 'can't remember' the incident and basically shutting down the investigation.

When his lawyer brother initiates a law suit without telling him, his name gets published in the papers and his radio talk show nemesis 'Philadelphia Phil' makes the connection that the victim is actually the regular caller 'Paul from Staten Island', Paul's little life comes apart at the seems. He takes off to Philadelphia to confront Phil.

Nice little film.

6/10

Rollerball

The year is 2018, the world is run by corporations and the preferred sport is Rollerball, which claims several victims in the name of entertainment. The superstar of the sport is Jonathan E. His career is singular in its longevity and brilliance. This poses a problem for the big bosses of the corporations, because singularity is frowned upon. Jonathan E is asked to retire from the sport, which he refuses.

Over the course of the season, he starts to question not only the way things are done but also the sport, that made him a hero to the masses, itself. The rules of the game get more and more lenient, in hopes that Jonathan will not make it out of an upcoming game, so as to solve the problem of his refusal to succumb to corporation's wishes.

In the end, it all boils down to the showdown between Jonathan's team Houston and New York. Fittingly, for any 1970s action film, the hero gets his revenge by surviving.

It's always adorable what filmmakers of the 1970s (and before) imagined the future to look like and the items and gadgets they thought would evolve and the ones that would not - like, you know, roller skates.

4/10