Stream It or Skip It?
By Scott Hines
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@actioncookbook
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The Grizzlies
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The Grizzlies, which moves to Netflix this week, tells the real-life story of an unlikely lacrosse team from the icy shores of the Canadian Arctic. A classic sports drama at heart, it wrestles with a fundamental flaw in its story and mostly comes out on top by centering Native characters and their voices in its message.
The Gist: This 2018 Canadian film tells the true story of the Kugluktuk Grizzlies, an unlikely lacrosse team formed in response to a harrowing reality. In 2004, a white man, Russ Sheppard was assigned to teach in remote Kugluktuk, Nunavut. He’s been sent to this small town on Canada’s northern mainland shore as part of a government-sponsored “Work For School” tuition payback program, and hopes to quickly serve his assignment and move on to a job at a fancy prep school. Upon arriving, though, he’s taken aback when confronted with the harsh realities of life in the community, a place with the highest teen suicide rate in the world.
He struggles to connect with the students as a white outsider in a Native community, ignorant of their traditions, needs and lives, and in desperation attempts to organize an intramural lacrosse league within the school, something he hopes will give his students structure, confidence, and something to live for. The proposal faces resistance both from students and the town at large, but slowly gathers steam as Sheppard begins to understand more about the deep-rooted community he’s essentially parachuted into. Once he successfully recruits several key popular students, others join in, and his training begins to take hold. More students begin attending class, and the games become a popular activity.
Before long, Sheppard conceives of a trip to the Canadian lacrosse under-19 nationals tournament in Toronto, an unheard-of trip for the students, most of whom have never been more than a snowmobile’s ride away from their home in Kugluktuk. It’s an expensive trip, and Sheppard’s fraught fundraising process hopes to become something more than just another white man’s broken promise to a Native community.
Photo: Everett Collection
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Aims for shades of Dangerous Minds or Stand And Deliver, with an idealistic teacher trying to reach troubled students, but lands more amidst classic sports stories like Remember The Titans.
Performance Worth Watching: Ben Schnetzer disappears quite capably into his role as the outsider teacher Russ Sheppard, but the real strength of the movie lies in the primarily Native cast, highlighted by Emerald MacDonald as shy student Miranda, Ricky Marty-Pahtaykan as stoic hunter Adam, and Twilight veteran Booboo Stewart as the speedy, reluctant would-be star Kyle.
Memorable Dialogue: One of the most memorable lines in the film is delivered in the opening minutes and helps set the tone from the outset, as the naive Sheppard looks out over the frozen landscape of Nunavut from an approaching plane, and asks a fellow passenger (played by former Canadian member of Parliament Jack Anawak) how long he’s lived there. “Six thousand years,” the man dryly responds.
Sex and Skin: None to speak of.
Our Take: The Grizzlies spent nearly a decade in development, after being inspired by an ESPN profile of the real-life team that the film is based on. The slow process of making the film is evident, as there’s a great deal of care apparent in how the subject matter is handled. A film telling this story faces the very real risk of becoming yet another White Savior film, with the outsider appearing in a Native community and changing their ways. That’s not completely solved by the filmmakers, but they make a genuine and concerted effort to address the issue head-on, both by acknowledging it directly in dialogue and, more importantly, working hard to center the Native actors, culture and stories in the narrative.
Even the presence of lacrosse—often seen as a preppy white-kid sport—in the story is addressed, as it’s explained that the game was first played in indigenous communities in North America before being co-opted and modified by white settlers. It’s made clear throughout that the influence of white Canadian communities on the Native peoples of this land has been largely a negative one—one character’s abusive father is explained to have been a survivor of the Canadian government’s residential-school system, a conscious program of assimilation that worked to remove Native students from their homes and cultures and was responsible for widespread abuses and many student deaths.
In this light, the film can be seen as an attempt at reckoning with that history, with Schnetzer’s fresh-faced Sheppard as a proxy for the white people who don’t fully understand the damage that has been historically inflicted on these communities. It’s confident in that message without being overly strident: this is still a sports film at heart, and the arc of the Grizzlies coming together and eventually heading South to the national tournament plays out like a well-scripted fiction, despite being largely a true story. The actors playing the students are wholly believable in their roles, and it’s easy to get invested in their struggle to find hope in an unlikely pastime.
Our Call: STREAM IT. In the end, The Grizzlies is a gripping sports movie worthy of its place in that canon, and the filmmakers’ conscious efforts to avoid the potential pitfalls of telling this particular story pay off in hopefully educating viewers about a community they probably don’t know enough about.
Should you stream or skip the Canadian sports drama #TheGrizzlies on @netflix? #SIOSI
— Decider (@decider) December 16, 2020
Scott Hines is an architect, blogger and internet user who lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife, two young children, and a small, loud dog.
Watch The Grizzlies on Netflix
10 Best Lacrosse Movies Of All Time
Guides
Written byLax Farmer Updated on
Whether you’re a lacrosse player or just a fan of the sport, there are some incredible lacrosse movies for you to sit back and enjoy. Unfortunately, most people have only seen cheesy Hollywood depictions of lacrosse in movies like Mean Girls and tv shows like Teen Wolf. That’s why we curated a list of lacrosse movies ranging from gritty documentaries to light-hearted comedies that much better represent the sport. So grab some popcorn and kick your feet up. It’s time to immerse yourself in the best lacrosse movies of all time.
1) Fate Of A Sport
Fate Of A Sport chronicles the story of lacrosse legend Paul Rabil and his fight to change the trajectory of the sport of lacrosse – forever. After 11 years as one of the most dominant players in professional lacrosse (in a league that was far from professional), Rabil decides to take matters into his own hands. Alongside his brother Mike, Paul raises capital, poaches top players, fights off lawsuits, and perseveres through a global pandemic to build a legitimate professional lacrosse league. This documentary is fascinating because you get a behind-the-scenes look at the pain, suffering, and sheer force of will it took for Paul pull this off – all while playing in the league.
2) Spirit Game: Pride Of A Nation
Spirit Game: Pride Of A Nation is a 2017 documentary that takes viewers on a journey exploring the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) roots behind the ancient game of lacrosse. Lacrosse began with the Iroquois. It was the lifeblood of their Nation, often referred to as “the medicine game”.
This film is a lacrosse story told from a purely Native American perspective as it follows the 2015 Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team and their journey to the World Championships, which is hosted by the Iroquois for the first time in history. The story illuminates the physical and spiritual aspects of “the Creator’s Game”, while highlighting perspectives from players like Lyle Thompson, Mile Thompson, and members of the Iroquois community. When the Iroquois Nationals take the world stage as ambassadors for their sport, they are playing more than just a game, they are playing for all Native people.
3) Crooked Arrows
Crooked Arrows is a 2012 film centered around a Native American lacrosse team making its way through a prep school tournament. Joe Logan, a mixed-blood Native American, is eager to modernize his reservation; however, he must first prove himself to his father by rediscovering his spirit. Joe coaches the reservation’s high school lacrosse team who competes against the better-equipped and better trained prep school players.
Struggling to connect with his players, Joe realizes that answer lies deep within the traditional heritage of the sport, and teaches his players the meaning of tribal pride.
4) Living The Dream: A Northwestern Lacrosse Documentary
“Living The Dream” documents the journey of the 2022 Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team. Told through the eyes of four 5th year graduates, this film provides a never-before-seen view into the lives and minds of elite women in collegiate athletics. If you’re a young girl interested in playing college lacrosse one day, this is a must-watch documentary that is available for free on YouTube.
5) The Medicine Game
Tucked away in central New York State is the Onondaga Nation, a sovereign Native American community known to produce some of the top lacrosse players in the world. Yet, reluctance of leaving their community, substance abuse, and poverty have kept far too many of these players from venturing off the “Rez” and into collegiate or professional ranks.
The Medicine Game shares the remarkable journey of two brothers, Hiana and Jeremy Thompson, hoping to break this troubling trend. The boys are driven by a single goal: to beat the odds and play lacrosse for national powerhouse Syracuse University. The obstacles in their way are frequent and daunting, but the brothers’ love for the game and their family’s unyielding determination propel these boys closer to their dream.
6) The Grizzlies
Watch on Netflix
In the late 90’s, the small Arctic town of Kugluktuk struggled with the highest suicide rate in North America. When Canadien settlers first made contact in the 1940’s, Inuit culture and traditions were decimated as new ‘Western’ ways were ushered in. This incredible true story depicts a group of Inuit students who’s lives are transformed when they are introduced to the team sport of lacrosse.
The Grizzlies is an emotionally inspiring movie that has received tons of positive feedback from audiences in comments and reviews.
7) A Warrior’s Heart
In A Warrior’s Heart, a high school athlete turns self-destructive after his father’s death, but a new love interest and his passion for lacrosse help him rediscover the warrior within and bring new meaning to his life.
8) American Pie
Is American Pie a “lacrosse” movie? Not exactly. But it includes some of the most iconic lacrosse movie scenes of the 2000’s. Christopher ‘Oz’ Ostreicher is an easygoing lacrosse player who plays on the team with his buddy Stifler. The lacrosse scenes are funny, overdramatic, and action-packed. And Oz ends up getting asked to prom by a girl after the game. There’s not too much lacrosse in the movie, but it’s always great to see the sport get some mainstream attention.
9) Keepers Of The Game
Watch on YouTube
Lacrosse was born in Akwesasne Mohawk Territory as a sacred game, traditionally reserved for men. When a women’s lacrosse team forms in upstate New York, they aim to be the first Native women’s team to take the championship title away from their rivals Massena High. As the season comes to a head, the indigenous community becomes torn, the girls must prove that the game of lacrosse is their rightful inheritance.
10) City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story
City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story is a documentary about a group of inner city 12-year-old kids in Denver who formed a multi-racial team in the elite sport of lacrosse. One is a poet. One is a musician. One has a mother in jail, and one had a father who was murdered. Together, with the help of a devoted and inspirational 5th grade teacher, they find a hint of salvation in the most unlikely of sports.
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I Still Love You
Reviews
A surprisingly empty and soulless ending to Netflix’s most hit romance trilogy.
02/16/2021
Text:
Olya Smolina
Trailer
Creators and actorsAbout the filmReviewFilm in collectionsSimilarStillsTrailersPosters
Film.ru author since 2018
533 materials
To All the Boys 3: I Still Love You
To All the Boys: Always and Forever
, 2021
drama comedy melodrama
/ USA
Director:
Michael Fimonjari
Cast:
Lana Condor Noah Centineo Janel Parrish Anna Cathcart
The popular streaming platform Netflix has significantly contributed to the revival of the romantic comedy genre, which seemed to have died back in the mid-nineties. In the era of digitalization, we all especially need films that celebrate analog romance, where the characters continue to write touching letters to each other, walk down the street by the hand and choose “their” song for the school ball. Released in 2018, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, based on the novel of the same name by American writer Jenny Hahn, was charming in its sincerity and simplicity, and its unpretentious plot rested on the chemistry and charm of the lead actors Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. The latter literally in one summer turned into the main boyfriend of the entire Internet. The continuation, as usual, was not long in coming: in 2020, just in time for Valentine’s Day, Netflix released the second part of the trilogy, titled “To All the Guys: P.S. I love you”, and most recently, the third and final film “To All the Guys 3: I Still Love You” was released on the platform.
Noah Centineo as Peter in To All the Boys: With Love
High school student Lara Jean (Lana Condor) is spending her last days at school and is actively preparing for university. Her boyfriend Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) has already won a scholarship to Stanford thanks to his involvement with the lacrosse team. Naturally, the couple agreed in advance that they would enter the same educational institution, because long-distance relationships are terribly inconvenient, difficult and generally unlikely. Alas, the unexpected happens: Lara does not get into Stanford, but she is taken to Berkeley, which is just an hour from Peter’s University. However, the heroes do not lose heart and decide that they will see each other every weekend, and the rest of the time they will gently correspond on social networks. Unfortunately, these plans were not destined to come true. When the couple goes to New York on an excursion, Lara unexpectedly falls in love with this city without limit and begins to rethink her future, and NYU University enrolls the girl in its literary program. As a result, the heroine faces a difficult choice between relationships and her own ambitions.
Lana Condor as Lara Jean in a still from To All The Guys: With Love
The triquel, like the sequel to To All The Guys, was directed by the first film’s cinematographer Michael Fimonjari, a man who generally has no directing experience. One can only guess why Netflix entrusted him with one of their flagship franchises. Susan Johnson’s original film had a nice montage and nice homage to John Hughes’ school comedies, which fit perfectly into the general wave of popularity of the eighties. Fimonari refused to continue this line in the third film (as in the second), but he also did not come up with anything new.
A still from the film “To All the Boys: With Love…”
Inspired by numerous articles from Buzzfeed, the director decided to focus on the beloved couple of main characters, creating the safest world for them, full of fluff and endless faceless dates. Such a desperate attempt to please the audience of the film played a cruel joke on him – “To All the Guys 3” is so afraid of not being liked by the viewer at least in some way that it completely loses touch with reality. The lack of original ideas and any seedy conflict turns one hundred and ten minutes of running time into a frankly boring and vulgarly banal spectacle. The moral dilemma that confronts Lara Jean at the stage of admission is solved somewhere behind the scenes, but not on the screen. Peter Kavinsky in the role of the best guy in the world is always ready to forgive everything and accept any decision of his girlfriend, the viewer does not even have the thought that his favorite characters can really part (it is worth paying tribute to Fimonari – in the end he still tries to create a strained intrigue, which rather quickly dispels any doubts).
Against the backdrop of recent world events, To All the Guys 3 looks especially fake. In a different scenario, this film could become a cozy nest for escapism, a great opportunity to forget about what is happening outside the window for at least a couple of hours. But, alas, for this, the netflix triquel simply lacks depth and at least some originality. In the dreamy world of rom-coms, he looks like a simulation of reality, and not its direct embodiment.
Text: Olya Smolina
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018, Movie) – “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” Movie 2018 -> romantic comedy with an interesting plot”
Hello everyone!
The film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018 was recommended to me by a friend, I was very interested in the plot, I just love light films where you can laugh, sometimes cry and be happy for the heroes of the film. In general, it’s my topic.
GENERAL:
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 2018 is based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Jenny Khan, I haven’t read the book, but since I love all kinds of teen romances, I would love to read it.
The film was released August 17, 2018, premiered on Netflix
Duration : 1 hour 39 minutes I love.
Plot/Characters:
Annotation for the film:
Lara Jean’s habitual life is turned upside down when all the letters she wrote to her lovers suddenly fall into the hands of the addressee m.
The plot is very interesting, not loading the brain, the most for evening viewing with the family. There are several key characters in the film, whose fates echo each other.
The film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018
Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) is the main character of the film, a high school graduate who is invisible, loves to read novels and hangs out with her younger sister all weekend. Every time she falls in love with someone, she writes love letters, but does not send them and keeps them.
Film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018
I really liked the acting of the actress, sometimes she overacts a little, but still she managed to convey all the feelings and emotions of the character.
Peter Kowinsky (Noah Centineo) is Jen’s ex-boyfriend, for whom he still pines. The recipient of a love letter from Lara Jean. School cafeteria king and lacrosse player.
Film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018
I liked the actor, handsome in appearance, but somehow he is very cute.
Jen Genevieve (Emilia Baranac) – Lara Jean’s ex-girlfriend in high school, and Peter’s ex-girlfriend.
Film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018
The actress plays well, from the first second in the frame she evokes dislike because of her bitchiness.
Josh (Israel Broussard) – ex-boyfriend of Lara Jean’s older sister, before they started dating, he was the first guy friend of L.D. Well, one of the recipients. To whom she wrote a love letter.
Film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018
The actor does not appear very often in the film, but he is quite apt.
Kitty Covey (Anna Cathcart) – Lara Jean’s younger sister, a very sneaky girl, always talks about what she thinks and can say everything straight on the forehead, which can be offensive, but everything is on point.
Film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018
The actress played 100%, if it weren’t for this character, the film would not be so interesting and fun.
MY IMPRESSIONS/REASONS:
Film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” 2018
At the very beginning of the film, we are introduced to Lara Jean’s family, told about her secret and told that she does not want to reveal her secret to anyone.