Pajiba

Bravo! Dustin! Great! Review!

Seeing the preview alone made me want to rip my eyes out... and my ears off. Basically, destroy my entire head. The fact that the plane crash actually happened is heartbreaking to hear/read about. To see it dramatized by Matthew McConaughey, in a McG film no less, sounds like some form of cinematic hell. Ugh.

Cool review.

It does look like you only have one template for the titles of your reviews of football movies.

I have been a regular reader of Pajiba and am disappointed in the tone you took with your review of this movie. I was born in Huntington, WV the year of the crash and have grown up with children who lost both their parents on the plane. Growing up my family went to every home game and sat through the end watching every loss but supporting the team and the players as a tribute to those who were lost. I understand that you didn't enjoy the movie, and I respect your opinion, but the entire tone of the review is quite disrepectful to the people of this area. I went to the Huntington premiere which was attended by families of the victims and the players on the 1971 team. There was a standing ovation at the conclusion and everyone felt that McG and company had done an excellant job telling the story. Was it the best movie ever made? By no means, but it was well done and everyone that was involved with it became a part of the Marshall community.

i thought it was an "excellant" review myself

I have no connection with this tragedy, so I can't speak from that point of view, but it seeemed to me that Dustin's problem with the film was a perceived (on his part - I haven't seen it, so I don't know) lack of respect for the reality of what happened on the part of Disney and the producers. I honestly didn't get the sense that he was being disrespectful to the community or survivors at all.

I respectfully disagree with Christy about this review doing a disservice to the tragedy. He seems to feel that it's terrible that the people who suffered through the tragedy had a soft, half-hearted, cliche-ridden, manufactured film made about their profound loss and misery; that they deserved a more honest, realistic view of the events, not a Disney-fied kids gloves approach. Regardless of the movie's quality, it's good that the victims and their families are being recognized for their courage and resilience. I watched an ESPN SportsCentury documentary about the crash and it was unbelievable. I'll stick with that story for now.

Ditto, pinkcheese.

Christy, with all due respect, I feel that Mr. Rowles' tone was due to his dissapointment that the deaths of 75 people couldn't have been handled with a little less Disney condecension and with a little more honesty. Though he doesn't need me defending his words, I truly do not believe that he meant any disrespect toward Marshall or the loss of 75 of their sons and daughters; quite the opposite. Mr. Rowles frustration comes from yet another example of Disney missing an opportunity to make a movie of substance while they continue to profit off of a horrible tragedy.

That, and Matthew McConaughey has Katie Holmes syndrome - Dude, seriously, please learn to use both sides of your mouth. Yikes.

I appreciate your comments. I suppose the point I was trying to make was that as the community involved we don't find the movie to be half-hearted, manufactured or cliche-ridden. It's our story and our history and maybe after all these years we are still protective of it and biased. Trust me I was dismayed when I learned that McG would be directing the movie. I still live in the area and got the chance to be an extra in the movie. I got to witness McG work and speak several times and I believe he did care about this movie and tried to get it right for the community. He came back to town for several of the games this year and for the memorial service when the fountain is turned off so I guess now I feel a little protective of Mcg as well. I just thought I would add some local perspective to board.

Dustin, the fact that you hate Theismann as much as I do...I'm so moved by that. See if you can work some bile for Mike Tirico into your next sports movie review and the next flick is on me!

A friend's fiance was a Marshall football player who died in the crash. I asked her if she would go - she said if anyone other than Disney had made it she would have considered it, but she simply could not face the sugar coating they would likely use in excess.

I don't think I'll be putting it on my watch list.

Hey now, I'm a southern homo and I still love football. Go Rams! Anyways...that final destination bit was the hardest I've laughed today, bravo.

AMEN!

Sorry, but I do not see how going all Fight Club with the plane crash fits within the epoch captured in the film. In the "Matrix"? Go for it. But 1970 West Virginia? Not necessary unless the movie was pitched as Snakes on a Plane meets Brian's Song.

As for the unnecessary subplot involving a woman, I couldn't agree more. Can we get those hacks who directed The Departed, Rounders, The Godfather, Goodwill Hunting, and just about every goddamn movie every made to cut it out? Until then, no sense picking on this movie for it.

Matthew McConaughey was just on The Tonight Show pimping the movie, talking about how deep it is and how they filmed there in Huntington and it's a TRUE STORY. But, I think he might have been, uh, altered. He sat in with the next guests, Opie and Anthony, and near the end asked them questions while they were trying to answer Jay Leno, ruining the end of the segment when they're supposd to make the last big plug.
When I was younger, I loved McConaughey. I had it so bad for him in A Time To Kill. But I fear now that he is a one-trick pony and possibly stupid.
I haven't seen the movie, but I am hearing similar reviews everywhere.

Thank you from the bottom of my jaded heart for including the FD reference.

Movies like this vex me exceedingly. Glad to know that I won't be the only person not seeing a movie where real life heartache and loss are substituted with some saccharine "we must carry on" bullshit. My 7 year old sister would see this movie and roll her eyes at the shallowness of this movie.

Matthew McCauuandhaoirgnhkjfdey's career started and climaxed with his role in "Dazed and Confused." Period. He's been a lame duck ever since.

I don't think Kate Mara was on The Mickey Mouse Club. But I did like that show. Ryan Gosling was so cute.

No offense, but hating Joe Theimsan is hardly unique. I was under the impression that EVERYONE hated him. And the rest of that grab-assing, yuk-yukking Monday night crew.

Ahem. Back on topic. I'll be brief. Back the now-ubiquitous trailer first came out, the wife and I sat back in amazement. Then I proclaimed "WE ARE!" Followed by her proclaiming "NAUSEOUS!"

Matthew McCauuandhaoirgnhkjfdey's best role since Dazed and Confused was Reign of Fire. And I mean that. But I don't mean it in a good way.

Author's Note: Props, TK. I'm stealing your title.

We! Are! Nauseated! (Not nauseous. Carry on.)

My sister lives in Huntington and her friend Mark Patton was in the movie (basketball player recruited for the football team.) I think the people of Huntington are just like people in small towns everywhere who have a movie crew come to town, especially when so many locals get parts in the movie. They love that their town, and their story, get put up on the big glamorous Hollywood screen. And really, you can't overstate the impact that the crash had on Huntington and Marshall--in a town defined by love for its football team, it has been the most defining event of the past 60 years. Having the movie made may be the second most defining event.

The movie still sucks, however. It would have been great if a decent script and decent director and decent actor could have explored more of the trauma this tragedy left in its wake, rather than settling for trotting out almost every cliche in the sports movie playbook.

The people of Huntington will love it (even if they know the movie is schlock) and that's fine. Unless you're related to someone from West Virginia or used to live there -- spend your money and your time elsewhere.

Barbaro -- I would usually be with you in correcting the common "nauseous" for "nauseated" error, but I think here TK/Dustin may be right. If you imagine that this is what the Disneyfied townspeople in the film are chanting, it makes perfect sense to call them nauseous.

On a completely unrelated note, this reminds me of that episode of The Flintstones where Fred and Barney buy a boat that Fred wants to name The Nautical Lady and Barney wants to name The Sea Queen, so they compromise and combine the two, naming the boat Nausea.

I hate to be the harsh bitchy reality checker, but I feel like someone has to do it.

With all due respect for the people connected to this tragedy, of course the community it going to be moved by it, regardless of quality or depth. I mean, I'd barely have to mention the Marshall tragedy to someone involved with it to sufficiently pull their heartstrings. Any movie that even feigns a glimmer of respect for the dead or their successors is going to be received warmly by the involved community. That's just the nature of the beast.

But take a step back for a second. Frankly it doesn't matter how much McG cared. This movie was a genericized sports movie. Now Huntington has their own generic sports movie to call their own, and that's the only difference it possesses. It speaks to you only because it's about you, not because it did a good job.

Merriam-Webster says you're good, Dustin.

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/nauseous

Dustin - mi título, su título. Thanks.

Also, "nauseated" doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well. ...frickin' grammar gestapo... grumble...

Meh...

I guess those chanting could be considered to cause nausea, but I always understood that of one is experiencing nausea, than one is nauseated.

Good review, anyway. And sorry to bitch in my first ever comment. I live by this site! I always come here first to see how suckky the latest flicks are :)

Seems like this one is using the drama of the event to evoke emotion, rather than the movie itself. One wonders: if this were based on a fictional event rather than an actual one, would people still be moved by it?

When I saw the preview for this I knew...I just knew. But then I saw Ian McShane and I yelled, "AL...NO!" Then I tried to forget all about it. But I couldn't! Because that McConaughey was everywhere. And it usually looked like he was still in costume.

Who wears short-shorts? Well, McConaughey apparently.

If "We" refers to the Marshall team, as it does in "We Are Marshall," then "nauseous" correct. They nauseate us, so they are nauseous.

Yeah, nauseous is not only actually correct in this situation, even if TK did mean "sick to one's stomach" by "nauseous," I think the overwhelming colloquial use of the word to signify that meaning excuses the technical error.

Now, I'm not gonna say that the "nauseous/nauseated" debate has gone on ad nauseam, because that joke's too easy, and also pathetic. But people, those for AND against. STOP IT. Please. The debate ended with Eep's post (also one of my favorite Pajiba names).

...still grumbling...

grumble...

It depends on who the "we" refers to. If they meant "we" as in "we reviewers and readers," then yes, nauseated would be the right term. But if "we" refers to the movie and everyone involved in making it...then boy howdy, does nauseseous ever fit.

i actually go to East Carolina University (we played Marshall again recently and chanted "You! Are! Marshall!"), so I've heard plenty about this movie....and am 90% sure it's going to suck.

McConaughey is just the go-to guy when it comes to roles that require long, emotional, "stirring" monologues, and it's been old for a while now. this movie could've had so much potential, but the trailer makes it look just like every other cliche sports movie out there. all that's missing is denzel washington and a bunch of racial tension among teammates.

i agree with Rowles, sugarcoating a story this tragic just defeats the purpose of the movie and disrespects the people these events actually happened to.

I saw the trailer and knew three seconds in that I'd never see this, not even if someone gave me a free copy. Ever. It looks so completely sappy and dumb.

There is a running joke with "Lost" fans: "Jack's crying--it must be Wednesday." I'm tempted to see "We Are Marshall" just to see if Matthew Fox is the manpain poster child I suspect he is.

Miguel Nunez for Renteria?

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/1454/Events/1454/MiguelNune_Grani_493337_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=N%FA%F1ez%20Jr.,%20Miguel%20A.

The community seemed happy with the film. If they are cool with it, then so am I.

O. K. all you "pukes"!? Just saw the movie. Its pretty damn good.

Its not about the "Crash" or seeping gash wounds and all the gore. Its actually about the town and how it reacts. McConaughey sucks. But Fox and the rest of the crew did pretty well.

I did laugh out loud when Dustin mentioned the wet suit president!! My wife and I looked at each other during that moment too. It didn't make sense to us either.

What ever... but we "got" the movie and felt like it was a B+. But if you think "football" you won't like it. Think true story, and you will most likely love the movie.

By the way - I've seen Marshall fans do the We are... Marshall deal. They didn't do it right in the movie once. Which was a real turn off everytime that they tried. It sounded as if a drill instructor was shouting. They don't do it like that in Huntington.

So get off the internet, actually watch the movie and then comment. It ain't about the 75 dead bodies, its about all those who were left to deal with it.

FYI - this is not a Disney film. It's Warner Brothers.

It's also pretty good. It's probably not Oscar material, but it's entertaining.

The fact that the story is true just makes it all the more compelling.

It's a hell of a lot better than how Hollywood treated another 70's tragedy from 20 miles up the river. Hollywood took the Silver Bridge collapse in Point Pleasant, WV, and made the Mothman Prophecy trainwreck with Richard Gere, which was filmed in Pennsylvania.

At least with We Are Marshall, they correctly understood the importance being authentic to the community.

As for people in our small town being star struck, it's true. However, I lived in St. Petersburg Florida, when Cocoon came out in the 80s and the Tampa-St. Pete area had a pretty similar reaction. Not to mention their outrage when Cocoon 2 was filmed in Miami.

So go ahead and have your internet fun. We can take it.

HA! I go to East Carolina University! Suck on that, Marshall.

Not that I'm a football fan. I just think seeing my drastically underrated university's name pop up in random places is neat.

The Final Destination reference was a nice touch.

I had no idea what this movie was about and I was selling tickets for it last night at work (movie theater wench here). I had one woman who was so excited for this movie because she attended the school during this time that she had a t-shirt made that said "We Are...MARSHALL!" on it.

I was just like, "...'kay."

I loved this review.

Oh, and to the commentor who dubbed Matthew McConaughey as a victim of the Katie Holmes syndrome...haha, that made my night. I hate it when actors talk out of the side of their mouths and it's supposed to be 'serious acting'.

"Also, Matthew Fox is almost as bad as McConaughey here, displaying his "Party of Five" origins as a coach suffering the guilt of living, emoting with all the fervor of a fire hydrant that's just been pissed on."

Hahahaha, that was godlike.

And college football matters because...?

"We Are Marshall" is not a Disney movie. Your claim that it is shows the depth of your research.

Sugar coated? I thought the whole thing was pretty painful to watch. Marshall did win their first home game after the crash, so if telling the truth is sugar coating....

I'll agree with the folks who say Matthew McConaughey needed to tone down the "dumb Texan" - or whatever they call it - act. I kind of wish he had tried to represent Jack Lengyel true personality instead of ding his bozo-hick routine.

The reviewer said it was "Disneyfied" not that it was made by Disney. Disneyfied pretty much refers to any story that has been altered (*ahem* watered down) from the original so as not to be offensive/traumatic (see: Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, or non-animated fare such as The Rookie, Invincible, Tom & Huck).

Say what you will about this movie, but let it be known that the plane crash was Huntington's Sept. 11th. It shook that area (Huntington & surrounding towns) to the core. And the chant is NOT the only one out there. Leave it to assholes to bash a sincere effort to pay homage.

Just saw the movie last night and lean toward's Dustin's opinion of it. It's not the worst movie ever, but it's not the greatest, either. And I actually love Disney's sports flicks (I loved Miracle. Does that mean I'm dead to you guys?) and I never thought I'd say this, but: You, Warner Brothers Sports Flick, are no Disney Sports Flick.

I thought most of the individual performances (barring Kate Mara's wooden acting & monotone voiceovers. I loved her as Paranoid Shari on 24), but come on) were good enough, but the story never came together well enough to make me care about the individuals.

I can understand why residents of Huntington like it, though. They have context. We don't. They've probably known about this story and been touched by the real thing. We don't. And, now, thanks to WB and McG, we'll never be able to scrub the memory of this lukewarm film from our brains long enought to really appreciate the true tragedy and triumph of Marshall University's football program.

Oh, and this is kinda off-topic, but I saw the trailer for Bridge to Terebithia before this movie and I HATE HATE HATE Disney for ruining one of my favorite books growing up. I can't believe that Katherine Paterson would let Disney desecrate her first Newbery Medal winner like this.

For purposes of full disclosure, the original review of this film stated that it was made by Disney.

@Jelinas I believe that nowadays people have ONE reason for allowing everything: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Went to Marshall with the guys who were killed. The reality of the aftercrash was darker than
"Batman". There were no good days for a long time for a lot of people. With McG and Matt/Matt I didn't expect "Last Year at Marienbad". The historical context, not covered by the film, of daily deaths in Vietnam, unrest on college campuses and the general fatalism of West Virginians made for one bleak, grim time. West Virginians are easily discouraged and the plane crash set MU back 20 years. It killed Huntington, which has lost a quarter of its population since 1970 and most of its industrial base. "We Are Marshall" is an honest attempt to tell a tough story. What impressed me most was the sensitivity of McG and Iwanyuk to the pain that the community still feels.

When I first saw the trailer and the hometown folks chanting "WE! ARE! MARSHALL!" I wanted to vomit. That alone made me avoid this movie like the plague.

From what I've researched, that scene NEVER HAPPENED in real life. It was simply a McG moment and it was freakin' retarded, as are any of his craptacular movies.

I. Am. Confused.

"A team that would be drubbed in its first game and then fall apart so completely that the school's president is fired, the coach is vilified, the assistant coach quits, and the town turns viciously upon the very idea of a Marshall football program. All in a matter of six days."

So is that what happened in real life? And if so, what was shown in the movie? How far did the movie really diverge from real life? (I don't mind the spoilers...)

Love it or hate it, this seems very much like a trailer movie- once you've seen the trailer you've seen the movie. I would venture to say that a tragedy like that deserves more depth. It seems that McG was genuine in his attempt to honor Marshall, but I think someone like say Clint Eastwood probably would've done a better job... ;-)

I saw the beginning of an interview of McConaughey who happened to be in uniform and in character... immediately, the little voice in my head shouted 'NO! DON'T SEE THIS ONE!'.
I doubt I'll even watch it when it hits network television next week.

"but if my son dies in a plane"
So Dustin has a son?

Show me a studio and actors giving their proceeds to the surviving people and/or organization...then I'll be impressed with their tribute.

"O. K. all you "pukes"!? Just saw the movie. Its pretty damn good.

Its not about the "Crash" or seeping gash wounds and all the gore. Its actually about the town and how it reacts. McConaughey sucks. But Fox and the rest of the crew did pretty well."

This above comment is correct - the movie IS DAMN GOOD. None of the blood, guts and gore most movie goers enjoy seeing - it's about the college and how they rebuilt their entire football program from NOTHING. It's about the town and the families who had to rebuild their lives after such a horrible loss.

If you want to see a movie od some *subtance* instead of Special effects, naked women, sex, blood, gore - go see We are marshall, and quit bitching about the movie if you have not even bothered.

Oh, and... WE....ARE....MARSHALL!!!!!!!!!

You, Pajiba, are the only site I come to where I read the reviews for movies that I have absolutely no interest in seeing, because I just love you THAT much.

I grew up near Huntington and have been a Herd fan for as long as I can remember and although I appreciate the fact that McG and company actually filmed in the area and embraced the community the way they did, I have to agree that the tragedy was not portrayed the way it should have been. This crash was to West Virginians what 9/11 was to New Yorkers. It was a tragedy for not only the family and friends of the victims, but for the state as a whole. I moved away from West Virginia in 2001 when my husband joined the Air Force and we are currently stationed in California. All my family and friends from back home were so stoked about this movie and I was chomping at the bit to see it. Thus said, I was a bit disappointed. It was good, but not great. I wish they would've made the whole film a bit darker to reflect the true atmosphere of the area and it's people, but what's done is done. It could've been so much better, but I guess we should be thankful that our story has finally gotten attention like it should have. Go Herd!!!

I can't believe you forgot to include Rudy.

Regardless of the similarities to other sports tradegies this movie stands alone because it is based on FACT.

Do you know anyone that died in this tragedy? I doubt it! I personally know those that died and am a graduate of the university.
Do you even know anything about the school that was not in the promo? Probably not! The first lesson in writing is to learn something about your subject.

Have some respect for those that died and a great community and keep you illiterate mouth shut. Your blog makes you sounds like a childish novice. You have a lot to learn about writing!

Hate to burst your bubble there Cindi, but it's called free written medium within a free democratic (at least for this purpose)society. Which means that the writer can write whatever the hell he wants, and those who tell him to shut up end up looking like, well, communists. What, you didn't look it up? Maybe they didn't teach that at butthole West Virgina U.

Oh, and living where there was tragedy IMHO doesn't give anyone a free pass to get all high and mighty about anything. In fact, it gets you exactly, jack. shit.

I attended with a lady who was moved by the story - I thought it sucked. The acting was shallow, especially McConaughey doing a bad impression of a good coach. He brought to mind a poor copy of Burgess Meredith in Rocky. The movie never did decide what kind of story it was trying to tell - nor did it justify the heart-renching decision to put the team back together. This movie may have made a strong case that the wrong choice was made.

I'd appreciate some viewer comments on some of the football scenes. Did anyone question the use of what looked to me an NFL football (solid brown)instead of the partial white-stripe college version? (Were things different back then?) How about that pass play near the end of the Xavier game for a first down - after which coach frantically calls time? A first down in college automatically stops the clock. All you needed to do was spike the ball - not use your only time out. Anything else out there?

okay, i am sorta familiar with this story, being in wv and all.

first off-the "WE ARE...MARSHALL" chant didn't begin untill the late 80's or early 90's. thus that part of the movie where the kids chant it outside of the presidents office is fake and never happened.
second-this movie was made by Warner Bros., not Disney.
third-the football game against Xavier did happen, and Marshall did win. But, the plays of that game shown in the movie are not the real plays of the actual 1971 game.

I agree w/you Cindy, this guy knows nothing about the subject hes writing about, most of these posts suck = this one barbadoshit guy wouldn't know his butt if it jumped up and bit him

Oh, here we see a perfect example of the new fascism, creeping up in america, anyone who says anything you don't like is attacked on a personal level, should be shut down etc...

And I know my butt quite well thank you very much, I wiped it this morning as I was thinking of your post and new the fascism and all that.

It's David Strathairn, not David Stathairn. Let's give one of the greatest actors of the last 20+ years and the only decent actor in this movie a bit of respect! But yeah, the movie was pretty awful.

I know that sounds nitpicky and stupid, but I am nitpicky and stupid.

I knew I couldn't see this movie, if for no other reason than knowing that the "We! Are! Marshall!" cheer would result in me yelling the Cheerleader Nation version: "We are...Dunbar!" If I can't restrain myself from yelling that during the commercials, I have no hope for making it through the entire movie. The fact that the movie looked like a schlocky piece of shit convinced me to stay home. Not even the thought of laughing at Matthew McConaughey's porno stache for two hours would make up for sitting through this movie.

Wow Barb, there are no disney gloves to you are there? I haven't seen the movie, but I think I will agree with Cheri's review on this one. All of you ECU and WVU kids need to have a little more respect these people from Huntingdon regardless of how good the movie was. If I was a Marshall alumn and the gore of the plane crash was shown I think that I would have a problem with it.

what the hell is wrong with you people? im sure the people in West Virgina would love to see their dead friends and family ripped to shreds in a bloody, gory plane crash. The demeaning of their chant is pretty child like as well. if you expected a action movie or a gory movie you are retarded. Its about the town and how it recovered from the biggest tragedy in college sports history.

I would just like to say that I find the majority of you to be heartless and negative. It's fine to critize a movie; however, I don't think there's a need to use such harsh words. The movie is about a real-life tragedy that deserves some respect. The way the review is using curse words and references to other movies that are considered horror movies for his own laughter and self-fullfillment is the only thing that I find to be nauseating!

I will repect your opinion on "we are Marshall," but before you go bashing McG for not showing the plan crash. You should get you facts straight. The victims families and the citizens of Huntington "that i truely love and have lived here all my life" didn't allow him to show the actual crash and i totally agree with the rest of Huntington, West Virginia. I just have one question. If you where murdered and eaten by Jeffery Dahmer would you want your entire family and friends see exactly how you died? I didn't think so! NO matter what you think and write you cannot understand or describe what this community has went through it the past 36 years. Marshall well as Huntington as a whole has grown from a small 1-A town to a division 1 Confrence USA town, which has beaten teams such as WVU " go herd" to VT.