Following recent trends, Meryl Streep won an Academy Award for a convincing portrayal of a recent historical figure in a biopic that was enjoyed by many (following Sean Penn in Milk, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote and Jamie Foxx in Ray). Others portrayed dynamic characters and captivated audiences but Streep truly brought The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, to life. Looking back at a nearly forty year political career while suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Streep (and Jim Broadbent who played Denis Thatcher) soar to heights that the plain film is incapable of reaching.
The King’s Speech
Over the course of a given year, only a handful of elite films are released. Hollywood has diluted most of the major genres and most works are shallow copies of something that succeeded previously. The King’s Speech is a shining example of the contrary: a film that balances drama and comedy, features a stellar cast that honours their craft with skilled performances, and a plot that is relevant and informative. The topic – the speech impediment of King George VI and how it is threatening his ability to lead the United Kingdom following the abdication of his brother Edward VIII …
Ridley Scott Releases a Robin Hood Prequel
Robin Hood combines strong action sequences with memorable performances from the lead actors. It is probably more of a medieval action film than a tribute to the folktale because the plot covers how Robin Longstride became a legend. There is not much devoted to the mythical feats such as splitting an apple with an arrow or steal from the rich to give to the poor. However, the film is successful because it provides motivation for Robin’s actions. Returning to England after the death of Richard the Lionheart in France, Robin evolves from a brave archer to a man of conscious …
Early Professional Basketball
“What I remember most is the time Al Attles went after Wilt with a chair,” recollects Rick Barry in Terry Pluto’s anthology about the early days of the National Basketball Association. Tall Tales compiles the memories of players, coaches, and referees from the founding of the league after World War II to the end of the Boston Celtics’ dynasty in 1969. The reminiscences are honest and frank, tinged with nostalgia. Since television was not present at these games, these are the only accounts of many bizarre events. Fans in New York would cheer the spread instead of the score as …
Dynasty’s End
Celtic Pride – the character, concentration, and commitment – which defined the Boston’s teams when Red Auerbach proved to be integral to the two championships under Player-Coach Bill Russell. Dynasty’s End chronicles the final title in 1968-69 before the team ceded the spotlight to the squads of the 1970s. When Auerbach was the coach from 1950 to 1966, the Celtics were the most talented team in the Association. Under Russell, the team often finished second or third in its own conference and needed to win multiple tough playoff series. Wilt Chamberlain led his teams (Philadephia and Los Angeles) to better …
Three Lessons from Joe Lapchick
Lapchick chronicles the life of Hall of Famer Joe Lapchick, who links the barnstorming Original Celtics to the explosion of college basketball in New York City and Madison Square Garden to the New York Knicks and the origins of the Association to the introduction of television to the sport. Despite the fact that Lapchick last coached St. John’s when the teams were known as the Redmen – as opposed to the Red Storm – the book remains relevant to today’s player and coach. Placing Value in People: Many commented that Joe Lapchick was not the most technically astute coach but …
The Rivalry
Can determination trump talent? Apparently so, according to The Rivalry by John Taylor. The battles between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain and their respective teams are detailed within the context of the growth of the game throughout the 1960s. Chamberlain was one of the most prolific post scorers in the history of basketball yet during the ten seasons that their careers overlapped, Russell and the Celtics claimed the Association title nine times. The book delves into the psychological warfare waged between the two. For example, once Russell blocked Chamberlain twice on the same possession. When Chamberlain recovered the loose ball, …