Any Given Sunday
This was truly an excellent film. This movie is Oliver Stone's best since Platoon. The fast-moving and dizzying cinemaphotography fits the high adrenaline atmosphere of the professional football world well. The film is also perfectly cast. Pacino gives life to the head coach, and Cameron Diaz's clearly most intense role as the team's owner is believeable. James Woods gives an excellent performance as the team doctor, who doesn't really seem to care about anyone but himself. Jamie Foxx has a breakthrough dramatic role as the new hotshot quarterback, whose ritualistic vomiting adds humor to the movie. With his performance, we find out Foxx really can act. LL Cool J, also puts through a convincing performance as the team's running back. Dennis Quaid doesn't really do much as the former QB with injury problems except help to develop Pacino's character. An outstanding cast, that features Charlton Heston as the football comissioner, and Ann-Margaret as Cameron Diaz's...
Football made interesting
Oliver Stone once again manages to put together an insightful masterpiece and despite American football as its main feature, this film is intensely entertaining and with a hot hip hop/rap/r&B soundtrack along with an impressive A list cast, Any Given Sunday can't go wrong. Al Pacino as the coach is godd, as he always is, but I found the real stars to be Jamie Foxx and the always goregeous Cameron Diaz. Foxx who usually is the comic relief, played it straight and gives in an oscar-worthy performance as Willy Beamen, the team's key player after favourite Dennis Quaid is injured. Although occasionally his character is a bastard, he serves up an hilarious music video, an intense performance and clearly has no problem getting his gear off, Foxx is bound to go places. Diaz was another key player in this flick, playing a tough as nails, take-no-crap owner of Pacino's team, and although usually sweet, the long smile is barely seen as she plays it straight and gets through...
Of course that's just my opinion. I could be wrong....
When this movie first came out to its slate of tepid reviews, I decided not to go see it. When the DVD came out, I decided not to buy it. When I recently received the DVD as a gift, I was surprised to find that I honestly couldn't wait to watch it. Admittedly, I have always found Oliver Stone's films to be entertaining. I am also a life-long Cowboys fan. And, truth be known, I was curious to see what Stone thought about the state of professional football, albeit via his mythical Miami Sharks. The best thing that I ever did was to quit reading reviews, and sat down with a bowl of popcorn to give this film its shot.
The verdict is that I really liked this film. Call it a guilty pleasure if you must, but I really enjoyed this movie. The screenplay is structured around some interesting and engaging characters, providing good insights into their individual experiences with the team. The cast is first rate and there are plenty of good performances. From the owner's box, to the...
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