Pretty Good

Just perfect...

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Quadriplegia proves only a limited challenge to the subjects of this documentary who compete in a version of rugby modified to suit wheelchair-bound players. The film offers an informative look into different types of quadriplegia and it is fascinating just how much the subjects are able to accomplish without full use of their limbs. The quadriplegics interviewed are generally upbeat individuals, happy to make light of their condition (one comments that another could fit into a box like Shaobo Qin in 'Ocean's Eleven' and then tests out the theory) while having the same basic dreams and aspirations as persons with full body control. Curious as all this is, the film never strikes a satisfying balance between being about quadriplegia, being about the sport and being about the therapeutic effect of playing sport. There is also a lot of US vs Canadian tension thrown in as the Canadian team's coach was formerly a US player, and this whole angle presents an unwelcome distraction from the overcoming adversity general theme of the movie. The aspects of the documentary that work well though linger in the mind long afterwards. The segments in which the quads talk about dating women who are too nervous to ask about their bodily functions are great and all the scenes showing the quads moving about independently are engaging as the film potently reminds one that life does always go on no matter what happens.

Murderball is a documentary that tells the story of several Quad Rugby players. This documentary takes us on a journey with the American Quad Rugby team and their mission to once again take gold medal at the paraplegic Olympics. This movie is completely different from what you would expect when you hear about it. This movie tells the stories of many of these men and their journey of how they became paraplegic and got involved with the Quad Rugby team. This film focuses on overcoming your disabilities and making the best out of your life. These men tell about how people react to them in public places and how they feel when people say things to them such as "It's good to see you out today." People do not realize that these men are just as strong, healthy, and fit as they are. One theme that is reoccurring in this film is the idea of making the best out of your life. These men have gone through some really tough events in their lives and are still able to accomplish daily activities. This film conveys the message that whatever situations you are going through in your life, it can be overcome. This message is clearly conveyed through the stories told about these men. The film was edited in a very appealing way. The way it was edited, we were taken on a journey of the lives of these men. We followed them through their daily lives and learned of their daily troubles and hardships. The music was used to show emotion and build up suspense within the storyline. The music used in this film and editing style used are very effective in conveying the thoughts and themes that director wished to show. The director of this film, Henry Alex Rubin, is slowly creating a name for himself in the film industry. Another famous film of his is Who is Henry Jaglom? This film shows the story of a man creating and working on various films. The film showed a picture of his life and created a real image of this filmmaker. This style seems to be the normal style for Rubin. In Murderball he uses the same technique to show the lives of the rugby players. Rubin worked with MTV to film Murderball for its release in July of 2005. Mark Zupan is the main character of this film. The film tells the story of when he was 18 and passed out drunk it the bed of his friend's truck. Without knowing he was there, his friend left a party and got in a wreck on this way home. Zupan was thrown out of the truck and into a creek where he was forced to fight for his life. That night, he lost his legs. Since this tragic experience Zupan has had to learn how to live without using his legs. In the film you are also able to see Zupan reunite with his friend that was driving the truck and overcome an emotional battle within him. Murderball was an exceptional movie and tells a great message about making the best out of the life you are given.

The power of the mind is an amazing thing; for those possessing it, no obstacle is insurmountable; but for those lacking it, any roadblock is deterring. Fortunately, the subjects of the documentary "Murderball", are blessed with the former. It's just as well, as they are all quadraplegics.The participants featured (Mark Zupian, Joe Bishop, Andy Cohn, Scott Hogsett, David Willsie) all play "Murderball", otherwise known as Wheelchair or Quad Rugby. While there are no rucks or mauls to be seen, Murderball instead features the finesse and skill of basketball, and the brutality of Ice Hockey or American Football.With four players per team on court, they combine to transport the ball over the opposition's goal line, with each goal worth a point. This documentary focuses on the USA and Canadian teams; starting from the 2002 World Championships in Sweden, where Canada defeated the USA 25-24 in overtime (ending their run of eleven consecutive championships), and to the lead up of the 2004 Paralympics in Greece. These two dominant forces eventually meet again in the Paralympic semi-final, with the winner advancing to the gold medal playoff, while the best the loser can hope for is an inglorious bronze. The USA and Canadian teams have held a long and bitter rivalry, especially considering Bishop (a victim of childhood polio) after playing in the USA's 1996 gold medal triumph in Atlanta, was cut after a loss of form, then defected to take up the Canadian coaching job. Accused of betraying his country, Bishop shows no remorse for his decision, but, ifanything, renewed hatred for the United States. Having led Canada to a dramatic World Championship victory, then losing by a goal in the Paralympics qualifying tournament, Bishop is desperate to defeat the USA again. In other hands, "Murderball" could have been an overly sentimental film. While themes of self-belief and courage upon adversity resonate, it's done in such a matter-of-fact way, that it doesn't feel preachy. The closest the film gets to sentimentality is in recounting Zupian's accident, injured in the back of a pick-up truck by his friend Christopher Igoe, who was drunk at the time. After long periods of avoiding each other, Zupian and Igoe eventually make up. While it could have been easy for Zupian and company to succumb to a life of self-pity and financial handouts, they prove they're just as tough, if not tougher, than most able-bodied athletes. They talk frankly about their accidents and attempting to resume a normal sex life. This comes across in the Murderball matches themselves. The on-court brutality is magnified by the fact, having been to hell and back, the players have no fear about getting injured.The great thing about 'Murderball' is it avoids the usual emotional manipulation of most films about serious disabilities in favour of a more grounded view. That alone is worth watching it for.

This recent documentary about quadrapalegics playing a violent form of rugby never found its expected audience. It was expected to be a breakout hit of last summer and was even released under the MTV Films label. It was eclipsed by last summer's surprise hit doc "March of the Penguins." Is it any good? The scenes in which we follow the players in their day to day lives are great. One portion of the film follows a recently paralyzed motorcross racer and his excitement in discovering the sport. These moments are touching, inspiring, and the doc's best moments.The sport, though, is either filmed poorly by the directors or its just not that exciting. These moments are reminiscent of Oliver Stone's football scenes in "Any Given Sunday"--I can see a lot of bodies of banging together, but don't ask me what the heck is going on. It appears that who ever has possession of the ball is likely to score meaning that winning the game comes down to having the ball in the closing seconds.As a sports doc, it falls short. It greatly succeeds, though, in exploring the lives of the athletes.Recommended.Read more at http://solipsisticblog.blogspot.com/.