ISS Starring: Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbæk, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, and Maria Mashkova Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite QUENTIN As far as B-movies go, especially those that get quietly dumped in theaters during the doldrums of January, I.S.S. offers enough tense astronaut-related thrills to keep one entertained for 95 minutes. Yeah, it’s predictable, and sure, it will remind you of everything from Gravity to Pandorum to Stowaway to even Alien , but still… Given the context of the release and dearth of expectations surrounding I.S.S. , it does a solid job of building the claustrophobic paranoia necessary to make this simple story work. Add in the fact that the story is plausible, not to mention the moral questions it asks, I’d call it a pleasant surprise. KATIE I.S.S. presents a simple yet compelling concept that makes the most of its unique setting. Exploring the dynamics of a group of astronauts amid mounting paranoia and distrust, it generates a sense of palpable tension that is emphasised by growing external threats. However, despite its strong start and impressive visuals on a limited budget, I found it lost some of its initial sense of dread while also lacking some of the excitement and heightened threat found in other space thrillers. That said, this is a fun watch that sustained my interest, and it’s elevated by engaging performances. PAIGE As opposed to aliens, the major threat in I.S.S. actually is the monster that exists inside of us. This gripping sci-fi thriller presents a clever concept, but unfortunately falls short due to its lack of stakes. Nevertheless, it's still captivating enough to hold viewers' attention. Plus, director Gabriela Cowperthwaite does a fine job of making the most of the claustrophobic tension inside the spaceship while also making sure that I.S.S. remains a character-driven drama despite the main action taking place on Earth. NICK With January being a bit of a down month for film quality, I wouldn’t be surprised to see I.S.S. gain a little traction. The unsettling premise survives on its frighteningly possible real-world implications (which dials the tension up to 11) and solid ensemble, featuring the burgeoning Ariana DeBose alongside a The Newsroom reunion of John Gallagher Jr. and Chris Messina. Although it doesn’t quite reach the heights it aims for, it’s never not engaging as it harkens back to the days of 1990s B-movies. It's not going to light the world on fire, but it’ll make for a more than serviceable movie night.

SALEM'S LOT Starring: Lewis Pullman, Jordan Preston Carter, Bill Camp, Alfre Woodard, Makenzie Leigh, Pilou Asbæk, and Alexander Ward Director: Gary Dauberman PAIGE There's no denying that this Salem's Lot remake has a spooky atmosphere and an old-school, Stephen King vibe, but you can definitely tell that a significant amount of character development and substance were left on the cutting room floor. The main plot’s lack of a strong build-up ultimately results in a flimsy mystery. Lewis Pullman tries his best with what he is given as Ben Mears in this mediocre King adaptation, and the story at least allows Jordan Preston Carter to shine as the little badass Mark Petrie. However, while there may be some cool moments throughout the film, I much prefer Tobe Hooper's 1979 version. QUENTIN Since I had already seen two versions of Salem’s Lot (1979 and 2004), I didn’t need another adaptation. Plus, considering the glut of recent mediocre remakes and prequels to horror classics, especially of the straight-to-streaming variety, expectations were low. That said, I actually quite enjoyed this new version. It’s not amazing, of course, but it’s a sturdy, old-fashioned, 80s-style vampire movie. There is no hidden meaning, forced subtext, or unnecessarily gritty darkness; just a ragtag group of people fighting vampires with backpacks full of stakes and crosses. For those who grew up on The Lost Boys and Fright Night , this is a surprisingly nice throwback.

BROTHERS: SEASON ONE Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Holland Taylor, Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Oona Yaffe, Lisa Gilroy, Highdee Kuan, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, and Noah Carganilla Creators: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, David West Read, and Lee Eisenberg QUENTIN Brothers feels a lot like Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson heard stories about Adam Sandler making movies just to get paid to hang with his buddies, and — light bulb! That’s not to say it’s bad, as it has the obvious charm that only McConaughey and Harrelson can deliver, but it is extremely uneven. The story vacillates between being overly sentimental, amusingly meta, and surprisingly lowbrow, with a loose take on the disruptive houseguest trope surrounded by half-baked subplots. Still, between the leads’ natural chemistry, scene-stealing turns from Lisa Gilroy and Holland Taylor, and an appearance by Melba Toast, Brothers is a pleasant enough diversion.

Previous Next September 22, 2026 The Raccoon City outbreak has officially begun and we are here to break down the performances, practical effects, terrifying mutant designs, and everything else Zach Cregger's wild, blood-soaked reboot of Resident Evil has to offer. Amarú is joined by Nick, Shak, and Harrison to dive deep into why Cregger's claustrophobic, real-time approach is being called one of the greatest video game films ever made. From Austin Abrams' phenomenal turn as Bryan to the Umbrella Corporation lore, and most importantly, what that ending means the future of the franchise. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our interviews, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

THE SHARDS: SEASON ONE Starring: Igby Rigney, Kaia Gerber, Homer Gere, Hayes Warner, Graham Campbell, Evan Rachel Wood, and Wes Bentley Creators: Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis QUENTIN Despite terrific 80s vibes and a banging soundtrack, The Shards (based on Bret Easton Ellis’ semi-autobiographical novel) feels like an effort to one-up the Euphoria generation. It reeks of, “you think modern high school is debaucherous!? Sit down, youngin’…” In addition to that, for better or worse, prolific showrunner Ryan Murphy goes full Murphy, complete with stylish camp, unabashed queerness, cheesy dialogue, over-the-top sexiness, and an unrestrained lean-in to his “more is more” aesthetic. Between Ellis’ near-gatekeeping and the Murphiness of it all, this mix of American Horror Story and Rules of Attraction is as shallow as the nepo babies at the story’s center. PAIGE Although The Shards has a killer soundtrack and a cool 80s aesthetic, this murder mystery becomes less and less compelling as it goes on. Don’t get me wrong, it starts off very intriguing, but the thing that kills it is the fact that it’s all buildup with no payoff. It’s very much style over substance, with an overstuffed plot that lacks originality and feels superficial. Plus, the characters are shallow and unlikeable, which makes it difficult to become invested in their stories. In the end, the series just ends up being one note, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.

THE GENTLEMEN: SEASON TWO Starring: Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Vinnie Jones, Ray Winstone, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Hugh Bonneville, Jasmine Blackborow, Benjamin Clementine, Benedetta Porcaroli, and Giancarlo Esposito Creator: Guy Ritchie AMARÚ The Gentlemen ’s second season is much less chaotic and much more dangerous than the first, allowing the series to continue with a highly entertaining cinematic flair. Theo James and Kaya Scodelario shed their more youth-friendly roots for applaud-worthy, criminal aristocrat bad-assery to truly elevate series creator Guy Ritchie’s “pharmaceutical” games. This season is stylish, thrilling, well-acted, less funny (to its benefit), and more serious (also to its benefit), which further grows the world, enhances the characters, and keeps you locked in with heart-pounding fervor. With more than a little Ray Winstone chaos, we've got ourselves a winner. PAIGE While this season of The Gentlemen isn’t as rowdy or enjoyable as the chaotic first season, it gets downright dirtier and grittier. The characters are more evolved in the crime game, and the overall story feels more sophisticated. It’s important to note that it takes a while for the season to get the ball rolling and there are pacing issues, but once it hits the latter half, specifically the last two episodes, it’s off to the races. This season is twisty and filled with vengeance, leaving the audience tense and on the edge of their seats waiting for what comes next. QUENTIN While I enjoyed The Gentlemen 's second season about as much as I enjoyed the first, it’s still flawed. The flaws are just different this time, and they all come after a mid-season story pivot. The (better) first half of the season gleefully harkens back to series creator Guy Ritchie's early work, conjuring thoughts of Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels ; however, the darker second half separates all the characters into disjointed side-quests that hurt the pacing and momentum. The performances of Theo James, Ray Winstone, and especially Kaya Scodelario are good enough to carry you through, but the series is still figuring it out. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

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AMERICAN HOSTAGE: SEASON ONE Starring: Jon Hamm, Giovanni Ribisi, William Jackson Harper, Mireille Enos, Kristoffer Polaha, and Jonathan Tucker Creators: Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers QUENTIN American Hostage has a semi-fatal problem: Dead Man’s Wire , a movie based on the same incident, released earlier this year. This adaptation certainly isn’t poorly done, telling the same story from the press’ perspective; there just isn’t enough material to justify another retelling so soon. The performances are great, especially Giovanni Ribisi’s, but despite playing more like September 5 than taking the aforementioned film’s Dog Day Afternoon approach, the show feels like watching an eight-hour rerun. On the plus side, it’s an anthology; with a new story next season, it’s worth a second chance. This inaugural season is just the victim of poor timing and coincidence.

Previous Next April 9, 2025 WRITTEN BY: AMARÚ In case you missed it, we recently posted a group article on the one-note actors we love watching even though they play the same type of character almost every single time (check it out HERE ). While waxing poetic over my personal pick, Ron Perlman, it got me thinking about the other side of that coin. Those performers who are the epitome of “they understood the assignment.” I like to call these actors “chameleons.” Every time you see them, they disappear into whatever role they were hired for. Some of them are now (hopefully) household names, but for much of their careers, they have done their job without much name recognition. At best, they’d get Leo-pointing-meme recognition, but that came with the knowledge that, no matter the role they were given, they were going to kill it in a completely different way than they killed the last role you saw them in. Many actors fit this category, but here are six of my favorites who transform into a new person with every single role. JEFFREY WRIGHT Yeah, I know he did that role : Felix Leiter, Daniel Craig’s James Bond series Wait, you’re telling me he did THAT role too! : Peoples Hernandez, Shaft (2000) Following his Oscar nomination for 2023’s American Fiction , Jeffrey Wright is (again, hopefully) much more of a known-by-name quantity. In that singular role, you see his ability to switch between two completely different people on a dime. Transforming back and forth between the intelligent but more-than-slightly haughty Thelonious and his unabashedly hood persona Stag R. Lee, it was fitting that he was nominated for arguably his greatest skill. It’s a skill so potent that, in the year of our Lord 2000, the man played a full-on Dominican drug lord named Peoples in Shaft, and I didn’t know that it was him until six years later when he starred as CIA operative Felix Leiter in Casino Royale . Wright can take over iconic sidekicks, play world-renown artists ( Basquiat ), unknown androids ( Westworld ), and real-life politicians ( W ) without a question about his ability to pull it off. There is a reason some people wonder if he’s a “better” actor than Denzel Washington. I mean, the answer is no, but at least now you know why the discussion exists. TILDA SWINTON Yeah, I know she did that role : The Ancient One, The Marvel Cinematic Universe Wait, you’re telling me she did THAT role too! : Minister Mason, Snowpiercer (2013) It isn’t just her physical appearance that helps Tilda Swinton melt into so many different roles, but it for damn sure helps enhance her incredible ability to do so. If you need an actor to play an androgynous character without feeling like a cop out, Swinton has proven she is more than qualified with her portrayals of the archangel Gabriel in Constantine and Minister Mason in Snowpiercer . That’s because she is so damn mysteriously interesting, captivating, and capable of anything and everything you need of her. She played polar opposite twins in Hail, Caesar! (and did so again in Okja ) because her chameleonic ability is something acclaimed directors know not to waste. Whether being two different people inside one movie, or changing who she is from role to role, Swinton is a master at disguising the real-life woman she is on a day-to-day basis. STANLEY TUCCI Yeah, I know he did that role : Joshua Joyce, Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) Wait, you’re telling me he did THAT role too! : Merlin, Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) Tucci Gang, stand up!!!! If you are not a member of the Pete Davidson and Sam Rockwell-led fan club, then maybe some of you don’t know his name, but that’s that guy from The Hunger Games (shout out to a perfect SNL skit). You know, the guy with the crazy hair and the ridiculously white smile. Stanley Tucci was perfectly posh, polished, and utterly enthusiastic as Caesar Flickerman, and you would never know (unless you know) that he’s also the creepy, sleazy, disheveled antagonist, George Harvey, in The Lovely Bones (or maybe you never watched that movie because we don’t really speak on it). Instead, maybe you recognize him as the blunt, loyal, and fabulous Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada . If so, you had to have asked yourself how that same guy plays the humble German scientist Abraham Erskine in Captain America . If you weren’t a member of the Tucci Gang before, you should join the club soon because there’s a reward for you no matter your proclivities. Comedy, drama, outlandish, reserved, friendly, or antagonistic, Tucci is the man for the job. Every. Single. Time. REGINA KING Yeah, I know she did that role : Sharon Rivers, If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) Wait, you’re telling me she did THOSE voices too! : Riley & Huey, The Boondocks (2005-2014) In the 90s, I knew Regina King as one of a handful of actresses that always played the girlfriend or sister in many a hood classic — Craig’s (Ice Cube) sister in Friday , Justice’s (Janet Jackson) best friend in Poetic Justice ), Rod’s (Cuba Gooding Jr.) wife in Jerry Maguire (yes, the Black community loves us some Jerry). She was the quintessential supporting female character with sass and substance. In the 2000s, she evolved into the loving, intelligent, and dependable partner in movies such as Ray, Miss Congeniality 2, Down to Earth , and Daddy Day Care . You may be asking how this proves she’s a chameleon, but I’ll come back to this decade in a second. It was really the 2010s that showed the ultimate range we know of her today, from the Oscar winning role as devoted mother Sharon in If Beale Street Could Talk to the badass vigilante Angela/Sister Night in the Emmy Award-winning HBO series Watchmen . It took almost 30 years for King to get the opportunity to show more than attitude and comedic antagonization towards main characters, but she has more than proven that she knows how to handle comedy, drama, and even westerns (she is EPIC in 2021’s The Harder They Fall ). Just to bring the point home, guess what she was also doing in the 2000s while evolving her supportive partner performances: voicing BOTH Riley and Huey in one of the greatest animated series ever put on screen, The Boondocks . Point Made. GIANCARLO ESPOSITO Yeah, I know he did that role : Gus Fring, Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul (2009-2022) Wait, you’re telling me he did THAT role too! : Buggin’ Out, Do the Right Thing (1989) An interview that Giancarlo Esposito did while doing promotional work for Do the Right Thing is currently making the rounds on social media. In the interview, he talks about how his heritage informed his upbringing and how he approached the film. If you didn’t know, he is a Black Italian man who never fit in with either community because he was never [fill in proper ethnicity] enough. As a mixed-race man, and even more so as a Black man, I know the necessity of code-switching to create the “appropriate” persona for different situations. Esposito is a master at that. Just in the films he did with director Spike Lee, he morphed into the politically outspoken Buggin’ Out only one year after portraying the bougie, college-educated “Big Brother Almighty” Julian in School Daze . You would never think that the actor behind either of those characters would grow into the unassuming, never-would-have-known-he-wasn’t-just-a-chicken-shack-owner drug-dealing mastermind Gus Fring ( Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul) or the ruthless Imperial Officer Moff Gideon in a galaxy far, far away. Frankly, Esposito is a person who gets me to watch movies and shows sight unseen, based on his name only, because I know he can and will play any role as good or better than anyone else could possibly play that particular role. This was recently confirmed when he took over the role of A.B. Wynter in Netflix’s The Residence following the untimely passing of one-of-one actor Andre Braugher. Only Esposito could fill those unique shoes. ROSAMUND PIKE Yeah, I know she did that role : Amy Dunne, Gone Girl (2014) Wait, you’re telling me she did THAT role too! : Samantha Grimm, Doom (2005) I have almost never hated a character more in a movie than I hated Rosamund Pike’s Amy Dunne in Gone Girl . I have almost never been more interested in a love interest than I was interested in getting to know Rosamund Pike’s Sam Chamberlain in The World’s End. Moving forward after Gone Girl or looking back before The World’s End , Pike may have portrayed less extreme versions of cold-hearted ( I Care A Lot ) and heartwarming ( Barney’s Version ), but she continues to be one of the most versatile actors over any and all genres over the past 25 years. She has the regality to play 18th Century English gentry ( Pride & Prejudice) , ancient Greek royalty ( Clash of The Titans) , and fantasy-magic user ( The Wheel of Time ). She has the strength and power to play a British secret agent ( Die Another Day ), a futuristic scientist ( Doom ), and a war time journalist ( A Private War ). She has the comedic timing to play an ignorant, high-society one-percenter ( Saltburn ), as well as opposite an ignorant, bumbling, lucky-as-hell spy ( Johnny English Reborn ). Whenever I walk into a Pike movie, I don’t know how I am going to feel about her, but I know it's going to be the most I’ve felt that feeling about any character ever. Or at least it always seems that way.

Previous Next As we approach 2025 and the end of the 21st century’s first quarter, we wanted to look back to see which actors, actresses, directors, and movies have stood the test of time. With that in mind, for the rest of the year, the Bitesize Top Five will be giving a consensus view on what we think are the Bests of everything since 2000. We are only looking at work released since January 1, 2000, so don’t get mad because your favourites of the 90s didn’t make it. As always, each writer ranks his or her top 15 in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. TOM CRUISE From a supporting role in Endless Love at the age of 19 to the Oscar-nominated Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning at 60, Tom Cruise’s renowned career and famous love of stunt work has cemented him as one of the best actors of the century, and my personal first choice for the title. His iconic filmography from just the last 25 years includes Collateral, Minority Report, War of the Worlds, Tropic Thunder, Edge of Tomorrow, The Last Samurai, and so many more. Not only is he an incredible actor, but he may well have revived the industry from the impacts of the pandemic with Top Gun: Maverick , which earned just shy of $1.5 billion worldwide. I believe Tom Cruise is one of our last true Hollywood stars, and his films have and will continue to thrill audiences everywhere. - Katie 4. CHRISTIAN BALE The word that comes to mind for me when I think of Christian Bale's career is versatility. He started off the century with a bang as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho , then proceeded to star in every genre possible, be it sci-fi, thriller, western, romance, war, or comedy. He even mixed in a few established franchises (Batman , The Terminator , Thor ). However, it's his work portraying real-life people where he truly shines brightest. As a matter of fact, on three different occasions these have led to Oscar nominations, with his work in The Fighter taking the trophy. At just 50 years old, we can expect many more memorable showings, and likely some more hardware to come. - Nick 3. RYAN GOSLING Remember the Titans . The Notebook . Half Nelson . Blue Valentine . Drive . Crazy, Stupid, Love . The Place Beyond the Pines . The Big Short . The Nice Guys . La La Land . Blade Runner 2049 . The Gray Man . Barbie . Ryan Thomas Gosling has dominated the totality of the 21st century (not to mention, even before, as a child actor). With a childhood that loosely resembled my own, being around the same age, and whose restaurant is a testament to a similar passion for food, it is easy to feel a personal connection to the acting star. The similarities end there, though, as his unending talent as a dancer, singer, and actor with spot-on comedic timing is enough to hate him; if his charm, wit, and character weren’t enough to absolutely adore him. - Preston 2. BRAD PITT It’s no surprise that Mr. Brad Pitt is #2 on this list. The man can truly do it all: lead a film, be a trusty sidekick, and even shine in a cameo role. From Snatch , Burn After Reading , The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , Inglourious Basterds , and the Ocean's trilogy to his most recent features, Bullet Train and Babylon , he has starred in some of the most iconic movies of the past two decades. Over the past 24 years, he has been nominated for an Oscar three times for acting, finally winning Best Supporting Actor in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood . He has consistently demonstrated that he has the charisma, swagger, and acting chops necessary to be considered one of the few true movie stars left in Hollywood. - Paige 1. LEONARDO DICAPRIO Leo might not be my favorite actor in the world, and he might not even be the best actor in the world (that’s an amazing debate topic, though). What’s not debatable, though, is that there really wasn’t another answer here for best actor this century. The man has been in his bag even before Y2K was a thing, but when that new millennium hit, there was no looking back. How it took 15 years and a bear fight for him to finally get an Oscar makes no sense when Jordan Belfort, Frank Abagnale Jr., Cobb, and dozens of other iconic roles demonstrated the absolute monster that is Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio. If his name is on it, you’re gonna go see it. You know I ain’t lying. - Amarú HONORABLE MENTIONS DENZEL WASHINGTON JOAQUIN PHOENIX PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN WILLEM DAFOE JAKE GYLLENHAAL Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2, 4, 5 - Warner Bros.; Photo 3 - Scandia Entertainment

THE CONTINENTAL Starring: Colin Woodell, Mel Gibson, Jeremy Bobb, Mishel Prada, Ben Robson, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Nhung Kate, Jessica Allain, Ayomide Adegun, and Peter Greene Creator: Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons QUENTIN To me, the most fascinating story aspect about the John Wick franchise is the lore behind The High Table and the underground network of assassins, and while The Continental certainly delivers more of that, it is severely hindered by its television budget. Aside from Mel Gibson, who still has a magnetic screen presence despite what you think of him as a person, the acting (and writing) is suspect, and the NYC sets look like they are recycled from old network sitcoms. Still, with only three (albeit lengthy) episodes, a killer soundtrack, and the John Wick meets 70s noir sensibilities, it’s worth checking in to The Continental . PRESTON I may be impatient with my criticisms, as many of my gripes revolve around the gaps in the characters’ stories, which could be filled in with several more seasons or by simply extending this inexplicably brief offering. But I also found that the hard-hitting realism was dampened by cheesy one-liners, cliché monologues, and B-movie-esque fight sequences. My own imagination for a different plot line probably let me down the most, though, and despite it starting off slowly, the show still won me over in the end. It is John Wick -land after all, with a compelling setting and a kick-ass soundtrack!

Previous Next September 27, 2024 WRITTEN BY: PRESTON It’s that time of the year again! Football is back, and if you are anything like me, your team has already disappointed you, your fantasy teams have fallen apart, and you are overwhelmed with a confusing mix of let down and ever-hopeful excitement. That aside, this football season’s weekly schedule typically features a Thursday night game, a Friday night game, Saturday College football, Sunday NFL football, and Monday Night Football! What the hell are we supposed to do Tuesday and Wednesday nights?! Why not turn to Hollywood? Football movies have been around since at least 1921’s silent film Two Minutes to Go . Although that film is now considered a “lost film,” many football movies have stood the test of time, with the same few always seeming to top lists of great gridiron movies. Any Given Sunday comes to mind, but I came to that film too late in life, and, honestly, the fictional teams throw me off. Heaven Can Wait , Varsity Blues (whipped-cream bikini, anyone? I mean…*ahem* football, yay!), Gridiron Gang , Invincible , The Longest Yard , and, yes, even Little Giants all hold a special place in my heart. However, this list includes the films I return to again and again. When you’re missing the live, on-the-field action, watching one of these amazingly fantastic football films can get you through. Plus, they are probably cheaper than the astronomical costs we are forced to pay to watch the entirety of games available through a multitude of subscription services. Shit, I thought golf was expensive! But I digress… So, let’s kick this off (pun intended)! Whether you are a football fiend that needs to fill out your week, or you’re just looking for a great sports film to watch, here are seven excellent football films — one for each and every day of your week: THE BLIND SIDE* (2009) Let’s throw this one on Monday due to its Monday-like problems. The Blind Side has an unfortunate asterisk on its title due to the familial strife caused by the story and its controversial portrayal of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron). Oher took legal action to end the Tuohy’s (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw) conservatorship, to be paid fair payment from film profits, and, ultimately, to end their relationship. It’s a tough end to a beautiful story that, admittedly, took creative liberties on an individual that had obviously not fully bought in on the process. The film isn’t perfect, but even with its real-life shortcomings, it still tells a compelling (if not calculably safe) feel-good tale. My favorite part is the inclusion of college football coach cameos in their hope to recruit Oher. As a Tennessee fan, I also appreciated the disdain for the college, if not my interpretation of revered respect, and the mention of the “body farm.” I can’t help it, guys… I just like it. REMEMBER THE TITANS (2000) Tuesday is still a setup day for the week, and a good day to grab inspiration as you look ahead to what’s coming. Remember the Titans is a great way to get that inspiration. Also, is it any wonder that a football film featuring Denzel Washington and Ryan Gosling would make my list?! Ya’ll knew better. In any case, while their contributions are always appreciated, it is the intense inspirational story that really captivates me. The film is loosely based on the true story of coach Herman Boone (Washington), when an all-black high school is integrated with an all-white school. Two football teams, both having presumed starters, must deal with the implications of this coalescence, both within the school and within the hostile environment surrounding them in 1971 Virginia. Washington is uncompromising, acting as the patient, moral light that we can all look to for inspiration, while Will Patton (Coach Bill Yoast) and Hayden Panettiere (Sheryl Yoast) also shine. Titans is a football film that hits all the feels within the context of social turmoil and one of the greatest sports on earth. RUDY (1993) Now, it’s “hump day,” where the load either feels lightened as we look to the weekend, or it feels heavier than ever as the week begins to crush us. However, the only thing that will be getting crushed is our goals because we’re getting some crazy inspiration from our boy, Rudy (Sean Astin). Rudy is simply the best football movie that has ever been made. It is a biographical sports film based on the grit and determination of Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger, and it has consistently ranked as one of the best sports movies of all time and as one of the most inspiring films, period. When I think of cheesy films that will convince me to get off my ass and do whatever it is I’m procrastinating on, I know Rocky or Rudy will do the trick (Please, don’t tell my wife, or else these might be playing in the living room 24/7). The thing that makes the film so great is that you don’t even need to be a football fan to be truly inspired by Rudy’s actions. Side note: the film oddly does not mention that Rudy served four years in the U.S. Navy prior to his battle to join the Notre Dame football team. What a badass! DRAFT DAY (2014) The NFL draft usually starts on a Thursday at the end of April, so Draft Day is an appropriate film for the day. Maybe you aren’t thrilled about the Thursday night game, or you just need something to amp you up before or after kickoff. Either way, Draft Day is probably my third favorite film on this list. It has its problems, sure: Kevin Costner is his usual stoic self (it just happens to play here), the tension is diminished because of its predictability, and its cliché delivery drives it well-below similar films like Moneyball . However, if you can relate to the difficulties the Browns have experienced (*cough* Falcons *cough*), you are a football fan, and you are interested in the draft process — check, check, and check — you will love this semi-puff NFL piece. I’ve watched this movie so many times, mostly when I start to miss football in the off-season and especially prior to the draft, because it just works. Plus, you know you can trust a film directed by Ivan Reitman, a man that used Arnold Schwarzenegger as his comedic leading man three times, even if one of those films was Junior … FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2004) For Friday? Duh. Full disclosure, I lived in the small town of Roscoe, Texas, when I was young, and the high school football team there is the Roscoe Plowboys. They are beloved by their hometown fans. So, I speak from experience when I say Friday Night Lights ‘ story of an Odessa, Texas, high school football team facing the pressure and prestige placed upon their players is a fantastic reflection of reality. It feels so real because it is based on the non-fiction book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream , written by H.G. Bissinger. I’ll say it again and again: the best Hollywood stories are based on reality, and Friday Night Lights is no exception, especially with Billy Bob Thornton giving one of the best locker room speeches ever as Coach Gary Gaines. THE WATERBOY (1998) Saturday is for relaxing, college ball, and, unfortunately, yard work (stay with me). Recently, my brother-in-law and I went halfsies on a John Deere lawn mowing tractor. He lives about half a mile from my house, so when I need to mow, I drive down to his house in my truck, drive the tractor back down the road to my house, mow the lawn, and then reverse course. Every single time, I feel like Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler), waving to my country neighbors on the way. Outside of Billy Madison , The Waterboy is about the most Sandler film that has ever been made, for better or worse. I, for one, think it is for the better. All the usual suspects accompany Sandler, alongside a tremendous Kathy Bates, playing Mama Boucher with light-hearted brilliance. Say what you will, but this film is an amusing and fun ride that is still distinguished by being the highest-grossing sports comedy of all time. JERRY MAGUIRE (1996) It really should come as no surprise that Jerry Maguire has made it to another one of my feature articles (READ: “roMANce: A Dude’s Guide to Valentine’s Day” HERE ) as it is simply one of the best, all-around films ever made. Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is a sports agent for Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, which is about all the football you get here. There probably is little need for background on the story since we have all seen it. Plus, I have never heard one person say they didn’t like it. Directed by Cameron Crowe, the extremely quotable film may be light on the sport at hand, but there is enough to put it up there as one of my favorite football films of all time. Here is why it’s a sneaky good pick for Sunday, though… Maybe all the football throughout the week isn’t making your significant other too happy? I can’t imagine why, but still… Following the early game (after your team wins, hopefully), it might be good to curl up on the couch with your special someone and reconnect. They’ll hardly notice the football included, and it might just prepare you two for another great week.