Friday Night Lights (117 minutes)
My alternative title would be: First and Ten

SUPER MOVIE FAN'S RECOMMENDATION: 3, SEE IT

Who is in it?:
BILLY BOB THORNTON, DEEREK LUKE, GARRETT HEDLUND, TIM MCGRAW

What is it about?
Permian, TX is about like most west Texas towns, there's regular day-to-day life and then there's Friday night football. Next to school buildings that aren't well maintained and are poorly equipped are massive stadiums where whole towns come out to cheer their sons and neighbors. This movie profiles Permian High, coach Gary Gaines (BILLY BOB THORNTON) and the lives of his young players. The movie is based on the 1988 best-selling book by H.G. Bissinger.

When and Where does this movie take place?
Odessa, TX.

Why see it? America is full of contradictions, none probably so obvious as our passion for high school football. The brutality of the game is really secondary to the thrill of the prospects of winning. Kentuciana knows its high school football, Wayne, from Southern Indiana's fine programs to the great success of Louisville's Trinity High, but the passion folks around here bring is a level below the religious fervor that comes from football in west Texas. You know this story even if you haven't seen the movie, but it still is engaging and dramatic. You care about the kids and the coach and what happens. This movie is well worth seeing for the understanding of our culture and how we are so possessed with the excitement of the spectacle putting pressure on your people that is right and wrong at the same time. One caller to the local radio station bemoans that there is "too much learning going on in the school." This prevents the boys from getting ready for the game. That about says it all. THORNTON is really good. You'll enjoy this movie, Wayne.

How about the kids?
PG-13 for some rough spots. Not for young children (however many young children go to games on Friday nights, so parents know the intensity of those outings to judge for their family's values).

Video Pick of the Week
The Day After Tomorrow
was a wait and rent in May, well here we are now released on Video/DVD and it is a good action/adventure story about the dramatic effects of global warming and changing weather patterns. Louisville may be on the ocean again in 10,000 years.

Next week, we'll review, Shall We Dance, with RICHARD GERE, JENNIFER LOPEZ and SUSAN SARANDON. Will dance instruction from J-LO save GERE"S marriage?

John Fischetti can be heard Friday's on the Wayne Perkey show on Oldies 103, WRKA and can be reached at fischettij@uncw.edu



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