Friday Night Lights (2004)

Friday Night Lights

Is there a such thing as "I" in TEAM? Critics may argue this question, but when it comes to the film Friday Night Lights (2004), based on a true story about one high school football team in West Texas, there is no "I" in TEAM. The film follows the true events of the Odessa-Permian Panthers, an elite high school football team in West Texas, in 1988. The game of football isn't just something to do in this die-hard football town, but more like life or death where expectations of an undefeated season and winning the state championship is not only an achievement, but a requirement!
Critics could argue that there is an "I" in TEAM in the beginning of the movie where the Panther's star player, James `Boobie' Miles (Derek Luke from NJ), makes the thought of losing unimaginable. That stands true, until Boobie suffers a severe season-ending knee injury in the first game of the season which automatically results more in teamwork than in the performance of one `key' player. The film does a great job with its handling of the needed injured athlete facing an unknown future by adding suspense . Since revealing the character would spoil the film, the audience can see the actor (Derek Luke) give an amazing performance of great burning frustration, drawing sympathy from them in a way that the character's previous arrogance did not. The film portrays this character's conflict very well by showing this frustration as he awaits his unknown future.
With a few losses later in the season, the coach, Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton), goes from hero to zero in the eyes of the supporters. Friday Night Lights portrays what a real football season is like with the pressures of life and supporters. Although they didn't have the undefeated season as expected, the Panthers still manage to succeed in making it to the state championship with teamwork and individuals who step-up into the fame. With screenwriter, Peter Berg's shaky camera shots, the viewers see that this isn't your typical football movie, instead, more like a reality show that adds a little extra legitimacy to the standard components: the constant parental pressures, the die-hard obsessive town, the hot-headed coach, the odds push toward the big game. Despite the many components in action, this emotionally fulfilling journey ends with an unexpected twist unlike most films.
Despite the many conflicts and pressures of high school, supporters, as well as family, Friday Night Lights isn't about the performances of each player, but more about what happens in the hearts of each of them. The film is about both the sport and the problems that each individual player faces during their bumpy season. Without a doubt, Friday Night Lights is by far the best sports movie ever made, and a personal favorite, that everyone must see!
December 9, 2008

Friday Night Freebee

Got the product for $0.16, the shipping and handling was what killed me. Video was in perfect condition. Great deal, great movie. November 19, 2008

Wrong DVD zone

The DVD I received was not compatible with my DVD player. It is only compatible with US DVD players and not european ones. Im therefore unable to see the film. November 13, 2008

Action Packed

The playing of the game was action packed and the ending was real something that would happen in real life.. things don't always go your way in life and this movie depicts this concept. In addition, there was also a story besides just the football and what a lot of these school kids went through in thier home life. Very realistic and I enjoyed it and have watched it more than once. I recommend this movie to all.... October 25, 2008

Let's get ready to rumble

I am a woman. I am a woman who doesn't follow sports much in real life, nor do I watch movies about sports. The only reason I picked this up was because I have a thing for Garrett Hedlund as eye candy and I am a fan of Billy Bob Thornton. I could care less about a football movie. Still, this was a good movie. Following in the footsteps of the great sports movies (The Natural, Rudy, Rocky, etc.), we are rooting for the underdog and feeling a great joy when someone triumphs over a great obsticle.

We are following the 1988 high school football season of the Panthers in a small Texas town. We are in America's heartland, Texas, a state that practically throbs with national pride and a love of football. Football is important, and you feel the exuberance of all the star team members as they interact with the townsfolk and media. Each has their own struggle, Garret Hedlund's probably being the most with an abusive father (Time McGraw) and his obvious popularity with the girls (gotta love that scene where the girl gives him a Rice Krispy sculpture!). Billy Bob is a stereotypical hard nosed coach, gruff and demanding. He pushes them as hard as he can. And they triumph.

A great feel good movie about overcoming. It just happens to be a sports movie too. July 2, 2008

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