The world of sports is awash with incredible stories, tales of triumph over adversity, of never giving up despite the odds, of struggles great and small that transcend mere games and athletic contests. That.s why films based on real-life sports stories, stories so unbelievable that if they were made up you.d never believe them for a second, have proliferated throughout the history of cinema. The Jesse Owens biopic, Race, opened last week, and Eddie the Eagle hits theaters this weekend, but those are far from the only ones on the way. Ufc fighter Ronda Rousey will star in her own biopic, NBA player Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, the first African American player signed to play in the NBA will have his story told, and the "Battle of the Sexes" between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King will unfold in theaters. With this in mind, here are seven true sports...
- 2/26/2016
- cinemablend.com
Last week I said we’d be back at the Olympics, and indeed this week’s new release puts us back in the cheering section as another young man hopes to make his dreams of gold come true. While Race focused on American track legend, Jesse Owens, this time out we’re looking back on a British athlete, not from the Summer games but the Winter spectacle. Oh, and it’s during a less controversial era. Owens was pressured not to attend those 1936 games that were often used as a propaganda tool by Hitler. In 1988 no such pressures were brought to bear on this new film’s title hero. And while Owens also had to break past racial barriers, Michael Edwards (his birth name) faced a rigid class system and beurocrats determined to keep him out of competition. But in this “feel good” flick Michael’s determination earns him the nickname Eddie The Eagle.
- 2/26/2016
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, there’s no denying that the stories behind some of the most famous real life athletes make for some inspiring cinema.
Last week we saw the story of historic Olympic athlete Jesse Owens grace the big screen in Race, and this Friday another Olympic hero’s story will be told with Eddie the Eagle. Both films tell the stories of underdogs faced by adversity for various reasons, and how they prevailed.
In the spirit of sports stories both true or fictional, here are ten more films that display the motivation to overcome the odds and to see those athletic dreams realized.
Seabiscuit, Gary Ross (2003)
Telling the true story of the legendary race horse Seabiscuit, the film is about how sports can bring people together in the midst of tragedy. Taking place during the Great Depression, Red (Tobey Maguire) is a jockey who is financially-ruined,...
Last week we saw the story of historic Olympic athlete Jesse Owens grace the big screen in Race, and this Friday another Olympic hero’s story will be told with Eddie the Eagle. Both films tell the stories of underdogs faced by adversity for various reasons, and how they prevailed.
In the spirit of sports stories both true or fictional, here are ten more films that display the motivation to overcome the odds and to see those athletic dreams realized.
Seabiscuit, Gary Ross (2003)
Telling the true story of the legendary race horse Seabiscuit, the film is about how sports can bring people together in the midst of tragedy. Taking place during the Great Depression, Red (Tobey Maguire) is a jockey who is financially-ruined,...
- 2/24/2016
- by Adriana Floridia
- Cineplex
Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis and Jeremy Irons star in the true story.
Altitude Film Distribution has acquired the UK distribution rights to Stephen Hopkins’ Race, which follows black athlete Jesse Owens’ meteoric rise to become four-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1936 games in Nazi Germany.
The deal was negotiated between Altitude’s Will Clarke and Mister Smith Entertainment’s David Garrett. Focus Features released the film in the Us on February 19, taking $7.35m to date.
The UK release date has yet to be set but is likely to come before the Rio Olympics (Aug 5-21).
Directed and produced by Stephen Hopkins (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers), Race stars Stephan James (Selma) as Jesse Owens and Jason Sudeikis (We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses) and also features Jeremy Irons and William Hurt as well as Carice Van Houten (Game of Thrones).
Made with the cooperation of the Jesse Owens Foundation as well as the Owens family...
Altitude Film Distribution has acquired the UK distribution rights to Stephen Hopkins’ Race, which follows black athlete Jesse Owens’ meteoric rise to become four-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1936 games in Nazi Germany.
The deal was negotiated between Altitude’s Will Clarke and Mister Smith Entertainment’s David Garrett. Focus Features released the film in the Us on February 19, taking $7.35m to date.
The UK release date has yet to be set but is likely to come before the Rio Olympics (Aug 5-21).
Directed and produced by Stephen Hopkins (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers), Race stars Stephan James (Selma) as Jesse Owens and Jason Sudeikis (We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses) and also features Jeremy Irons and William Hurt as well as Carice Van Houten (Game of Thrones).
Made with the cooperation of the Jesse Owens Foundation as well as the Owens family...
- 2/23/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis and Jeremy Irons star in the true story.
Altitude Film Distribution has acquired the UK distribution rights to Stephen Hopkins’ Race, which follows black athlete Jesse Owens’ meteoric rise to become four-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1936 games in Nazi Germany.
The deal was negotiated between Altitude’s Will Clarke and Mister Smith Entertainment’s David Garrett. Focus Features released the film in the Us on February 19, taking $7.35m to date.
The UK release date has yet to be set but is likely to come before the Rio Olympics (Aug 5-21).
Directed and produced by Stephen Hopkins (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers), Race stars Stephan James (Selma) as Jesse Owens and Jason Sudeikis (We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses) and also features Jeremy Irons and William Hurt as well as Carice Van Houten (Game of Thrones).
Made with the cooperation of the Jesse Owens Foundation as well as the Owens family...
Altitude Film Distribution has acquired the UK distribution rights to Stephen Hopkins’ Race, which follows black athlete Jesse Owens’ meteoric rise to become four-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1936 games in Nazi Germany.
The deal was negotiated between Altitude’s Will Clarke and Mister Smith Entertainment’s David Garrett. Focus Features released the film in the Us on February 19, taking $7.35m to date.
The UK release date has yet to be set but is likely to come before the Rio Olympics (Aug 5-21).
Directed and produced by Stephen Hopkins (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers), Race stars Stephan James (Selma) as Jesse Owens and Jason Sudeikis (We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses) and also features Jeremy Irons and William Hurt as well as Carice Van Houten (Game of Thrones).
Made with the cooperation of the Jesse Owens Foundation as well as the Owens family...
- 2/23/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Suddenly the Olympic Games are hot stuff in the movies. No sooner did we have last week’s Race about track and field star Jesse Owens’ triumph in winning four gold medals at Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics, than this week we have an Olympic saga of a very different stripe. No one wins any medals in Eddie The Eagle. In fact, Michael Eddie Edwards, a young British man with an Olympic dream, managed to come in dead last in both ski-jumping events he entered at the 1988 Calgary…...
- 2/23/2016
- Deadline
[Warning: This story contains spoilers from the movie Race.] Beyond the finish line of Race is a bittersweet ending. Directed by Stephen Hopkins, the Focus Features release — which sees Stephan James as Jesse Owens, the track and field athlete who overcame adversity to win four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Germany, where he was confronted with Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy — closes with a glamorous gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Though he was the evening's honoree, the gold medalist was not allowed to enter through the front door and was forced to
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- 2/22/2016
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Considering its big opening last week and critical praise, there was not much room for doubt that Deadpool would score big once again. Pulling in an estimated $55 million, it finished head and shoulders over the competition, keeping Kung Fu Panda 3 in second place with an estimated $12.5 million. While still not the success of the previous films, Kung Fu Panda 3 has still pulled in $117.1 million domestically and counting…which, except for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (eighth place, estimated $3.8 million) and The Revenant (ninth place, estimated $3.8 million), it is the fourth highest grossing film currently in the top ten.
Three new films graced the top ten, the most successful of which was Risen (estimated $11.8 million). Gaining better-than-average critical praise than most faith-based films, it still has a rocky financial start with its heftier-than-average $20 million budget. The Witch, on the other hand, is gaining surprisingly high critical praise for a horror film,...
Three new films graced the top ten, the most successful of which was Risen (estimated $11.8 million). Gaining better-than-average critical praise than most faith-based films, it still has a rocky financial start with its heftier-than-average $20 million budget. The Witch, on the other hand, is gaining surprisingly high critical praise for a horror film,...
- 2/22/2016
- by Seth Paul
- CinemaNerdz
Getting blown out by “Deadpool” at the box office isn’t such a bad gig, at least not for Sony and Affirm Films, who backed “Risen,” and A24, which rolled out “The Witch.” The raunchy and R-rated Ryan Reynolds superhero saga took in $55 million to claim the top spot at the domestic box office in its second weekend, leaving the pack in the dust: “Risen” took in nearly $12 million and was third, while horror film “The Witch” was next with $8.6 million. The weekend’s other wide opener, the Jesse Owens biopic “Race,” brought in around $7 million, so the grosses of.
- 2/21/2016
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
On Saturday, its ninth day in theaters, Deadpool managed to pass the $200 million mark domestically. A lot can be said about that number considering it’s more than Avatar made in that amount of time. According to studio estimates, Deadpool took in another $55 million this weekend. A pretty good hold for an R-rated comic adaptation and it helps that there isn’t any major competition at the moment.
Kung Fu Panda 3 opened in second in its fourth frame, bringing its domestic total up to $117.1 million. At the same point in its run, Kung Fu Panda 2 had grossed $143.6 million. Risen opened third, the period Christian drama opened with an estimated $11.8 million.
When it comes to the other new release, the much touted horror movie The Witch, it actually opened stronger than Risen when you see take into considering it’s lower theater count. The movie earned an estimated $8.6 million from 2,046 locations,...
Kung Fu Panda 3 opened in second in its fourth frame, bringing its domestic total up to $117.1 million. At the same point in its run, Kung Fu Panda 2 had grossed $143.6 million. Risen opened third, the period Christian drama opened with an estimated $11.8 million.
When it comes to the other new release, the much touted horror movie The Witch, it actually opened stronger than Risen when you see take into considering it’s lower theater count. The movie earned an estimated $8.6 million from 2,046 locations,...
- 2/21/2016
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
No one expects much to happen at the box office in February. And that's how we get a surprise smash like "Deadpool."
The saga of the pan-sexual superhero, which broke all kinds of box office records when it premiered last weekend, had a 58 percent drop this weekend (on par with most comic book movies) and still easily topped the box office with an estimated $55 million. In 10 days, "Deadpool" has racked up $235.4 million to become the highest grossing movie from the "X-Men" universe. It's also the fastest R-rated movie to $200 million (nine days) and well on its way to being the highest-grossing R-rated title ever. These figures are even more impressive considering that none of those tickets had 3D surcharges.
"Kung Fu Panda 3" is displaying strong holding power as well. In its fourth weekend, the threequel finished in second place with an estimated $12.5 million. It's earned $117.1 million to date, in...
The saga of the pan-sexual superhero, which broke all kinds of box office records when it premiered last weekend, had a 58 percent drop this weekend (on par with most comic book movies) and still easily topped the box office with an estimated $55 million. In 10 days, "Deadpool" has racked up $235.4 million to become the highest grossing movie from the "X-Men" universe. It's also the fastest R-rated movie to $200 million (nine days) and well on its way to being the highest-grossing R-rated title ever. These figures are even more impressive considering that none of those tickets had 3D surcharges.
"Kung Fu Panda 3" is displaying strong holding power as well. In its fourth weekend, the threequel finished in second place with an estimated $12.5 million. It's earned $117.1 million to date, in...
- 2/21/2016
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Deadpool, once the little superhero movie that could, has rocketed past all expectations at the box office to become a bona fide juggernaut, and it maintained momentum in its second weekend, pulling in another $55 million to blast its domestic haul past $200 million.
The superhero blockbuster, which debuted to a stunning $132.4 million over a three-day weekend, dropped off 58.5%, which is fairly common for superhero movies, but the fact that it’s still selling as many tickets as it is amounts to more great news for Fox. The studio is surely still in the midst of taking a massive victory lap after putting its faith in an R-rated standalone superhero flick starring one historically less-than-bankable star (Ryan Reynolds, whose face is also covered for the vast majority of the movie).
More News From The Web
There’s really no precedent for Deadpool, which has now rung up a worldwide total of $497 million...
The superhero blockbuster, which debuted to a stunning $132.4 million over a three-day weekend, dropped off 58.5%, which is fairly common for superhero movies, but the fact that it’s still selling as many tickets as it is amounts to more great news for Fox. The studio is surely still in the midst of taking a massive victory lap after putting its faith in an R-rated standalone superhero flick starring one historically less-than-bankable star (Ryan Reynolds, whose face is also covered for the vast majority of the movie).
More News From The Web
There’s really no precedent for Deadpool, which has now rung up a worldwide total of $497 million...
- 2/21/2016
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Typically the least exciting period of the year when it comes to new movie releases, occasional bright spots are to be found, as "Deadpool" continues to bulldoze the competition, even this weekend's new releases, like "Risen" (the action-drama which tells the Biblical story of the Resurrection, through the eyes of a non-believer), as well as the rather conventional, if safe and even dull Jesse Owens biopic, "Race," and the much-hyped horror movie, "The Witch" - all in the top 10 for the weekend, but none remotely close enough to unseat the so-called "Merc with a Mouth," aka Deadpool, which earned a whopping $55 million in its...
- 2/21/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
For the second weekend in a row, Fox and Marvel's "Deadpool" dominated the U.S. box-office, pulling in a further $55 million which is pretty much the estimate that the studio thought it would open to last weekend. Of course that expectation was shattered as the film ended up accumulating a stunning $152.2 million President's Day Weekend launch.
At the end of its second weekend, the film has taken in $235.4 million domestically and has managed a global total so far of $491 million which makes it the second highest grossing "X-Men" film ever, behind only $747 million worldwide for "X-Men: Days Of Future Past". Whether it'll make that number is hard to say as 'Days' was a stronger hit outside the United States.
Several new films opened this weekend with the critically acclaimed supernatural thriller "The Witch" debuting in fourth to $8.7 million, the widest and highest performing debut in distributor A24's history following...
At the end of its second weekend, the film has taken in $235.4 million domestically and has managed a global total so far of $491 million which makes it the second highest grossing "X-Men" film ever, behind only $747 million worldwide for "X-Men: Days Of Future Past". Whether it'll make that number is hard to say as 'Days' was a stronger hit outside the United States.
Several new films opened this weekend with the critically acclaimed supernatural thriller "The Witch" debuting in fourth to $8.7 million, the widest and highest performing debut in distributor A24's history following...
- 2/21/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
By Jake Coyle
AP Film Writer
New York (AP) -- Marvel's R-rated antihero smash "Deadpool" continued to dominate movie theaters over the weekend, earning an estimated $55 million and trouncing a trio of newcomers.
After pulling in a massive $152.2 million in its President's Day weekend four-day debut, the comic book adaptation from 20th Century Fox starring Ryan Reynolds as a foul-mouthed mercenary again topped the North American box office. Having already grossed $235.4 million domestically, "Deadpool" - made for just $58 million - is likely to become one of the most successful R-rated movies ever.
Among new releases, the faith-based drama "Risen," starring Joseph Fiennes, debuted with $11.8 million for Sony. A24's Puritan period thriller "The Witch" opened with $8.7 million. The Jesse Owens biopic from Focus Features, "Race," struggled to find its footing with $7.3 million.
AP Film Writer
New York (AP) -- Marvel's R-rated antihero smash "Deadpool" continued to dominate movie theaters over the weekend, earning an estimated $55 million and trouncing a trio of newcomers.
After pulling in a massive $152.2 million in its President's Day weekend four-day debut, the comic book adaptation from 20th Century Fox starring Ryan Reynolds as a foul-mouthed mercenary again topped the North American box office. Having already grossed $235.4 million domestically, "Deadpool" - made for just $58 million - is likely to become one of the most successful R-rated movies ever.
Among new releases, the faith-based drama "Risen," starring Joseph Fiennes, debuted with $11.8 million for Sony. A24's Puritan period thriller "The Witch" opened with $8.7 million. The Jesse Owens biopic from Focus Features, "Race," struggled to find its footing with $7.3 million.
- 2/21/2016
- by The Associated Press
- Moviefone
Deadpool took #1 at the weekend box office once again in its second weekend of release, crossing $235 million domestically. But it wasn't a weekend all about the Merc with the Mouth as a pair of newcomers in Risen and The Witch had strong opening performances. Additionally, Focus' Race finished its debut sprint with a sixth place finish and Sony saw an impressive limited opening for Stephen Chow's Chinese box office behemoth The Mermaid. In first, Deadpool brought in an estimated $55 million in its second weekend, a 58.5% drop from last weekend, which is well within expectation as films that open over $100 million tend to drop, on average, 54.3%. Deadpool, as it turns out, had a similar drop to the previous R-rated opening weekend champion, The Matrix Reloaded, which dropped 59.8% in its second weekend back in 2003. The film's drop, however, is much better than last year's Valentine's and President's Day weekend champ, Fifty Shades of Grey,...
- 2/21/2016
- by Brad Brevet <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Fox’s violent, vulgar and funny “Deadpool” again dominated the North American box office Friday with $16.2 million, and the Ryan Reynolds superhero saga is on pace for a $56 million second-weekend win. The Tim Miller-directed superhero movie send-up was overpowering and its Friday haul — a roughly 65 percent drop from its record-breaking opening day last week — topped the combined total taken in by the three new movies: Sony’s historical religious drama “Risen,” A24’s low-budget horror film “The Witch” and Focus Features’ Jesse Owens biopic “Race.” The R-rated “Deadpool” will cross the $200 million mark domestically on Saturday, and by Sunday its 10-day domestic total could.
- 2/20/2016
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Stephan James didn't set out to make his first big marks in Hollywood by playing larger-than-life historical figures -- first as John Lewis in 2014's Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma and now as track legend Jesse Owens in Race -- but he's happy to be in the position to do so. "I feel good about the decisions I've made so far," James, 22, tells People. "I've always been into telling great stories. If you look at Selma or Race, to me those are great great stories in the fabric of not only American history but history in general, world history.
- 2/20/2016
- by Kara Warner, @karawarner
- PEOPLE.com
Stephan James didn't set out to make his first big marks in Hollywood by playing larger-than-life historical figures -- first as John Lewis in 2014's Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma and now as track legend Jesse Owens in Race -- but he's happy to be in the position to do so. "I feel good about the decisions I've made so far," James, 22, tells People. "I've always been into telling great stories. If you look at Selma or Race, to me those are great great stories in the fabric of not only American history but history in general, world history.
- 2/20/2016
- by Kara Warner, @karawarner
- PEOPLE.com
The story of Jesse Owens — the Ohio State University track and field star who went on to stunning the world (and especially Hitler) by winning four gold medals in Nazi Germany’s 1936 Berlin Olympics — is definitely the stuff of dreams, as well as movies. This inspiring tale of an African-American athlete who made his mark on the planet just as the winds of war were gathering now has been made into a feature film with Stephan James as Owens. As I say in my video review…...
- 2/20/2016
- Deadline
Descriptors that defined Jesse Owens – like speedy, smooth or brave – are not words likely to be associated with Race, the new biopic from director Stephen Hopkins. The 10.3 seconds in which Owens (played by Stephan James) changed the world unfolds over 134 plodding minutes, completely devoid of tension. Race is a story about an incredible man simply “being incredible,” rather than the circumstances that forced him to drastically defy the odds.
In line with expectations for clichéd biopics, Race begins with extraneous expositional dialogue, with Jesse’s mother, Emma Owens (Michèle Lonsdale Smith) informing her son that he’s “the first boy of mine to go to college,” then reminding him of the “lump” she removed from his chest at 5 that left him with a scar. As co-written by Frankie & Alice screenwriters Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, the screenplay feels stiff on a scene to scene basis, entering its worst stretches whenever...
In line with expectations for clichéd biopics, Race begins with extraneous expositional dialogue, with Jesse’s mother, Emma Owens (Michèle Lonsdale Smith) informing her son that he’s “the first boy of mine to go to college,” then reminding him of the “lump” she removed from his chest at 5 that left him with a scar. As co-written by Frankie & Alice screenwriters Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, the screenplay feels stiff on a scene to scene basis, entering its worst stretches whenever...
- 2/19/2016
- by Zachary Shevich
- We Got This Covered
Race, the movie about Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owen’s story opens today, so here are a few clips and featurettes from it. Race is currently sitting at 65% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 71 counted reviews. As always the clips are not in chronological order and there might be spoilers (although I usually try to […]
Read A Few Clips and More from Jesse Owens Biopic Race on Filmonic.
Read A Few Clips and More from Jesse Owens Biopic Race on Filmonic.
- 2/19/2016
- by Alex
- Filmonic.com
Check out what’s playing this weekend and make the right decision! While you’re at it, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. My mom says they’re cool.
The Witch
Notable: The premise is based on America’s first witch hysteria in colonial New England, set 62 years before the infamous “Salem Witch Trials” which occurred in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The great thing about The Witch, as far as I can tell without seeing it yet, is that it already looks so much smarter than most horror movies we’re given all too often. It looks though-provoking and visually unsettling; you have a sense of pending doom from the trailers and that’s what people who have seen the film seem to convey as well. Slow-building horror seems to be on the rise, let’s hope The Witch keeps the wheels in motion so we get more like this.
The Witch
Notable: The premise is based on America’s first witch hysteria in colonial New England, set 62 years before the infamous “Salem Witch Trials” which occurred in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The great thing about The Witch, as far as I can tell without seeing it yet, is that it already looks so much smarter than most horror movies we’re given all too often. It looks though-provoking and visually unsettling; you have a sense of pending doom from the trailers and that’s what people who have seen the film seem to convey as well. Slow-building horror seems to be on the rise, let’s hope The Witch keeps the wheels in motion so we get more like this.
- 2/19/2016
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
On May 25, 1935 at 3:15 p.m., Ohio State University Track and Field athlete Jesse Owens began what is widely regarded as the greatest 45 minutes in the history of sports. In less than one hour, Owens broke three world records and tied a fourth. Race tells the story of just three years of Owens' life, which would be the most productive of his athletic career. In this exclusive Fandango Movieclips clip, Owens (Stephan James) begins his unparalleled performance at the Big 10 Championships...
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- 2/19/2016
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
Chicago – In the history of America, there are moments when champions rose above their societal status and circumstance. And so it came to pass that African American Jesse Owens – during one of most difficult times in America for blacks – won medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, representing America and striking a blow against Adolf Hitler, four years before WWII. Owen’s story is told in the new film, “Race,” and he is portrayed by actor Stephan James.
Life in Depression-era America was difficult for all citizens at the time, but never more so than the black population. Emerging from those times was James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens (Stephan James), a track athlete of extraordinary talent. He was called first to represent Ohio University, under the tutelage of Coach Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). The coach molded Owen’s raw talent and soon he broke several world records. The 1936 Olympics in Berlin were a...
Life in Depression-era America was difficult for all citizens at the time, but never more so than the black population. Emerging from those times was James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens (Stephan James), a track athlete of extraordinary talent. He was called first to represent Ohio University, under the tutelage of Coach Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). The coach molded Owen’s raw talent and soon he broke several world records. The 1936 Olympics in Berlin were a...
- 2/19/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Toronto actor Stephan James endured a great deal of pressure for his first major leading role.
The rising star brings to life Olympic champion Jesse Owens, who not only won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, but did so in the midst of the Nazi occupation. He became a hero not just for his astonishing, record-breaking track and field races, but for standing up to the Hitler regime.
James, who previously co-starred in the Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma, felt honoured to bring this hero to the big screen, introducing Owens to a whole new generation.
Alongside him in the film is actor Jason Sudeikis, as Owens' unorthodox coach. Larry Snyder marks the first dramatic character we've seen Sudeikis tackle, and although we primarily know him for comedies like Horrible Bosses, We're the Millers, and of course his "Saturday Night Live" career, Sudeikis picks his projects based on the story.
The rising star brings to life Olympic champion Jesse Owens, who not only won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, but did so in the midst of the Nazi occupation. He became a hero not just for his astonishing, record-breaking track and field races, but for standing up to the Hitler regime.
James, who previously co-starred in the Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma, felt honoured to bring this hero to the big screen, introducing Owens to a whole new generation.
Alongside him in the film is actor Jason Sudeikis, as Owens' unorthodox coach. Larry Snyder marks the first dramatic character we've seen Sudeikis tackle, and although we primarily know him for comedies like Horrible Bosses, We're the Millers, and of course his "Saturday Night Live" career, Sudeikis picks his projects based on the story.
- 2/19/2016
- by Adriana Floridia
- Cineplex
Jesus was no match for Satan at the box office on Thursday night. A24’s horror film “The Witch” scared up $630,000 from 1,600 domestic screens, while faith-based drama “Risen” started the weekend off with $425,000 from 2,329 locations. The Jesse Owens’ biopic “Race” came in third with $205,000 at 1,800 locations. Also Read: 'Risen' Review: Christian Epic Nearly Resurrects Faith-Based Cinema The historical religious drama “Risen” is told from the perspective of a fictional Roman centurion, a non-believer who is assigned to investigate rumors of a risen Jewish messiah causing upheaval among the locals. It’s tracking to open between $11 million and $15 million for Sony,...
- 2/19/2016
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
This tale of Owens’ 1936 Berlin Olympics glory is slow around the track, dragging a tedious love plot, a rote coach-runner relationship and tone-deaf comparisons of America with genocidal Germany
Lace your shoes tightly and stretch those calves, because Race is an endurance test. At 134 minutes, very few of them taken at a sprint, director Stephen Hopkins’s telling of the Jesse Owens story goes in many circles before the African American track and field star can win those medals and score his PR win against the Nazis.
At first, everything’s by the numbers. Young Jesse (Stephan James) arrives at Ohio State University in 1933 and is confronted with racial bigotry. His coach, Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis), senses great raw talent, and that if he focuses and works hard Owens will be unstoppable. Snyder isn’t that warm and fuzzy, and Owens isn’t too keen on his methods, but once...
Lace your shoes tightly and stretch those calves, because Race is an endurance test. At 134 minutes, very few of them taken at a sprint, director Stephen Hopkins’s telling of the Jesse Owens story goes in many circles before the African American track and field star can win those medals and score his PR win against the Nazis.
At first, everything’s by the numbers. Young Jesse (Stephan James) arrives at Ohio State University in 1933 and is confronted with racial bigotry. His coach, Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis), senses great raw talent, and that if he focuses and works hard Owens will be unstoppable. Snyder isn’t that warm and fuzzy, and Owens isn’t too keen on his methods, but once...
- 2/19/2016
- by Jordan Hoffman
- The Guardian - Film News
Hollywood knows that one genre is almost certain to get the audience’s blood pumping and pulse racing: the sports story. Creed certainly proved that a few months ago (you’d think audiences were watching a real live boxing match, judging from the all the cheering at the multiplex). Couple that on-screen excitement with a dramatic true story, and you’ve hopefully got a critical and box office hit. And while professional sports may be tainted and tarnished thanks to bad behavior and big bucks, the amateur athletes still have a purity and nobility about them. There have been plenty of college (We Are Marshall), high school (Hoosiers), and even grade school (The Bad News Bears) team tales, but for individual triumphs, the four-year spectacle, the Olympics, abound in stories of glory and drama. Well 2016 just so happens to be an olympic year, so the studios are launching the first...
- 2/19/2016
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
There are few 20th century American stories more inspiring than that of Jesse Owens. I’m happy to report that the new movie Race does justice to the man and his legacy. Having decided not to attempt a full-scale biography, the filmmakers focus on the defining period of Owens’ life, 1934-36, when he went to Ohio State University, took up track and field, met coach Larry Snyder, and competed in the 1936 Olympics. For younger viewers unfamiliar with Owens’ extraordinary achievements, the film will serve as a useful primer. Although it was made with the cooperation of his family, it doesn’t portray...
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- 2/19/2016
- by Leonard Maltin
- Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy
Valentine's Day has passed, but there's still bromance in the air. Jason Sudeikis and Race costar Stephan James are totally infatuated with each other, the latter told People at the films New York City premiere, Wednesday. In Race Olympian Jesse Owens' (James) vies to become the greatest track and field athlete in history during the 1936 games in Berlin, facing off against Adolf Hitler's vision of white supremacy. Sudeikis plays his coach, Larry Snyder. "He's just awesome, we had a lot of fun moments on an off set despite the serious subject manner," James said of Sudeikis. "You'll see...
- 2/19/2016
- by Maggie Parker
- PEOPLE.com
Stephen Hopkins’ Race focuses on Jesse Owens (Selma’s Stephan James), a legendary African-American runner who won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but never quite received the acclaim he deserved, thanks to virulent racism and a country that only pays attention to you when you’re winning. To Race’s credit, it tries to express these complicated circumstances through an adjacent look at the behind-the-scenes process of America deciding whether to participate in the Olympics at all, and subsequently Owens’ own crisis of faith about whether to attend, but it lacks a coherent perspective to link together all these disparate parts.
From the beginning, Owens is the consummate underdog on the way to success, literally weaving in and out of an impoverished Cleveland in 1933, to say bye to his family before heading off to college. The script is full of telegraphing platitudes like Owens telling his terminally unemployed...
From the beginning, Owens is the consummate underdog on the way to success, literally weaving in and out of an impoverished Cleveland in 1933, to say bye to his family before heading off to college. The script is full of telegraphing platitudes like Owens telling his terminally unemployed...
- 2/18/2016
- by Michael Snydel
- The Film Stage
Sooner or later we were bound to get a biographical sports movie about Olympic runner Jesse Owens. In fact, it’s pretty surprising that it took this long for it to happen. Now we’ve got one though and it comes to us in the form of Race, directed by Stephen Hopkins (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers).
The movie takes us back to the 1930’s when Jesse (Stephan James) was a student at Ohio State University and being coached by former running star Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). But while Jesse finds college life challenging, especially with his girlfriend and child back home, he’s soon presented with an even bigger challenge: competing at the Olympics in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. Despite the oppressiveness he’s made to feel, he’s still determined to triumph in spite of seemingly infinite adversity.
Recently, the press...
The movie takes us back to the 1930’s when Jesse (Stephan James) was a student at Ohio State University and being coached by former running star Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). But while Jesse finds college life challenging, especially with his girlfriend and child back home, he’s soon presented with an even bigger challenge: competing at the Olympics in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. Despite the oppressiveness he’s made to feel, he’s still determined to triumph in spite of seemingly infinite adversity.
Recently, the press...
- 2/18/2016
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Deadpool's monster, $132.4 million three-day opening last weekend was the earliest a movie has ever opened with over $100 million by almost a month. Previously, Alice in Wonderland's $116.1 million opening in the first weekend of March 2010 held that distinction. Prior to that, film's didn't cross the century mark in their opening weekend until the beginning of summer. It certainly is a new era as studios are redefining release patterns every month. This weekend Deadpool doesn't face much competition in the way of new releases and will retain the number one spot handily. The weekend's three new wide releases vying for a spot below Deadpool include Sony's faith-based feature Risen, Focus' Jesse Owens biopic Race and A24's period horror The Witch. Beginning with number one, history shows that when a film opens with over $100 million it tends to drop, on average, around 54.3% in its second weekend. Films that score an "A" CinemaScore or higher,...
- 2/18/2016
- by Brad Brevet <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Hollywood seems to pride itself on biopics of historical Black figures. Over the past several years, Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Bessie Smith’s stories have all gotten the film treatment. This year, it’s Olympic Gold medalist and track star Jesse Owens’ turn in the film “Race”. During the Great Depression and the height of Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany, Owens defied all odds. He was not only the fastest man in the world, but he also became the face of America at the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936. “Race”, which stars “Selma” actor Stephan James, is about Owens' incredible rise and unprecedented success. Film studios often get biopics wrong because they present a glossy...
- 2/18/2016
- by Aramide A Tinubu
- ShadowAndAct
Plot: The true story of Jesse Owens (Stephan James) who overcame prejudice to compete – and win – in the infamous 1936 Olympic games in Berlin. Review: There are very few Olympic stories as stirring and heroic as that of Jesse Owens, which is why it’s crazy that it’s taken eighty years for him to finally get his due on the big screen. While it lacks the heft or... Read More...
- 2/18/2016
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Jesse Owens was the kind of once-in-a-generation athlete who set four world records in a single meet. His quartet of gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics — where he disproved Hitler’s delusions of Aryan supremacy in the Nazi fatherland for all the world to see — makes him one of the most legendary athletes of the interwar years. But the sprinter and jumper’s journey toward the first-place podium was rife with conflict, both internal and international. It’s those ethical negotiations that provide the unusual stakes in the uncommonly engaging sports biopic “Race.” This new drama from director Stephen Hopkins.
- 2/18/2016
- by Inkoo Kang
- The Wrap
A charged moment in world history, Jesse Owens’ quadruple-gold performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics is packed with symbolism ready-made for the movies. Leni Riefenstahl mined the stunning visual poetry of it for her landmark documentary Olympia. She did so in a film that otherwise celebrated Aryan supremacy, a Third Reich doctrine that the black American athlete’s triumph left in the dust. Race, in which Riefenstahl is a key supporting character, touches on such paradoxes, pointedly but politely. This portrait of the track-and-field immortal — first off the starting block among several planned Owens biopics, and
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- 2/18/2016
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Recently, during an interview with Screen Rant about his role in the Jesse Owens biopic, Race, Jeremy Irons (Alfred Pennyworth) was asked to talk about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and what fans can expect from Ben Affleck's Batman. "He is extraordinary, quite extraordinary, and Zack Snyder, the director, fantastic vision. I think the public have a great treat in store." Irons was then asked if Batman v Superman would be a film fans would want to see more than once. "I suspect so. I hope so." What do you think about Jeremy Irons' comments? Will you be seeing Batman v Superman more than once when it hits theatres? Also, enjoy this new promotional poster featuring a slightly different look at the Trinity. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters everywhere March 25th, 2016. Fearing the actions of a god-like super hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable,...
- 2/18/2016
- ComicBookMovie.com
Stephan James embodies Jesse Owens in the new biopic .Race.. The actor was so excited to play the part, he claimed that he now runs like Owens after preparing for the role. In this interview, we talked about his two hero characters (.Selma.s. John Lewis and Owens) and what they mean to him, preparing for the part, and being Jesse Owens.
- 2/18/2016
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
By Gary Salem
Opening in theaters nationwide this Friday, February 19th, is the new film, Race.
Based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy. Race is an enthralling film about courage, determination, tolerance, and friendship, and an inspiring drama about one man’s fight to become an Olympic legend.
Race tracks the journey of James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens (portrayed by Stephan James of Selma). As a student and athlete in Depression-era America, Jesse bears the weight of family expectations, racial tension at his college Ohio State University, and his own high standards for competition.
At Ohio State University, Jesse finds a savvy coach and stalwart friend in Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis) – who...
Opening in theaters nationwide this Friday, February 19th, is the new film, Race.
Based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy. Race is an enthralling film about courage, determination, tolerance, and friendship, and an inspiring drama about one man’s fight to become an Olympic legend.
Race tracks the journey of James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens (portrayed by Stephan James of Selma). As a student and athlete in Depression-era America, Jesse bears the weight of family expectations, racial tension at his college Ohio State University, and his own high standards for competition.
At Ohio State University, Jesse finds a savvy coach and stalwart friend in Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis) – who...
- 2/17/2016
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Sooner or later we were bound to get a biographical sports movie about Olympic runner Jesse Owens. In fact, it’s pretty surprising that it took this long for it to happen. Now we’ve got one though and it comes to us in the form of Race, directed by Stephen Hopkins (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers).
The movie takes us back to the 1930’s when Jesse (Stephan James) was a student at Ohio State University and being coached by former running star Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). But while Jesse finds college life challenging, especially with his girlfriend and child back home, he’s soon presented with an even bigger challenge: competing at the Olympics in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. But despite the oppressiveness he is made to feel, he’s still determined to triumph in spite of seemingly infinite adversity.
Recently, the...
The movie takes us back to the 1930’s when Jesse (Stephan James) was a student at Ohio State University and being coached by former running star Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). But while Jesse finds college life challenging, especially with his girlfriend and child back home, he’s soon presented with an even bigger challenge: competing at the Olympics in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. But despite the oppressiveness he is made to feel, he’s still determined to triumph in spite of seemingly infinite adversity.
Recently, the...
- 2/17/2016
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
People often take comfort in believing that they can accurately judge their peers’ lives just by nonchalantly observing one aspect of their existences. But in order to truly comprehend and empathize with their fellow citizens, they must instead delve into the emotional components that drive their multi-faceted social and political situations. World-renowned track and field athlete, Jesse Owens, powerfully garnered appreciation during an internationally hostile social and political time when he captivated audiences during the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. Recognized as one of the world’s first superstar athletes, Owens defied racial tensions and expectations and became a four-time gold medalist. How the runner’s high-stakes environment, including the impassioned racial debates [ Read More ]
The post Interview: Stephen Hopkins Talks Race (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Stephen Hopkins Talks Race (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 2/17/2016
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Indie films like Tumbledown deserve all the breaks they can get. This one rewards the viewer with a typically fine performance by Rebecca Hall and a revelatory one by Jason Sudeikis, whom we usually associate with comedy. He hasn’t abandoned his sense of humor here—in fact, it lightens the movie just when it needs it—but he shows colors we haven’t seen before and points to a rich film career ahead. (He is also playing Jesse Owens’ coach Larry Snyder in Race, which opens on Friday.) Tumbledown is a debut feature for director Sean Mewshaw, whose wife Desiree van Til wrote the screenplay. It is all...
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[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]...
- 2/16/2016
- by Leonard Maltin
- Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy
Hollywood seems to pride itself on biopics of historical Black figures. Over the past several years, Jackie Robison, James Brown and Bessie Smith’s stories have all gotten the film treatment. This year, it’s Olympic Gold medalist and track star Jesse Owens’ turn in the film “Race”. During the Great Depression and the height of Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany, Owens defied all odds. He was not only the fastest man in the world, but he also became the face of America at the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936. “Race”, which stars “Selma” actor Stephan James, is about Owens' incredible rise and unprecedented success. Film studios often get biopics wrong because they present a glossy version...
- 2/16/2016
- by Aramide A Tinubu
- ShadowAndAct
Race is the incredible story of Jesse Owens and his historic triumph at the 1936 Olympics. Not only did the athlete deal with rasicm from his own peers in the States, but he also fought to win against Adolf Hitler and the tyrants control over the Olympic Games. It is a powerful story, one that features a couple of terrific performances, as well as Stephen Hopkins inspired take on the events. If you know little... Read More...
- 2/16/2016
- by JimmyO
- JoBlo.com
In modern society’s ever-evolving information age, where fame is as fleeting as the latest technology, becoming, and maintaining the ability to be, a fearless pioneer can be a daunting task. But world-renowned track and field athlete, Jesse Owens, powerfully captivated audiences during the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games by defying racial tensions and becoming a four-time gold medalist. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the runner’s journey as he became a worldwide champion, and how he remains one of a handful of Olympic heroes whose image is still an enduring part of modern cultural heritage, Focus Features is set to release the first feature film based on his life, ‘Race,’ in [ Read More ]
The post Interview: Stephan James Talks Race (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Stephan James Talks Race (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 2/15/2016
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Sooner or later we were bound to get a biographical sports movie about Olympic runner Jesse Owens. In fact, it’s pretty surprising that it took this long for it to happen. Now we’ve got one though and it comes to us in the form of Race, directed by Stephen Hopkins (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers).
The movie takes us back to the 1930’s when Jesse (Stephan James) was a student at Ohio State University and being coached by former running star Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). But while Jesse finds college life challenging, especially with his girlfriend and child back home, he’s soon presented with an even bigger challenge: competing at the Olympics in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. But despite the oppressiveness he is made to feel, he’s still determined to triumph in spite of seemingly infinite adversity.
Recently, the...
The movie takes us back to the 1930’s when Jesse (Stephan James) was a student at Ohio State University and being coached by former running star Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). But while Jesse finds college life challenging, especially with his girlfriend and child back home, he’s soon presented with an even bigger challenge: competing at the Olympics in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. But despite the oppressiveness he is made to feel, he’s still determined to triumph in spite of seemingly infinite adversity.
Recently, the...
- 2/15/2016
- by Ben Kenber
- We Got This Covered
This February sees two films that tell the epic stories of two Olympic heroes.
First up is Race, the story of Olympic track and field athlete Jesse Owens. Owens made history at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, where he won four Gold medals. The film balances Owens personal life and sports legacy with the impending World War II, and how the Olympics were nearly boycotted by the Americans that year in an attempt to stand against the Nazis.
Canadian actor Stephan James stars as Owens, alongside Jason Sudeikis as Coach Snyder, the man whose unorthodox training helped propel Jesse into being one of the most celebrated Olympic athletes of all time.
The second film this month is a much more light-hearted tale. Eddie the Eagle tells the story of Olympic ski-jumper Eddie Edwards, who was the first British athlete to represent England for this sport. The film depicts him as an unlikely hero,...
First up is Race, the story of Olympic track and field athlete Jesse Owens. Owens made history at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, where he won four Gold medals. The film balances Owens personal life and sports legacy with the impending World War II, and how the Olympics were nearly boycotted by the Americans that year in an attempt to stand against the Nazis.
Canadian actor Stephan James stars as Owens, alongside Jason Sudeikis as Coach Snyder, the man whose unorthodox training helped propel Jesse into being one of the most celebrated Olympic athletes of all time.
The second film this month is a much more light-hearted tale. Eddie the Eagle tells the story of Olympic ski-jumper Eddie Edwards, who was the first British athlete to represent England for this sport. The film depicts him as an unlikely hero,...
- 2/15/2016
- by Adriana Floridia
- Cineplex
After an unexpected week off because of third world internet services, I.m back and better than ever for a big week of movies. Get ready for Race, Risen and The Witch, all arriving in theaters this Friday. Just remember, I'm not reviewing these movies, but rather predicting where they'll end up on the Tomatometer. Let's take a look at This Rotten Week has to offer. Rotten Watch Prediction 68% It was only a matter of time before the story of Jesse Owens found its way on to the big screen. Not only was the man an incredible athlete, but he happened to be setting records during a seriously dark time in world history, and essentially was able to shove his extreme talent right in the face of the growing Nazi party in Germany. Owens. story is one perfect for the movies, and now director Stephen Hopkins is delivering us Race.
- 2/15/2016
- cinemablend.com
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