McFarland, USA (2015)

This film is full of tropes about the immigrants, suffering egregiously, and so angry because they work so hard, or cannot find jobs, or are so desperately poor. The writers deliver us the perfect liberal dupe who feels so guilty he goes out into the fields with them to find out how terrible it is to suffer under their working conditions. But where I truly felt nauseous was the deafening silence as to why they came to America in the first place, and what benefits they received for free and what opportunity the free education and healthcare will mean to them. Never once in this entire film is there anything that would represent an honest opinion by even one migrant. They all came because they hate the USA but it was still better than where they came from. Just not enough to offset the horrible conditions here or give them pause to praise their good fortune. I found it utterly disgusting that no reviews I read were aware of this deafening silence. As I was raised in a neighborhood full of Mexican migrants, I can attest that there was not a single one ungrateful for this country and really trying hard to be a part of it. In this film, the liberal, guilty white coach assimilates into THEIR culture and never even mentions USA pride. The truth is, most of South and Central America and Mexico, like Cuba were completely taken over by socialists and communists LONG AGO, and have remained in poverty, with rampant crime and corruption for many decades. That is why so many want to get away and move here. The countries they live in have schools that ONLY teach socialism, guilty socialism, so everyone remains poor except for the elites, who live like kings and queens. That is except where the collapse of the country has occurred like in Venezuela. Want to know why Chile is so modern and thriving with infrastructure and wealth? Because they are one of the few that fought communism and would not let it take over. It is just a shame no one questions this illiterate Hollywood tripe or knows what they are being fed under the guise of good, wholesome entertainment. HA.

This is one of the most engaging true stories I have ever seen. Kevin Costner plays a coach who gets fired and moves to a small town in California to coach football, and winds up forming the school's first ever cross country team. Costner was good in the role. It details his relationship with his family and the kids on the team, and inevitably how his dedication to his new job takes a toll on his family life. My favorite scenes were the practice scenes, the actual tournament scenes, the part where they see the ocean, the quicenerra scene, the part where the daughter is involved in a car accident, and the opening scene that makes him change jobs. If you are into true inspirational sports stories-this is the movie for you!*** out of ****

Nothing wrong to call it an another version of 'Spare Parts', but it dealt with a different subject. It is a biographical-sport film, about a running race team involving seven high school students from one of the poorest towns in America, McFarland. But the tale begins with the coach Jim White, who finally arrives with his family there after got fired frequently in the other cities. Not intended to stay for a long period, but he has no other choice. He finds hard to fit in the society and get along with his students, but he manages to get going when he forms a team for the upcoming cross-country running race. So their journey puts the small town on the map.A very inspiring film, not just sports personalities, but anyone who wants to achieve in life should see it. So a must see film for the students and the youngsters. It is not just about the sport, but culture and society. The first act was an introduction, where and how everyone comes together was revealed. Followed by the middle part focused more on the game. Getting prepared for it and facing other troubles that stands obstacle to it. And finally in the third act, it kind of loses what originally intended as a theme, but brings the social matter into it before getting back to where it belongs to curtain.There was lots of modification in the cinema version compared to the original story. Characters, locations, events, all were kind of randomised from the actuality to the different timelines just to tell a good story. After all, this is a Disney film and Disney always seeks a decent family theme, yet it still remains true to the real. From the New Zealand director of 'Whale Rider' fame, another brilliant film. Apart from the super Kevin Costner and his family, the rest of the cast was so perfect. One of the best sport-dramas of the year and Disney done it again. You no need to analyse it to choose, just go for it and it won't disappoint you.8/10

Seriously, this movie busts out all the stereotypes, and it's still emotionally engaged and heartwarming—even after multiple viewings. Costner is in his element here, in a sports movie. He was always at his best in sports movies. The storyline is predictable, but you don't care when you watch—because it's an awesome feel-good story. The visuals are good, and even though you know where the story is going, the acting is good enough to make you care about the characters—specifically the boys on the team and their families. Certain scenes will bring a tear to your eye every time you watch, and the movie doesn't lose its grip on you until the credits run.The only real negative is the actress playing the older daughter; the writers had to make her into a 21st-century teenager instead of the 1980s teenager she should have been. Writers do this to make the film more relatable to a modern audience, but ... yeah. She's too good at being a brat, just like she was on the Showtime series she was in ("Homeland").