Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Champions
Marcus Marokovich (Woody Harrelson) is a skilled but temperamental assistant coach of a minor league basketball team in Iowa. When he gets a DUI & fired, he begrudgingly must accept 90 days community service coaching an intellectual disabilities team. Move over “Rocky” & “Bad News Bears”, there’s a new heartwarming underdog story to be told in this feel-good sports comedy. Yes, it’s fairly predictable & meant to tug at our heartstrings, but you can’t help but want to root for this coach & his the Friends team as they battle their way to the Special Olympics Championship in Winnipeg. Kaitlin Olson, Cheech Marin & Ernie Hudson are in the supporting cast. The kids on The Friends squad are terrific. As Marcus & audiences get to know them, their personalities, & special behavior/quirks, hopefully everyone will have a better understanding & appreciation for all people. Marcus comes to see each person as they are & what they each need to be properly motivated. Also there is a nice little rom/com story mixed into the game plan. Look for a fun music video played during the credits & one last Showtime stopper at the very end.
Alien gives it 3 “hard-on for the pick & roll” stars out of 4.
