MOVIE REVIEW: THE WAY BACK

4/5

Ben Is Back.

108 Mins. Starring: Ben Affleck, Janina Gavankar, Al Madrigal, Michaela Watkins & Glynn Turman. Director: Gavin O'Connor. 

Under construction. Straight pouring vodka into his thermos like a hip flask under his hard hat disguise. Ben Affleck's character not only feels too close for comfort to home, but also like a bearded version of his young, Flinstone rock hitting worker from 'Good Will Hunting'. The same one who told fellow Oscar winning young writer Matt Damon that the best part of his day was the few minutes on his porch were he knocks on the door and he thinks his friend won't show because he's off taking his talents elsewhere, or even "seeing about a girl" (son of a bitch did we just steal his line?). An alone version with his friend re-Bourne and long gone, that didn't make it out himself, like he always said he wouldn't anyway. A version crossed over with the hockey hero of Charlestown that never made it pro, as this Boston boy keeps this Californian small setting in the aesthetic of 'The Town'. The hometown hero Celtics would be proud of this parquet courtship. As Ben plays a high school Basketball legend who never made it to the big leagues of the NBA, called back to coach his alma mater who haven't had success like that since he was in the gym for 'The Way Back'. Looking like something he directed himself, but actually from the 'Warrior' (the best sports film and best movie of 2011) mind of his 'Accountant' director Gavin O'Connor reunited. The big-three of 'Gone Baby Gone', 'The Town' and 'Argo' was supposed to be this 'Daredevil' actor, long from the days of taking movies just for a 'Paycheck', after the success of 'Chasing Amy's' big comeback from career 'Armageddon'. Just like his battered and broken version of Batman and his haunted and lonely best Bruce Wayne yet in the 'Dawn Of Justice' in 'Batman vs Superman' was. And despite this being criminally and critically underrated like his 'Live By Night' direction, 'Justice League' (aside from what we're sure is the deserving Snyder cut that deserves to be released, especially now) wasn't as it grappling hook misfired from the high-rises. Then after 'The Batman' solo movie Ben was set to do everything on, except the craft services (and we still wish to see one day...the direction, not the catering) went in a new direction with the 'Twilight' of Robert Pattinson (which you'll love to see), Affleck whose alcoholism was no longer anonymous thanks (but actually no thanks) to the press needed another return and his restrained and clearly lived in, down and out on his luck character on Netflix's 'Triple Frontier', albeit an epic ensemble, all too telling wasn't it. But now with Affleck almost on the back of a retired jersey for the rafters, he's found his banner return, personally fitting to him in the comeback of 'The Way Back'. His certification for the Academy Hall of Fame. Rising like the sun from the ashes of the phoenix tattoo he carries on his back with the weight of a watching world, don't call it a comeback...you can do that more than once.

King James of the Los Angeles Lakers is about to star in a 'Space Jam' sequel next season. And we all know the "secret stuff" of Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny's 90's original too...Bill Murray. But much more than this or the legend of Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson's 'White Men Can't Jump', many more Basketball movies have taken to the floor like a 'Groundhog Day' script cliché. And like Kyrie Irving's 'Uncle Drew' commercial success they're actually all good like 'Love and Basketball'. We all know the 'Blue Chip' classics like Knick superfan Spike Lee's, 'He Got Game' with Denzel Washington and Ray Allen as the Jesus Shuttlesworth originally meant for the late, great Kobe Bryant before Spike filmed, 'Kobe Doin' Work'. Running the picket fence with 'Hoosiers'. All the way to a 'Glory Road' with Samuel L. Jackson's classic 'Coach Carter'. We have the serious (2Pac's 'Above The Rim' and Leo DiCaprio's 'Basketball Diaries') and the silly (Will Ferrell's 'Semi-Pro' and Bow Wow's 'Like Mike'). Cult heroes, like 80's icon Michael J. Fox's 'Teen Wolf'. And underrated gems like Sean Connery's 'Finding Forrester'. Queen Latifah and Common's New Jersey Net 'Just Wright'. The Wayans brother 'Celtic Pride' kidnap. The Shakespearean 'O' with Mekhi Phifer and Josh Hartnett high-school stars. Don Cheadle's streetball legend of 'The Earl Manigault Story'. Whoopi's 'Eddie'. Billy Crystal forgetting Paris with some awesome real player comedy interactions, tripping as a referee. And who could forget the Shaq sized 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' episode, or 'The Office' party pick-up game of legend for the T.V. instant replay comedy Canon? Or...erm...Kevin Durant's 'Thunderstruck'. Even Netflix have made the team with their game changing 'High Flying Bird' and the amazing 'Amateur' that is anything but that name. But nothing is more professional than this powerhouse picture, sharing pages of the gym playbook with the action got in 'Carter', or the sober truth behind the history of 'Hoosiers'. Not to mention the young, against the odds spirit of 'Glory Road' in this squads goals, as Affleck looks to lead his team to the promised land and keys in the ignition drive and take himself away from temptation for this Bishop high-school, where he has to watch that swear jar mouth like he does the opposing teams Point Guard.

Bon Iver's beautiful 'Heavenly Father' like the howling wind (check the choral choir response somewhere in Paris for a L'Blogtheque 'Takeaway' show stopping performance personally for one of the most inspired Iver) plays on the perfect trailer for a man with the plastic coil of two tapped cans away from calling that his home. And "oh my goodness" you just know this is going to be good. Ben brings his best yet, deconstructing his character and its muse like personal life influence before our glazed eyes with humbling honest and bruised heart that still beats as he breaths heavily through a weary and substance soaked soul. He's in control now, even when it looks like he's relapsing away from recovery and remission here in character. From staying dry like January, to trying to keep his marker on the dry erase permanently. From intervention like concern that gets cans thrown across the room. And tins in a rusting shower that are drained along with the sins of this character circling in a steady spiral. As he staggeres to the sofa like he's dancing, sways, punch drunk in heartbreak. But just wait until you see the truly harrowing and haunting reason this character drinks to dull the pain to an ebbing ache. That's just too much to take and Affleck is just too good at this. Forget the Scorsese scorched caped crusades. How can the Academy ignore the 'Argo' acclaimed actor/director now? Ar-go f### yourself! Comedian, 'Night School' and forthcoming Marvel 'Morbius' actor Al Madrigal makes for the assistant coach everyone wants for a classic, coming of age team of talent in acting and playing we will remember for years like Coach, "wait is that Channing Tatum" Carter. Whilst 'Saturday Night Live's' fellow funny Michaela Watkins plays sisters keeper with hearts and smarts. And how about 'Cooley High' legend Glynn Turman as a guardian angel with one drink at the end of the bar, waiting to pick-up and carry coach home, always making sure he gets back safe? Beautiful. But nothing beats 'Blindspotting' star Janina Gavankar on her big-screen breakout as Ben's ex-wife, still in the picture like true lovers still bonded by the intamacy of friendship will always be. Like the love he's garnered from Jennifer Garner. Affleck may be the back of the jersey, big name and franchise face, but this play is all about the whole team, 1 through 15. Role players to who steps up for the last shot. With this warrior, no one does sports drama like O'Connor. Whilst a sobering ending to the drunk and dark drama as such, rather than one drenched in sentimental sap, seems like the right play to make. Sometimes real winning doesn't show on the score sheet. The heart of a true champion is not measured in the gold weight of the trophy cabinet. Basketball may serve as a backdrop to the boozed and broken man trying to put the pieces like a play all together, but this isn't only quite possibly the best Basketball movie of all time (and as you can see there's plenty on the roster to make the cut). It's also maybe one of the best sports movies or dramas ever between the Holy Trinity of a 'Field Of Dreams' and 'Friday Night Lights' on any given Sunday. And not just that, it's finally perhaps in performance, Ben Affleck's greatest of all time too. Hey now, that's an all star. What a way back Coach Affleck. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Coach Carter', 'Glory Road', 'Hoosiers'. 

#TheKobeSeries GOOD CHARLOTTE

Charlotte's Web.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Some schedule in 2002, Foxy as Chick Hearn affectionately called him looks to inbound the ball in North Carolina against the Charlotte Hornets with clutch king Derek Fisher in prime 0.4 position and less time left than future Buzz City owner Michael Jordan had to decide which hand to lay it up off the glass with for that infamous, iconic play back against the 80's Lakers that was true Showtime.

2016 was supposed to be the best year. I met a wonderful woman and that was truly beautiful and we got to see LeBron win it for The Land. But in that same year we lost Prince, Ali, Bowie and a whole heroic host of other G.O.A.T., out of this world talents. And all we got back was Trump and Brexit. Even Kobe retired from the NBA as a Laker for life, 24 and 8 to be in the rafters. 20 years. 81 points amongst more. Two jerseys. One team. At least we had each other.

Fox finds Shaq downtown in a position the most dominant ever has no business being like the free throw line or players in clubs the night before a big game, gone three ("what it do bay-bee"). He looks for Robert Horry whose had more big shots than anyone without Air before their name in the logo.

2020 was supposed to be that year of redemption finally recovered from the depression. Finally lost in translation in Japan for a teaching gig on my way to writing for the Tokyo, 2020 Olympics in any way I could. This was supposed to be the new roaring twenties in a new Fitzgerald, Gatsby age of decadence. But then the morning I got here, somewhere in Yokohama my phone was buzzing in the middle of what was my night from back home like someone I cared about died. Turns out they did. To begin this year we lost Kobe and GiGi and all those people that tragically lost their lives in that horrific helicopter crash. Rest peacefully. And all we got back was Corona. Turns out in the end it's the worst year. Stay safe.

Big shot Bob gracefully gives it off to the young 'fro of Kob who on the ball at the same center court Charlotte logo he could have owned (and still did as he was about to) is aggressively marked by former '96 Laker teammate George Lynch, who is on him like 41 on Glen Rice whose three throwing left the Lakers last season.

Rocking the same teal and turquoise Kobe cleats I copped the same year I fell in love with someone of the same name in tribute, now I walk in them to honour the man who joined the team I started supporting a year earlier and began a beautiful twenty year fanship that felt like a friend too. And the rest was hallowed hoops history I hope haunts every night for the rest of my life. The 'Charlotte' Kobe's imagine in imagery what it would have been like if Kobe took to the floor in Larry Johnson pinstripes too.

Kobe drives like Ryan Gosling in LA. Straight for the perimeter like a Raptor towards a weakness on the fence. Then on the world's smallest dime he stops on what looks like the smoothest, slipperiest when Bon Jovi, classic Hornet honeycomb court in all the association as he bobs and pump fake weaves. Turns out it is for the ankle breaking defender he's just lynched and the G.O.A.T like M.J. as the future number 24 fades away like 23 and falls to the floor.

With the unlucky for them and all the other teams who passed up before like a Sam Bowie (or Todd Fuller(?)! Who? I know right!), 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft the Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant, a 6 foot 6, 215 pound guard out of Lower Merion high school. As fellow twenty/twenty gone before his time, late, great legend David Stern shook his hand. Even future teammate Samaki Walker-with all due respect-was selected before him.

As 8 watched his wonder of a clutch shot like an Oscar winning 'Dear Basketball' scrawled and rolled up tube sock, it would have been a prayer if it was from any other player. But Hail Mary this is Kobe who the Basketball Gods called to their hoop heavens with the Mambacita Mentality of the first name Gianna, who would have grown up to be the greatest WNBA player of all-time like her father Hollywood's greatest storyteller like a Harry Potter wizard, Wizenard with Voldemort Halloween fancy dress killer instinct.

But then as the draft day deal goes down, the logo Jerry West redefined the NBA once again as he shipped centre Vlade Divac (who came aboard from abroad post-Showtime as part of Basketball's new European evolution and revolution and ended up actually playing with the man he was traded for, Kobe back on the Lakers before he retired) to the Hornets nest for Charlotte's new basketball buzz. The kid called Kobe with sunglasses uptop his Jordan dome, "taking his talents" to the NBA like future Laker LeBron to South Beach as the King. Add a Shaq sized center and the rest is hoops history engraved in the legend of Larry...O'Brien like a storied Bird and Magic, Celtics rivalry.

As Kobe falls and slides across the same teal that could have been his in Laker purple on his bum, the ball falls through the twine right at the perfect timing, second moment of 0.00 without a tenth to spare. The city of Charlotte can you tell me how his a## tastes? Word to Shaq's raps. Kobe has barely stopped sliding when he's pumping his fists in celebration like that was helping him move along the floor like a western handcar across the tracks.

What could have been seems these days more of a heartbreaking question, than a Twitter timeline debate one, as our feeds are full of tributes in testimony. If Kobe as a Hornet ruled the world (imagine that). Imagine one G.O.A.T. under another with Kobe and Jordan, 23 and 24. Imagine a backcourt with Baron. David Wesley in reserve. In the 24's of his later career Kobe and Kemba. 2K like a video game. Imagine him in that classic, iconic white with teal and purple pins (and those switching colour alternates) instead of purple and gold. Imagine the Buzz City Jersey purple. Laker fans would shudder. Charlotte would shiver. Kobe would have brought trophies. Put North Carolina on the NBA map as well as UNC college like Jumpman, Jumpman, Jumpman. If he moved to New Orleans with the team after Katrina via an Oklahoma home it would have been Mardi Gras. This guys no Bobcat. They would have never given up the name to the future Pelicans, only to take it back years and deals later. Let's not even get started with the Hornets six degrees of separation. Still we think Bryant would have ended up in Hollywood one way or another. It just seemed scripted by the Basketball God's. So much so. Meant to be. Just like Kobe trolled the Hornets on Instagram on his draft day anniversary. Yet Kobe almost ended up with Charlotte for life and sometimes it's just as heartbreakingly close as that. Or the final, life changing seconds before he cock, loaded, adjusted his sight and sniper pulled the trigger. That's a bullseye.

"THE DAGGER! THE DAAAAGGER," the commentator keeps crying as Kobe pumping his fist like this, drives the knife through the heart of the city that could have been his if they had him. We are far from the playoffs for the defending double champions in 2002, but the master of those ceremonies Robert Horry runs to pick him up in an embrace like he just D'Angelo vein iced Game 7. A suited, screaming Samaki Walker celebrating at the camera leads the bench off the pine on to the hardwood. There's muted, humbled boos as Kobe raises his hand in iconic, jawing celebration for the first of many infamous Laker Jersey thumps. Hugging Shaq like when he leapt into his arms after just another game in the year 2000. Keeping his arm up, reaching for the sky like the Wild West, Kobe is the first to run off the floor like the wrong sort of fans were about to hit it. But the Hornets have to give it up. That sting in his tail was one of young Kobe's best. So much so my 17 like Rick Fox year old self wore out the tape on my VHS like it was something I shouldn't watch gone four o'clock in the morning across the pond. I still remember the joy of the shot that I knew was good the second it left Kobe's hand, like it was yesterday. Not almost 20 years ago. I still remember him like he's here. It still doesn't seem real.

Now like Joel and Benji or 'Lifestyles Of The Rich Famous', that was good Charlotte.

#TheKobeSeries

#Forever24

GLEN RICE Feature-RICE THROWING

Right On Rice. 

By TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

"Good shot. Rice. I got a feeling about him tonight Stu", legendary play-by-play Lakers anchor Chick Hearn said from the water of the first bucket. Like the man who invented the term "Slam Dunk" knew it was all jello cooling in the refrigerator coming true. 41 for 40. On the last "party like its 1999" night between the coliseum like pearl pillars and carpet red of the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA, someone showed out for the Los Angeles Lakers one last time on that hallowed hardwood like history. Before the remnants of the 80's Showtime and those old trim throwback uniforms gave way to the STAPLES of a new millennium. But it wasn't Shaq or Kobe. A Robert Horry, Rick Fox or even a Derek Fisher. Instead it was the one man that was meant to turn this dynamic duo into a big-three like LeBron James before he teamed up with Anthony Davis, Glen Rice. But we all know with the Shaq and Kobe beef there was no room at the table for another star in this classic team of legendary role players. Just ask former All Star big names like Isaiah 'J.R' Rider and Mitch 'The Rock' Richmond. But Glen was still a big three, from being a three time All Star (and shooting his way to MVP one weekend like the 3 Point Contest) to making 1,559 three-pointers in his 15 year career. Throwing rice like weddings in matrimony with any team he was engaged with good fortune. The prosperity and symbolism of making it rain like Lil' Wayne. Umbrellas up. You can't stop the reign like the rap of former three-peat teammate Shaq.

MMA marks this sportsman's post Basketball career. Taking his Don King fight promotion talents to G Force Fights and the South Beach that was the sand of the prime of his career like LeBron James for the 6,8 guard/forward who won both NCAA and NBA titles before he swapped courts for canvas like a sports artist.  Born in Jacksonville, Arkansas, the Flint Northwestern high schooler graduated to the maize of Michigan like a Chris Webber, Juwan Howard or Jalen Rose Fab Five with his terrific three. Glen's college alumnus raised his iconic 41 to the rafters as he helped fill the trophy cabinets and write records like leading Michigan in all-time points (2,442) and also still holding the record for a total 184 points in tourney play off 25.6 points per game and averages of 58% from the filed and 52 from three. As this consensus All-American and Big 10 player of the year also became the 1989 Final Four Most Oustanding Player. No wonder he made the iconic cover of Sports Illustrated like a Wheaties box. Clawing twine with the Wolverines like Logan was enough for this cat to go forth as the 4th pick in the 1989 draft, were he was born into the 90's golden era of the NBA with the Florida franchise and a Fresh Prince fade. Welcome to Miami, it was summer, summer, summertime everyday for the spark of nostalgia. Basketball courts in the Summer had girls there and they all saw Rice rain like a rainbow.

Expanding in the league into the 90's the Heat went straight to Rice like Curry. And like Steph Curry with the shot Rice had that splash. Today you could imagine him as a brother across the Golden Gate from Golden State to San Francisco. He averaged 13.6 points per as a rookie, but the unlucky number belonged to the Heat's 18 wins. Still, this was a young team and "give it a few years", and Rice was joined by Miami Heat legend Steve Smith and future Laker teammate no stranger to the perimeter himself Brian Shaw. This team had the makings of a young big-three, but Rice now far from a rookie or even a sophomore (no slump) was the one. Averaging 22.3 leading the pre-Wade and LeBron, even pre-Mourning and Hardaway Heat to their first playoffs before a certain number 23 gave them as quick an exit as their entrance. In the mid-90's like a Jonah Hill movie he won the Long Distance Shootout at the All Star Weekend like a moneyball and was straight cash for his 56 point career high against the big future he would have with Shaq. But Miami didn't make the playoffs this time around. And this would be his last year bringing the Heat with South Beach.

Good Charlotte would be where Rice would find his grain next from the seams of the Spalding to the hardwood he bounced the ball off as he set up downtown were the high-rises found him open. One of those sky scrapers wouldn't be Mount Zo however as Mourning made it to where he was always meant to be...Miami. Rice was the trade piece that made Zo so. But he was also the buzz in the downtown city of Charlotte that put up numbers in North Carolina like 2 and 3. With the grandmama of Hornets legend Larry Johnson, Glen Rice lead the teal to 41 wins...which seems as fitting as his classic Charlotte pinstripe throwback. The following season however with the shortlived but successful one/two gone like that (L.J. left for N.Y.C. and that perfect four point play), Rice threw in 26.8 teaming up with a new big three in late, great point forward Anthony 'Mase' Mason and Vlade Divac who was traded from the Lakers for the draft rights of none other but Kobe Bryant. It seemed like Glen would be forever subtly linked with his future with the Lakers where he would finally, one-time become a champion for the three-peat, new millennium beginnings of the year 2000. But not before becoming the 1997 All Star Game MVP off 26 points with a record 20 points in the third and 24 points in the second half. Breaking records from Philly legends Hal Greer and also Laker Wilt Chamberlain. You see the number? When Jerry West made the Laker move for Rice he traded fan favourites Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell. But with the combo wings of Eddie and Kobe and the twin peaks of Elden and Shaq for a four All Star year that also saw Nick 'The Quick' Van Exel with the fan vote, it was clear there wasn't room in Hollywood for the two of them...in both partnerships as Rice made a better three fit for at least a couple of years before the Lakers tried to ride with Rider or Richmond. Leaving Rice bobbing for Big Apples in New York with the Knicks as a Sixth Man, before journeyman-to Houston and finishing his career back in Los Angeles with the Clippers. But, still like pure water Rice was the thread pass wet jumper that was as integral to the Lakers first post Showtime, new millennium championship to the dynasty just like the vets of Ron Harper and A.C. Green (no stranger to the M.J.s of Magic and Michael) or former teammates and Miami men B. Shaw and Bad Boys own John Salley for life. But with the rival Clippers he would become only the 48th player in NBA history to amass 18,000 career points...against the Lakers of all teams. All before a career crippling knee injury called it a career after just 18 games. But forget a Sarah Palin rumor, Glen Rice's legendary legacy lives on in hoops-despite the mixed martial arts left turn like Darko Milicic-in his son Glen Rice Jr. The former Philadelphia 76ers draft choice and Washington Wizards player now balling in Saudi with Al-Fateh. And somewhere throwing rice, you know this kid shares more than a name, but the game with his dad. They say a look like that is hereditary junior.