Written by Logan J. Fowler and Justin Matchick
Release Date: December 25, 2015
Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Luke Wilson
Director: Peter Landesman
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: I watch football occassionally and I understand the extent of the injuries. However, my knowledge about this “true story” telling of the severity of head trauma in the NFL is new to me.-LJF
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: What is sure to be one of the more controversial movies of this year, Concussion will take a hard look at the National Football League’s years of attempting to cover up evidence that their sport was the cause of deadly brain damage for many of its former stars. The film is going to largely be based off of the excellent documentary League of Denial, which showed just how deeply flawed the NFL’s response to this crisis was. As a football fan I was shocked at the extent of the injuries revealed in League of Denial, so I’m really hoping the dramatization of those events gets the message out to a larger number of people. – JTM
Rate the Trailer: 4 point 5 out of 5. Is this the comeback of Will Smith? Let’s be honest, the guy has been in some “meh” stuff recently, but with this and Suicide Squad, it looks like the dude may be reemerging as Hollywood A list. I could smell an Oscar nom for the Fresh Prince. Yeah, the trailer is THAT GOOD that I believe it. -LJF
Rate the Trailer: 4 out of 5. This seems to draw a lot of inspiration from the style of 70s political thrillers such as The Parallax View and All the President’s Men. Will Smith’s heavily accented portrayal of the Nigerian-born Dr. Omalu looks good enough to earn him some consideration come awards season. One of the more interesting casting choices of the film, Luke Wilson as current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, is unfortunately only seen for a split second here, but it is nice to see Alec Baldwin and Albert Brooks (under heavy makeup) in supporting roles as well. We also see a few moments of players like Dave Duerson and Justin Strzelczyk, which are particularly sobering knowing the way their lives ended. – JTM
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Rent (but maybe theater). I try to see all the Oscar bait in theaters but due to a lack of possible finances (I mean it’s the holiday season after all) I may have to wait for a rental on this one. I’m definitely going to watch it one way or another.-LJF
Theater, Rent, Undecided, No Thanks? Theater. I want to give this movie as much support as possible in the hopes the NFL will one day have to own up to the fact that they covered up the facts of Dr. Omalu’s research in order to protect their own interests. Plus, it looks to be a very well directed and acted movie along with that. –JTM
Concussion tackles controversy on Christmas Day 2015
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