Clutch, thanks again for the tickets. I didn't realize Clutchfans were going to get special treatment. While the masses waited outside, we were given the prime seats. I may post a mini-review of the experience when I get home and leave the movie review to others. B
My dad and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It was a documentary, but Colin Pine did a good job of showing it through his eyes. You'll enjoy the video more if you're a rockets or yao fan, otherwise it's really just another documentary. Where was Les Alexander all throughout the movie, did I just miss something?
i think one thing that made it interesting is they made it a point to make chuck look horrible for everything he said about yao. also it was very comical especially the part where he arrives in houston for the first time and he meets francis in the parking lot jamming loud music in his clean benz. cuttino was very funny
If they're not showing the movie in your area ( I don't think it will be shown in mine...) , the company that produced Yao's documentary got taken over by HBO, and New Line/Fine Line so I'm guessing they will probably show it on HBO sometime in the future.... Here's the link with the info its towards the end of the article... http://today.reuters.com/news/newsA...7_RTRIDST_0_ENTERTAINMENT-FILM-WEEKEND-DC.XML
(I was in Boston recently and saw a life sized cut out of Yao promoting this movie.) This was a well cast movie (docYaomentary) and that is not meant as a joke. Few people on the stage of pop culture could have effected this presentation. Yao can. Colin's complementary humanism also showed through. They were well cast for this breakout role(s). It was an evocative look through the two sided mirror that is closed Mainland China on one side and wide open USA on the other. Through the looking glass is an individual, and his translator/guide, who is EDTV. This was time well spent as it made me laugh and made me feel Yao's pain. It allowed me to smile and it allowed me to remember the times that were Yao Ming's rookie year. It reminded me of the effect Rudy's illness had on the team, and it's embodimnent of the last few weeks of that season. Despite Yao's BIG size this should have been a small screen viewing. The sequel should be made after the next championship season Yao will help bring to Houston. Welcome to Houston, Yao, your second home.
I highly recommend this movie to any Yao Ming, Rockets or NBA fan. Even though I saw all of the games, most of the press conferences, interviews and commercials in the movie, it was like seeing it for the first time. Watching Yao's first game as a Rocket was painful and I really felt for Yao not living up to expectation his first few games. When I saw him breakout against the Lakers with Shaq out and seeing the first match up with Shaq healthy I wanted to cheer even though I knew exactly what was going to happen. There is also a good amount of humor in the movie. Steve and Cuttino are good for a laugh, even when they fail at trying to be funny. Steve's comment to Yao about not wanting to play in a half court set almost had me busting a gut. Steve is telling Yao that the team needs to run up the court so they don't have to play a half court offense, since "it just doesn't work" (something like that, I don't remember the exact quote). It's no wonder Jeff Van Gundy jumped at the chance to trade him. Cuttino provides his fair share of humorous quotes including one about Chance. I'd get into more detail, but I'd like a few things to be surprises as I know I enjoyed seeing some events from that year that had faded some from my mind. Definitely a must see for Rockets fans and I'm glad I was able to see an advance screening of it. Present at the screening from 610 were Rich, Mark and Lance, that I recall. Rich Lord gave a good intro to the movie and emphasized the fact the success of the movie nationwide is determined by the numbers they get from Houston. I'm going to catch it again with some friends and try to spread the word that this is definitely worth going to see. B
The movie was very nice, informative, educational, entertaining, and very personal. It REALLY has everything about his rookie year that you haven't seen, and I think even non-Rocks fans would enjoy it as well. Colin Pine and Yao are undoubtedly the stars in this documentary. Yao came across as a great guy, there were many hilarious moments, overall just an impressive effort to piece all these events together. Above all, I became convinced that the common perception of Yao as "mentally soft" could not be further from the truth. When you see the challenges this kid went through, and how he was able to juggle all these things and handle them with such grace, humility, determination, and pride, you will be convinced that Yao is the strong, silent type; he is a man that has shown a capacity for absorbing enormous mental, as well as physical, burden (pressure from his countrymen, family, Rockets organization and Rockets fans, and most importantly himself), while at the same time not cracking under that pressure, and not letting frustration conquer his will to succeed. Certainly, it helped that he had such a great support group in his teammates, his family, his coaching staff/trainers, and - most importantly - Colin Pine. But for a man who was asked to do so much, and deal with so many obstacles at once (and not one at a time), he has exhibited a great deal of intestinal fortitude. They showed some great moments in Yao's rookie year, and all I could think about was how quickly time has elapsed, for those memories remain so vivid in my mind, as if they were merely a few months ago. To see Cat and Steve, Mo T, Moochie, and Rudy T made me emotional (I didn't cry though ). Those guys have done a lot for this team, and I will always see them as Rockets. One thing is for certain: We are so lucky to be Rockets fans and witness history in the making. I would go in more detail about the movie, but I don’t want to ruin it for those who haven’t yet seen it. But a personal advice: if you are thinking about seeing a movie this weekend, this should be the one.
Now I know why you were so positive in that other thread about Yao. This movie is just a trap to brainwash everyone into liking him, dont fall for it!!
I went with a buddy. Thanks Clutch! I'll write a thorough review when I have time to really jot down my impressions. Here are some teaser thoughts I'll share now, though. Don't think for a second this is a big-budget, blockbuster film, 'cause it's not. There's literally no soundtrack and the "special effects" (in the opening sequence in particular) leave something to be desired. There's a nice flow to the story, though. It starts out with lots of hope, opportunity, potential and challenges for China's newest "goodwill ambassador." It goes through the struggles Yao had early - with the language, the pace of the game, the lofty expectations, etc. It comes to a point where things really start to prosper for Yao - they start this section in the game where Yao & the Rockets defeat Shaq & the Lakers and peaks at the all star weekend. Then more trouble with Rudy's health & the team missing the playoffs. Finally, a sad moment for Colin when Yao heads back to China, but a happy moment for Yao who returns home. A little taste of this year in the closing credits with our game vs. Sacramento in China. The one point that made a big impression on me was at the all star game when he meets Kevin Garnett. KG shakes his hand, chats him up a little bit and then says, "How can you relax with that camera? Get that out of here." Or something like that. Then he throws a shirt over the camera and it cuts to black. To me, that seemed like it might have been the only time a camera wasn't pointed in Yao's face. I mean he goes shopping, cameras everywhere. He's hanging out in his home and there are people filming him as he's cooking dinner. At one point a camera follows him into the shower, and I think it's Glenn Rice who makes the joke that he needs help scrubbing his back. I just can't imagine how difficult it must be to just take a breath, relax and be yourself when a camera is constantly recording your every move. What a hard way to live! The only thing that seems sacred is his girlfriend. Colin spots a picture of her and Yao says, "I don't want her picture taken or filmed." Other than that, it's like everything in Yao's life is fair game. Geez, I feel for the guy.
Anyone that cares to read it, I threw a stream of conciousness review here: http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92729 Stuart
Oh, and not to give away too much, but I thought the funniest line was when Colin & Yao were in the airport and Colin tells Yao, "You need a credit card for this." Without missing a beat Yao goes, "Can I write a check?" Well played.
