Suburban Virginia schools have been segregated for generations, in sight of the Washington Monument over the river in the nation’s capital. One Black and one White high school are closed and the students sent to T.C. Williams High School under federal mandate to integrate. The year is seen through the eyes of the football team where the man hired to coach the Black school is made head coach over the highly successful white coach. Based on the actual events of 1971, the team becomes the unifying symbol for the community as the boys and the adults learn to depend on and trust each other. Written by John Vogel {jlvogel@comcast.net}

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A comedy based on the 1987 professional football players’ strike. Gene Hackman plays the coach of the team, Jack Warden is the owner, Brett Cullen is the All-Pro quarterback that goes on strike and Keanu Reeves is the “scab” who replaces the star QB. Written by Anonymous

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I’ve got to believe that if “The Ringer” didn’t have Johnny Knoxville and his built-in “Jackass” audience attached, this screwball comedy would have been relegated to made-for-TV/afterschool special status. It’s no better than standard straight to video fare, and that’s what should have happened to it. Instead, with the backing of the Farrelly Bros (“Shallow Hal”) and the stamp of approval from Special Olympics, Fox Searchlight is launching this misguided effort into theaters.

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Rocky Balboa (Stallone) has finally beaten Apollo Creed (Weathers), and feels that he has nothing left to achieve. He plans to retire. Boxing brawler Clubber Lang (Mr. T) becomes the Number 1 Contender, and wants his match with Balboa. Rocky is reluctant at first, but finally agrees to take on Clubber Lang. But things go from bad to worse, where Rocky’s manager Micky (Meredith) unfortunately dies. Rocky must now train with his former opponent, Creed. Rocky now not just fighting for the title, but also for the confidence of everyone and especially of all, for Micky. Written by Film_Fan

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Scotty Smalls moves to a new neighborhood with his mom and stepdad, and wants to learn to play baseball. The neighborhood baseball guru Rodriquez takes Smalls under his wing, and soon he’s part of the local baseball buddies. They fall into adventures involving baseball, treehouse sleep-ins, the desirous lifeguard at the local pool, the snooty rival ball team, and the travelling fair. Beyond the fence at the back of the sandlot menaces a legendary ball-eating dog called The Beast, and the kids inevitably must deal with him. Written by Ed Sutton {esutton@mindspring.com}

“Seabiscuit” takes place during the Great Depression, a time when Americans got their news and entertainment via the radio. With the country in the midst of one of the harshest periods of our history, people needed something inspirational to lift their spirits and give them hope. They found that hope in the most unlikely of heroes – a ragtag racehorse named Seabiscuit.

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American football coach Chuck Dichter has worked wonders with the Buffalo Bills, and is even confident to crown his career with a Super Bowl victory, but before the play-offs an oyster food-poisoning wipes out his first team for a month. Dan Heller, an insurance salesman and former college quarterback, who was hired -relactantly, but his wife twisted his arm- just for practice, now has to captain and train a bunch of rookies and old-timers against the hardest adversaries. Dichter decides to sign up triple Super Bowl-winner Tommy Baker in Dan’s place… Written by KGF Vissers

Directed by first-timer Kent Alterman from a screenplay by Scot Armstrong, Semi-Pro doesn’t hit many three-pointers comedy-wise. There are more near-misses than zingers, but it does have Will Ferrell battling it out with an angry caged bear and that alone is worth checking out. Plus, Semi-Pro allows fans to relive the glory days of the now defunct American Basketball Association, complete with its multicolored balls and goofy promotions meant to pack arenas. For those who miss the ABA, Semi-Pro brings the league and its colorful characters back to life for a couple of hours in a story that won’t tax your brain and is semi-entertaining.

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Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead-end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe’s older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach’s selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family. Written by bill stephens