Movie Review: “Eddie the Eagle”

Starring
Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Jo Hartley, Keith Allen
Director
Dexter Fletcher

Disney may be king of the underdog sports drama, but actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher aims to beat the studio at its own game with this inspirational true story that’s equal parts “Rudy” and “Cool Runnings.” (Curiously, the story is set during the same Winter Olympics that marked the debut of the Jamaican bobsled team that inspired the latter film.) Though it’s a pretty formulaic underdog tale that checks off all the usual sports movie clichés – from the unlikely hero who overcomes insurmountable odds, to the training montages, setbacks and cardboard villains – “Eddie the Eagle” succeeds as an enjoyable feel-good film that wears its heart (and humor) on its sleeve just like its incredibly charismatic subject.

As long as he can remember, Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton) wanted to compete in the Olympics, despite not being very athletic as a kid. Following a series of failed attempts at various sports, he eventually discovers a love for downhill skiing and turns out to be pretty good at it. But after narrowly missing out on selection for the squad representing Great Britain at the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, Eddie switches his focus to ski jumping when he discovers that the country hasn’t had a recognized ski jumper in over 60 years. With no time to waste and plenty to learn, Eddie heads to an Olympic training camp in Germany, where he meets former ski jumping champion Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) – now a washed-up alcoholic who drives a snow plow for a living – and asks for his help in order to qualify for Calgary.

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Blu Tuesday: Fargo, Spotlight and More

Every Tuesday, I review the newest Blu-ray releases and let you know whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping, along with a breakdown of the included extras. If you see something you like, click on the cover art to purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon, and be sure to share each week’s column on Facebook and Twitter with your friends.

“Fargo: Year Two”

WHAT: After small-town beautician Peggy Blumquist (Kristen Dunst) accidentally runs over the youngest son of the Gerhardt crime family, she unwittingly escalates a turf war between the Gerhardts and the Kansas City mob, dragging her loyal husband Ed (Jesse Plemons) and local sheriffs Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson) and Hank Larsson (Ted Danson) into the conflict.

WHY: Unlike “True Detective,” which fell victim to the all-too-familiar sophomore slump, “Fargo” positively thrived in Season Two, perfectly towing the line between black comedy and crime thriller. A big part of the show’s success is just how well it’s cast from the top down. Though Patrick Wilson, Kirsten Dunst and Jeffrey Donovan (as the eldest and nastiest of the Gerhardt brood) are among the standouts, there’s not a single weak link in the entire ensemble. The writing also continues to be top-notch – from the sparkling dialogue, to the excellent character development, to the smartly plotted narrative that keeps you coming back for more – while the show’s absurdist tone works even better in a period setting like the late 1970s. Creator Noah Hawley is in high demand these days, and for good reason, because he’s once again crafted a funny, engaging and richly developed crime saga that works both as a prequel to the previous season as well as its own standalone story.

EXTRAS: The three-disc set includes a 44-minute featurette on making the season, interviews with Patrick Wilson and Keith Carradine about the Lou Solverson character, and a look at the fictional book, “The History of True Crime in the Midwest,” that appears in the penultimate episode.

FINAL VERDICT: BUY

“Spotlight”

WHAT: In 2001, Boston Globe editor-in-chief Marty Baron (Live Schreiber) assigned the newspaper’s Spotlight team – a four-man group of investigative journalists led by Walter Robinson (Michael Keaton) – to follow up on a story about a local priest accused of child molestation, only to uncover a massive scandal within the Boston archdiocese.

WHY: Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” may be one of the most low-key awards contenders in quite some time, relying on top-notch acting and writing to recount the fascinating true story that changed the way we looked at the Catholic Church forever. It’s just a really well-made movie, and the best one about investigative journalism since “All the President’s Men,” which creates suspense from the seemingly boring daily grind of searching through documents and chasing down leads. Every single actor plays their part and plays it extremely well, working together as an ensemble to serve the story instead of a particular character. The same goes for McCarthy and Josh Singer’s disciplined script, which avoids the allure of sensationalizing events or being exploitative. “Spotlight” lets the story speak for itself, and though it’s one of great importance, the film is first and foremost a celebration of the journalistic process that made it possible for the courage of a few to be heard by the entire world.

EXTRAS: The Blu-ray release includes a six-minute roundtable discussion with the real-life Spotlight team, as well as a pair of featurettes on the film and the state of journalism.

FINAL VERDICT: BUY

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A Guide to Setting Up Surround Sound in Your Home and Yard

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Prices on 4K ultra HD TVs hit new lows during the 2015 holiday season, with 60 to 65-inch sets going as low as $600-$700 and some secondary brands dropping as low as $500. But getting a 4K TV without a good speaker system is like buying a Rembrandt and putting it in a cheap drugstore frame. Don’t do that.

To fully enjoy an ultra HD TV, you need a good surround-sound system. With today’s technology, you can even extend your sound system from your entertainment room into other parts of your house and your backyard. If you’re planning on investing in a 4K or an HD TV — or if you’re just looking for a quality sound system — here are a few ideas for setting up your home and yard for surround sound.

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Seeing Kobe a Final Time? Here’s Our Checklist to Make Your Trip Better

It’s official, one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen is taking to the court for the last time this season. In April the Staples Center in Los Angeles will play host to Kobe Bryant’s final game, and there will undoubtedly be millions of people tuning in just to catch a glimpse of the action. In the meantime there are basketball fans stumbling over themselves to secure tickets to see a true legend of the sport, and if you’re one of the lucky ones who will be travelling to stadiums in places like Texas, Arizona, California and more then you’ll want to make it the trip of a lifetime. Here are some things to remember in order to enjoy your trip to the fullest.

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It’s Not Vanity to Want Healthy and Young Looking Skin

shaving with an electric razer

Taking care of skin isn’t just something women have to worry about; men should too. Not only will proper skincare help you feel better, but it will also help you look better. Men have thicker skin than women do, making them less sensitive to skincare products. Having a proper skincare routine and practicing proper shaving methods will ensure your skin remains healthy and youthful for as long as possible. Also, using quality skincare products, including the new Dermaclara Claraline product, will help make your skin appear smoother and healthier.

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