Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 04/27/23
Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World mini-review: As Mark Twain said “History doesn’t repeat itself but it rhymes.” And this story of two historic boxing comebacks (Muhammad Ali regaining his heavyweight title by beating Foreman and regaining the crown twenty years later at age 45) certainly makes for epic poetry.
After growing up on the proverbial wrong side of the tracks, Foreman (Khris Davis) eventually finds a path out when his amazing boxing talent is discovered and nurtured by his mentor Doc Broadus (Forest Whitaker). As Foreman fights his way to the top, his mean attitude (especially toward his opponents) is palpable. He loves the family he grew up with but has few friends. If you’re not on his good side you’d best keep your distance – and definitely don’t tick him off.
Even the loss of his title to Ali doesn’t really humble him. That comes later following a bout with a fighter named Jimmy Young in Puerto Rico which he loses in a unanimous decision. After the fight he collapses in the locker room and has a near death experience that ignites his faith and leads to him becoming a minister. Years later while finally happily married and pastoring his Texas church (building a youth center which he financed with his boxing money) he discovers he’s was broke because accountant friend from his juvenile days betrayed him and lost his money to his own demons. It was that event that prompts him to put back on the gloves and begin his seemingly quixotic quest to regain his heavyweight crown – so he can use the money to save his church. On his way, he gains enough media attention to garner Madison Avenue’s attention. He becomes a spokesman for everything Doritos to McDonald’s. And, of course, there’s that grill. He becomes rich again and, though he no longer needs the money, he decides to fight his way back to the heavyweight championship as a way of showing the world what God can do.
Much like the gripping Ron Howard films Apollo 13 and 13 Lives (about the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand) the actual events provide a very strong template for the movie. And Big George Foreman, directed by George Tillman Jr. (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Frank Baldwin and Dan Gordon) does a very good job of following the template real life provided.
The bottom line: It works. You’ll be knocked off your feet and left satisfied with a great story well told. Highly recommended. Rated PG-13.
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The AFFIRM Originals Movie Sun Moon to debut exclusively on Pure Flix on May 5th. Set in Taiwan, the film is part of a personal journey for director/co-writer Sydney Tooley. More after the trailer.
The promising film stars MacKenzie Mauzy (Into the Woods, TV’s Forever) as Kelsey, a young woman whose vision for her future is shattered when her fiance leaves her at the altar. Heartbroken and humiliated, she leaps at the chance to escape her life and teach English in Taiwan.
The film marks the feature-length directorial debut for Sydney Tooley who co-wrote the screenplay with Susan Isaacs. Set in the heart of Taiwan (which certainly is in the headlines these days), the movie draws on Tooley’s own experience teaching English in the country after college. She says she sees the movie as a sort of love letter to the country that helped her discover joy and purpose during a trying period of her life.
John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.
Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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