I enjoyed "Reversal". I did not consider it "about quitting". I considered it about more important things than winning and losing a wrestling match. It was primarily about RELATIONSHIPS. Thankfully in the end, the Dad finally 'gets it' and lets his son have HIS OWN LIFE.

It also vividly shows why drinking and driving is a very bad idea.

Excellent movie. Beautiful cinemotographify (sp? -- pretty stuff to look at -- trees, mountains, etc . . .) I, (like Mr. Furches and others) - highly reccomend it.

No movie can please all the people all the time. But, I sure liked this one.

Obviously I agree, here is my review of Reversal: http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/reversal.htm Also note that the article also includes an interview with the makers of the film. Both of which I still keep in regular contact with and know of their love for the sport of wrestling, especially Jimi.

I personally didn't like Vision Quest, it is amazing to me that people will get upset about showing the negative aspects shown in Reversal but say nothing about the negative things, i.e. sexual interaction between a HS student and an older woman such as is seen in Vision Quest. This is sad especially when recent studies show that STD's now exist in 1 in 4 females between the ages of 14 and 18, and in approximately 50% of African American women at this age. I heard a Sedgwick County official state this morning that 1/3 of all STD cases in Sedgwick county involve women in this age group.

While Reversal showed negative consequences for negative actions, Vision Quest seems to glorify those things. On a side note, I had several people who used to be really critical of Reversal, then when providing them the movie, and they watched it, it amazed me how they changed their attitudes. One last note on Reversal, people forget it is a true story. I know Jimi Petulla very well, and will also say this, while he may have quit as a High School Wrestler, in part due to the pressure put on him by his father. He still loves the sport and has given back quite a bit to it. As much as he has contributed to Title IX battles, scholarships and so forth, I wouldn't say he was a quitter on the sport of wrestling.

Key lines I gathered from Mike's above review:

"But though his motives are good [the Dad], Ed is pushing his son too hard."

Dean adds, "BINGO! BINGO! BINGO! A sure red-flag alert to BURN OUT!" As much as possible WE MUST KEEP IT FUN! (Yes, I understand that winning is funner than losing - hence HARD PREPARATION is needed - just try to keep things balanced [as Mike also writes about in his review].)

Mike wrote:

"With the help of his friends and the love of his girlfriend Shaw, Leo finds the strength to grow up and make serious choices: live his own life or let his father live through him; follow the path prescribed or follow his dreams."

Dean says:

Well done Mike. Thank you. I enjoyed that. The same for what Mike wrote below:

"While Reversal is a movie that has elementary and high school wrestling as its backdrop, its appeal should go much deeper than that. This movie is for every parent who has ever had dreams for their children and will help young people understand and appreciate the drive and push of their parents. Dreams and passions that sometimes border on the edge of abuse yet at the same time recognize the ultimate love and desires for each person's child. While the movie, Searching for Bobby Fisher, portrayed this concept wonderfully in the area of the game of chess, Reversal does the same for all sports, not just wrestling."

Towards the end Mike wrote this:

"In the true sense of the word Reversal is not just a movie or flick it is a legitimate film. It addresses real world issues and causes the audience to offer up real life thoughts. You will reflect on your life long after seeing this film. On a personal note, I never grew up knowing my father. This movie taught me lessons however that would encourage me to be the best father that I could be. A wonderful movie for anyone who has ever dreamed for themselves or those they love."

Finally jumping to the end where Mike interviews some of the makers of the film:

Mike Furches - Is there anything you would want people to know about Reversal?

Jimi Petulla - Reversal is ultimately a father-son love story. Wrestling is just the back drop. It could be any sport. It could be horseback riding. I think the big message here is that we have to let our kids do what they want in their hearts not ours.

Dean says: "Amen -- GREAT conclusion!"

i have reveral, one more shot and vision quest coming this week. thanks goodness for ebay. if any one would like to borrow them or watch them, send me a pm, with an adress i would be glad to
mail them around.

all i would ask is please send them back when your done, so others could watch them as well.

Nix don't forget about Ready to Rumble.

whats that one

Veritas is a good one.

http://veritas-movie.com/about.html

Nix, regarding "Ready To Rumble" I have never seen it - but here is what Amazon.com said about it:

Gordy (David Arquette of the Scream movies) and Sean (Scott Caan of Varsity Blues) are rabid fans of professional wrestling--in particular, white trash champion Jimmy King (Oliver Platt, Funny Bones, Flatliners). But the show's producer Titus Sinclair (Joe Pantoliano, The Matrix) decides it's time for King to lose his crown and allows Diamond Dallas Page (playing himself) and assorted cronies to tromp all over the fallen King. Crestfallen, Gordy and Sean track King down to convince him to take another shot at the big time. Although in the process they discover that King may not be the man they thought he was, their faith never falters. With the training assistance of an old-school wrestler (Martin Landau), they get King back into the ring to face the triple steel cage. Ready to Rumble is clearly aimed at wrestling fans, who will doubtless enjoy numerous professional wrestlers playing themselves, including Goldberg and Sting, as well as the scantily clad Nitro Girls. The movie isn't exactly Shakespeare, but it has a raffish, affable charm. The jokes stick to the basics, such as people being kicked in the groin and nuns singing Van Halen's "Running with the Devil" with their crystalline soprano voices. And what's wrong with that? As a comedy team, Arquette and Caan aren't Abbott and Costello--they're not even Bill and Ted--but they give it their all and you may find them surprisingly engaging. --Bret Fetzer

Dean now adds: long story short - it is a comedy about pro wrestling.

would be great this summer for anyone in the Wichita area to watch some of the movies over a cookout or BBQ. I have the sound system and projection unit. I also have numerous wrestling movies including:

Reversal
One More Shot
Vision Quest
7 Minutes

and others I can get. A get together for something like this could be a lot of fun if folks wanted to do it. I still have access to Reversal for those interested in getting it. It will take a little time to get some of the DVD's in but Jimi still makes those available to me. There are also several wrestling books including, Pinned, Nearfall and a couple of others that I can get for folks at lower or discounted cost. It is one of the perks of doing the reviews and getting to know some of the folks, if interested in any of the movies, or books, let me know. And for those critical, I let those go for my cost, plus the shipping, which will usually save you money. The last batch of Reversal movies I had for example went for $15 each. I doubt anyone getting the movie from any other source paid less than that, in fact I think the retail is around $30 but not positive.

mike i am in , i would like to drive down for a cookout and watch some wrestling movie's pick a date and lets try it. i will bring the steaks.

but be prepared because i would ask for alot of advice, for the future. because i am willing to take all the advice from all of you to make me a better wrestling parent.

it's hard to imagine what alot of you that have been around this sport forever have went through, sorry i do not mean to make you sound old.

Another wrestling movie that isn't to bad is Takedown. it was made back in the 70's or 80's and had Ed Hermann and Lorenzo LLamas in it. Once again not very good acting but my eight year old son and 10 year old daughter liked it. And I liked it when I was a kid. It's about high school wrestling and an inept coach with the obligatory stud from another school wrestling a hard luck kid with no parental support.

I agree, Takedown is a very good movie as well. It is old and yes, the acting leaves a lot to be desired but all in all, a great movie. I bought it years ago off Ebay for $36.00 and it was copied onto a VHS tape. Oh well, it works.

I'm sorry, but I thought all of those--Vision Quest, Reversal, One More Shot, are pretty much horse hockey pucks. The best movie by far is a very well done documentary called Veritas, about Lehigh and Jon Trenge. Second would be that movie, also a well-done documentary, about the New Jersey coach who goes to Georgia to start a youth program (Black Sheep, or something?).

I think "Vision Quest" is a little sleezy for most club wrestlers to watch. I think the best movie was the one that ... oh I can't think of the name of it ... it was about Patrick Cavanaugh's wrestling career ... Patrick Cavanaugh starred in it ... it'll come to me at some point.

_________________________
Ty, what did you shoot today?
Oh, Judge, I don't keep score.
Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers?
By height. - Caddyshack

Gone With the Wind?