Woodlawn
(2015/Universal Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture: B/C Sound:
B Extras: A Film: A
Birmingham
1973, Woodlawn High School has been the center for integration for
High School football teams. What started out as hatred,
discrimination, and racism brought out the best in people in one of
history's largest High School football game ever watched. A
spiritual awakening that changed a team and then change the game,
transcending the game of football and brought hope that people could
look beyond differences and hold up their head high in Jon Erwin's
Woodlawn (2015).
Based on a true story, it was the
beginning of black and white integration in the United States schools
continuing into 1973. While both side played lip service to
integration and equality, discrimination and hatred still existed,
fueling the lynch mobs rage and hatred. Tony Nathan was to become the
first black football star rise to give hope that anyone can be a
star. As both the teams and coaches rises beyond the game, show that
ultimate sportsmanship knows no limits and discriminates against no
colors.
This was like watching the Rocky IV of
football, symbolized unity through Jesus Christ and started football
teams saying the Lord's Prayer before games. Watching makes you feel
like it was a miracle, that even if it was for one game people can
stop hating one another. I don't know about how others feel, but it
reminded me that the United State of America is still working towards
that future, and is reminded to people to always keep that hope
alive.
The
1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image on the Blu-ray looks
pretty good, if stylized down a bit, but better than the too-soft
anamorphically enhanced DVD version, but all have lossy Dolby Digital
5.1 sound. It's not bad, but I bet a lossless version would have
worked better. Extras include behind the scenes, the true story of
Woodlawn documentary, commentaries, deleted scenes and production
diaries.
-
Ricky Chiang
