Gridiron Gang

[Brian in Mesa]

Joanou Helming Sony's Gridiron Gang
Source: Variety
April 13, 2005

Phil Joanou has signed to direct Sony's Gridiron Gang, which rapper Xzibit (MTV's Pimp My Ride) is in negotiations to board for Neal Moritz's Original Films.

The script by Jeff Maguire concerns a dedicated probation officer -- played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -- who puts together a football team of juvenile-detention inmates to compete against local high school teams.

Xzibit would star as the assistant coach of the team.

Variety says shooting is scheduled to begin at the end of May. Filming will take place at Camp Kilpatrick, a juvenile detention facility in the Santa Monica Mountains.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Gridiron Gang

Release Date: September 15, 2006
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Director: Phil Joanou
Screenwriter: Jeff Maguire
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language)
Website: Gridiron Gang

Starring: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Xzibit, Kevin Dunn, Leon Rippy, Danny Martinez, Mo, Trever O'Brien, Six Reasons, Brandon Smith, Jade Yorker, Robert Zepeda, Michael Jace, Bill Smitrovich

Plot Summary: Columbia Pictures' "Gridiron Gang" tells the gritty and powerfully emotional story of juvenile detention camp probation officer Sean Porter (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), who, along with another officer, Malcolm Moore (Xzibit), turns a group of hard core teenage felons into a high school football team in four weeks. Confronted with gang rivalries and bitter hatred between his teammates, Porter teaches some hard lessons (and learns a few himself) as the kids gain a sense of self-respect and responsibility.

In a world where 75% of these juvenile inmates return to prison or meet with violent ends on the streets, Porter and Moore face seemingly insurmountable barriers. No one wants to compete against convicted criminals, but through relentless pursuit and a jolt of inspiration, Porter and his team fight their way to redemption and a second chance.

Based on a true story, "Gridiron Gang" sends out a message that one man can make a difference and the most hopeless kids in our society can change the course of their lives through hard work, commitment and bold leadership.

 

[PDXChris]

I saw it over the weekend. The theater must of had some issues, cause all the guys eyes started watering at one point or another. It was a great movie.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Based on a true story, "Gridiron Gang" sends out a message that one man can make a difference and the most hopeless kids in our society can change the course of their lives through hard work, commitment and bold leadership.

I really like this sort of movie that is "based on a true story".

 

[Chaplin]

Based on a true story, "Gridiron Gang" sends out a message that one man can make a difference and the most hopeless kids in our society can change the course of their lives through hard work, commitment and bold leadership.

I really like this sort of movie that is "based on a true story".

Seems to me that all sports movies are "based on a true story". Except for maybe Any Given Sunday, which was based on stupidity.

 

[Ryanwb]

I like this movie the first time I saw it, when it was called "Remember the Titans" or was it "Friday Night Lights". Couldn't have been called "The Program"

 

[PDXChris]

I like this movie the first time I saw it, when it was called "Remember the Titans" or was it "Friday Night Lights". Couldn't have been called "The Program"

Did you actually see it?

 

[Chaplin]

I like this movie the first time I saw it, when it was called "Remember the Titans" or was it "Friday Night Lights". Couldn't have been called "The Program"

The only thing these movies have to do with each other is football. The Program was an over-the-top, everything-that-can-go-wrong-does movie, Remember The Titans was about racism, and Friday Night Lights was a down-and-dirty movie about high school football.

 

[Renz]

Phil Joanou has signed to direct Sony's Gridiron Gang.

He'll never top 3 O'Clock High. That is his masterpiece.

 

[Bada0Bing]

He'll never top 3 O'Clock High. That is his masterpiece.

I’ve never actually met anyone else that has seen this movie. It’s one of those movies that is really dumb, but you have to watch it every time you stumble upon it.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I’ve never actually met anyone else that has seen this movie. It’s one of those movies that is really dumb, but you have to watch it every time you stumble upon it.

I saw it at a pre-release screening.

:moviegeek:

 

[Bada0Bing]

I saw it at a pre-release screening.

:moviegeek:

This board is a lot more fun when you're here.

 

[thirty-two]

I saw it at a pre-release screening.

:moviegeek:

Or just geek

 

[Brian in Mesa]

This board is a lot more fun when you're here.

Thanks for the kind words, Monica.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I just watched it. I really enjoyed this movie. The Rock is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. I thought he was excellent in this one. He made the movie very believable, that these kids would actually want to go out there and prove that they could become winners.

I thought it was cool that during the credits they showed clips of the real people on which this movie is based. Several of The Rock’s phrases were exactly as the real coach said them. However, it was also a little sad to hear about how some of them went right back to a life of crime once they got out.