This movie I saw once but often think about the legend of "The Goat." I don't remember specific scenes particularly but I oft' think about this film. I'm not sure even when or even if I meant to see this. However thinking any film that has "The Goat" in the title had to be good. The absolute brilliant portrayal by Don Cheadle (who was relatively unknown then) and the general true story about this should have been great player is something I often think about. Just how we often think about how much better people were when they are gone is how I think about this film. I'm almost afraid to watch it now as I have seen twice as many movies now then I did then and I have such a reverence for it that there is no way it is as good as I remember. Just as I thought "The Karate Kid" was so great when it came out and having gotten my brown belt in Koden Kan and watching it as an adult and laughing at how absolutely bad the karate is. I don't know if I should watch it having studied film. Granted I'm no Roger Ebert (the only real movie reviewer that counts, Roeper do you know what makes a good film!!! Earl Dittman *cough* a guy that thinks anything on film is the best thing he's ever seen, Shame on you studios for thinking we will see things like "Daddy Day Camp!" Cuba Gooding Jr. you won an Oscar! What happened?) Sorry back to the movie If you want to see a movie no one has ever heard of and is a sad story but wished they could have seen this guy dunk on 12 foot rim (I think that is how high the top of the backboard is) how cool would that have been to see? Anyway kids don't do drugs, and maybe someday we could see some one like this someday. I particularly remember Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when asked after all the players he played against and with saying that "The Goat" was the toughest player he had ever played against. I just remember waiting all basketball season long to see Larry Bird and the Celtics play Magic Johnson & Kareem & the Lakers. Well just see this flick. If it is as good as remember just give this flick a try.
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
(1996 TV Movie)
Remember very fondly.
10 March 2008