FB: Liberty League

[gordonmann]

Here's where I see this movie as different from some of the ones you described.  Some comedies are written such that the premise of the movie itself is silly or novel.  Then the characters, plot, etc. make it more strange.  

For instance, the premise of Dodge Ball is that there's a dodge ball tournament where you can win a lot of money.  A silly concept, even if it's true.

The premise of The Longest Yard was that there's a football game between prisoners and inmates.  Perhaps not silly, but certainly novel.

The premise of Happy Gilmore is that there's an ex-hockey player who now plays golf.  Silly and novel.

So without a line being uttered in these movies, you know they are comedies.   You don't worry about the movie making professional dodgeball, prison football or golf-playing hockey guys look silly because you don't take those ventures seriously to begin with.

If the producers have the same approach here, then Division III football is on the same par as dodgeball.  It's assumed to be a novelty and the rest of the jokes are framed to follow.  The fact that the trailer keeps pushing "Division 3" indicates the level of football is an important part of the set up.  It's not a movie about a team that happens to be Division III.  It's about "Division 3 football."

To put it differently, if the movie is launched and it does well, we're going to have to answer the question.  "You do X with Division III football?  You mean, like in that movie?"  And I don't think that's a flattering starting point for explaining Division III football to people who may already be predisposed not to take it seriously.

[Pat Coleman]

The NCAA may have feelings...

Debatable.

+1

[Pat Coleman]

Here's where I see this movie as different from some of the ones you described.  Some comedies are written such that the premise of the movie itself is silly or novel.  Then the characters, plot, etc. make it more strange.  

For instance, the premise of Dodge Ball is that there's a dodge ball tournament where you can win a lot of money.  A silly concept, even if it's true.

The premise of The Longest Yard was that there's a football game between prisoners and inmates.  Perhaps not silly, but certainly novel.

The premise of Happy Gilmore is that there's an ex-hockey player who now plays golf.  Silly and novel.

So without a line being uttered in these movies, you know they are comedies.   You don't worry about the movie making professional dodgeball, prison football or golf-playing hockey guys look silly because you don't take those ventures seriously to begin with.

If the producers have the same approach here, then Division III football is on the same par as dodgeball.  It's assumed to be a novelty and the rest of the jokes are framed to follow.  The fact that the trailer keeps pushing "Division 3" indicates the level of football is an important part of the set up.  It's not a movie about a team that happens to be Division III.  It's about "Division 3 football."

To put it differently, if the movie is launched and it does well, we're going to have to answer the question.  "You do X with Division III football?  You mean, like in that movie?"  And I don't think that's a flattering starting point for explaining Division III football to people who may already be predisposed not to take it seriously.

And +1 here -- there is nothing I can argue with here. We'll have to see how it looks on screen.

[lewdogg11]

Here's where I see this movie as different from some of the ones you described.  Some comedies are written such that the premise of the movie itself is silly or novel.  Then the characters, plot, etc. make it more strange.  

For instance, the premise of Dodge Ball is that there's a dodge ball tournament where you can win a lot of money.  A silly concept, even if it's true.

The premise of The Longest Yard was that there's a football game between prisoners and inmates.  Perhaps not silly, but certainly novel.

The premise of Happy Gilmore is that there's an ex-hockey player who now plays golf.  Silly and novel.

So without a line being uttered in these movies, you know they are comedies.   You don't worry about the movie making professional dodgeball, prison football or golf-playing hockey guys look silly because you don't take those ventures seriously to begin with.

If the producers have the same approach here, then Division III football is on the same par as dodgeball.  It's assumed to be a novelty and the rest of the jokes are framed to follow.  The fact that the trailer keeps pushing "Division 3" indicates the level of football is an important part of the set up.  It's not a movie about a team that happens to be Division III.  It's about "Division 3 football."

To put it differently, if the movie is launched and it does well, we're going to have to answer the question.  "You do X with Division III football?  You mean, like in that movie?"  And I don't think that's a flattering starting point for explaining Division III football to people who may already be predisposed not to take it seriously.

And +1 here -- there is nothing I can argue with here. We'll have to see how it looks on screen.

If you watch the short film on youtube, you can clearly see how idiotic it is and that it's meant as a joke.

Reporter:  'Does he(the coach) shower with the team?'

Football Player:  'Well yeah, don't all coaches?'

I know we all like to defend d3 and are always looking for more fans, but do you think people who MIGHT become fans will really take this movie for face value?

[Pat Coleman]

No, but then again, we probably would like at least the respect of that group of people, if not their fandom.

[JT]

I had to see what all the fuss was about. Saw the trailer.  Reminds me of my HS coach. No big deal.

[pg04]

I can't see how anyone would mistake it for being a true representation of anything, to be honest. 

[gordonmann]

Sure, I don't think anyone will take the movie as being a true representation of Division III.  But my point was that you don't want people to look at Division III football like they do professional dodgeball -- that it's a novelty act that's not worth much respect or serious consideration.

[JT]

Sure, I don't think anyone will take the movie as being a true representation of Division III.  But my point was that you don't want people to look at Division III football like they do professional dodgeball -- that it's a novelty act that's not worth much respect or serious consideration.

I respect your opinion on this issue.  BTW I was only about half kidding in my previous post.

[TheGrove]

Where are the SLU folks?

Soon-to-be-Mr.TheGrove was presented the germ of a possibility today. So... what's Canton like? What's nearby?

[SaintsFAN]

I had to see what all the fuss was about. Saw the trailer.  Reminds me of my HS coach. No big deal.

reminded me of that poster on the OAC, hscoach.. Thats how he treats Ric in the booth


BTW --- SF can see both sides of the coin here.. SF would rather it not be the child-molesting at BW3's, Andy Dick, but what can you do... obviously Cook was on a budget and AD comes cheap nowadays for his transgressions. 

Here's hoping its funny so Marshall Cook can focus on really weird sports like D3 men's soccer or women's basketball. 

[lewdogg11]

I had to see what all the fuss was about. Saw the trailer.  Reminds me of my HS coach. No big deal.

reminded me of that poster on the OAC, hscoach.. Thats how he treats Ric in the booth


BTW --- SF can see both sides of the coin here.. SF would rather it not be the child-molesting at BW3's, Andy Dick, but what can you do... obviously Cook was on a budget and AD comes cheap nowadays for his transgressions. 

Here's hoping its funny so Marshall Cook can focus on really weird sports like D3 men's soccer or women's basketball. 

Say what you want about Andy Dick, I think he is funny in every roll that he's in.  Is he a train wreck off of the big screen?  Absolutely.  Who'd ya rather have...Mel Gibson?

[JT]

I had to see what all the fuss was about. Saw the trailer.  Reminds me of my HS coach. No big deal.

reminded me of that poster on the OAC, hscoach.. Thats how he treats Ric in the booth


BTW --- SF can see both sides of the coin here.. SF would rather it not be the child-molesting at BW3's, Andy Dick, but what can you do... obviously Cook was on a budget and AD comes cheap nowadays for his transgressions.  

Here's hoping its funny so Marshall Cook can focus on really weird sports like D3 men's soccer or women's basketball.  

Say what you want about Andy Dick, I think he is funny in every roll that he's in.  Is he a train wreck off of the big screen?  Absolutely.  Who'd ya rather have...Mel Gibson?

Passion of DIII Football has a nice ring to it.  No?

[gordonmann]

I hadn't realized that Marshall Cook played football at Oxy and relatively recently.  His humor may not resonate with me but I feel better that he's not just Division III football for a cheap laugh.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'll take the self-admitted wreck of Andy Dick over the pious fraud of Mel Gibson anyday!