Kevin Costner has been one of the biggest names in movies for decades! From sports movies to westerns even a bit of sci fi he’s done it all. But is he one of our greatest actors? You’ll have to listen in to find out as we count down our Top 5 Kevin Costner Movies. There are a few surprises and guilty pleasure picks in the mix so don’t miss out and join us.

As always we want to hear from you! With your Top 5 Kevin Costner Movie picks, or with your movie reviews, ideas for show topics or just let us know what your watching by calling the voice mail number! 260-573-0015, email us at moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or post your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks

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Aha, a rose between two thorns, or perhaps a thorn between two roses! Join me, The Movie Maniac and our fearless leader, Doug, for another session of Mini Reviews. This is going to be a great year and two of the year’s best are included today: Kingsman: The Secret Service and Mcfarland USA. There’s also Black or White, but I’m going to make you listen to our mini review to learn more about that one.

Doug and I had a blast talking about the films, as always, and I think you’ll have a blast listening. But if you don’t…or want to give us your own reviews or comments, let us know at: moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail # 260-573-0015 or post them to Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks community on Google+

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Kevin Costner‘s excellent performance, a great story and some absolutely wonderful characters make McFarland, USA one of the best movies so far this year. What’s more, it’s based on a true story that seems really likely. Too many of these films depend so much on created drama that it’s hard to see the real people. That’s not a problem in McFarland, the personalities shine through and make this film a joy to watch.

McFarland, California is a mostly Hispanic and very poor agricultural community. Many of the community’s workers are “pickers,” which simply means they spend hours every day harvesting produce by hand. It’s extremely hard work and the rewards are slim. When Coach Jim White (Costner) is forced to find a job, any job, he’s stuck with McFarland, one of the poorest towns in America.

White was consigned there because of his temper and an incident in Idaho. As football coach, according to the film, he threw a cleated shoe and accidentally hit his team captain. He was forced out and almost no school in the country wanted to touch him. Enter McFarland, where the choices were equally slim. Few coaches wanted to end up there.

Upon arriving White notices something startling; many of the local teens are forced to get up before dawn to pick produce until school and then do the same after. What’s even more startling is the speed they must run to be on time. An idea forms: what if he could take these kids and their blistering speed and create a cross country team? That is McFarland, USA. The story of an inspired coach and some very talented boys.

What makes the film so special is that it dives into the intense relationship the White family developed with this so different community. Director Niki Caro managed to skillfully break down the barriers between this very “white” family, even using the name White as a running pun, and a very Hispanic village. What was unexpected was that he was also doing that with the audience. I soon found myself relating more to the Hispanic youngsters and their  parents than the Whites (yes, pun intended). By the end of the film I too wanted to live in McFarland.

The easiest way to talk about McFarland, USA is a comparison to Hoosiers. Caro, in McFarland, managed to get nearly that same involvement in the lives of the players as David Anspaugh did in Hoosiers. I really wanted to know more about the players. I couldn’t wait till the end to find out where everyone ended up. Having said that…Hoosiers gets a 5 out of 5 stars (it’s just flawless), but alas, McFarland, USA gets a measly 4.5.

Both movies though are very, very re-watchable.
 

The Movie Maniac Craig is back for yet another round of Mini Reviews for you! Listen in as he reviews the horror movie Oculus starring Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites and Katee Sackoff. Craig then switches genres with the sports movie Draft Day starring Kevin Costner, Chadwick Boseman and Jennifer Garner. One of these movies is surprisingly good! Listen in and find out which one. We want your movie reviews! Phone them in 260-573-0015 or you can email them to moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com. You can even post them on our Twitter or Face Book Page.

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In this round of Mini Reviews we discuss two of our most anticipated movies of the year! The comedy This Is The End starring James Franco, Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen. The guys also weigh in on Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon. Add in Russel Crowe, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane to round out a star studded cast! Does all the star power add up to a great Superman movie? Did This Is The End deserve to make our most anticipated list? Listen in and find out what the guys think. Now let us know  your reviews of This Is The End and Man of Steel or any movie we may have missed! Send them to moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail number 260-573-0015

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