When a topic gets the Oliver Stone treatment, it typically means that it's a controversial subject getting a cinematic deep dive into its origins. He's seemingly left no stone unturned, exploring topics like 1980s greed ("Wall Street"), the Vietnam War ("Born on the Fourth of July" and "Platoon"), the Kennedy assassination ("JFK"), and illegal surveillance ("Snowden").
For two decades, the director had professional football on his radar, dating back to an early 1980s project titled "The Linebacker," which would have starred Charles Bronson. In 1999, Stone's vision of the NFL finally came to fruition with "Any Given Sunday." By then, the game had changed exponentially from the time Charles Bronson was an A-lister in Hollywood. Player side hustles were replaced by multi-million-dollar advertising deals. The allure of "Monday Night Football" was supplanted by around-the-clock coverage on cable and SportsCenter highlights almost on the hour. What did that exposure mean for the modern athlete?...
For two decades, the director had professional football on his radar, dating back to an early 1980s project titled "The Linebacker," which would have starred Charles Bronson. In 1999, Stone's vision of the NFL finally came to fruition with "Any Given Sunday." By then, the game had changed exponentially from the time Charles Bronson was an A-lister in Hollywood. Player side hustles were replaced by multi-million-dollar advertising deals. The allure of "Monday Night Football" was supplanted by around-the-clock coverage on cable and SportsCenter highlights almost on the hour. What did that exposure mean for the modern athlete?...
- 11/8/2022
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
Sam Huff, the subject of a documentary series that was one of the earliest reality looks at NFL football, died Saturday. He was 87 and passed from “natural causes” in Winchester, Virginia, according to a family lawyer.
Huff was known as a hard-hitting linebacker, first for the New York Giants in the . late ’50s and early ’60s, then for the Washington Redskins for four years.
The nature of his business was chronicled by CBS in the Walter Cronkite hosted series The Twentieth Century, a documentary television program. In the episode titled “The Violent World of Sam Huff.” the linebacker wore a microphone during practice and an exhibition game for the piece, becoming one of the earliest insider looks at the NFL.
Born in West Virginia’s coal country, Huff went on to star as a lineman at West Virginia University. He then was drafted by the New York Giants and became...
Huff was known as a hard-hitting linebacker, first for the New York Giants in the . late ’50s and early ’60s, then for the Washington Redskins for four years.
The nature of his business was chronicled by CBS in the Walter Cronkite hosted series The Twentieth Century, a documentary television program. In the episode titled “The Violent World of Sam Huff.” the linebacker wore a microphone during practice and an exhibition game for the piece, becoming one of the earliest insider looks at the NFL.
Born in West Virginia’s coal country, Huff went on to star as a lineman at West Virginia University. He then was drafted by the New York Giants and became...
- 11/14/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Talk about holding a grudge ... country music superstar Travis Tritt says he Refuses to root for the Dallas Cowboys ever again -- all because of something that went down 26 years ago. Tritt was leaving Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills Monday night when he told us he's still bitter at Jerry Jones for the way he axed legendary head coach Tom Landry back in 1989. Fyi -- Jones had Just bought the team when he rushed in...
- 1/27/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Cowboys legend Robert Newhouse died on Tuesday after a long battle with heart disease. He was 64.
Robert Newhouse Dies
Newhouse passed away at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. – where he’d been staying for the last few months – surrounded by his immediate family, reported the Dallas Morning News. His health had started to deteriorate in 2010 when he suffered a stroke.
Until the very last, Newhouse was fighting, according to his son Roddrick Newhouse. “The mental picture everyone had of Robert Newhouse of going for that last yard was absolutely everything he did. He fought until the very end,” said Roddrick. “He would not quit.”
Newhouse, who was born in Longview,Texas, played college football at Houston. Following his stellar collegiate career, Newhouse was picked up in the second round of the 1972 draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Under Tom Landry, Newhouse played 12 seasons – three of which ended at the Super Bowl,...
Robert Newhouse Dies
Newhouse passed away at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. – where he’d been staying for the last few months – surrounded by his immediate family, reported the Dallas Morning News. His health had started to deteriorate in 2010 when he suffered a stroke.
Until the very last, Newhouse was fighting, according to his son Roddrick Newhouse. “The mental picture everyone had of Robert Newhouse of going for that last yard was absolutely everything he did. He fought until the very end,” said Roddrick. “He would not quit.”
Newhouse, who was born in Longview,Texas, played college football at Houston. Following his stellar collegiate career, Newhouse was picked up in the second round of the 1972 draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Under Tom Landry, Newhouse played 12 seasons – three of which ended at the Super Bowl,...
- 7/23/2014
- Uinterview
Jack Eskridge may not be a star player, but he left a mark on the NFL that can be rivaled by few. Eskridge designed the iconic Dallas Cowboys "Star" emblem, representing the Lone Star State, that has been the team's identity since their inception. CNN reports he died Monday, near his home in Kansas City, at 89-years-old.
While Eskridge wasn't a football player, he was a professional basketball player. He played with two teams, the Chicago Stags, and the Indianapolis Jets, before joining the University of Kansas as assistant coach. While there, he helped recruit future basketball great Wilt Chamberlain.
Eskridge was hired by famed Cowboys coach Tom Landry, serving as the team's equipment manager. He later designed the famous blue star, with a white border outline, before the team debuted in 1960. That logo has endured today, and has become as synonymous with football, as it has the team.
While Eskridge wasn't a football player, he was a professional basketball player. He played with two teams, the Chicago Stags, and the Indianapolis Jets, before joining the University of Kansas as assistant coach. While there, he helped recruit future basketball great Wilt Chamberlain.
Eskridge was hired by famed Cowboys coach Tom Landry, serving as the team's equipment manager. He later designed the famous blue star, with a white border outline, before the team debuted in 1960. That logo has endured today, and has become as synonymous with football, as it has the team.
- 2/16/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
The holidays are a welcome gift for overworked PopWatchers. Now is the time to catch up on all those movies the critics have already crowned Oscar contenders, or marathon a TV show on Blu-ray before the new season kicks in — Downton Abbey season 3 starts Jan. 6! — or simply track down a show you’ve been reading great things about. In the theater, Quentin Tarantino’s bloody Django Unchained, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a sadistic villain, promises to be a jolly good time when it premieres on Christmas Day. Let’s put him on the Naughty list.
Check out what else is...
Check out what else is...
- 12/23/2012
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW.com - PopWatch
He was the corrupt senator with the dead Vegas hooker in his bed in The Godfather Pt 2. He sent Martin Sheen upriver in Apocalypse Now and was the Tom Landry-like coach in North Dallas 40. G.D. Spradlin was an accomplished, intense character actor who popped up frequently throughout the ’70s and ’80s and whose other credits include Zabriskie Point (1970) and Tim Burton’s Ed Wood (1994). Apparently Spradlin was a millionaire oil company exec who wandered into acting on a lark after he was well into his 40′s. Spradlin died at his cattle ranch in California this morning at age 90.
From The La Times:
Gervase Duan “G.D.” Spradlin, a character actor best known for playing authority figures in television and films, including “The Godfather: Part II” and “Apocalypse Now,” has died. He was 90.
Spradlin died of natural causes at his cattle ranch in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, said his grandson,...
From The La Times:
Gervase Duan “G.D.” Spradlin, a character actor best known for playing authority figures in television and films, including “The Godfather: Part II” and “Apocalypse Now,” has died. He was 90.
Spradlin died of natural causes at his cattle ranch in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, said his grandson,...
- 7/26/2011
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I am a warrior.
Made of steel.
And so when Rachelle (my lady) suggested that it might be fun for us to form a team and join a Coed Recreational Floor Hockey League, I knew that the group of friends she assembled, a bunch of Asian designers, cat-sitters, snippy gay men*, recent immigrants and food critics, would rely heavily on my grit, determination, leadership and skill. The team was called The Jesus Cobras -- a name that wasn't intended to mock Christians, but rather the type of people who call strangers "friend," and like to advertise their faith through floor hockey.
At any rate, as it was a league for beginners, I felt confident that I'd be able to dominate any game, as I've managed many fantasy hockey teams. Our first match was against the Mother Puckers-- a team full of dudes with Celtic bands tattooed around their biceps (who likely attended Daughtry concerts,...
Made of steel.
And so when Rachelle (my lady) suggested that it might be fun for us to form a team and join a Coed Recreational Floor Hockey League, I knew that the group of friends she assembled, a bunch of Asian designers, cat-sitters, snippy gay men*, recent immigrants and food critics, would rely heavily on my grit, determination, leadership and skill. The team was called The Jesus Cobras -- a name that wasn't intended to mock Christians, but rather the type of people who call strangers "friend," and like to advertise their faith through floor hockey.
At any rate, as it was a league for beginners, I felt confident that I'd be able to dominate any game, as I've managed many fantasy hockey teams. Our first match was against the Mother Puckers-- a team full of dudes with Celtic bands tattooed around their biceps (who likely attended Daughtry concerts,...
- 11/12/2010
- by Dustin Rowles
How do you like your sports-themed movies? Heavy on the sport or just a side of sport with a heaping helping of feel-good story? Me… I’m not tellin’ though I’m sure there’s some conclusion that can be made after you’ve seen my list. First I wanna share a few stories that inspired me to put pen to paper type up my list. A long time ago Espn.com’s Bill Simmons started his list of the best 72 sports movies of the past 33 years, but the list is incomplete and I worry it may never be finished — come on Bill! Then there was the news we reported of the Vince Lombardi project starring Robert De Niro in the lead role which got the folks over at the Dallas Morning News asking who would play Tom Landry if when he is immortalized on the big screen. Finally the A.
- 3/19/2010
- by creth
- Atomic Popcorn
The legendary Robert De Niro is set to play football legend Vince Lombardi in the new biopic "Lombardi."
Espn Films has attached Academy Award winner Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump") to write the script. According to Espn.com, Espn Films, Andell Entertainment and the NFL, will tackle Lombardi's illustrious career in football, starting in 1959 when he took over the Green Bay Packers, then the worst team in the NFL. Under Lombardi's direction, the team went on to become champions.
The longstanding drama between Lombardi and Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry will also be featured. No actor has been hired yet to play Landry.
Right now, Espn Films is on the hunt for a director, and "Lombardi" is set to open nationwide the weekend before the 2012 Super Bowl.
Espn Films has attached Academy Award winner Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump") to write the script. According to Espn.com, Espn Films, Andell Entertainment and the NFL, will tackle Lombardi's illustrious career in football, starting in 1959 when he took over the Green Bay Packers, then the worst team in the NFL. Under Lombardi's direction, the team went on to become champions.
The longstanding drama between Lombardi and Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry will also be featured. No actor has been hired yet to play Landry.
Right now, Espn Films is on the hunt for a director, and "Lombardi" is set to open nationwide the weekend before the 2012 Super Bowl.
- 3/12/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
I can already hear the talk radio guys boning themselves over this one. Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, is one of the most iconic figures in sports history -- certainly so in football lore. Honestly, it's high time someone made a biopic about him (it will be produced by Espn Films). I'm a little excited about it -- Lombardi took over the Packers in 1959 and coached them to five championships in nine years. I'm excited because I love football movies, even though the gameplay is ridiculously over-dramatized -- every hit and tackle looks like, were it to happen in real life, it would literally disintegrate the other player, and every catch is the stuff of legend. But fuck it, I love 'em anyway. I also love movies set in that era -- it'll be full of men in trenchcoats and hats, which is badass.
Lombardi...
Lombardi...
- 3/11/2010
- by TK
Hollywood legend Robert De Niro is set to play distinguished football coach Vince Lombardi in a new feature film by Espn Films, Andell Entertainment, and the NFL. "Lombardi" will chronicle the Green Bay Packers coach's career as he led the transformation of the worst team of the NFL into a five-time champion.
The story, written by "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" screenwriter Eric Roth, will begin from 1958 when Lombardi first became an NFL head coach and took over the Packers. It will also highlight the long-standing rivalry between the titular character and the Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry.
NFL VP of programming, Charles Coplin, said, "There are few actors who could accurately portray the fire, passion and grit of Lombardi. We're thrilled to have Robert De Niro on our team."
De Niro and Tribeca Productions partner Jane Rosenthal will produce alongside Chris Olsen. The film is slated for a 2012 release date.
The story, written by "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" screenwriter Eric Roth, will begin from 1958 when Lombardi first became an NFL head coach and took over the Packers. It will also highlight the long-standing rivalry between the titular character and the Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry.
NFL VP of programming, Charles Coplin, said, "There are few actors who could accurately portray the fire, passion and grit of Lombardi. We're thrilled to have Robert De Niro on our team."
De Niro and Tribeca Productions partner Jane Rosenthal will produce alongside Chris Olsen. The film is slated for a 2012 release date.
- 3/11/2010
- icelebz.com
Robert De Niro is attached to play legendary coach Vince Lombardi in a biopic for Espn Films, the NFL and Andell Entertainment says Espn.com.
Eric Roth ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Forrest Gump") will pen "Lombardi" which follows the coach during the period starting in 1959 when he took over the Green Bay Packers and changed them from the worst team in the NFL to five-time champions.
The film also deals with the rivalry between Lombardi and legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. The film is currently aiming for an early 2012 release.
Eric Roth ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Forrest Gump") will pen "Lombardi" which follows the coach during the period starting in 1959 when he took over the Green Bay Packers and changed them from the worst team in the NFL to five-time champions.
The film also deals with the rivalry between Lombardi and legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. The film is currently aiming for an early 2012 release.
- 3/10/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
We've heard all the buzz on The Wrestler, the Darren Aronofsky feature that is said to revive the career of Mickey Rourke and has since been picked up by Fox Searchlight and is now a contender for Best Picture and Best Actor among other Oscar hardware. I have covered it extensively in "The Contenders" section and now the Los Angeles Times has run a great interview that breaks down the decision by Aronofsky and how he approached Rourke for the job. "I was very honest with him, like you'd be in a marriage. We looked each other in the eye and I said, 'This is a purely artistic venture. There's no money.' But if he would show up, if he really, really wanted the chance to be a lead in a film again, I wanted to do it with him." Those words belong to Aronofsky as he tells the "Times" interviewer,...
- 9/12/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
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