I love Movies. I love Sports. I love when a channel like ESPN takes something as basic as sports and reminds me of why I love their channel. For the next 30 weeks every Tuesday ESPN will be showing a unique documentary on a key moment in sports over the last 30 years. What is really great though is the hook which is every single one is directed by a popular Hollywood director.
I just finished the first episode Kings Ransom about the great Wayne Gretzky trade from 1988 where the Edmonton Oilers traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. It is directed by the great Peter Berg. If you haven’t heard of Peter Berg highlight his name in this post and click the i icon. He is a brilliant director who has handled the great series Friday Night Lights (movie as well as TV show.
Probably my favorite part of this is the sheer amount of footage and knowledge shown in this first episode. To be honest I had no idea Gretzky was traded and to hear about how he helped negotiate the deal fascinated me. In between stock footage you see brief glimpses of Wayne today with Peter Berg discussing moments of the story. Overall I can not give it a high enough rating.
The Bad
The fact I have to set my DVR to record each and every episode. ESPN how could you blow this? Currently my cable guide lists it as simply “Kings Ransom” which the cable box can not decipher as the first in the 30 part series. I’ve written Bill Simmons on Twitter and I pray they get this fixed. For 30 weeks I’m not sure I can keep up telling my guide to record the next one.
What Stories Are Coming Up?
The Band That Wouldn’t Die - The story of the Balitmore Colts being moved to Indianapolis in the middle of the night. It is directed by Barry Levinson
Muhammad versus Larry - When Ali fought Holmes it was a huge moment for boxing. Relive it with Albert Maysles directs this one.
Winning Time: Reggie Miller versus The New York Knicks - Reggie Miller, The Knicks and Spike Lee. Oddly enough Spike Lee is not directing this one (hopefully he’s been banished after that awful Kobe Bryant piece he did). Instead we get Dan Klores behind the camera.
