30 for 30 running thread

That was "A Football Life" on the NFL Network.

 

I remember Simmons once complained that HBO's sports documentaries had become somewhat predictable--each one was baby boomer sports porn, basically--and I feel like the 30 for 30s are reaching that stage, except for a new generation. I still enjoy most of them, but I feel like I can almost predict what the next topics will be, and there is a sameness to many of the actual films in the way they're presented.

I feel confident that at least 5 of these ideas will become 30 for 30s.
The Miami-Boston College Flutie game.
The 1985 Bears.
The Kobe-Shaq rivalry.
Something about Cleveland sports misery, through the eyes of a director who grew up in the city and was forever scarred by Byner's fumble.
The Don Denkinger game.
The broadcasting team of Dick Enberg, Al McGuire and Billy Packer.
The Big Three (Bird, McHale, Parish).
Hagler vs. Hearns (or Leonard vs. Hagler, told from perspective of Hagler).
1987 NFL Strike

And I'd probably enjoy all of those. But they seem to have settled into a pattern, and the Laettner one's included with that.

 

I know Simmons has said in the past the reason they haven't done one on the Pacers-Pistons brawl is because the NBA won't release the video.

 

Just caught the Jimmy Connors one. Well done. Really felt for Krickstein, how Jimbo basically took his glory then ended the friendship. Total douche move; which I guess is to be expected.

 

The U Part 2 was awesome.

 

It was if you're into the same excuse-making and whitewashing that went into The U -- which I was actually kind of a fan of.

They did go a little light on the gunplay portion of it. They even had a guy acknowledging that he had his piece on him at all times and could have prevented Pata's death by killing the shooter.

Also I found interesting the hazing ritual of the lights shutting out and the "Whoop! Whoop!" starting and the freshmen being terrified. Wonder if that's more common than we believe it is and the New Jersey high school was just following a long tradition.

 

I think it probably is very common. I also think it was probably taken to a different level at Miami given the type of player who usually went there.

What I liked about both Miami 30 for 30s is that the reporters and players and coaches who were interviewed were the ones who were there. There was no, "And here are Wright Thompson and Chuck Klosterman to talk about something they never covered."

 

I would have to think that a respectful God fearing Southern man like Wright Thompson would have never set foot at "The U"

Have only seen pt 2 in bit and pieces but have seen pt 1 a few times. More fraudulent each time I watch.

 

I have a couple of these queued up, and watched Slaying the Badger tonight, which was not a Poin-produced documentary about Wisconsin cheerleading coach scandals. However, it was a really good look at the Tour de France that Greg LeMond won. Good stuff, and it was kinda nice to see Kathy LeMond throughout the documentary; her voice definitely added something to the proceedings.

 

I can easily waste a day watching all 30 for 30s or the NFL Network's brilliant "A Football Life"
Some are better than others, but most are pretty damn good.

 

To me A Football Life is easily the best thing NFL Network does. I have loads of those and 30 for 30s in the PVR for rainy - or snowy days - between the end of football season and the first pitch of baseball season.

 

Watched the Football Life episode on the 2006 Rose Bowl the other day. Very well done, and lots of good stuff from Leinart and Young.