Report Card----"Concussion"

"Concussion" is a compelling true story about the NFL's thus far successful attempt to hide what they know about long term injuries to all of the players.
This is a story with good guys and bad guys.
The rooting interests are clear
It's all about money.
The NFL has made minor concessions in dealing with the problem, but it's way short of what's needed.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Riveting.  This was becoming common knowledge before the picture came out.
This added to my enlightenment
A+.

Compelling even?

Consistently.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Totally
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Excellent
A+.

Is it well written?

Extremely
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes, on all levels.  Will Smith  was fine, if you can't get Denzel.
Albert Brooks does a fine turn as coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht, whom I remember as one of the JFK assassination conspiracy advocates.  Wecht was bald, and much is made about that here.
This makes me wonder if Brooks has lost his hair, or if it was shaved off just for this part.
Alec  Baldwin is also one of the good guys.  He's some good actor.
A+.

Well shot?

No problem.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

The writer was the director, so I'm always inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
A.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Immediately.  Not an issue.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Never an issue.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Extremely and constantly.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Not particularly, although it probably should have been.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Whenever I watch football, which is a lot.
A+.

Is it funny?

There is some dark humor.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

It played in the movies so briefly, I wouldn't have had time to determine.
A.

Is it impressive?

Very.  And very sad, too.
A+.

Overall grade: A.

When it appears on cable, you should definitely check.it out.
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My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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