Title: Second String
Stars: Jon Voight, Gil Bellows, Teri
Polo, Richard T. Jones, Charles Malik Whitfield, and Garcelle Beauvais
Featuring: Van Miller, Doug Flutie,
Mike Ditka, Chris Berman, and Donovan Greer
Writer: Tom Flynn
Based on a story by: Jere Cunningham
and Tom Flynn
Director: Robert Lieberman
Running Time: 93 minutes without
commercials
Media: TNT Original Television Motion
Picture (NTSC VHS Screener)
World Premiere Wednesday, December 18,
2002, at 8pm (ET/PT)
Network: Turner Network Television
(Check your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: PG 14 L
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Maybe I am wrong, but I could have
sworn seeing some news about this film online two years ago and since then I
wondered what happened? Well last week the screener shows up and to my surprise
I see Jon Voight’s name and Gill Bellows on the cover and I think to myself,
“Am I imagining this?” Finally “Second String” has arrived and for a TV
movie it was definitely worth the wait. The story is your basic sports team
makes it against the odds to win the big game and becomes champs. The underdog
is Gil Bellows, a former football player who revamps the Buffalo Bills after
most of the team falls ill due to food poisoning. Much to his chagrin, the coach
(Jon Voight) has to put his trust in Bellows if they are to make it through the
playoffs and win the Super Bowl.
I am not sports fan, but I have to
admit that I enjoyed this film despite the predictable plotline. Jon Voight
delivers a somewhat hammy, but still authoritative performance and Gil Bellows
has just enough charisma that even I felt like I could play well if I were on
his team. If you are looking for a break from the traditional holiday
programming or are a fan of sports films, than this might be right for you when
“Second String” premieres on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at 8PM (ET/PT) on
TNT. Encores are as follows:
(All
Times ET/PT)
Wednesday,
December 18, 2002, At 10PM
Friday,
December 20, 2002, At 8PM
Friday,
December 20, 2002, At 10PM
Saturday,
December 21, 2002, At 10:30AM
Sunday,
December 22, 2002, At 9AM
© Copyright 2002 By
Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.