All articles tagged with #next goal wins
Originally Published 2 years ago — by New York Post
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" dominates the box office with $19.1 million on its first night, followed by "Trolls Band Together" with $9.4 million. "Thanksgiving" lands in third place with $3.8 million, while "The Marvels" falls to fourth place. "Next Goal Wins" takes fifth place with $1.1 million in sales.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by IndieWire
Taika Waititi discusses the delayed release of his film "Next Goal Wins" and expresses gratitude for the extra time it gave him to work on post-production. He explains that his independent film background has always led him to prefer relaxed timelines and that rushing the editing process is a shame. Waititi also reveals that the pandemic-induced delays allowed him to revisit certain creative aspects of the film, including casting himself as a priest who narrates the story. He jokes about taking artistic license with the truth, comparing himself to the authors of the Bible. "Next Goal Wins" is now playing in theaters.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Roger Ebert
"Next Goal Wins" is a formulaic yet strangely effective underdog sports movie based on the true story of a Dutch-American coach sent to train the American Samoa football team after their devastating loss in the World Cup. Directed by Taika Waititi, the film follows the familiar tropes of the genre, occasionally mocking them, but ultimately delivering an uplifting and crowd-pleasing experience. Despite its flaws, including a lackluster performance by Michael Fassbender, the film manages to engage viewers through its portrayal of resilience and redemption. However, it falls short in fully exploring the complexities of its characters and themes, relying on clichés and missed opportunities.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Rolling Stone
Taika Waititi's "Next Goal Wins" attempts to retell the inspiring true story of the American Samoa soccer team's transformation from the worst team ever to a competitive squad. However, Waititi's presence as both the narrator and a character in the film, along with his signature absurdist humor, overshadow the storytelling and undermine the film's feel-good narrative. The movie also faces criticism for its handling of a transgender character and the clash of tones. Despite good intentions, "Next Goal Wins" falls short of its potential as a sports comedy.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
Taika Waititi's latest film, "Next Goal Wins," which dramatizes the comeback of the American Samoa soccer team, sacrifices sincerity for self-conscious humor. The movie, starring Michael Fassbender, mocks sports drama tropes while relying on them for emotional payoffs, resulting in a film that doesn't earn its grand conclusions. Waititi's heavy reliance on comedy shortchanges the characters and their development, leading to a choppy narrative rhythm. The portrayal of the first trans woman to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier is disappointing, relegating her story to wordless montages and actions that feel random and disconnected. Despite its attempts to highlight the personality and traditions of the American Samoans, the film sabotages these scenes by mocking the cluelessness of white outsiders. Overall, "Next Goal Wins" falls short of its potential by favoring humor over sincerity.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Variety
"Next Goal Wins," directed by Taika Waititi, retells the story of how American Samoa's soccer team went from being the worst to not the worst. While the movie involves a white character, it subverts the white savior trope by focusing on the coach's need for an attitude adjustment. The film follows the coach's journey to help the team score a goal, while also exploring personal struggles and redemption. Despite its predictable plot, the movie offers an enjoyable experience with comedic moments and a promising sign for the genre of soccer comedies.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Variety
Taika Waititi's film "Next Goal Wins," based on the true story of the American Samoa soccer team's infamous 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Waititi admits to taking creative liberties in adapting the story, which follows the team's journey with a new coach (played by Michael Fassbender) as they aim to improve their track record. The film explores the theme of finding family and features a diverse cast, including real-life inspirations for the characters. Despite labor strikes preventing the stars from attending, the film received a heartfelt standing ovation.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Deadline
Taika Waititi's film "Next Goal Wins" receives a warm response and cheers at its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Inspired by a 2014 documentary, the film tells the underdog story of the American Samoa soccer team and their hiring of a maverick coach to turn their fortunes around. Waititi aims to showcase Pacific Islanders on screen and reflects on the lack of representation he experienced growing up. The film is described as an old-fashioned, heartful sports movie, reminiscent of those from the 1980s and 1990s. Waititi previously won an Oscar for his film "Jojo Rabbit" and is expected to be a strong contender for the Audience Award once again.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Polygon
Taika Waititi and Michael Fassbender have collaborated on a soccer movie called Next Goal Wins, which follows a disgraced coach who is sent to coach the national team for American Samoa, one of the worst national teams ever. The film is set to release in theaters on Nov. 17 and is written and directed by Waititi, with Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Oscar Kightley, and Uli Latukefu also starring.