089 Miracle (2004)
“THIS IS YOUR TIME.“
Hello everyone, we hope 2026 has been treating you well. We apologize for the lack of updates, its difficult to schedule time and be in the right mental space for regularly releasing episodes. We hope to keep doing them, as watching and talking about movies helps keep us sane and grounded against the insanity of the world. Movies might be make believe, but the stories they tell come from real people. Through the language of cinema we are made to feel real emotions. By sharing our favorite movies with one another we are sharing perspectives, values and interests. We are building community, which is vital for the times we live in and the times ahead. This podcast started because two guys shared interest in a movie after all, and through recording and releasing episodes we have gotten incredible movie suggestions from listeners. Movies that we have never heard of or have just never given a second thought. The podcast has expanded our palette, introduced us to different cultures, history and appreciation for the art of movies and those that make them. We can’t stop yet.
For this episode, we took a suggestion from fighting game prodigy BobaTeamo, and talk about 2004’s Miracle, directed by Gavin O’Conner and starring Kurt Russel. This Disney film is based on the true story of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team, and their David and Goliath-type game against the dominant Soviet Olympic team. Coincidentally, also takes place during a period when it just feels bad being an American. Miracle is a period piece set during the Cold War and Oil Crisis of 1979. The rising tensions with the Soviets, dire financial situation for the working class, and general L’s America is taking are only relieved when on the ice. And even on the ice, our characters are put to the test with Kurt Russel’s Herb Brooks’s extreme coaching style, that gives the US Olympic council, his own staff, and family pause. We talk about how the political backdrop and post 9/11 nationalism of the early 2000’s play a role in our reaction to the film today, and also how the message of comradery and reliance of teammates who care about you seemingly undermine the rugged individualistic messages of typical American propaganda.
When it comes to sports movies, we often think of them as formulaic and readily accept the two different endings. They lose, but spiritually win, or they win and all the hard work and sacrifice is rewarded. However, some movies are more than just cliches and predictable endings. These reductive analysis do not take into consideration the craft of film making, and the acute attention to detail of capturing what it feels like to play a certain sport. Not all movies are terribly concerned about accuracy and making you feel like you are in the game, but that’s what makes Miracle special. On this episode, we get into the lengths Gavin O’Conner and his crew went to to capture the essence of hockey. Heated Rivalry might have our hearts now, but Miracle was regarded as the greatest hockey movie ever made. After watching it for the episode and doing a bit of reading on how it was made, it’s no surprise why.
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