Gridiron Gang [Blu-ray]

Director: Phil Joanou, Lee Stanley Phil Joanou

Overview

The true story of the football team that proved sometimes second chances can make a difference comes to the screen in director Phil Joanou's tale of self-respect and social responsibility on the gridiron. Sean Porter (The Rock) is a detention camp probation officer who oversees the inmates at Camp Kilpatrick in Los Angeles and isn't willing to simply write off the violent offenders who have been placed in his care. Though their prospects for the future are decidedly bleak, Porter is convinced that if he can just get through to his adolescent inmates they may finally be able to turn their lives around and make amends for the mistakes of their past. When Porter's proposal of forming a high-school-level football team at Camp Kilpatrick meets with skepticism and resistance in the highest ranks, the determined coach puts his career on the line to prove that even convicted criminals can acquire the tools needed to build a brighter future when given the proper motivation and the means of doing so. Inspired by filmmaker Jac Flanders' 1993 documentary of the same name, Gridiron Gang features a screenplay penned by In the Line of Fire scribe Jeff Maguire, and features a supporting cast that includes Leon Rippy, Kevin Dunn, and Detroit-born rapper-turned-actor Xzibit.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/16/2007
UPC:	0043396170209
Original Release:	2006
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMT
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:05:00
Sales rank:	31,730

Special Features

With optional writer and director commentary; Deleted scenes; Gridiron Gang football training; Phil Joanou profile; The Rock takes the field; Multi-angle football scene

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Xzibit	Malcolm Moore
L. Scott Caldwell	Bobbi Porter
Leon Rippy	Paul Higa
Kevin Dunn	Ted Dexter
Jade Yorker	Willie Weathers
David V. Thomas	Kelvin Owens,Actor
Setu Taase	Junior Palaita
James Earl	Donald Madlock
Trever O'Brien	Kenny Bates,Actor
Brandon Mychal Smith	Bug Wendal,Actor,Bug Wendal
Michael J. Pagan	Roger Weathers
Jamal Mixon	Jamal Evans
Danny Martinez	Miguel Perez
Artie Baxter	John Stevens
Joe Seo	Choi
Joey Lucero	Chavez,Chavez
Robert Zepeda	Peavy
Omari Hardwick	Free
Omari Hughes	Little Dove
Six Reasons	C-Co
Adam Clark	Marvin
Dan Martin	Terrell Rollins
Michael Jace	Mr. Jones
Garrett M. Brown	Coach Finley
Brett Cullen	Frank Torrance
Nafeesa Monroe	Young Mother
Marcia Jeffries	Roger's Mother
Charles Walker	Old Man
Emil Pinnock	Anthony
Kelli Dawn Hancock	Market Woman
Michael Francis Kelly	Affluent Coach
Dwayne Johnson	Sean Porter
Mo McRae	Leon Hayes,Leon Hayes
Jurnee Smollett-Bell	Danyelle Rollins
Kelle Whitehurst	Actor
Bethany Wallin	Actor
Jeremiah Vaughn	Actor
Sean Scarborough	Actor
Jay Rodriguez	Actor
Raul Perez Cubero	Actor
Jeran Pascascio	Actor
Scottie Nic	Actor
Jason E. Kelley	Actor
Sean Hampton	Actor
Dan Lorge	Terrell Rollins
Mary Mara	Kenny Bates' Mom
Anna Maria Horsford	Sharon Weathers
Steven Wash Jr.	Dewayne
Scott Thomas Cameron	Hall Guard
Bruce Katzman	Principal
Asenati Satele	Junior's Girlfriend
Shane Woolaston	Junior's Son
John P. Husky	Voices,Announcer
Vanessa Ferlito	Actor
Jade Scott Yorker	Actor
The Rock	Actor
Trevor Rabin	Composer

Technical Credits

Jeff Maguire

Jac Flanders

Phil Joanou	Director
Jeff Maguire	Screenwriter
Neal H. Moritz	Producer
Lee Stanley	Producer,Executive Producer,Director
Ryan Kavanaugh	Executive Producer
Michael I. Rachmil	Executive Producer,Executive Producer
Lynwood Spinks	Executive Producer
Allan Graf	Stunts
Jac Flanders	Screenwriter
Randi Hiller	Casting
Sarah Finn	Casting
Kenneth McLaughlin	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Los Angeles gang-bangers trade street violence for mayhem on the football field in this uplifting, inspirational drama featuring former wrestling superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. His reality-based character, Sean Porter, works at a juvenile correction center with an abnormally high recidivism rate. Trying to curb or at least harness the violent impulses of his youthful charges, Porter decides to put together a football team -- even though the center’s budget doesn’t allow for adequate facilities, uniforms, or support from personnel. What’s more, the kids don’t seem especially interested. Still, Porter gradually wins the respect of his pugnacious players. Director Phil Joanou employs the Rock’s charismatic presence to good effect, and supporting players Jade Yorker and David Thomas are excellent as opposing gang members who eventually put their differences aside to make the team cohere. Erstwhile hip-hop star Xzibit also scores as Porter’s assistant, giving a surprisingly measured and skillful performance. Action is plentiful both inside the center and out, and the omnipresent threat of violence lends considerable suspense to this tense yet ultimately satisfying inner-city saga.