The Express

[OburgOrange]

You thinking like the light shows that NHL arenas do on the ice prior to games?

That would be awesome. So many things could be done. Some of those pregame light shows on the ice at NHL games are incredible

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

where did they watch the game? where they there?

The movie shows them sitting on the porch watching the game with full greenery in the background. In Elmira. On January 1.

 

[DoubleDee]

Factual issues aside, I love the film. Any film ever made could be better or done differently in hindsight (SW ep 1-3). Proud that OUR team has a major motion picture, and my nine year old son loves it too.

 

[lskul60]

I dunno.
The film was "ok" at best.

Sure, it gave me a charge to see the Hall of Languages, the long range view of University Place (Crouse college, Lyman Hall, etc), and of course seeing the Quad on the big screen made me smile.

But I think I got as much of a kick in seeing the fake Hendricks Chappel in Born on the 4th of July.

 

[RF2044]

Eh, it's an average movie. If you had someone do a bit better of a job on it I think it would've played better but to purposely change facts to fit a narrative of a movie is kinda a bad look.

Quick question -- have you watched the 1959 championship game? I did, after first seeing the Express back when it came out, because I was curious about all of the stuff in there about Texas, the fighting, etc.

I was surprised by how unlike the movie the championship game was. First of all, we scored on that wheel route pass to Ernie Davis on our first possesion, not to cement the win. Then we jumped out to a two score lead. Then, the teams had a flurry of turnovers / odd plays, which made the 2nd and 3rd quarters kind of strange. And we hung on for a fairly anti-climactic win.

I didn't see any evidence of the racial stuff -- not saying that there wasn't some of that, just that it wasn't apparent on the game video, and certainly not where Texas players were overtly trying to hurt our players while on the ground, etc.

I actually liked the movie, just because I like seeing things about SU sports, and because I've been an Ernie Davis fan for a long time -- but some of the dramatization was over the top. I get why Hollywood wants to switch things around to build the story toward an exciting outcome, so creative liberties are to be expected. But I certainly understand why someone like CTO can't abide by those liberties being taken with people she knew, depicting events that never happened and people who aren't real.

 

[MGDCuse]

That's one of the major flaws of the film. By all accounts, the Davis character in the film didn't reflect Ernie's personality. He was made into a hybrid Jim Brown/Davis character with the aggressive behavior toward Ben, etc.

People who knew Ernie insisted he overcame the ignorant haters with his essential goodness and grace. He was not the angry young Jim Brown.

But that was not what Hollywood needed.

Of all the things misrepresented in the film, that may have been the most egregious.

Wish Gavin O'Connor had directed/written that movie. He did such a good job on Miracle a couple years earlier. He does a great job portraying the underdog roles in his movies.

 

[TheCusian]

Factual issues aside, I love the film. Any film ever made could be better or done differently in hindsight (SW ep 1-3). Proud that OUR team has a major motion picture, and my nine year old son loves it too.

My 9 year old loved it, too.

Next up? My copy of the 2003 championship game

 

[RoysRunts]

Saw the game on Local TV Channel 8? Maybe , I was 11 remember the Fight and the hullabaloo.. seemed to be a lot of late/cheap shots but in those days it was run of the mill. The Post Standard wrote about the Incident days maybe weeks/years afterwards (Like the Ruffing the kicker /holder penalty) against ND years later. John Brown looked to be the victim in the mess.

 

[care taker]

You thinking like the light shows that NHL arenas do on the ice prior to games?

Yes or like the Chicago Bulls but better something must see

 

[bnoro]

Quick question -- have you watched the 1959 championship game? I did, after first seeing the Express back when it came out, because I was curious about all of the stuff in there about Texas, the fighting, etc.

I was surprised by how unlike the movie the championship game was. First of all, we scored on that wheel route pass to Ernie Davis on our first possesion, not to cement the win. Then we jumped out to a two score lead. Then, the teams had a flurry of turnovers / odd plays, which made the 2nd and 3rd quarters kind of strange. And we hung on for a fairly anti-climactic win.

I didn't see any evidence of the racial stuff -- not saying that there wasn't some of that, just that it wasn't apparent on the game video, and certainly not where Texas players were overtly trying to hurt our players while on the ground, etc.

I actually liked the movie, just because I like seeing things about SU sports, and because I've been an Ernie Davis fan for a long time -- but some of the dramatization was over the top. I get why Hollywood wants to switch things around to build the story toward an exciting outcome, so creative liberties are to be expected. But I certainly understand why someone like CTO can't abide by those liberties being taken with people she knew, depicting events that never happened and people who aren't real.

Not to mention the WVU game portrayed in that movie wasn't in WV that season, it was at Archbold. Just so many factual errors to write a narrative. Just make it the true story. It stands on its own without the drama.

 

[xc84]

Those are later phases. Supports for new roof will be fine this coming summer. Roof in summer 2020. After that, me thinks.

Syracuse's $118 million Carrier Dome renovations to include new roof, air conditioning

The improvements planned for the 2020 football season include the roof, scoreboard, new sound and lighting systems, improved wireless internet and improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The planned improvements for 2022 include air conditioning, enhanced restrooms and new concessions spaces.

 

[RF2044]

Not to mention the WVU game portrayed in that movie wasn't in WV that season, it was at Archbold. Just so many factual errors to write a narrative. Just make it the true story. It stands on its own without the drama.

I've been to Mountaineer stadium more times than I care to admit for SU games. Used to be close when I lived in northeast Ohio when we played there every other year, and I went down a couple of times when I was a kid with my dad in the 80s, as a reasonably close road trip.

You won't see a more raucous, fiesty crowd than what they have -- and they have true animosity for Marvin Graves and Troy Nunes, for plays that occurred years ago. Inside the stadium, its an uncomfortable experience.

But you honestly cannot meet a nicer group of hospitable fans outside of the stadium. On numerous occasions, we've parked and had WVU fans parked nearby unsolicited invite us to tailgait, and insist that we have some food, etc. One time, a little kid said something fairly harmless to us since we were decked in SU gear, and the dad wigged out -- offered us beers and was extremely apologetic for his son's behavior, saying that he didn't want that to be our perception of WV fans.

There's no doubt that some of that racial sentiment existed during that time of american history -- but it just seemed like sloppy writing to me. Wasn't West Virginia part of the union? Isn't that the whole reason we have a "West" Virginia, compared to the actual state of Virginia, because they didn't side with the confederacy and it split the state?

That, in tandem with my own experiences there and seeing how friendly the fanbase is, makes me believe it when they express sincere surprise that they are being portrayed that way in a fictional movie situation. Can I envision them being that rowdy? Sure, for football purposes. But that racial? I think they were the victims of being mis-portrayed, and that it was just "lazy" writing to make a ham fisted point by exploiting a trope, given that they were our most "southern" opponent.

 

[xc84]

I've been to Mountaineer stadium more times than I care to admit for SU games. Used to be close when I lived in northeast Ohio when we played there every other year, and I went down a couple of times when I was a kid with my dad in the 80s, as a reasonably close road trip.

You won't see a more raucous, fiesty crowd than what they have -- and they have true animosity for Marvin Graves and Troy Nunes, for plays that occurred years ago. Inside the stadium, its an uncomfortable experience.

But you honestly cannot meet a nicer group of hospitable fans outside of the stadium. On numerous occasions, we've parked and had WVU fans parked nearby unsolicited invite us to tailgait, and insist that we have some food, etc. One time, a little kid said something fairly harmless to us since we were decked in SU gear, and the dad wigged out -- offered us beers and was extremely apologetic for his son's behavior, saying that he didn't want that to be our perception of WV fans.

There's no doubt that some of that racial sentiment existed during that time of american history -- but it just seemed like sloppy writing to me. Wasn't West Virginia part of the union? Isn't that the whole reason we have a "West" Virginia, compared to the actual state of Virginia, because they didn't side with the confederacy and it split the state?

That, in tandem with my own experiences there and seeing how friendly the fanbase is, makes me believe it when they express sincere surprise that they are being portrayed that way in a fictional movie situation. Can I envision them being that rowdy? Sure, for football purposes. But that racial? I think they were the victims of being mis-portrayed, and that it was just "lazy" writing to make a ham fisted point by exploiting a trope, given that they were our most "southern" opponent.

The last game I went to the fans outside the stadium were awful. Besides swearing at us and the crotch grabbing, they pinned our car in when we parked it (our NY license plates was a dead giveaway). On the way there I recall a father of a young boy swearing his a$$ of at us with his kid right there. In a bar near the stadium prior to the game, the entire bar spontaneously broke into an apparently well-known local "fight" song while pointing at a couple of our Syracuse fan tables and finishing with something that contained a melodious ("**K you, **k you"). I was with older guys (father in his 70s) and not rowdy at all and next to us were parents of a few players.

I think that was the game where batteries were thrown at our players on the field.

 

[RF2044]

The last game I went to the fans outside the stadium were awful. Besides swearing at us and the crotch grabbing, they pinned our car in when we parked it (our NY license plates was a dead giveaway). On the way there I recall a father of a young boy swearing his a$$ of at us with his kid right there. In a bar near the stadium prior to the game, the entire bar spontaneously broke into an apparently well-known local "fight" song while pointing at a couple of our Syracuse fan tables and finishing with something that contained a melodious ("**K you, **k you"). I was with older guys (father in his 70s) and not rowdy at all and next to us were parents of a few players.

I think that was the game where batteries were thrown at our players on the field.

This feels like deja vu, I think you and I have had this point counterpoint description of opposite experiences before. Your description is very incongruent with what I'veexperienced, but I will readily admit that I've never set foot anywhere close to a bar in Morgantown (by choice). And I definitely concede that the students are far bigger then the locals.

Maybe we just got lucky, but I've had some more positive experiences interacting with WVU fans at the Big East tournament (for example). Definitely not anything like you're describing outside the stadium, but obviously your stories sound awful.

They sound a lot like the negative experiences I've had with uconn fans.

 

[4the Dubbz]

Anyone else think it’s cool that the chap who played Floyd little went on to become a super hero?

 

[Eric15]

I want one of two things: (a) a story that is pure, 100% fiction, or (b) a 100% historically accurate documentary, i.e. of the Ken Burns variety.

I can't stand movies that fall in the middle, and are loosely based on historical events, where I have no clue what is real and what isn't. I would so much rather watch a thoughtful documentary about the life of Ernie Davis than watch The Express.

 

[xc84]

This feels like deja vu, I think you and I have had this point counterpoint description of opposite experiences before. Your description is very incongruent with what I'veexperienced, but I will readily admit that I've never set foot anywhere close to a bar in Morgantown (by choice). And I definitely concede that the students are far bigger then the locals.

Maybe we just got lucky, but I've had some more positive experiences interacting with WVU fans at the Big East tournament (for example). Definitely not anything like you're describing outside the stadium, but obviously your stories sound awful.

They sound a lot like the negative experiences I've had with uconn fans.

We probably did compare notes before

Glad you had a good time but I will never set foot in Morgantown again.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Eh, it's an average movie. If you had someone do a bit better of a job on it I think it would've played better but to purposely change facts to fit a narrative of a movie is kinda a bad look.

I agree, but from the point of view of a complete outsider, it pushes the right buttons to help us land recruits.

 

[bnoro]

I agree, but from the point of view of a complete outsider, it pushes the right buttons to help us land recruits.

Yes, you're not wrong there.

 

[HoustonCuse]

This feels like deja vu, I think you and I have had this point counterpoint description of opposite experiences before. Your description is very incongruent with what I'veexperienced, but I will readily admit that I've never set foot anywhere close to a bar in Morgantown (by choice). And I definitely concede that the students are far bigger then the locals.

Maybe we just got lucky, but I've had some more positive experiences interacting with WVU fans at the Big East tournament (for example). Definitely not anything like you're describing outside the stadium, but obviously your stories sound awful.

They sound a lot like the negative experiences I've had with uconn fans.

All I know about WVU fans is that they hate Pittsburgh, And that makes them ok in my book.

 

[SmilinBob]

All I know about WVU fans is that they hate Pittsburgh, And that makes them ok in my book.

"There's a tractor in the parking lot with its lights on and the license plate is from WV and says EIEIO." Pitt PA announcer