Miracle (2004)
Our focus this episode is the cinematic exploration of the film "Miracle," which recounts the remarkable triumph of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team against the formidable Soviet squad. We delve into the nuances of this historical event, examining the intricate dynamics of coaching under Herb Brooks, portrayed by Kurt Russell, and the profound implications of such a victory on national pride and identity. The conversation traverses various themes, including the emotional resonance of the film, the authentic representation of the athletes' struggles, and the fine line between creative license and historical accuracy. As we engage with the complexities of this iconic sports narrative, we reflect on the cultural significance it holds, not only within the realm of sports but also as a metaphor for resilience and perseverance. Ultimately, this episode serves as an invitation to revisit a pivotal moment in sports history through the lens of cinema, enhancing our understanding of both the film and the real events it depicts.
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Transcript
So, ironically enough, you're better red than dead is a little different for here, right?
Speaker B:It hits a little bit close to home.
Speaker B:Yeah, don't worry, don't worry.
Speaker B:I'm a man of the people.
Speaker B:I'm not rooting for communism here.
Speaker B:It just happened to work out that way.
Speaker C:I think being a man of the people means you always communism.
Speaker A:I was just saying.
Speaker A:Welcome to the what's Every Podcast, where we fashion ourselves cinematic judge and jury.
Speaker A:My name is JJ Carter.
Speaker A:I'm here with my co host, Mat, Matt and Heiner.
Speaker B:I say, I say, I say Better red than dead.
Speaker A:And Alec Burgess.
Speaker C:Let's get it.
Speaker A:We appreciate you tuning in.
Speaker A:Go and hit that Follow subscribe like bell Notification buttons help keep up with all of our episodes.
Speaker A:Help support the podcast to help do that too.
Speaker A:Tell a friend about us.
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Speaker B:Yeah, we'd appreciate your friends with missing teeth about us also.
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Speaker A:That'll work too.
Speaker A:That'll work too.
Speaker A:Ironically enough, I have a funny story to along with telling people about the podcast.
Speaker A:I'll tell you a little later anyway.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker A:I know.
Speaker A:With that, you should also go check out our Patreon.
Speaker A:That's where all the.
Speaker A:As Alex says, the magic happens.
Speaker A:You can get in on voting for what movies we do, topics we pick for the month.
Speaker A:And with that, we're in week two, week two, four of July movies, which is our patriotic themed films.
Speaker A:And we're kicking week two off with a bang with the movie Miracle.
Speaker A: ,: Speaker A:It was written by Eric Guggenheim, was directed by Gavin o'.
Speaker A:Connor.
Speaker A:It stars Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West, Noah Emerick, Sean McCann, Kenneth Welsh, Eddie Cahill, Patrick O', Brien Dempsey, Michael Mantanudo.
Speaker A:That guy's a dick for his name.
Speaker A:Kenneth Mitchell, Eric Peter Kaiser, Bobby Hansen, and a whole slew of other fake hockey players.
Speaker A: ayer turned coach who led the: Speaker A:So, ironically enough, you're better Red than dead is a little different for here, right?
Speaker B:It hits a little bit close to home.
Speaker B:Don't worry, don't worry.
Speaker B:I'm a man of the people.
Speaker B:I'm not rooting for communism here.
Speaker B:It just happened to work out that way.
Speaker C:I think being a man of the people means you.
Speaker C:Always Communism.
Speaker A:I say you.
Speaker A:You're towing a fine line there.
Speaker B:I'm going for utilitarian society.
Speaker A:There you go.
Speaker A:I don't Think that word.
Speaker C:Can't wait to read your manifesto.
Speaker A:Yeah, we're gonna get banned on tick on freaking YouTube anyway with all that.
Speaker A:Matson, this was your pick, right?
Speaker A:Am I crazy?
Speaker A:This was Alex pick.
Speaker B:No, I wouldn't.
Speaker A:Oh, this is what you baited out, like, you gave me every time you baited out, like, that's right.
Speaker B:This would.
Speaker B:This is the one I was like when he said.
Speaker B:I was like, oh, man, like, what a great.
Speaker B:It wasn't on my radar for this theme.
Speaker B:And then they came with, like, what a great movie.
Speaker B:So anyways, the floor is Alex.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:This.
Speaker C:As soon as patriotic movies hit, this is the one that I was like, yep, this is going in there.
Speaker C:It's such a good watch.
Speaker C:I love Kurt Russell as her Brooks.
Speaker C:Just phenomenal.
Speaker C:And I love that it's.
Speaker C:That something that I really love and appreciate that we kind of moving away from and don't get a lot of is the tough coaching.
Speaker C:The really tough coaching.
Speaker C:And it's the, hey, this is the standard, and if you're not there, you're gone.
Speaker C:Versus kind of like, oh, we'll change the standard to fit what the needs of.
Speaker C:It's almost like the antithesis to coach lasso, but, you know, both still accomplishing great things.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:So this is the.
Speaker C:I love the.
Speaker C:Because I had coaches like this where it's toe the line and you're.
Speaker C:You're in camp.
Speaker C:You're like, oh, yeah, because, you know, your ass is running and running and running and running and running.
Speaker C:And so, I mean, this movie, for me, it really just starts strong and just keeps going.
Speaker C:That one.
Speaker C:And so it was always going to be on the list for me.
Speaker C:I love this movie.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's a good one.
Speaker A:It's a good one.
Speaker A:What about you, Matson?
Speaker A:I know you're a big sports guy.
Speaker A:I. I don't know how you feel about hockey, though.
Speaker A:I don't think we've ever talked about it.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:No, it's funny.
Speaker B:So where I grew up in Virginia, the only good thing about sports around the D.C. area was the Washington Capitals.
Speaker B:The great eight, Alex Ovechkin.
Speaker B:So, no, I. I like hockey.
Speaker B:It's one of those.
Speaker B:It's definitely one of those things for me that when my team's in it, like, playoff hockey is amazing.
Speaker B:One of my favorite things to do in person.
Speaker B:Seeing a hockey game live is awesome.
Speaker B:Everyone should do it.
Speaker B:It's amazing.
Speaker B:I'm glad that Seattle has the Kraken now.
Speaker B:I've been to one game, and I want to go to Some more.
Speaker B:So I like hockey and I really like playoff hockey, but it's not something I will watch unless my team is in it where now like football, especially football, and to slightly lesser extent basketball.
Speaker B:I'll watch those just because I love the sport and it doesn't matter who's playing hockey is different if the Caps aren't in it.
Speaker B:Like, it's just hard for me to.
Speaker B:It just doesn't get me going.
Speaker B:But it doesn't mean it's not a great sport to watch.
Speaker B:And I grew up playing roller hockey in my cul de sac.
Speaker B:Like we played a lot.
Speaker B:We played so much.
Speaker A:Our.
Speaker B:This is funny.
Speaker B:Our Russian neighbors, as we called them because they were Russian and they moved in and they hated kids.
Speaker B:They called the cops because we played so much.
Speaker B:And the cops came and were like, they're just playing hockey, so.
Speaker B:And we weren't wearing helmets, so they told us to wear helmets and they left because like, yeah, what are they gonna do, right?
Speaker B:And this was in the 90s, so thankfully everyone was still playing outside.
Speaker B:And yeah, this is what happened.
Speaker B:So we played a lot.
Speaker B:So I like hockey and I didn't know about this story until I saw this movie.
Speaker B:I don't remember how young I was.
Speaker B:I was young, maybe like pre teen.
Speaker B:I. I can't put a P like a thumb on when I actually saw this.
Speaker B:But I mean this movie is as good as like Remember the Titans.
Speaker B:It just is hockey.
Speaker B:And the nice thing about this movie besides, unfortunately, like the speech that the coach gives in the locker room, that didn't actually happen.
Speaker B:It probably it happened, but not that speech because they made it really epic.
Speaker B:It's like all like really true, like, and they didn't, unlike Remember the Titans were really hurt.
Speaker B:How untrue that movie is.
Speaker B:Like, they didn't have to make this like we did it and it was that epic.
Speaker B:And I think that's one of the things I really like about this movie is it's a real movie about a real story and it barely is fabricated.
Speaker B:And that doesn't really happen anymore.
Speaker B:And it's just a kick ass story.
Speaker B:Like the feeling you get through this movie that builds up to the end when you're like, oh shiz.
Speaker B:They're actually gonna take down.
Speaker B:I won't say what I was gonna say.
Speaker B:They're gonna take them down.
Speaker B:It just feels cool.
Speaker B:And every time you watch this movie, I still get pumped and I get emotional in the speech and like the players and the underdog story, like, it just gets you going and it's one of those movies that if someone's like, yeah, let's watch Miracle, like, hell yeah, let's go.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's a good one.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:So I was fortunate enough when I was working for Children's Miracle Network hospitals, they.
Speaker A:We had this big work function, and they actually brought in Mike Euruzioni.
Speaker A:So I've met Rizzo.
Speaker A:Like, it.
Speaker A:Really nice guy.
Speaker A:It was really cool.
Speaker A:Like, he gave the.
Speaker A:You know, he's a.
Speaker A:He's a public speaker now, basically.
Speaker A:Like, that's just what he does.
Speaker A:I think he wrote a book.
Speaker A:But, yeah, he came and.
Speaker A:And spoke and talked about, you know, that year.
Speaker A:And I was born the year after this.
Speaker A:So, like, it was still very much the conversation, you know, when I was a little kid, I remember vividly, like, how proud everybody was, and then the expectations around the next year in.
Speaker A:In 84, when we started having all the pros get into it.
Speaker A:And then.
Speaker A:You know what I mean?
Speaker A:So it's like, it was interesting to hear the conversations around it.
Speaker A:And I remember it.
Speaker A:I didn't think anything of it, obviously, at the time, but all growing up, like, So I was probably 9 or 10.
Speaker A:Like, that was just the thing when it came to the Winter Olympics was.
Speaker A: Was the: Speaker A:So it's.
Speaker A:It was.
Speaker A:It was wild.
Speaker A:But meeting Rizza was really cool.
Speaker A:Like, he's really nice guy.
Speaker A:And I laughed and I made that joke about telling a hockey player because I didn't.
Speaker A:We didn't have a podcast back then because it was the next job that had me meeting all the.
Speaker A:The fellas to get this thing started.
Speaker A:But the.
Speaker A:It was ironic because we.
Speaker A:There was a couple of guys that had a podcast for the Children's Miracle Network that they then went to Mike and was like, hey, you should listen to our podcast, and then you should come on it.
Speaker A:And he actually did.
Speaker A:He was like.
Speaker A:I said he was really cool guy, very nice.
Speaker A:And it was interesting to hear.
Speaker A:Like, to your point, Madsen, like, a lot of this is very true and follows it very well.
Speaker A:But you're right.
Speaker A:Like, we asked him, like, how was he?
Speaker A:Did you guys really have that one night where he skated you into oblivion before he's like, oh, dude.
Speaker A:He goes, we had nights like that all the time where it was, like, constant.
Speaker A:Just sprints and.
Speaker A:But he goes, the one thing that didn't happen was me spouting off, I'm Team usa and, like, moving along.
Speaker A:And that's what got us out of it.
Speaker A:He goes, that didn't Happen.
Speaker A:He goes.
Speaker A:It was like they, they throw in some really cool creative licensing, but he goes.
Speaker A:Other than that, like, he goes, I.
Speaker A:The cool part was, is Herb was very involved, I guess in the movie making process of this.
Speaker A:And like, they consulted him and made sure that he, you know, it was pretty true to form.
Speaker A:Unfortunately, he passed away just before the movie came out.
Speaker A:But yeah, so very interesting listening to him talk about scoring that goal and then like the, you know, the whole just camaraderie that this team had.
Speaker A:And so it was fun.
Speaker A:I was really, really privileged.
Speaker A:It was really cool to be able to meet him and hear him talk about it.
Speaker A:So it, it adds another layer for me every time I've watched this movie since then because this is one of Casey's favorites.
Speaker A:She loves hockey and she loves this movie.
Speaker A:So it really kind of was cool to just sit and listen to him talk about that season and, or that year and talk about getting to that point and how Herb was a dick.
Speaker A:But they, they make him more of a dick in this movie than he actually was.
Speaker A:Like, but there was like, he did bust what's his.
Speaker A:His face's ass at halftime about the bruise on his leg.
Speaker A:Like, and like it really, he's like, yeah, dude.
Speaker A:He would use just these uncommon, almost brutal ways to motivate us, but it would piss us off and we'd go out and be nut bags after because we're just like, this is some.
Speaker A:And so it was really cool to listen to and talk about it, but ye was.
Speaker A:It was fun.
Speaker A:So he was a really cool guy.
Speaker B:So what they want to set the stage for the listeners who have seen this or haven't, hopefully, if you haven't, make sure you watch this, like in terms of how good the Soviet Union was.
Speaker B: So leading up to the: Speaker B:Leading up to that, they were 27, one in one.
Speaker B:So 27 wins, one loss, one tie.
Speaker B:And they outscored opponents 175 to 44.
Speaker B: t lost an Olympic Games since: Speaker B:It's just unreal.
Speaker B:And so the other big thing that was hard about that and what this movie shows is we couldn't use like our like NHL All Stars.
Speaker B:But even if we did, they.
Speaker B: A year before the: Speaker B:So they just were crushing people.
Speaker B:And that game Leading up to the Olympics, that Team USA played them.
Speaker B:They lost.
Speaker B:We lost 10 to 3.
Speaker B:Like, and that was like a month before.
Speaker B:Like, that's, that's just not.
Speaker B:Like, that's in hockey.
Speaker B:Like, in football terms, I would be like, Like, I don't know, seven to three, something like.
Speaker B:Yeah, you just get obliterated.
Speaker B:Just like, absolutely, like blown.
Speaker B:The wheels blown off.
Speaker B:And so I just wanted to set that again because that's what also what makes this so epic, whether it's a movie or just like a sporting event people watch, is because it truly was a miracle.
Speaker B:Like, we.
Speaker B:I. I don't know if there was Vegas odds for this.
Speaker B:I'm sure we could go back and look like we would have been a.
Speaker B:A blip.
Speaker B:Like 10,000 to one or whatever.
Speaker B:Like, the highest were like.
Speaker B:Or they probably didn't even offer odds because it was so, like, it was so, like not going to happen.
Speaker B:So I think that's the other thing that makes this awesome is because what an epic underdog story.
Speaker B:And I think when you think about America and like, the.
Speaker B:The pride.
Speaker B:We had weed.
Speaker B:We fought our way to be a independent nation and took down the big bad British Empire and we were taking down another big, bad adversary on the hockey ring.
Speaker B:So go America.
Speaker A:America.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:That's funny.
Speaker A:I, you know, to that point, it was really interesting.
Speaker A:Like I said when we were.
Speaker A:When we met r. Like, he talked about if you gave us a hundred times to play this team again, we would lose 99 of them.
Speaker A:Like, he goes, just, there were so many things that came into play.
Speaker A:The fact that they blew the doors off of us, you know, a few weeks before, you know, they didn't think there was anything to us after that.
Speaker A:Like, we were this scrappy little team.
Speaker A:But you beat us 10 to 3, dude.
Speaker A:Most hockey games combined don't get even get close to 10 goals, let alone one team.
Speaker B:So it's like we should say they.
Speaker B:They are a little bit different changes.
Speaker B:But back then, like, not close.
Speaker A:I remember when I like one of my first hockey games, like, this shit's boring.
Speaker A:Because it was like one to nothing.
Speaker A:I was like, the only thing I watch this shit's for is the fights.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:You know what I mean?
Speaker A:Because it's.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And.
Speaker A:But so back then, it was crazy.
Speaker A:And.
Speaker A:And yeah, he was like that team fully prepared, not overconfident and us not just playing out of our minds.
Speaker A:Good.
Speaker A:And being super motivated in the crowd there.
Speaker A:We lose 99 out of 100 times to that team.
Speaker A:He goes, it's not to say we wouldn't make it close.
Speaker A:Much closer than the first time because we were way out of our league the first time.
Speaker A:We didn't even know what we were getting into.
Speaker A:He goes, but yeah.
Speaker A:And it.
Speaker A:So it's really interesting to listen and for him to admit like this was a once in a lifetime thing.
Speaker A:Like this doesn't happen consistently.
Speaker A:This is any.
Speaker A:And it.
Speaker A:You know my.
Speaker A:One of my favorite parts of this movie in that game section when they're.
Speaker A:Because there's like 30 minutes of this movie is that game.
Speaker A:So I really love the part where they pull Tradiac and he's like, well fellas, there's the best hockey.
Speaker A:And what you don't see is if you go back and re watch the broadcast, like all you hear is Al Michaels.
Speaker A:At one point in the movie he says, which is real audio.
Speaker A:Like they pulled that straight from the actual tv.
Speaker A:But the only they played is like he's never.
Speaker A:Not something you see happen very often, the Tradiac.
Speaker A:No, dude, when it happened, like they lose their minds.
Speaker A:Like they're like what's happening right now?
Speaker A:Tradiac's on the bench.
Speaker A:Are you sure?
Speaker A:It was like a five minute conversation about what the.
Speaker A:You know, because this guy just was like a goal stopping machine and that's how screwed up this coach was.
Speaker A:He didn't know what the hell to do because these little American pups were scoring and running them all over the place.
Speaker A:So it's just a cool.
Speaker A:It's just a cool story.
Speaker B:But you bring another good point.
Speaker B:I liked how they.
Speaker B:Some movies do this where they have the.
Speaker B:They can take old footage and blend it and they did such a good job with going back and forth and using the actual Michael's commentaries.
Speaker B:I mean one of the legendary comment game callers in the game and he's one of the reasons this is also so iconic because what he said, I mean that's.
Speaker B:That's one of the all time greatest calls ever in the history of a sport.
Speaker B:So I think it's great that they figured out a way to weave that in and what felt very authentic and had that.
Speaker B:That build up and as you're.
Speaker B:Because they focus so much on the game and that's the other thing I really like some of these sports movies.
Speaker B:They do a good job until almost the very end where I want them to lean more into the game and sometimes they don't like.
Speaker B:One of the reasons I've loved Friday Night Lights is that last game they lean into it all the way and obviously, it's a true story that doesn't go the way that you're.
Speaker B:You're hoping.
Speaker B:But this movie, miracle it made.
Speaker B:The tension is palpable.
Speaker B:Like, it's there.
Speaker B:Like, you're feeling even when we're up there, like, oh, my gosh.
Speaker B:Like, they're just hitting them and hitting them and hitting.
Speaker B:They're coming.
Speaker B:They're coming.
Speaker B:Like, are we gonna hold on?
Speaker B:You know how much time is left on the clock?
Speaker B:You're like, how were they gonna survive?
Speaker B:And the acting is so great, as you know, that every kid on that.
Speaker B:That it's their shift.
Speaker B:They're just given every ounce of all they've got, and you just feel it.
Speaker B:You feel like you're on the bench with them.
Speaker B:And I love that.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Alec, who's your favorite character in this?
Speaker A:I mean, I know you said besides coach.
Speaker C:Oh, besides.
Speaker A:Yeah, because Kurt Russell.
Speaker A:Look, if you.
Speaker A:If cursor.
Speaker A:Kurt Russell isn't your top or at least near it because he kills it in this movie.
Speaker A:But who's your favorite outside of.
Speaker A:Of Kurt Russell?
Speaker C:That'd be Jack o'.
Speaker C:Callahan.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Love that, dude.
Speaker C:I.
Speaker C:So I know nothing about hockey, still.
Speaker C:Really don't.
Speaker C:But I think this movie does a great job of kind of showing hockey or the kind of the brain behind it.
Speaker C:But for me, anyway, like, every time I watch this, I'm continuously shocked by how almost strategic it is.
Speaker C:I don't know if that's true in actual hockey, but you get down, like you guys talking about to the wire in this game, and he's like, short shifts.
Speaker C:Let's go.
Speaker C:Like, that's a nightmare.
Speaker C:Every 30 seconds, 40 seconds, you're subbing out a new line.
Speaker C:Like, the logistics behind that crazy, first of all.
Speaker C:And then he's got the Russian coach back.
Speaker C:He's like, hey, I got my next four moves planned.
Speaker A:Down.
Speaker C:This guy doesn't even know which way the puck's going.
Speaker C:And so you have this almost, you know, while the.
Speaker C:While the game is going on the ice.
Speaker C:You also have this almost chess match between the coaches.
Speaker C:Here's who I'm playing.
Speaker C:Here's who I'm swapping out when this, you know, if A happens, B, C and D happens.
Speaker C:And it's.
Speaker C:It's not the same in the sports.
Speaker C:I grew up playing, like, football, basketball, soccer.
Speaker C:Like, it's very, very much a little bit of an ISO.
Speaker C:Or, you know, you have your match, you have your zone, or whatever it may be.
Speaker C:This is way different to where it's like, hey, you know, I have 1, 2, and 3, right.
Speaker C:And we're playing 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 1.
Speaker C:Trying to confuse or adjust or get the best matchup for each line.
Speaker C:And so it's like, dude, these guys are, like, as chaotic as it is already with the period system and hockey and going back and forth.
Speaker C:And then on top of that, you have this revolving door of subs and everything going on.
Speaker C:Like, it's a lot.
Speaker C:And to be able to do that and kind of poke fun at your coach at the same time.
Speaker A:Like, yeah.
Speaker C:Like.
Speaker C:And the other part is I was.
Speaker C:I was sitting there going, how do I know when to sub out?
Speaker C:There's no way you are hearing anything in this arena.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:At this time during this game.
Speaker C:But it's just the drilling and the repetition, repetition, repetition, kind of knowing what's happening or what's going on.
Speaker C:But it's like, dude, the hockey players are something else.
Speaker A:Hockey's an enigma to me.
Speaker A:Like, I love watching it with Casey because she gets really excited.
Speaker A:And I'm with you, Matt.
Speaker A:I love going to a live hockey game.
Speaker A:Like, even though I don't.
Speaker A:But I've never fully been able to grasp the game of hockey.
Speaker A:And one of the things that I get super, like, I'm with you, Matt, or Alec, like, when they do a line change and you just see that, like, all of a sudden there's, like, 19 guys on the freaking ice.
Speaker A:I'm like, what the shit is happening?
Speaker A:And they're running off, jumping out of the box and jumping in the box.
Speaker A:I'm like, this is the only sport that I know of that, like, there's no time.
Speaker A:Like, you don't submit actively playing.
Speaker A:I'm like, what happens if they screech down here and score on your ass because your dumb ass couldn't get over the wall?
Speaker A:Like, you know what I mean?
Speaker A:Like, that's stressful to me.
Speaker C:And the other thing is that I couldn't wrap my head around is it was shown a couple times, like, you almost give up possession to some.
Speaker C:Like, you send it down the line.
Speaker C:And I'm just sitting there going, now, why the would you do that?
Speaker B:Yeah, because you guys are so gay.
Speaker B:Like, skating that hard for a minute and 40 seconds, like, that's hockey.
Speaker B:Players go flat out.
Speaker B:That's why you gotta.
Speaker B:You gotta sub out.
Speaker B:And so it's strategic.
Speaker B:Like, you know, you're gassed.
Speaker B:Get it out.
Speaker A:It's crazy.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Because there's a great shot of it in.
Speaker A:In that game where he sends it all the way down and then all of these guys start swapping out the line and you're like, when the coneheads come in, I'm like, that's crazy.
Speaker A:Like, it just is one of these things that I can't wrap my head around because I'm like, just call time out.
Speaker A:Stop the clock.
Speaker A:Stop the clock.
Speaker B:That's exactly how most of the world feels about American football.
Speaker B:They're like, oh, yeah, stop every five seconds.
Speaker B:Fat boys can't get down the field, especially rugby players.
Speaker B:They probably just shake their heads.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Well, it's funny because even soccer or football, like non American football is like, they stop the game to sub in.
Speaker A:You know what I mean?
Speaker A:Like, it's like.
Speaker A:And then they add extra time.
Speaker A:But it's.
Speaker A:It's the only sport that I know of that actively subs with an active game.
Speaker A:Like, they don't stop for most of their subs.
Speaker B:Well, it's because it happens.
Speaker B:It's the.
Speaker B:The sport that you gotta sub out like every minute, 30 seconds.
Speaker B:Technically you could make.
Speaker B:They could do that in basketball, but it's just not as strenuous.
Speaker B:So hockey is just a much more like, that's a sport.
Speaker B:Your roster, you're.
Speaker B:You have your starters, you have your line that plays more, but you're playing like four lines on every position.
Speaker B:So you, yes, you technically have a bench, but it's very different than any other sport in that regard.
Speaker A:Sure, you'd have to stop at every.
Speaker C:Hold on, like hang out behind the goal, your team goes back.
Speaker B:But if you do it depending on who it is, like if your defenseman are.
Speaker B:He slaps forward, then you're going to get off rotation and have people play that artist.
Speaker B:And I definitely, clearly, I mean, I don't know if I've watched more jj, if Casey likes hockey, but I understand it more the strategy behind why you'd make those plays.
Speaker A:Yeah, no, you've probably watched way more hockey than me.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:If.
Speaker A:If it's not live and Casey's not go.
Speaker A:I don't.
Speaker A:It's not my kind of sport, but.
Speaker A:Which is funny because it feels real good in those arenas because it's cold.
Speaker A:My favorite.
Speaker B:I was gonna say, like, in terms of atmosphere.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Probably the sport that you should like the most.
Speaker A:Damn.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:I will say, like, we've watched a lot of, like, we've gone to a lot of hockey games live because we have.
Speaker A:We used to only have one hockey team here in Utah.
Speaker A:Now we have two for the time being.
Speaker B:Semi pro hockey is not the same.
Speaker A:I don't know, dude.
Speaker A:I love to go into.
Speaker A:I've been to.
Speaker A:So we went to a.
Speaker B:You're talking about the, the, the AAA ones.
Speaker A:Yeah, but the, yeah, the Grizzlies.
Speaker A:Man, that was fun.
Speaker A:We sat.
Speaker A:We sat rink side next to one of the.
Speaker A:Next to the.
Speaker A:The bench.
Speaker A:That was kind of cool watching them jump in and out.
Speaker A:I got hit with a puck.
Speaker A:That game, it hurt like hell.
Speaker A:They hit one and it went up in the air and then it like hit this like some post down there and fell down, hit me.
Speaker A:I had a bruise like this big on the middle of my back.
Speaker A:They gave me the puck though.
Speaker A:Casey's got it in her office.
Speaker B:I still at some point want to go to a pro game.
Speaker B:And I'm gonna sit in one of the corners on the board so I can bang on the boards like that.
Speaker B:People are stuck there.
Speaker A:That's cool.
Speaker A:Yeah, I've been to the, I've been to the, the Knights.
Speaker A:We.
Speaker A:We went to a nights game.
Speaker B:It's like a production.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's wild.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:This, this movie's great.
Speaker A:And I.
Speaker A:You can go on YouTube and watch the real broadcast of this game, which is very interesting.
Speaker A:I recommend it like because it.
Speaker A:One, it's hard to watch because it's fuzzy.
Speaker A: It's: Speaker A:The quality sucks.
Speaker A:But like watching and if you keep in mind that like you said, the average age was 21 years old.
Speaker A:These were kids, like these were children basically playing grown ass men who'd been playing together for years in a very harsh environment.
Speaker A:And that was their expectation was to win.
Speaker A:But watching them play minute for minute with that Russian team, it's crazy.
Speaker A:It's a pretty cool game to watch.
Speaker B:Question I have for the group because I feel like we're getting to the end of this one, is since this is a truce, I've always wondered as a writer, is it easier to write a movie like this or is it easier to write an original scripts?
Speaker B:I'm just curious what the crew thinks.
Speaker C:I think it's harder to write a movie like this.
Speaker B:Tell us.
Speaker A:You have less freedom.
Speaker A:I don't know about.
Speaker A:I don't know if where you're going with it, Alec, but that's my thought.
Speaker C:Is I was kind of going that way because you, you're taking a gamble, right?
Speaker C:Because there's lots of true stories where you're.
Speaker C:You're stuck in what you can say, you know, without having to.
Speaker C:Without going that unbelievable type of a thing.
Speaker C:And so you're writing this and having the source material already made.
Speaker C:You'd be like oh, it'd be so cool if we added this and you can't or maybe you do, but then you run the risk of 20 years later.
Speaker C:Matson Heiner on the what's Our Brita podcast talk about how your movie is shit and disappointed.
Speaker C:Disappointed about how it comes out.
Speaker C:But so I, I think it's harder because you don't have that ability to, to really let the creative go at that point.
Speaker C:It's almost like, ah, well this is what happened that put that in and you know, every little creative license that you're trying to stick in there is probably getting shot down.
Speaker A:Yeah, well, and I think even in this one, especially like in some of them, like a Disney movie who tends to make these movies, that's even harder because I'm sorry, but Herb Brooks did not was not that PG when he was ripping ass and when he was giving motivational speeches.
Speaker A:And so you gotta like be careful with that kind of thing too.
Speaker A:And then you have to write speeches that probably weren't as, you know, awe inspiring as like some of them feel in these move these types of movies.
Speaker A:But yeah, the freedom just isn't there.
Speaker A:Whereas an original you can, it's not working.
Speaker A:Let's change it instead of going this then what happened isn't going to be entertaining.
Speaker A:I think this movie is much more successful at it because of the nature of this story in general.
Speaker A:But like, remember the Titans?
Speaker A:I think I told you one of my old bosses lived in like he played on that team, not that team, but he went to that high school and a few years later played for the same coaches.
Speaker A:Like, and he's like, I knew those guys.
Speaker A:Like my dad knew that watch that team play.
Speaker A:And he goes, it wasn't that excite.
Speaker A:Like that story's not that cool in reality.
Speaker A:It's really cool in reality, but it's not as cool as the movie.
Speaker A:Like, it's not this just all wow.
Speaker A:But like this one is that point.
Speaker A:But you still have to be like very careful about.
Speaker A:You have to have these moments that you're like, okay, Herb Brooks just told him to get and stop around and quit being little or whatever it is that he said.
Speaker A:And you got to water that down and then you got to make some speech that was probably like the, are you guys doing, let's go out and be, you know, Russia.
Speaker A:This is crazy.
Speaker A:Turned it into this.
Speaker A:Like, look guys, it looks calm, cool, collected.
Speaker A:You guys are amazing.
Speaker A:Like there's got to be some level of, of making it movie worthy.
Speaker A:So yeah, I'm with I'm with Alec, I think.
Speaker B:Can't just say F Russia the whole time.
Speaker C:Well, could you also imagine trying to write this with her Brooks, like, staring over your shoulder as a consultant?
Speaker C:That's not the way that happened.
Speaker C:I know her, but we got a PG movie.
Speaker A:Yeah, you're.
Speaker A:You're not pg, my friend.
Speaker B:I guess we can put it in those contexts.
Speaker B:Like, your creative license is kind of.
Speaker B:It's capped.
Speaker B:I could see that.
Speaker B:But at the same time, coming up with something completely original.
Speaker B:Not something that is original, but like, similar to another type of movie, but like, is like a Christopher Nolan type movie.
Speaker B:I feel like that's super hard to do as well.
Speaker B:Really.
Speaker B:Like, like in the right way that's gonna captivate an audience.
Speaker B:So they.
Speaker B:They both have their pros and cons.
Speaker B:But I think overall it sounds easier when you have something that's kind of laid out where you have like a logical timeline.
Speaker B:You just have to piece it together.
Speaker B:But it.
Speaker B:That doesn't mean it makes for a good movie.
Speaker B:So it can be challenging.
Speaker B:So I think that'd be a fun interview to ask a writer that's done both and like, see what they would actually say.
Speaker B:Because I'd be.
Speaker B:I'd be really curious.
Speaker B:But that's something I just wanted to ask the group.
Speaker B:So I was interested in everybody's viewpoint.
Speaker C:I'm actually surprised we don't have more movies that are just blatant ripoffs where they take the story and just transplant.
Speaker A:It into something different.
Speaker B:You mean like Harry Potter that came off of Star Wars?
Speaker C:No, more like there's a hockey movie that's miracle, except it's the Norwegians are playing.
Speaker A:Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker B:I mean, every time I see the Harry Potter.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Mighty Ducks.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:Basically miracle with 12 year olds, right?
Speaker B:Yeah, that's fair.
Speaker B:Harry Potter is basically Star wars with wands.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker A:Oh, it's not basically.
Speaker A:It is absolutely the same movie.
Speaker A:But anyway, that's a whole different topic with that.
Speaker A:Let's rate this some Alec.
Speaker A:Kick us off, buddy.
Speaker C:My movie.
Speaker C:It's been a while since I've got to go first.
Speaker C:You guys know all the picks?
Speaker C:Five easy.
Speaker C:I will watch this movie anytime, anywhere.
Speaker C:Sit down.
Speaker C:It's one of the few I'll say, like, based on true story movies that I really enjoy.
Speaker C:It's hard to.
Speaker C:I mean, it feeds into my nature.
Speaker C:Kurt Russell in this and by extension Herb Brooks is my spirit animal.
Speaker C:So, like, I love lines like you're trying to win on talent alone.
Speaker C:The problem is you don't have enough Talent.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:I think that gives me.
Speaker C:I'm like, oh, yeah.
Speaker C:So that's right up my alley.
Speaker C:I'll sit down and watch this one.
Speaker B:Basically we're watching Alec as coach and.
Speaker C:Oh, yeah, no, exactly.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:The whole concept of you will be the most in shape team is exactly my coaching philosophy.
Speaker B:We just need kicking and screaming too.
Speaker B:With Alec as the coach and just like coaching like 10 year olds and just all of them have to go into therapy and like, they lose their confidence.
Speaker A:We see them 20 years later and they're all trauma bonded.
Speaker B:Yeah, they're just like, this guy ruined my life now.
Speaker B:Looks like he just wasn't good enough.
Speaker B:They weren't good enough.
Speaker B:He wouldn't care.
Speaker B:Like, whatever.
Speaker C:They're babies.
Speaker A:Alec bursts into their therapy session.
Speaker A:You can't even cry right.
Speaker C:Like go the line.
Speaker A:Oh, that's great.
Speaker A:All right, Matson, what about you?
Speaker B:Five easy.
Speaker B:Watch the same thing anytime, anywhere.
Speaker B:One of the.
Speaker B:I mean, the only movie I like maybe more than this is based off a true story.
Speaker B:Just because it's football, not hockey.
Speaker B:Friday Night Lights.
Speaker B:But this, I mean, this movie's incredible.
Speaker B:Like, this incredible movie.
Speaker B:And like I said, I think what makes it just that much more is it makes really happen.
Speaker B:It's basically true to form.
Speaker B:And they even weave in actual footage and commentary.
Speaker B:So you feel like for the people that watch it live, they probably.
Speaker B:They might just get transported back to where they were watching it and that's awesome.
Speaker B:It's a great movie.
Speaker B:I love it.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:I'm gonna give it a five.
Speaker A:It's great.
Speaker A:I relate.
Speaker A:Not to Alec is how I would be a coach, because I don't think I would be that coach.
Speaker A:But that's the type of coach that got the best out of me when I was playing sports was the one that was brutally honest, didn't fluff, didn't try to tell me I'm better than I was, but pushed me and made me feel pissed me off enough that I'm like, I'll show you.
Speaker A:Like, that's when I played my best sports, was when I was pissed.
Speaker A:And typically it was the coach that got me there.
Speaker A:If they were a good coach and they knew that about me.
Speaker A:So not saying it's for everybody, but I always relate to.
Speaker A:I watch her Brooks, and I'm like, oh, yeah, I'd have played my ass.
Speaker B:Off for this same type of coach I need for me and actually happened where I didn't have that coach.
Speaker B:And then I got that coach again.
Speaker B:And I wasted like two years of High school, needing that coach again.
Speaker B:And then I went back to form.
Speaker B:It was great.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:My dad was that coach for me, and it pissed me off worse because he was really nice and friendly with all the rest of the team, but he was an absolute dick to me, but he knew that's what I needed, and so I played my ass off.
Speaker A:So I respect that.
Speaker A:I also love my favorite.
Speaker A:My favorite character is Jim Craig in this.
Speaker A:Just.
Speaker B:I like him.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:36 saves in that game.
Speaker B:Dude.
Speaker A:That's against Russia.
Speaker A:Like, it's batshit crazy.
Speaker A:Like the.
Speaker A:The showcase this dude put on.
Speaker A:Because without him exactly like.
Speaker A:And I.
Speaker A:Look, the guy that was backing up was really good, but we'd have got crushed without Craig in there.
Speaker A:And all season.
Speaker A:All that whole Olympic season would have been ugly without him because he averaged, like, almost double, like, high double digits for hockey in saves almost every game, if I remember right.
Speaker A:But 36 saves in against Russia, silly.
Speaker A:So, yeah, five for me.
Speaker A:Great movie.
Speaker A:I watch it anytime.
Speaker A:Casey loves it.
Speaker A:We own it.
Speaker A:Like, I watch it.
Speaker B:I have.
Speaker B:I think you would be a players coach.
Speaker A:Yeah, I. Yeah, I would.
Speaker B:You'd be one of those guys, they come to you to open up and feel good and connect with, and then you'd be able to motivate them because they trusted you.
Speaker B:I feel like that's what you'd be.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:I'd probably be the nice guy that they really liked, and then all that would allow me then to be a dick when I needed to be because they knew it was coming from a good place versus, you know, a herb who's a dick.
Speaker A:And then they go, oh, wait, he is a nice guy.
Speaker C:I'm a whistle kind of coach.
Speaker B:And then there's Alec, who's a dick, and then just really a dick.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:If you're too busy being mad at me, you can't be mad at each other.
Speaker C:It's a great strategy.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:I do love a lot.
Speaker A:He's like, I'm not here to be your friend.
Speaker A:If you want to talk about some shit, it's.
Speaker A:I love it.
Speaker A:All right, well, there it is.
Speaker A:Alec, tell everybody where they can find us.
Speaker C:Happy to.
Speaker C:So thank you for tuning into week two of our Patriotic Movie Month special.
Speaker C:Shout out to our patrons, Rich and CB for selecting our topic and selecting the movies that go into the topic on Patreon.
Speaker C:I'll keep saying it until, you know it no longer needs to be said, but Patreon is a place to get involved with the podcast.
Speaker C:You can go on there.
Speaker C:You can vote.
Speaker C:Absolutely free to go and join the voting and pick the movies that we are doing each month.
Speaker C:If you're looking to get involved in the content, go there.
Speaker C:Go on Patreon.
Speaker C:If you do want to join and become a paid member, there are some perks that come along with it, including I think we're up to over 500 extra blips, episodes, clips, behind the scenes content, stuff for you guys to enjoy, laugh your ass off.
Speaker C:Including all the behind the scenes stuff where we're absolutely making fun of each other.
Speaker C:Speaking of which, we are in the current bragging, right?
Speaker C:So my movie, my pick.
Speaker C:I get one point this month.
Speaker C:It's like the first time in four.
Speaker A:Months you got it rough.
Speaker C:I'm not salty at all.
Speaker C:It's perfectly fine.
Speaker B:Like trash.
Speaker C:Okay, okay.
Speaker C:With that I'll turn it back to The Maharaja of Mash, the colossus of clout.
Speaker C:A J.J. that's right.
Speaker A:Current high point owner too.
Speaker A:And with that, as always, we appreciate you tuning in.
Speaker A:We'll catch you on the next one.
Speaker B:Baby.
Speaker A:Cinematic.
