The problem with me and movie reviews is that half the time I’m not even sure what I’ve just read. Maybe it’s that I just don’t grasp the art form or maybe I just don’t care about the art form.

I just want to be entertained.

I don’t want to have to look at my watch wondering when it’s going to end. I want an escape from reality – one during which the director and his cast take me on a journey and when it’s done, I’m glad I went along for the ride.

On Friday afternoon I dialed up a couple of colleagues and suggested that we go and see the 1:35 viewing of Draft Day. And I’m glad I did.

Of course the movie had its share of unnecessary filler. I would have preferred that they had developed the story line between Cleveland Browns GM Sonny Weaver, Jr. played by Kevin Costner and his late legendary father who Sonny was forced to fire as head coach.

Instead we were fed the subplot of some front office hanky-panky between Sonny and Browns capologist Ali (not Muhammad) played by Jennifer Garner who by the way is a tad bit better looking that the Ravens’ Pat Moriarty (but we’d still take Pat).

Admittedly the movie starts a bit sluggishly and seems redundant at times. But when it gets into gear, football fans will love it particularly during the flick’s final 30 minutes. It opens the mind to what goes on during those moments leading up to the draft and when teams are on the clock.

We all know that organizations do background checks on players and that character red flags can cause a player to slip down the draft boards in manners that don’t bely their on-the-field abilities and accomplishments. Draft Day digs a little deeper in this area and when it does it’s hard not to think of players like Matt Leinart, Warren Sapp, Randy Moss and even Aaron Rodgers on draft day as they sat in the infamous “Green Room”, force-fed large doses of humble pie.

Naturally there’s some unrealistic Hollywood drama and if Ozzie Newsome made the trades that some of the GM’s in this fantasy NFL agree to, the lynch mob would be waiting at One Winning Drive.

Interesting comment on Facebook from my colleague Derek Arnold about Draft Day: “Most realistic part: Browns fans chanting “Su-Per Bowl!” in April/May!”

Nice.

In the end this isn’t a sports movie on par with Bull Durham, Field of Dreams or Remember The Titans but for those who love the NFL and are jazzed by the inexact science of the NFL Draft, go see the movie. It’s not a bad way to spend 2 hours.

Chances are by the time you leave the theatre the Orioles may have scored a run at OPACY.

GRADE: B-

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