ESPN Debuts Latest Film in 30 For 30 Shorts Series

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN debuted the latest installment in its 30 for 30 Shorts series today.  Silver Reunion debuted today on Grantland.com.  The short—directed by 5-time Emmy Award winning director Rory Karpf—centers on the 1972 USA Men’s Olympic Basketball team and its controversial matchup against the Soviet Union.  Four decades after the team’s much talked about game which led the team to a silver medal finish, the team members reunited to either officially accept or once again refuse the medals for a game that each believes the team hadn’t actually lost.  The team had originally been awarded the Silver medal from the game.  But each member turned down his medal in protest.

This latest installment in the 30 for 30 Shorts series sees the team reunite for the very first time and discuss the choice whether or not to accept the medals that they believe were wrongly awarded.  The controversy stems from what is believed to be a series of bad calls that led to the then Soviet Union’s win.  It can be viewed online now at http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9103152/the-unclaimed-medals-1972-us-men-basketball-team-stars-latest-30-30-documentary-series.

The 30 for 30 Shorts series is crafted by Blue Moon.  Other previous films in the series include:  Arnold’s Blueprint, Ali:  The Mission, Holy Grail:  The T206 Honus Wagner, and others.  They can all be viewed online at Grantland.com.

To keep up with the latest in ESPN’s 30 for 30 Shorts series and more, go online to http://www.espn.com/30for30 or its Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/espn30for30.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Airs Latest Film In 30 for 30 Series Tuesday Night

Courtesy: ESPN/ESPN Films

The latest installment of ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 series is set to air tomorrow night, October 9^th, at 8pm EST.  Following the success of Broken, ESPN will next air the program, 9.79.  9.79 follows the now matchup between track stars Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis in the Men’s 100m final at the 1988 Olympic Games.  While the matchup made news headlines around the world, the steroid scandal that followed it was just as big.  97.9 focuses on the scandal as well.  The scandal centered on what would become an increasingly large revelation about those who had taken P.E.D.’s and anabolic steroids.  Johnson himself was wrapped up in the scandal, and would lose his gold medal as a result of the investigation.  The trailer for the special can be viewed here:  http://espn.go.com/30for30/

Along with tomorrow night’s broadcast, Grantland.com will run two features related to 97.9.  One of those features will be a podcast featuring an episode of Bill Simmons’ The B.S. Report.  Malcolm Gladwell will be on the podcast.  There will also be a first-hand account of the matchup written by Grantland writer Charlie Pierce.  Pierce was on hand for the race at the games in Seoul.

97.9 was a selection in this year’s annual Toronto Film Festival.  It was directed by Daniel Gordon.  For those that can’t catch tomorrow night’s broadcast, there are four more films in the latest 30 for 30 series.  Audiences can catch There’s No Place Like Home next Tuesday, October 16^th at 8pm EST.  And on the following Tuesday, October 23^rd, ESPN will air Benji at 8pm EST.  ESPN will close out the month with a broadcast of Ghosts of Ole Miss on Tuesday, October 30^th at 8pm EST.  The last film in this series will be You Don’t Know Bo.  Fans can catch this piece Saturday, December 8^th at 9pm.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Kicks Off New Online Series

Courtesy: ESPN

The first of the new features from ESPN’s 30 for 30 Shorts has officially premiered.  “Arnold’s Blueprint” follows the life of bodybuilder/actor/politician Arnold Schwarzenegger.  It focuses primarily on Arnold’s teenage years in the Austrian army.  The twelve minute short—directed by Michael and Jeff Zimbalist (The Two Escobars)—tells how Arnold’s time in the Austrian army would eventually lead to his beginnings in the world of bodybuilding.  The short can be watched here:  http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8424161/the-first-short-new-30-30-documentary-series.

ESPN’s 30 for 30 shorts are presented in partnership with Grantland.com.  The thirty part digital series will be similar in format to the network’s famed 30 for 30 TV series of specials.  Each short will be presented from the vantage point of its director and how each mixes the story with his or her own style of film making.  Grantland.com will feature one new 30 for 30 Short each month.  Each feature will be accompanied by a written feature and extra material to add context.

“Arnold’s Blueprint” is accompanied by a written article by Brian Phillips.  Phillips’ article will focus on George Reeves.  Reeves was Arnold’s bodybuilding coach turned movie star.  Other 30 for 30 Shorts that fans can expect to come include:  “Silver Reunion”, “The Arnold Palmer”, “Holy Grail:  The T206 Honus Wagner”, and “Tommy and Frank.” 

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.