23 Blast 2014

Bill Edelstein, Variety: A fairly predictable yarn that's lighthearted and well-acted, if cast mostly with characters that are little more than tackling dummies. Read more

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, AV Club: It is a heartfelt, earnest piece of flatly lit Americana, made in a hypnotically dull style usually associated with mid-century industrial filmmaking. Read more

Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter: Stepping behind the camera, versatile actor Dylan Baker makes an assured directorial debut, drawing spirited performances from his seasoned cast while mainly steering clear of the usual, treacly movie-of-the week conventions. Read more

Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times: By-the-numbers inspirational trudgework. Read more

Rafer Guzman, Newsday: Another inspirational film that rarely strays from the playbook, but first-time director Baker gives it some life. Read more

Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: Although the film has moments when it's serious about exploring the challenges that someone in Travis's situation faces, it ultimately prefers to be just another football movie with a hokey big-game ending. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: From the director to the actors, there's an ease with the style here, as well as a lack of self-consciousness about the fundamentalist religious culture of the characters. Read more

Alan Scherstuhl, Village Voice: An honest piece of work, and sometimes a touching one. Read more

Sandie Angulo Chen, Washington Post: Although the Bakers, and Hoovers' connection to small-town Kentucky lends the movie a sweet, homegrown touch, it's hard not to wonder whether it would've been more compelling (and less cheesy) in more experienced hands. Read more