Ping Pong
Panorama (Japanese import), $24.99
The sports movie genre is one sorely lacking in innovative filmmaking, well-developed characters, standout acting performances, and artistry in general. Sure, everybody loves Hoosiers and the original Longest Yard, but while acknowledging the brilliance of Raging Bull, Hoop Dreams, and When We Were Kings and comic classics Caddyshack and Slap Shot, the field is overrun with such dreck as last year’s Mr. 3000 and the current Adam Sandler-led remake of The Longest Yard. So, is it possible that one of the greatest (if not the greatest) sports-related films of all time is not only from Japan, but also about pingpong? Director Fumihiko Sori’s 2002-birthed Ping Pong is a cleverly crafted buddy film focusing on childhood friends and polar opposites Peco (Yôsuke Kubozuka of Go and Laundry) and Smile. Peco is a brash young hipster not interested in practice or protocol, only in winning and being the best. His comrade Smile has earned his nickname by never cracking one. Studious and serious, Smile is gifted with unlimited talent but lacks the desire, killer instinct, and love of the sport of Peco. This aggravates his less-talented peers to no end. Sori allows the story to move at a pace that gives the audience enough time to really get to know the characters, and the special effects are on par with such American films as The Matrix, but he avoids abusing them for simple oohs and aahs. The ping-pong action is nothing less than thrilling (don’t laugh: it really is impressive), and even novices will appreciate this cinematic treat. If there’s not some room on your DVD shelf for Ping Pong, you must make some posthaste, or forever be doomed to repeated viewings of For Love of the Game.
ALSO OUT NOW
Rescue Me: The Complete First Season (Columbia Tristar): Denis Leary’s firefighter drama follows in the footsteps of fellow FX original Nip/Tuck; which in turn followed HBO’s Deadwood, The Sopranos, and Six Feet Under; which in turn, to a certain extent, followed NYPD Blue, in presenting adult themes (read, nudity and naughty language) and engaging storylines for the small screen.
UPCOMING
The Jerk: 26th Anniversary Edition (Universal): In the risk of dating myself, I’ll admit to this being the first R-rated feature I ever snuck into (I was 11). Even though I didn’t get half the jokes at the time, Steve Martin’s comic sensibilities are at their peak, and the arrival of the new phone book has never been the same since.This article appears in June 17 • 2005.