27 September 2008 @ 22:55Forever Strong

Forever Strong tells the story of Rick Penning who has a difficult relationship with his overbearing father who is also his rugby coach. Rick drinks and experiments with drugs which results in an auto accident while intoxicated. This lands Rick in a juvenile correction facility where he finds the chance to play rugby again, but for the team of his greatest rival — Highland Rugby. With the influence of Coach Gelwix and the brotherhood of his teammates, Rick manages to get his life back on track.

While Forever Strong has some moments of sub-par acting, cliched quotes, and very little rugby action, overall I felt like it was a great movie. If you approach it as a drama instead of a rugby movie, you will know better what to expect of Forever Strong.

Gary Cole nailed the part of a sincere and caring coach who while having a strong desire to win, has an even stronger desire to turn his players into men of integrity.

Sean Astin had a small but strong performance., and Neal McDonough played the overbearing father all too well. Unfortunately, one of the weakest performances came from the lead character played by Sean Faris.

Forever Strong may not appeal to everyone, especially those who have developed an aversion to the life-changing, happy-ending, sports drama. However, I enjoy this film a lot and wouldn’t hesitate to let my children see it. Forever Strong is only getting a limited theatrical release of about 260 theaters, so I will include a list of theaters below so you can check if it is showing in your area.

Check out the Forever Strong trailer.

Theaters showing Forever Strong (in order by state):
Fireweed 7 Cinemas – Anchorage, AK
Summit 16 – Birmingham, AL
Chandler Fashion Ctr 20 – Chandler, AZ
Arrowhead 14 – Glendale, AZ
Westgate 20 – Glendale, AZ
Mesa Grande 24 – Mesa, AZ
Superstition Springs 25 – Mesa, AZ
Arrowhead Fountains 18 – Peoria, AZ
Park West 14 – Peoria, AZ
Deer Valley 30 with IMAX – Phoenix, AZ
Christown 14 – Phoenix, AZ
Norterra 14 (4/18) – Phoenix, AZ
North Valley 16 – Phoenix, AZ
Pavilions 11 – Phoenix, AZ
Prescott Valley 14 – Prescott Valley, AZ
Sedona 6 – Sedona, AZ
Arizona Mills 24 – Tempe, AZ
Tusan Spectrum 18 – Tucan, AZ
Atlantic Palace 10 – Alhambra, CA
Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 – Aliso Viejo, CA
Cinema City – Anaheim, CA
UA East Hills 10 – Bakersfield, CA
Berkeley 7 – Berkely, CA
Brea Stadium 22 – Brea, CA
Cinino hills 18 – Chino Hills, CA
Rancho Del Rey Stadium 16 – Chula Vista, CA
Corona Crossing Stadium 18 – Edwards – Corona, CA
Hacienda Crossings Stadium 20 + IMAX – Dublin, CA
Rancho San Diego Stadium 15 – El Cajon, CA
Emery Bay Stadium 10 – Emeryville, CA
Escondido Stadium 16 – Escondido, CA
Foothill Towne Center Stadium 22 – Foothill Ranch, CA
Fresno Stadium 21 + IMAX – Fresno, CA
Manchester Mall 16 – Fresno, CA
Garden Grove Stadium 16 – Garden Grove, CA
Hemet Cinema 12 – Hemet, CA
Irvine Spectrum 20 + IMAX – Irvine, CA
Lark Theater – Larksburg, CA
Long Beach Stadium 26 – Long Beach, CA
Oceanside Stadium 16 – Oceanside, CA
Ontario Palace Stadium 22 + IMAX – Ontario, CA
Rancho 16 – Palm Springs, CA
Jurupa Stadium 14 – Riverside, CA
Olympus Pointe 12 – Roseville, CA
Natomas Marketplace Stadium 16 – Alice – Sacramento, CA
Palm Promenade 24 – San Diego, CA
UA Horton Plaza 14 – San Diego, CA
San Marcos Stadium 18 – San Marcos, CA
Simi Valley Plaza 10 – Simi Valley, CA
South Gate Stadium 20 – South Gate, CA
Carmike 10 – Colorado Springs, CO
Chapel Hills 15 – Colorado Springs, CO
North field 18 – Denver, CO
Carmike 10 – Fort Collins, CO
Carmike 7 – Grand Junction, CO
Greenwood Plaza 12 – Greenwood Village, CO
Highland Ranch 24 – Highland Ranch, CO
Colorado Mills 16 – Lakewood, CO
Chief Plaza 4 – Steamboat Springs, CO
Westminster 24 – Westminister, CO
Palace 18 – Miami, FL
Southland Mall Stadium 16 – Miami, FL
Pointe Orlando Stadium 20 + IMAX – Orlando, FL
Waterford Lakes Stadium 20 – Orlando, FL
Oviedo Marketplace Stadium 22 – Oviedo, FL
Pensacola 18 – Pensacola, FL
Hollywood Stadium 20 – Sarasota – Sarasota, FL
Sawgrass Stadium 23 – Sunrise, FL
Winter Park Village Stadium 20 – Winter Park, FL
Regal Stadium 22 @ Austell – Atlanta, GA
Snellville Oaks Stadium 14 – Atlanta, GA
Town Center Stadium 16 – Kennesaw – Atlanta, GA
Augusta Exchange Stadium 20 – Atlanta, GA
Mall Of Georgia Stadium 20 + IMAX – Buford, GA
Hollywood Stadium 24 @ North I-85 – Chamblee, GA
Dole Cannery 18 – Honolulu, HI
Sycamore 12 – Iowa City, IA
Crossroads 12 – Waterloo, IA
Plaza Twin – Black Foot, ID
Boise Stadium 21 + IMAX – Boise, ID
North Gate 6 – Bosie, ID
Century 5 – Burley, ID
Carmike Pine Ridge 10 – Chubbuck, ID
Grand Teton Stadium 14 – Idaho Falls, ID
The Rex Theater – Rexburg, ID
Odyssey Theatre – Twin Falls, ID
Barrington 30 – Chicago, IL
Cantera 30 – Chicago, IL
Addison 20 – Chicago, IL
Gurnee 20 – Chicago, IL
Coldwater Crossing Stadium 14 – Ft. Wayne, IN
Showplace 16 + IMAX – Indianapolis, IN
Eagle Highlands 10 – Indianapolis, IN
Shiloh Crossing Stadium 18 – Indianapolis, IN
Village Park Cinema Stadium 17 – Indianapolis, IN
Hamburg Pavilion Stadium 16 – Lexington, KY
Cape Cod Mall Stadium 12 – Hyannis, MA
Independence Mall 14 – Kingston, MA
Solomon Pond 15 – Marlborough, MA
Westborough 12 – Westborough, MA
Bel Air Cinema Stadium 14 – Abingdon, MD
Snowden Square Stadium 14 – Columbia, MD
Westview – Frederick, MD
Valley Mall 16 – Hagerstown, MD
Majestic Stadium 20 – Silver Spring, MD
Laurel Park 10 – Livonia, MI
Forum 30 with IMAX – Detroit, MI
Grand Rapids 18 – Grand Rapids, MI
Celebration – Grand Rapids South 16 – Grand Rapids, MI
Celebration – Rivertown 20 – Grand Rapids, MI
Celebration – Studio 28 – Grand Rapids, MI
Celebration – Lansing 19 – Lansing , MI
Showplace 16 Coon Rapids – Coon Rapids, MN
Elk River 17 – Elk River, MN
Lakes 10 – Hermantown, MN
Showplace 16 Inver Grove Heights – Inver Grove Heights, MN
Block E Stadium – Minneapolis, MN
Shakopee 11 – Shakopee, MN
Parkwood 18 – Waite Park, MN
St. Louis Mills Stadium 18 – Hazelwood, MO
Independence 20 – Independence, MO
Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22 – Charlotte, NC
Crossroads Stadium 20 – Cary, NC
Raleigh Grand Stadium 16 – Raleigh, NC
Century 10 – Fargo, ND
Twenty Grand 19 – Omaha, NE
Burlington Stadium 20 – Burlington, NJ
Jersey Gardens 20 – Elizabeth, NJ
Washington Township 14 – Sewell, NJ
Hadley Theatre Stadium 16- Booked John – South Plainfield, NJ
Winrock VI – Albuquerque, NM
Town Square 18 – Las Vegas, NV
Boulder Station 11 Theatre – Las Vegas, NV
Colonnade Stadium 14 – Las Vegas, NV
Texas Station Stadium 18 – Las Vegas, NV
Village Square Stadium 18 – Las Vegas, NV
Mesquite Stadium 6 – Mesquite, NV
Cross gates 18 – Albany, NY
Elmwood Regal Center 16 – Buffalo, NY
UA Farmingdale 10 – Booked John – Farmingdale, NY
Culver Ridge Plaza 16 – Irondequoit, NY
Ithaca mall 14 – Ithaca, NY
Latha 10 – Latha, NY
Latham Circle 10 – Latham, NY
New Roc City Stadium 18 + IMAX – Booked John – New Rochelle, NY
Village 7 – New York, NY
Quaker crossing 18 – Orchard Park, NY
Henrietta Cinema Stadium 18 – Rochester, NY
Carousel Mall 17 – Syracuse, NY
Shooping town 14 – Syracuse, NY
Transit Center Stadium 18 +IMAX – Williamsville, NY
Hollywood 20 – Beavercreek, OH
Streets Of West Chester 18 – Cincinnati, OH
Easton Town Center 30 with IMAX – Columbus, OH
Lennox Town Center 24 – Columbus, OH
Polaris 18 – Columbus, OH
Georgesville Square Stadium 16 – Columbus, OH
Dublin Village 18 – Dublin, OH
Cobblestone Square Stadium 20 – Elyria, OH
Deerfield Towne Center Stadium 16 – Mason, OH
Richmond Town Square Stadium 20 – Richmond Heights, OH
Willoughby Commons Stadium 16 – Wiloughby, OH
Bricktown 16 – Oklahoma City, OK
Movies On Tv Stadium 16 – Hillsboro, OR

Reel 8 – Ontario, OR
Division Street Stadium 13 – Portland, OR
Lloyd Mall 8 Cinema – Portland, OR
Santiam Stadium 11 – Salem, OR
Tigard 11 Cinemas – Tigard, OR
Promenade 16 – Center Valley, PA
Marketplace @ Oaks Stadium 24 – Oaks, PA
Warrington Crossing Stadium 22 – Warrington, PA
Dutch Square Mall 14 – Columbia, SC
Cherrydale Stadium 16 – Greenville, SC
Charles Towne Square Stadium 18 – North Charleston, SC
Westgate Mall Cinema 8 – Spartanburg, SC
Wynnsong 16 – Knoxville, TN
Park Central 6 – Abilene, TX
Metropolitan Stadium 14 – Austin, TX
Keystone Park 16 – Dallas, TX
Carmike 20 – Edinburg, TX
Carmike 16 – El Paso, TX
Stonebriar 24 – Frisco, TX
Grapevine 30 – Grapevine, TX
Gulf Pointe 30 – Houston, TX
Studio 30 – Houston, TX
Willowbrook 24 – Houston, TX
Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24 – Houston, TX
Houston Marq*e Stadium 22 + IMAX – Houston, TX
Live Oak Stadium 18 – - Live Oak, TX
Carmike 10 – Longview, TX
Mesquite 30 – Mesquite, TX
Huebner Oaks 24 – San Antonio, TX
Cielo Vista Stadium 18 – San Antonio, TX
Embassy 14 – San Antonio, TX
Mayan Palace – San Antonio, TX
Northwest 14 – San Antonio, TX
Palladium 18 + IMAX – San Antonio, TX
Rialto Cinemas – San Antonio, TX
Silverado 16 – San Antonio, TX
Silverado 19 IMAX (2/29) – Tomball, TX
Sikes 10 – Wichita Falls, TX
Cinemark 12 – American Fork, UT
Gateway 5 – Bountiful, UT
Cedar City 8 – Cedar City, UT
Towne Theatre – Ephraim, UT
Coral Cliffs Cinema – Hurricane, UT
Tinseltown 17 – Layton, UT
Megaplex 8 – Lehi, UT
University Stadium 6 (10/19) – Logan, UT
Magna 5 – Magna, UT
Sandy Union Heights 16 – Midvale, UT
Tinseltown Newgate 14 – Ogden, UT
Megaplex 13 at The Junction – Ogden, UT
North Pointe 4 – Ogden, UT
Scera – Orem, UT
Holiday Village 4 – Park City, UT
Stadium Cinema 6 – Payson, UT
Walker 6 – Perry, UT
Water Gardens 6 – Pleasant Grove, UT
King Cole 3 – Price, UT
Providence Stadium 8 – Providence, UT
Wynnsong 12 – Provo, UT
Cinemark 16 – Provo, UT
Salt Lake City 16 – Salt Lake City, UT
Gateway Megaplex 12 – Salt Lake City, UT
Holladay Center 6 – Salt Lake City, UT
Jordan Commons 16 + IMAX – Sandy, UT
Megaplex 20 at the District – South Jordan, UT
Spanish 8 – Spanish Fork, UT
Sunset Stadium 8 – St. George, UT
Westates Theatres Pineview Stadium 10 – St. George, UT
Syracuse Stadium – Syracuse, UT
Tooele 6 – Tooele, UT
Cinema 5 – Vernal, UT
Carmike 12 – West Jordan, UT
Cinemark 24 – West Jordan, UT
HW Connection 15 – West Valley City, UT
Potomac Yards 16 – Alexandria, VA
Fredericksburg 15 – Fredericksburg, VA
Virginia Center Stadium 20 – Glen Allen, VA
Commonwealth Stadium 20 – Midlothian, VA
Macarthur Center Stadium 18 – Norfolk, VA
Countryside Stadium 20 – Sterling, VA
Carmike 12 – Kennewick, WA
South Hill 6 – Puwallup, WA
East Valley 13 – Renton, WA
Auburn Stadium 17 Theatres – Seattle, WA
Meridian 16 – Seattle, WA
Village Centre Cinemas Wandermere 14 – Spokane, WA
Parkway Tukwila 12 – Tukwila, WA
Cascade Stadium 16 Cinemas – Vancouver, WA
Bay Park Square 16 – Ashwaubenon, WI
Eastgate 16 – Madison, WI
Point 16 – Madison, WI
Marcus 18 – Menomonee Falls, WI
Ridge 20 – New Berlin, WI
Martinsburg 10 – Martinsburg, WV