Laziness Meets Film Critic -- Online!

The Flying Scotsman is a recently released dramatic portrayal of Graeme Obree, a Scottish cyclist whose innovative approach revolutionized the sport while simultaneously earning him the wrath of the cycling establishment. As Obree reached the pinnacle of his racing success, major cycling authorities unleashed waves of underhanded rule changes to keep him from succeeding. Of course, now that his inspirational story has resulted in an autobiography and major film adaptation, Obree has had the last laugh.

In the film, Merry the Hobbit helps the actor playing Obree develop a new bicycle and an unusual riding position in order to break the hour record in cycle racing. Unfortunately, heavily accented and hairless Germans representing the cycling "establishment" set out to thwart Obree's pursuit of the record and they condemn his innovations with awkwardly suggestive language that resembles the way homophobic heavily accented hairless Germans probably condemn homosexuality (seriously, watch the trailer). Obree must challenge authority -- and probably himself -- to vindicate his contributions to the sport.

Lauding its inspirational tone, ContentFilm calls the new movie "Chariots of Fire meets Rocky meets Shine – on wheels!" (half way down page)

How did they ever come up with that kind of praise? It's like they named three inspirational films -- two of which are about sports -- and then picked some random feature of cycling to show how The Flying Scotsman offers a new twist on the genre. I guess the twist is that struggling against adversity and challenging oneself to succeed can involve wheels. For those of you who thought you knew everything about inspiration and triumph, think again! If you haven't been inspired by wheels, then you just haven't been inspired.

In fact, this review has helped me realize that, in this crazy mixed up world of big budget action movies and romantic comedies, we don't take enough time to appreciate the many faces of inspiration that surround us. Here are some other ideas for films that can lift our hearts and brighten our lives:

Life's a Drag- Johnny Depp plays a Elmira, a drag queen and costume designer whose sense of style is ahead of his/her time. But when the costume designer for the off-Broadway remake of Priscilla Queen of the Desert gets hit by a car, Elmira is the only one who can save the day.

• ContentFilm says: "It's Flying Scotsman meets Project Runway meets Rocky -- in drag!"

Fighting without a Weapon (translated from Chinese)- Xiao Jing (Jackie Chan) is a eunuch in the Forbidden City. No one believes he can succeed. But when the Emperor is kidnapped, only Jing has the skill, the tenacity and the courage to save him. With the help of a wise eunuch mentor (Mr. Miagi), Jing travels far and wide in search of the Emperor . . . and himself.

• ContentFilm says: "It's Star Wars meets Karate Kid meets Billy Elliot -- without penises!"
  

Hunting for Glory- A South Asian girl (the one from Bend it Like Beckham) only wants to be the quarterback for her high school football team. Unfortunately, her size, race and gender prompt a flurry of prejudice from her teammates, friends and even her family. Depressed by the rejection, she knocks over a liquor store and is sent to an isolated prison on an island off the coast of Hawaii. There, the prisoners are involved in a mysterious game run by the warden. In order to win, she must finally lead a team, only this time she hunts the most dangerous game of all -- man!

• ContentFilm says: "It's Rudy meets Bend It Like Beckham meets The Longest Yard -- with cannibalism!"
  

Space Race, All Andrew Goodsmithwell (the kid from Jerry Maguire) wanted to do was ride horses and be an astronaut, but when he is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, he has only one wish: to ride his horse in space. In the midst of the Cold War space race, the US government agrees to grant him his wish, on one condition: that he face off against the Russians in the solar system's most anticipated equine competition. Pitted against Yuri Gagarin Jr., the Soviet Union's finest jockey, Andrew must race for his country . . . and himself.

• ContentFilm says: "It's Rocky IV meets Sea Biscuit meets Miracle -- in space!"