Head Games (film)

Head Games: The Global Concussion Crisis is an expanded version of Head Games (2012), a 2012 documentary film that examines the effects of repeated concussions and subconcussive blows, particularly those associated with sports. It focuses on American football and hockey, but also covers boxing, soccer, lacrosse, and professional wrestling. It covers findings that chronic traumatic brain injury is occurring in female sports. Also covered is physiological evidence of brain injury in adolescent athletes.

Head Games: The Global Concussion Crisis (2014)
Directed bySteve James
Produced bySteve James
Steve Devick
Music byBIlly Corgan
Craig J. Snider
CinematographyDana Kupper
Keith Walker
Edited byDavid E. Simpson
Katerina Simic
Liz Kaar
Release date
March 4, 2014
Running time
75 min
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Head Games (2012)
Directed bySteve James
Produced byBruce Sheridan
Steve James
Anthony Athanas
Casey Cowell
Jon Cronin
Steve Devick
Andrew E. Filipowski
Frank J., Jr. & Jacqueline C. Murnane
Hank Neuberger
Jim O'Donovan
Music byBIlly Corgan
Craig J. Snider
CinematographyDana Kupper
Keith Walker
Edited byDavid E. Simpson
Distributed byVariance Films
Release date
September 21, 2012
Running time
91 min
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Head Games is directed by Steve James, director of the highly acclaimed documentary, Hoop Dreams.[1] It is a film followup to Christopher Nowinski's book, Head Games.[2]

The film features interviews with Nowinski (founder of the Sports Legacy Institute), Dr. Robert Cantu (a professor of neurosurgery at Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Ann McKee, and Robert Stern, who are experts on chronic traumatic encephalopathy). In addition to other medical experts, it also extensively interviews athletes, their families, and journalists.

Details

Title

Head Games was inspired by the book Head Games written by former Ivy League football player and WWE wrestler Christopher Nowinski.

Cast

Head Games: The Global Concussion Crisis (2014)

  • Bob Costas
  • Brendan Shanahan
  • Robert Cantu, MD
  • Ann McKee, MD
  • Robert Stern, PhD
  • Hunt Batjer, MD
  • Gary Dorshimer, MD
  • Ruben Echemendia, PhD
  • Douglas Smith, MD
  • Steven Galetta, MD
  • Laura Balcer, MD, MSCE
  • Christina Master, MD
  • Dr. Willie Stewart
  • Dr. Barry O'Driscoll
  • Dr. James Robson
  • Greg "Diesel" Williams
  • Dr. Alan Pearce
  • David Dodick, MD
  • Dr. Huw Williams

Head Games (2012)

  • Christopher Nowinski
  • Alan Schwarz
  • Keith Primeau
  • Cindy Parlow Cone
  • Bob Costas
  • Isaiah Kacyvenski
  • Bill Daly
  • Brendan Shanahan
  • Robert Cantu, MD
  • Ann McKee, MD
  • Robert Stern, PhD
  • Hunt Batjer, MD
  • Gary Dorshimer, MD
  • Ruben Echemendia, PhD
  • Douglas Smith, MD
  • Steven Galetta, MD
  • Laura Balcer, MD, MSCE
  • Christina Master, MD
  • Eric Laudano, M.H.S., A.T.C.

Critical and Media Reception

Head Games was a critical success, winning Best Documentary at the 2012 Boston Film Festival and Sports Illustrated Best Sports Movie of 2012. Head Games was also an official selection for both the 2012 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam and the 2012 Sprout Film Festival. The films was also noted in iTunes Best of 2012 and Rotten Tomatoes Top Movies of 2012.[3]

Roger Ebert gave the film three stars noting that "the documentary by Steve James paints a devastating picture of the long-term consequences of head injuries among pro NFL players." [4] Ebert also called Head Games one of the year's "best documentaries." [5] The New York Times stated "Head Games gains credibility and power from compassion for athletes and respect for their accomplishments. But it also tries to open the eyes of sports lovers to dangers that have too often been minimized and too seldom fully understood." [6] The Pittsburgh Post Gazette listed the film as one of the year's best films.[7]

In March 2014, UK Distributor Dogwoof announced that it would be a launching doc-centric digital distribution platform entitled IF365 to help filmmakers get their work on top digital platforms. IF365 will use Dogwoof’s relationship with platforms such as iTunes and Netflix to showcase feature documentaries including Head Games: The Global Concussion Crisis.[8]

References
  1. Ebert, Roger (July 8, 2001). "Hoop Dreams". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. "Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis". Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  3. "Top 100 Movies of 2012 - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  4. Ebert, Roger. "Head Games Movie Review & Film Summary (2012) - Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  5. Ebert, Roger. "Some of the year's best documentaries - Roger Ebert's Journal - Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  6. Scott, A. O. "'Head Games,' a Documentary About Athletic Injuries". New York Times. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  7. "The PG's best movies of 2012". Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  8. "Dogwoof launching doc-centric digital distribution platform". Retrieved 8 August 2018.
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