Chicks with Sticks

Chicks with sticks is the story of a bet: a hockey team of women against a hockey of men.In the history of sports there are some interesting stories of challenge: woman against,por example the famous victory of Billie Jean King over Bobby Riggs in 1973.But let's come back to Canada.Chicks with sticks is an independent Canadian movie .It's a pleasant, entertaining and funny story with a little touch de suspense,because the chicks have only some days for training and build a team. I enjoyed very much the performances of Jessalyn Gilsig and Peter Outerbridge in this comedy. PS. For the soccer fans there are two films with the same title : F.C Venus, one Finnish and the other German (remake) about women playing soccer against men as consequence of a challenge.

This was a very predictable, almost boring sports movie with a 'girls vs. guys' theme. Jason Priestly's character was a token...just a way to get some 'star' power in this low-budget made-for-Canadian-TV movie. There were references to 'betting' on the game, but there were never any scenes of anyone actually betting. There were 'accusations' of the 'Felli' character 'padding' the score, but nothing beyond a casual mention. The money raised by the ladies' team was supposedly absconded with, but there was never any resolution regarding the final disposition of the supposedly stolen funds. Lots of holes in the plot. Lots of unresolved issues. Not a terribly unpleasant way to spend an hour and a half on a rainy weekday afternoon when I am laid off my construction job because of inclement weather.

Threadbare story replete with stock characters & aimless direction, exemplified by the chaotic shooting & editing of all of the hockey scenes.

#nitrosMovieChallenge.

Being a female hockey player myself, I found this movie very cute. I would love to play a game of guys vs. girls. As a girl in Colorado, hockey is not a big HS sport, and because of that, not many girls play the sport and the ones who do usually play on guys teams. I have watched probably every hockey movie out there Mystery, Alaska, Mighty Ducks: 1,2,3 , Slap Shot: 1&2, Miracle, there are probably more but I can't think of them. Mighty ducks always had at least one to two girls on the team but it wasn't just about them and they hardly payed attention to the fact that there were girls on the team. This movie shows that there are women hockey players who can be devoted to this sport. And, they don't fit the typical "manly" label that every body puts onto women hockey players, even Felli, the goalie.

I know people are surprised when I tell them I play hockey, from now on I will tell them to check out this movie when they don't believe me.

The title suggests that this movie is the sister companion to the Curling epic "Men With Brooms" and, indeed, it has many similarities: they are both set in small town Canada; their plot involves local sports heroes with one last chance at athletic victory and everlasting pride; they both star Peter Outerbridge. "Chicks With Sticks" has much to distinguish it to similar themed films like "Paperback Hero" or even "Slapshot". They even pay homage to the name "Chiefs" from the Paul Newman classics. Their female rivals have a very witty name considering they are trying to destroy their all-male team: they are called the Black Widows. The movie seems to be a labour of love for many of its hockey loving cast: singer Beverly Mahood, actress Margot Kidder, and actor Jason Priestley. It also includes Canada's star rapper Meechie Mee, who many will recognize from CBC's "Smart Ask" game show in 2003. Her scenes as the hip-hop playing DJ who gets Hutterite girls to shake their booty are what give this movie flavour, both local and visual. Many hockey fans will have missed the film's television premier as it aired at the same time as Calgary Flames first home game in the 2004 Stanley Cup finals. I was astute enough to have the VCR rolling. For those less fortunate, keep your eyes open for the next time it airs. "Chicks With Sticks" scores a winning goal for hockey lovers and movie lovers too.