Mystery, Alaska

The preview for this movie does not give the audience enough of an idea of how well this movie actually plays out. Russell Crowe is not just an ill-mannered detective from Los Angeles, or a Gladiator from ancient Rome; no, in Mystery, Alaska, he showed that he indeed has a nurturing, almost lovable side to him. Mystery is a small, quiet town located smack dab in the middle of Alaska. It is a town where hockey is the most important thing in their lives. There are special "Saturday Games" where the town's Mayor, and two other board members select a few townsfolk to play against each other for the enjoyment of the other townspeople. When an article about this town and their hockey playing is published in Sports Illustrated, The NHL decides that the N.Y. Rangers would play an exhibition game in Mystery, Alaska for a little publicity.

Throughout this movie, the people of Mystery band together and eventually play their game against the Rangers.... This movie is well worth the $3.79 to rent, if you weren't one of the lucky ones to see it in the theater. As much as I enjoyed this movie, there was one scene which was a little reminiscent of Varsity Blues. The acting is wonderful, and I think that everyone that gives this movie a chance will appreciate the great story.

It's cold in the small hamlet of Mystery, Alaska, but there's plenty of warmth in `Mystery, Alaska,' the film, directed by Jay Roach, about the town and the sport that is ingrained in the collective consciousness of the community. Hockey is the game, and when a former resident, now a journalist, writes a story about Mystery's home-town team and their `Saturday Game,' and it ends up as a three page spread complete with pictures in Sports Illustrated, it has far reaching effects on the populace of this small dot on the map. Soon the town is turned upside down, embroiled in an event, the proportions of which, to them, are huge. Needless to say, it involves hockey and an encounter with a high-profile professional team. Yes, there is a lot of hockey in this movie, but be advised, this film is not `about' hockey; this is a movie about people– real people– and what makes them tick. Roach has crafted a thoroughly entertaining and emotional story of want and need, dignity and desire, obsession and love, and he's captured it all through the winning performances of a stellar ensemble cast, the most prominent of which is Russell Crowe. The charismatic Crowe, finally on his way to superstardom thanks to his turn in `Gladiator' plays John Biebe, Mystery's sheriff and captain of the hockey team. His rugged good looks and persona fit the character perfectly, and he puts all of his myriad personal resources to work to put it across, and that he does. Also notable is the personable Mary McCormack as John's wife, Donna, who does a great job of fleshing out the character of this woman who made what she deems to be the right choices in her life, without regrets or apologies to herself or anyone else. It's a refreshing portrayal, and the chemistry between her and Crowe is unmistakable. Also adding to the overall texture of this film are Hank Azaria, as Charles Danner, the journalist who gets the whole thing rolling; Burt Reynolds, as Judge Walter Burns, a man forced to deal with his own personal issues, which include a son, Birdie (Scott Grimes), a member of the hockey team; Colm Meany, as Scott Pitcher, Mayor of Mystery, and Lolita Davidovich as his wife, Mary Jane; Maury Chaykin, as Bailey Pruitt, the man who seems to personify the very essence of Mystery's spirit; and Ron Eldard as `Skank,' another member of the team who's good for two things–suffice to say that hockey is one of them. Mercifully, `Mystery, Alaska' never pursues the beat-the-dead-horse cliched mentality that sports `teaches one to be a team player and builds character.' Instead, Roach has given us a worthwhile, memorable movie with a human touch, and because of that, in the end these are people you care about, as individuals as well as a community. The climactic game is exciting and far from predictable, beginning with the celebrity they bring in to sing the National Anthem. This may not be one of Russell Crowe's biggest or highest profile movies, but this is one he's going to be able to look back upon with pride, because it's right up there with his best. Remember, you don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy this movie; all that's required is that you have a membership in the club know as Mankind. I rate this one 9/10.

In a place where the sheriff is captain, the grocer is the marquee player, a high school senior who is the rising star of the team, and the town judge is the coach comes a hockey team from a small town on the outskirts of greatness.

Russell Crowe leads all-star cast that included Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack, Lolita Davidovich, Ron Eldard, Colm Meaney, Maury Chaykin and Burt Reynolds in "Mystery, Alaska." Full of hope, pride and determination, "Mystery, Alaska" will capture the hearts of the audience. A 13-year tradition in Mystery where everybody comes together to participate in the Saturday game, a hockey game played every Saturday, draws the interest of the National Hockey League and the New York Rangers.

Azaria comes to propose this challenge to the townspeople of Mystery. After some debate at a town meeting, the mayor accepts the challenge to play the New York Rangers; the players must put their personal feelings aside to win the game. This game between the team from Mystery and the Rangers becomes a David and Goliath match-up, which ultimately comes down to which team can outduel the other first. Can the team from Mystery rise to the challenge given by the New York Rangers?

Crowe is an actor that has brought integrity to his roles such as Officer Bud White in "L.A. Confidential." Crowe, who received critical praise as Bud White, brought the same amount of integrity to "Mystery, Alaska," as soft-spoken Sheriff John Biebe. Burt Reynolds, who has starred in Boogie Nights and received an Oscar nomination for his role as Jack Horner, portrayed hard-nosed Judge Walter Burns in "Mystery Alaska." Reynolds role as Judge Burns turned out to be very impressive since it seemed that he took his time and enjoyed portraying the small town judge/coach from Mystery.

Co-writers David E. Kelley and Sean O'Byrne as well as director Jay Roach work in conjunction to make one of the best films in 1999. Kelley, who has enjoyed success as producer of "The Practice," "Ally McBeal", "Chicago Hope," "L.A. Law" and "Picket Fences," has brought originality to the film. This film allows the audience to sit back, relax and focus on putting themselves in the movie.

"Mystery, Alaska" is a highly recommended film that should be seen by everybody because it was performed by a talented cast, well-put together by the writers and director, has a great plot, and noteworthy performances by the actors.

In Mystery, Alaska, hockey is the pride and joy of the residents of the small town. Their hockey game every Saturday is the greatest entertainment of the locals that are proud of their amateur team. When the reporter Charles Danner (Hank Azaria), who moved to New York many years ago, returns to Mystery by helicopter, he meets Mayor Scott Pitcher (Colm Meaney) and proposes a game against the powerful New York Rangers to be broadcast live. The captain of the team and sheriff John Biebe (Russell Crowe) is cautious and warns that the other team is professional and their team might become a national joke and destroy the proud of the locals. But Mystery challenges the Rangers and the Mayor invests money building a facility around the pond for the game. Meanwhile Charles rekindles the feelings of his former high- school sweetheart Donna Biebe (Mary McCormack), who is married with John with three children. While the hockey players live their daily problems and dramas, the Rangers call off the event bringing frustration to the population of Mystery. But the lawyer Bailey Pruitt (Maury Chaykin) travels to New York to defend the game in court and the challenge is scheduled. Who will win the game?

"Mystery, Alaska" is a surprisingly great film and certainly better than any viewer can expect. The storyline has many subplots, some of them funny but others dramatic. The cast is excellent and the hockey game is engaging. In the end, the hockey game is only the motive to see pleasant subplots. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Esquentando o Alasca" ("Heating the Alaska")

I had no idea at the time that I would enjoy a movie about hockey, and I was right, because this movie had nothing really to do with hockey.It's a great character based movie about a small town that makes it big and the reason the town makes it big is because of it's people. It's a great rocky type movie that makes you root for a small town and it's wonderful characters. Russell Crowe is excellent as well as the entire cast and a great turn by Burt Reynolds as the town judge and coach. This is a very well crafted, witty , warm and realistic and just a charming movie overall. Don't let the hockey fool you, this is a movie about people and a quite enjoyable movie I may add.