The defence The Prestige Tourist
“Ambition earns the room.”
The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.
Back to trending 
The Express
Drama · 2008
Follow the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
Movie details
The Express
“He changed our country... one yard at a time.”
2008 Drama 2h 10m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.2 / 10
Community rating
Follow the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Express?
For the defence
The Prestige Tourist
“You like your greatness pre-approved.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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Woodlawn
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Concussion
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A dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
Gigi & Nate
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A young man with a bright future suffers a near-fatal accident and recreates his new life with the help of an unlikely animal friend.
23 Blast
Drama · 2014
When a high school football star is suddenly stricken with irreversible total blindness, he must decide whether to live a safe handicapped life or bravely return to the life he once knew and the sport he still loves.
When the Game Stands Tall
Drama · 2014
A young coach turns a losing high school football program around to go undefeated for 12 consecutive seasons.
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Gary Fleder
Written by
Charles Leavitt
Rob Brown
Ernie Davis
Dennis Quaid
Ben Schwartzwalder
Darrin Henson
Jim Brown
Omar Benson Miller
Jack Buckley
Nelsan Ellis
Will Davis, Jr.
Charles S. Dutton
Willie 'Pops' Davis
Justin Martin
Young Ernie
Court is in session
Put The Express on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Importance has entered the chat.”
The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.