Church Ball (2006)
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18% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(1,219 ratings)
High spiritual ideals don't quite mesh with the spirit of competition in this sports comedy. In the 1920s, the leaders of the Church of Latter Day Saints began encouraging their congregations to form basketball teams and church leagues as a way to promote fitness, wholesome fun, and teamwork among… More High spiritual ideals don't quite mesh with the spirit of competition in this sports comedy. In the 1920s, the leaders of the Church of Latter Day Saints began encouraging their congregations to form basketball teams and church leagues as a way to promote fitness, wholesome fun, and teamwork among Mormon youth. However, the downside of this plan was the rise of wildly competitive teams who were a lot more interested in winning at all costs than good sportsmanship. In the 1970s, Bishop Linderman (Fred Willard) has been watching his Mud Lake basketball team get trounced in the Church League championships for nearly two decades, which doesn't sit well with him. Linderman used to be Mud Lake's coach before we was banned from the game for fighting, and with the team facing another losing season, he appoints a new man, Dennis Buckstead (Andrew Wilson), to lead Mud Lake on the court. When LDS elders announce that they're putting an end to church ball and the upcoming season will be the last, the pressure is on Buckstead to bring home a championship for Mud Lake's final season. But with a team comprised of myopic clerk Gene (Clint Howard), rotund Don (Chad Long), timid Thurman (Steve Anderson), half-pint car salesman Charles (Gary Coleman), short-tempered Mickey (Ross Brockley), and Borat (Sina Amedson), an immigrant who knows soccer far better than basketball, Buckstead's prospects are not very good. Not wanting to disappoint Linderman, Buckstead tries to recruit a pair of ringers for the Mud Lake team -- Moses Mahoney (Thurl Bailey), a seven-foot-tall prodigy who teaches sports to underprivileged kids, and Jeremiah Jones (Stan Ellsworth), a fierce player who may be just a bit too competitive. Church Ball was directed by Kurt Hale and released through Halestorm Entertainment, a leading producer of LDS-oriented films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG, 1 hr. 31 min.
- Directed By
- Kurt Hale
- Genres
- Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Sports & Fitness, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Mar 17, 2006 Wide
- On DVD
- Sep 26, 2006
- Studio
- Halestorm Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
Jokes fall flat, characterizations are sketchy at best, setups never receive their payoff, unnecessary subplots slow the already glacial pace.
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Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Hale's directorial style relies way too much on the kind of cheesy music video montages that have long since been parodied to death, and the religious rock songs used are truly awful.
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Ted Fry, Seattle Times
... a carefree, underdog sports comedy.
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William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Its rowdiness, bathroom humor, cast of familiar but second-rate actors and overall disrespect for organized religion make it seem like any other bad Hollywood farce.
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Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Air ball . . . Air ball . . .
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Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
Recreational basketball leagues offer plenty to laugh at and screenwriter Paul Eagleston mined that material, but not as deeply as he needed to.
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Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
Will non-Mormons start noticing HaleStorm's productions? I wouldn't bet the tithing money on it yet, but they're heading in the right direction.
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Audrey Rock-Richardson, Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)
It commands more attention than previous efforts because of a wonderfully eclectic cast.
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Bruce Bennett, Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
Despite the presence of funnyman Fred Willard, stays mostly on the pre-teen comedy level, obscuring an underlying moral about unity and reaching out to the disregarded
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Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Relies heavily on dumb slapstick, including a few tasteless, low-brow moments.
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Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
Like Kurt Hale's previous Mormon comedies..., Church Ball envelops the viewer in the embrace of the familiar.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Cast
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Fred Willardas Bishop Linderman -
Andrew Wilsonas Dennis Buckstead -
Clint Howardas Gene Jensen
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Gary Colemanas Charles Higgins -
Ross Brockleyas Mickey Morgan -
Curt Doussettas Bruce Bracken
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Larry Bagby IIIas Blake Bracken -
Jennifer Baker -
Larry Milleras Himself
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Amy Stewartas Susan Buckstead -
Randall Hood -
Benjamin Petersonas Crystal Hills Team
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Steve Anderson (V)as Thurman -
Peter Mayas News Reel Narrator -
Robert Packer
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Brian Masonas Yellow Team -
Joelle Wilsonas Mr. Snead -
David Nibleyas Doctor
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Joseph Morganas Polynesian Team -
Richard Rowleyas Polynesian Team -
Jeff Olsonas Building Supervisor
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Bernie Diamondas Old Man Player -
John E. Moyer -
Matthew Haleas Ringer Complainer
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Chad Longas Don Weaver -
Stan Ellsworthas Jeremiah Jones -
Sina Amedsonas Nadar
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Thurl Baileyas Moses Mahoney -
Mindy Youngas Bertha -
Dillan Conradas Billy Buckstead
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Hilary Hughesas Heather Buckstead -
Melanie Hardingas Jeremiah's Wife -
Catherine Shumwayas Gene's Wife
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Keri Hatfieldas Maxine Morgan -
Bita Adabkhahas Dooki -
Dale Critchlowas Rodney Munch
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Rod "Hot" Hundleyas Himself -
Mark Eatonas Himself -
Michael Birkelandas Referee/Umpire
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Jimmy Chungaas Referee/Umpire -
Travis Eberhardas Adam -
Brooke Kalamaas Penny Higgins
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar IIas Julius Higgins -
Kevin Whimpyas Trey Higgins -
Kyle Whimpyas MJ Higgins
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Johnny Biscuitas Roy -
Susan Rounklesas Reporter -
Carrie Bowersas Woman With Bangs
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Cathy Madsenas Hillary -
Dan "Sqwiggs" Jasteras Fat Guy -
Rachel Goodas Parking Lot Mother
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Riley Terryas Parking Lot Baby -
Dave Hansenas Angry Home Owner -
Travis Welchas Don's Kid
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Chandler Smithas Don's Kid -
Kandi Jamesas Drama Queen -
Kala Alexanderas Carlos Munos
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Jonnie Tolmanas Padded Player -
Aaron Shoberas Ringer Complainer -
Vern Cottrellas Hairy Player
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Maclain Nelsonas Slap-Happy Player -
Tim Whitakeras Slap-Happy Player -
Alex Frazieras Inner-City Basketball Player
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Spencer Greeras Inner-City Basketball Player -
Parker Wrightas Inner-City Basketball Player -
Patrick Lyonsas Inner-City Basketball Player
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David Ojukaas Inner-City Basketball Player -
Zach Frazieras Inner-City Basketball Player -
Larry Schlappias Crystal Hills Coach
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Peter Pillingas Crystal Hills Coach -
Tyler Schlappias Crystal Hills Team -
David Callahanas Crystal Hills Team
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David Rodeeas Crystal Hills Team -
Bill Poppinas Crystal Hills Team -
Karl Ridingas Crystal Hills Team
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Jared Parrishas Crystal Hills Team -
Kip Fowleras Crystal Hills Team -
Mark Madsenas Crystal Hills Team
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Leroy "Big Budda" Teoas Polynesian Team -
Daryn Tuftsas Polynesian Team -
Sekoa Aionoas Polynesian Team
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Manoa Benjaminas Polynesian Team -
Michael Faasouas Polynesian Team -
Rudy Aionoas Polynesian Team
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Spencer Peias Polynesian Team -
Nuuuli Brownas Polynesian Team -
Edward Gasuas Polynesian Team
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A. Pulu Peletias Polynesian Team -
Howard Tapusoaas Polynesian Team -
Sione Fehokoas Polynesian Team
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Ray Purcellas Polynesian Team -
Tom Farnsworthas Yellow Team -
Denny Barneyas Yellow Team
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Brad Plowmanas Yellow Team -
Dale Tanneras Yellow Team -
Brad Arnettas Yellow Team
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Scott Simasas Yellow Team -
Dave Pothieras Yellow Team -
Mike Schlappias Wheelchair Player
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Casey Scottas Smart Mouth Player -
Mike Mechamas Upset Crowd Member -
Ricky Carteras Man in Sweats
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Johnny Craddockas Basketball Kicker -
Amber Bollingeras Visiting Teacher -
Amber Hawkinsas Visiting Teacher
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Jacob Stayneras Young Dennis -
Justin Thorntonas Young Bruce Bracken -
Tyler Workmanas Young Blake Bracken
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Brad Callas Bakery Assistant -
Lisa Hong -
Stephanie Packer
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