blumdeluxe "Draft Day" is a movie with Kevin Costner, telling the story of a NFL executive working for the Cleveland Browns who prepares for the annual Draft Day and gets in real trouble when he agrees on what seems to be a fabulous deal but turns out to be a dangerous trade when the prime candidate shows some dark sides and the coach disagrees on the deal.This is indeed a strong movie because it manages to create a thriller out of seemingly rather usual executive actions and makes you root for a main character that is, objectively spoken, not the most sympathetic guy. Personally I would have preferred had they taken an actual example of a real draft rather than create a fictional scenario but nonetheless this turns out to be a better thriller than many titles that include horrible crimes and chasing scenes. Of course this one also comes with a set of A-class actors but it would also work without them and that deserves respect.All in all I was never bored and really wanted to see how the plot turns out in the end. Of course you should have some basic knowledge of the sport or at least some interest but this could also be a good way to introduce you to the fascination of the game and everything that surrounds it.

clearthinkernow I watched this movie finally because it was made here in Cleveland and I know people who were extras in it. I want you to know that I am not a football fan, nor am I a Browns fan. I do not watch the games and could absolutely not care less who wins or loses. However, being a living- breathing being who does listen to the radio, I know a slight amount about draft day and am familiar with the hype surrounding certain players and our ever-hopeful for next year fans here.That being said, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this movie so much. It's not really a "sports movie" as other reviews have said; it's more an inside look at the big day, the rules and conventions, how life goes on for others despite this day and how the "perfect choice" is different for different people. You hope your coach chooses your guy, but what does he know that you do not? It's like choosing a spouse, in the long-run who will be best for the team?

lmiller-51048 Draft Day is about the second biggest day in the NFL, behind the Super Bowl. Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner) the general manager of the Cleveland Browns has big decisions to make to draft the best players for the team and the future of Browns football. While this day is occurring many other story lines are playing out including the relationship between Sonny and Ali (Jennifer Gardner) the salary cap manager for the Browns. There is a couple of themes in this movie, however, I think the main theme is the character that we demonstrate and live by is how we are judged. This film has many star actors and real life sport and commentator stars portraying themselves. Coach Penn (Dennis Leary) numerous times projected symbolism with showing his championship ring and saying "this is what everyone and the Cleveland Browns want." Winning and being a champion was projected by these scenes. Throughout the movie there are great aerial shots of the cities and stadiums of NFL Teams, in addition to breathtaking skylines captured also. The movie also utilized visual techniques of having side by side shots of two scenes showing the conversations taken place between the actors. There was even a four screen shot during a critical time for the negotiation between the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, the war room of the Browns, and the time clock. There were many examples of character observation in Draft Day especially, the $100 story in the playbook where the player the Browns already had demonstrated the strongest character by having the actions, vision, and investment by sending back the money and reading the playbook. Which no one has ever done. One of my favorite observations is the line that Sonny tells his coaches to do. He says, "figure out what the player has and figure out if it matters or not." I think he was referring to the character of the prospects they were evaluating to join the team. That line reflects of the actions of Vontae Mack (Chadwick Boseman) and the actions he demonstrated in the video they were reviewing. Mack just made a sack and returned the ball for a touchdown. He then gave the ball to his sister in the stands and was penalized for that. His sister died six months later. It was the character of Mack that seals the decision for Sonny to pick him as the first player picked. Once again, character is being conveyed in this film with his action in the game and Sonny's original decision to pick Vontae Mack by the mystery note he writes at the first and is not revealed until he picks Mack. He did what he wanted to do in the first place and not pick the star winning draft pick that everyone wanted him to pick. The game of football is held by the strong characters in which play the game. It's not always what they can do, but who they are and how they act that makes them winners on and off the field.

mheinrich-16377 Kevin Costner mailed in his performance. Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, even Liam Neeson would have brought the needed passion and range of emotion to the Sonny Weaver, Jr.'s character. Kevin Costner plays it like he's Dennis Weaver. So, surprisingly, did Denis Leary. I can only guess that Denis had no input as to his dialogue and the director refused to allow any ad lib's or spontaneity. I expected more energy and intensity from a life long football man. Only in the finals 10 minutes is there any sense of draft day excitement in Costner's character. The other actors playing GMs do a much better job. So did the supporting cast of Cleveland Browns scouts and execs, (except Leary). Jennifer Garner is wasted in this movie. There is no visible chemistry between Costner and Garner: no sense of why these character's even like each other, much less took the time to make a baby. Frank Langella is excellent, and visibly having fun with his role.