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Head Games

Play trailer Poster for Head Games PG-13 2012 1h 31m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Bob Costas, Christopher Nowinski and Cindy Parlow Cone are among those interviewed in a look at the issue of concussions in sports.
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Head Games

Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman The Grid 10/03/2012
7/10
Its steady, methodical style, however, does justice to its overall aim, which is to touch a nerve that has been desensitized by the media's valorization of athletes as tough guys. Go to Full Review
Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune 09/28/2012
2.5/4
It's solid and interesting work in the main, but Head Games can't help but feel like a come-down after The Interrupters. Go to Full Review
Brian Tallerico HollywoodChicago.com 09/28/2012
3.5/5.0
I have two young boys, and when they express interest in playing sports, it will be impossible not to remember what I learned from this film. Go to Full Review
Mark Pfeiffer Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema 02/04/2013
B
The film struggles with the contradiction of knowing the serious risks while enjoying the games as participant and spectator. Go to Full Review
Christopher Long Movie Metropolis 12/13/2012
7/10
The film paints a dire picture that will strike fear into the hearts of many parents. How many concussions are too many? The documentary suggests the magic number might be one. Go to Full Review
Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy 11/16/2012
7/10
A bit more palatable than most "let me teach you a lesson"-style non-fiction films. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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12/27/2014 From someone who thinks team sports are boring: This is a really interesting look at head injuries in sports. The overwhelming evidence is that they are a much bigger problem than is admitted, even with the NFL actively talking about it and donating to concussion research. There's a culture that encourages athletes to 'just shake it off' if they can stand and play; but it turns out that even seemingly-minor injuries can be really dangerous for a lot of people, especially kids. They try to explore the line between keeping people safe and keeping people too safe. See more 11/06/2013 After watching Head Games I was amazed at how many players just thought it was nothing when they got hit, and got right back in the game. After suffering 2 major ones as a 15 year old soccer keeper I realize how serious it is and want other people to be aware as well. To me this was a very important film and I think anyone who play a contact/competitive sport should watch this. See more 10/22/2013 Well, no more contact sports , you guys. Chris Nowinski (Chris Harvard to some WWE fans) paints a dire picture of athletic endeavours in America. This doesn't take into account the NFL's $765m settlement over head injuries, or how critics of the NHL have said despite all the changes they've made, no affect has been made in regressing concussive incidents. I mean, they could ban fighting, but that's no fun. See more 06/29/2013 Tout le monde devrait voir ce film pour comprendre le fléau des commotions cérébrales dans le sport See more 02/10/2013 As someone with a chronic neurologic disorder that causes constant headaches, it was hard to watch some of these kids and parents justify the risk of suffering lifelong brain damage to continue playing sports. I love hockey, and sports in general, but it's sobering and in some ways encouraging to see science catching up to what most should intuitively know. repeatedly hitting your head has consequences... See more 02/06/2013 As a dad of a child that plays football and another that plays lacrosse, this is a scary movie to see. There is one scene in this film where they are interviewing a doctor about concussions and that scene is one of the scariest scenes in a movie I have seen since The Shining. See more Read all reviews
Head Games

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Movie Info

Synopsis Bob Costas, Christopher Nowinski and Cindy Parlow Cone are among those interviewed in a look at the issue of concussions in sports.
Director
Steve James
Producer
Steve James, Bruce Sheridan
Distributor
Variance Films
Production Co
Head Games the Film
Rating
PG-13 (Sports Violence/Injuries|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 21, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$11.2K
Runtime
1h 31m
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