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Head Games

Play trailer Poster for Head Games PG-13 Released Sep 21, 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

View All (34) Critics Reviews
Adam Nayman The Grid 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. Rated: 7/10 Oct 3, 2012 Full Review Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune It's solid and interesting work in the main, but Head Games can't help but feel like a come-down after The Interrupters. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 28, 2012 Full Review Brian Tallerico HollywoodChicago.com 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. Rated: 3.5/5.0 Sep 28, 2012 Full Review Mark Pfeiffer Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema The film struggles with the contradiction of knowing the serious risks while enjoying the games as participant and spectator. Rated: B Feb 4, 2013 Full Review Christopher Long Movie Metropolis 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. Rated: 7/10 Dec 13, 2012 Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy A bit more palatable than most "let me teach you a lesson"-style non-fiction films. Rated: 7/10 Nov 16, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (11) audience reviews
Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member A little disjointed at parts, but very informative and the stories & questions posed are quite engaging. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Tout le monde devrait voir ce film pour comprendre le fléau des commotions cérébrales dans le sport Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member 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... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Head Games

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Cast & Crew

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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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