The Longshots

Another based-on-a-true story about a team of misfit athletes has enough trick plays to rise above the typical formula. Director Durst, Limp Bizkit's apparently multi-talented frontman, sticks to a genuine and authentic aesthetic for the story's hard-luck backdrop of Minton, Illinois, where eleven-year-old honor roll student Jasmine (Palmer) is stuck with her unemployed Uncle Curtis (Ice Cube), a broken down ex-jock who discovers that she has a surprisingly strong throwing arm and persuades her to try out for the local football team. Jasmine ends up becoming the first girl to play quarterback in Pop Warner. Palmer's performance is honest and compelling and is a highlight in a film that skips cliche and hyperbole in favor of a nice warm vibe.