All eyes are on the ball, while the future screams from the sidelines.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 2, 2012

Undefeated works the whole macho-sentimental template so vigorously and well it's practically a reflexive response to cry foul, but you'd have to find heroic reserves of cynicism not to care at all about the precarious fortunes of these unformed bruisers.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 2, 2012

A watchable movie, no question. But perhaps best filed under guilty pleasures.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 2, 2012

Can take its place proudly alongside the best in the genre.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 2, 2012

'Undefeated' is no 'Hoop Dreams', but it's sturdily built and worthwhile.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 31, 2012

It may be a film that feels rather than analyses, but Undefeated is a compelling, uplifting experience that can't fail to move even the most US football-phobic.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 30, 2012

Instead, they show the universality of what it is he's trying to teach, how color doesn't necessarily bar one from being able to connect with these boys on a fundamental level.

| Original Score: 3.4/4 | Apr 14, 2012

Even though the film relies on many of the clichs of the form, Undefeated is a masterfully crafted work that honestly scores a touchdown.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 6, 2012

"Undefeated" doesn't have a deep penetration of poverty and race in its playbook, but it does have enough heart to make substantial forward progress.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 6, 2012

It's a surprisingly moving, emotional film, even for those who (like me) know little of football; by its end, you just might be blinking away a few tears.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 29, 2012

[A] winning documentary.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 16, 2012

It is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make -- and of the consequences when no one is willing to make that difference.

| Original Score: B+ | Mar 16, 2012

[A] stirring, emotional portrait of a high school football team in the impoverished neighborhood of North Memphis, Tenn.

| Mar 16, 2012

It's a bit too long and a bit too vague at times, but this is a film about dedication, progress and the bond of human effort. It just also happens to include football.

| Original Score: B+ | Mar 16, 2012

"Undefeated'' needs less of what we know we've seen (the football stuff) and more of the players' and coaches' lives, which even if we feel we've seen, we haven't.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Mar 15, 2012

What makes this a terrific film is how much we care about the players.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Mar 15, 2012

Courtney really does believe all that stuff about adversity and character, and the film is moving for its modest tale of boys learning to act like men.

| Mar 8, 2012

This is one of the best sports documentaries of the last few years and while I don't think it should have won in a VERY good year for non-fiction film, I'm really not upset at all that it did.

| Original Score: 4.5/5.0 | Mar 2, 2012

The hardened inner-city kids here are far more authentic than anything Hollywood can offer, and as a result the film has a raw emotional weight that commercial features rarely achieve.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 2, 2012

This film is distinctly minor league. But it does provide the thumbs-up emotional lift of a bumper-sticker message on game day.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Mar 2, 2012