Hot Docs 2018 Reviews: The Game Changers and The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man

May 05, 2018- Permalink

The Game Changers

The Game Changers, from director Louis Psihoyos, examines the benefits of a plant-based diet and uses examples from several elite athletes to turn the notion that a vegan can’t be strong on its head.

Our guide through this doc is James Wilks, a UFC fighter and special forces martial arts trainer, who turned to a plant-based diet after an injury. His experience showed a faster recovery time and he sets out to talk with other elite athletes who have made the jump. There’s ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek, heavyweight boxer, Bryant Jennings, strongman Patrik Baboumian, cycling champion Dotsie Bausch and weightlifter Kendrick Farris all of whom showed improvements in their strength, endurance and recovery when they switched to a plant-based diet. They tackle the myths and marketing of the meat industry head on. When strongman Baboumian’s friends asked how a man could be as strong as an ox without eating animals, Baboumian shot back, “When was the last time you saw an ox eat meat?”

A trio of football players are led through a series of tests by a doctor who shows them evidence that the pre-game ritual of eating platefuls of meat protein may in fact be hurting their game. Meanwhile, body building and entertainment icon Arnold Schwarzenegger suggests that those wary of going vegan try a meatless Monday and points out that the move has environmental impacts too. If you’re dead set against being vegan or vegetarian, you might not switch, but those who enter The Game Changers with an open mind will at least leave the cinema planning to give it a try.

We’ve all heard the odd news report or story passed from friend to friend about beloved actor Bill Murray suddenly joining a touch football game or appearing at someone’s house party. Is it true? Is it a myth? In The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man, director Tommy Avallone sets out to document sightings of this comedic Bigfoot.

Avallone tracks down several people who have been part of these encounters. There’s the wedding photographer whose engagement shots were added to by a surprise Murray appearance. The bartender who served Murray only to have him hop behind the bar and serve shots all night. Reporters and colleagues suggest that this is equal parts Murray’s improv training – you say yes to every situation presented – and his life philosophy. In an age where everyone walks around glued to their phones, perhaps Murray’s gift to us is to remind us to always be present and in the moment.

The doc meanders at times, but it is otherwise a sweet look at Bill Murray’s delightful traits.

For more information on the 2018 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and for tickets and showtimes visit hotdocs.ca.