Mystery, Alaska

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Mystery, Alaska ★★½ 1999 (R)

Amiable sports comedy that plays like a TV movie (with a little more sex and language). Journalist and ex-local Charles Danner (Azaria) does a Sports Illustrated feature on his hometown's weekly cutthroat hockey game. Danner's story draws NHL interest and, for a publicity stunt, the New York Rangers fly in for an exhibition game. This leads to hurt feelings since aging team captain (and local sheriff) John Biebe (Crowe) is asked to step aside for young phenom Stevie Weeks (Northcott). Expect cliches. 118m/C VHS, DVD . Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack, Burt Reynolds, Ron Eldard, Lolita (David) Davidovich, Colm Meaney, Maury Chaykin, Ryan Northcott, Scott Grimes, Judith Ivey, Rachel Wilson, Mike Myers; Cameos: Little Richard; D: Jay Roach; W: David E. Kelley, Sean O'Byrne; C: Peter Deming; M: Carter Burwell.