In recent years, movies based on actual events have led down the Oscar road."We are Marshall" will not see that road, but is definitely worth your time and money. "We Are Marshall" tells the story of Marshall University's tragic loss in 1970.In November of 1970 the Marshall University football team, family members and fans stepped onto a plane unsuspecting of what might come to pass.Just short of the airport in West Virginia, the plane crashed killing all 75 passengers.The film opens with the tragic story, but the more inspirational part is how a school and town can heal from such a tragic experience.It focuses on how Coach Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) volunteers for the job that no one wants.Who would want to coach a team that has such ghosts?Coach Lengyel helps to rebuild a team and inspire the town to move on from their grieving.The town will never forget their tragic losses, but now they are able to move on and feel alive again.

Other actors in the film include Ian McShane, who plays a Board Member Paul Griffen who lost his son in the plane crash.Matthew Fox plays Coach Red Dawson who lives with the fact that he was suppose to be on the plane.There is also David Strathairn who plays President Donald Dedmon who decides that it is best to keep the football program alive after such a tragedy.Kate Mara plays Annie Cantrell who was engaged to Chris Griffen, the son of Paul Griffen.All of these people learn to heal from this experience.

I think that director, McG did a great job with honoring the lives of these people.He did it with style and this was a surprise to me.I am use to him being very flashy and MTVish.It was nice to see him do this with respect in mind.

I do not think that this movie, like other recent films based on actual events, will lead down the path to an Oscar, but I do feel that this movie was entertaining.It made me cry, laugh, cheer, and cry again.I think that sometimes entertainment and a good story are more important than an Oscar statue.