Xpress, the Coolest Section of the St. Petersburg Times, is the home for features, news and views of interest to young readers. Most of the work in Xpress, which appears on Mondays in Floridian, is produced by the Times' X-Team. The team of journalists ages 9-17 from around the Tampa Bay area is selected every year at the end of the school year to serve during the following school term. The current team of 12 was chosen out of 150 applicants. Watch for X-Team application forms in Xpress during the month of May.
Read the reviews by Xpress Film Critic Billy Norris
TV preview
A blind wrestler fights to fit in
By JAMIE SHERMAN
Published March 15, 2004
Going to the Mat
Rating: TV-G
Summary: Jace Newfield (Andrew Lawrence) is a blind, and determined, high schooler. After leaving behind his New York high school and reputation as a music star, Jace needs to find a way to fit into his new school in Utah. Realizing that his drumming won't take him far at his new school, Jace takes up wrestling, using his other heightened senses to compensate for his lack of sight. With many challenges along the way, from trying to prove himself to a peer (Billy Aaron Brown) to finding himself in a relationship with the coach's daughter (Alessandra Toreson), Jace learns to accept his disability while showing just how much he can do.
My view/recommendations: Going to the Mat is a touching story. Whether you are interested in wrestling or not, you can relate to this film. Trying to prove he is just a normal teen, Jace does so much more. Andrew Lawrence portrays a character who is fun to watch. New music flows throughout the film and is one of the best parts of this movie. I would recommend Going to the Mat to everyone, including parents. The movie premieres at 8 p.m. Friday on the Disney Channel.
Bottom line: Watch this movie. It's a heartwarming story that will leave you feeling like you, too, have accomplished something great.
Grade: A
Jamie Sherman, 17, is in 12th grade at Clearwater Central Catholic High.
