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Artie Wilson
Realtor and owner of Artie Wilson & Associates, and sports analyst for ESPN 1420

What is your official title/occupation? Realtor and owner of Artie Wilson & Associates, and sports analyst for ESPN 1420/Oceanic Time Warner.

Where and with whom did you see the movie? Ward movie complex with Marie Frever.

Overall, what did you think? It was a very good movie with many life lessons. Watching the movie brought back many memories of discussions I had with my dad, who knew and played with and against Jackie Robinson, and who shared with me the joy of playing pro baseball even under sometimes less than ideal situations.

Without giving away the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes? There were many – when Pee Wee Reese (Lucas Black) put his arm around Jackie (Chadwick Boseman) on the field, when Jackie threw the ball to a young boy when boarding the train, and when Branch Rickey hugged Jackie in the tunnel below the dugout after a very difficult on-field experience.

On a scale of one to four stars, what would you rate this film?

What did you think of the cinematography? Very good, well-shot, realistic examples of baseball and teams playing. It was well done.

Was the message/theme clear? I think so. There were many messages that impact you – teamwork, having a strong conviction, overcoming obstacles, understanding how racism affected lives and what it took to overcome barriers.

Did it remind you of any other work in film? In a small way, you got a similar feeling of Remember the Titans.

To whom would you recommend this movie? To all, especially young people, athletes and teams would benefit. Plus, anyone interested in American history and how sports helped bridge the racial barriers in the ’40s and ’50s.

Did any of the actors stand out?

Harrison Ford, Chad Bosman, Nicole Beharie and Andre Holland.

Did you identify with any of the characters? Having been the son of a professional baseball player and having played baseball myself, I could identify in a very small way with Jackie and his struggles as a player. Very few could have gone through what men like Jackie Robinson and my dad went through.

Would you buy this movie when it comes out on DVD? Absolutely; it’s one for the movie library and one to share with young people who need to know about the history of baseball.

What’s your favorite movie snack? Raisinettes, but I’m forced to endure the popcorn and mochi crunch.

On a different note, what’s new with you? I am continuing my real estate career with my new company, Artie Wilson & Associates. I enjoy helping people attain the American Dream of home ownership, and also I get a thrill with the many repeat clients, moving them to other investments. I enjoy the sports scene with my career broadcasting UH basketball and hosting a weekly sports talk show On Point with Artie Wilson at 9 a.m. Friday mornings on ESPN 1420AM.