Chicks with Sticks

The title suggests that this movie is the sister companion to the Curling epic "Men With Brooms" and, indeed, it has many similarities: they are both set in small town Canada; their plot involves local sports heroes with one last chance at athletic victory and everlasting pride; they both star Peter Outerbridge. "Chicks With Sticks" has much to distinguish it to similar themed films like "Paperback Hero" or even "Slapshot". They even pay homage to the name "Chiefs" from the Paul Newman classics. Their female rivals have a very witty name considering they are trying to destroy their all-male team: they are called the Black Widows. The movie seems to be a labour of love for many of its hockey loving cast: singer Beverly Mahood, actress Margot Kidder, and actor Jason Priestley. It also includes Canada's star rapper Meechie Mee, who many will recognize from CBC's "Smart Ask" game show in 2003. Her scenes as the hip-hop playing DJ who gets Hutterite girls to shake their booty are what give this movie flavour, both local and visual. Many hockey fans will have missed the film's television premier as it aired at the same time as Calgary Flames first home game in the 2004 Stanley Cup finals. I was astute enough to have the VCR rolling. For those less fortunate, keep your eyes open for the next time it airs. "Chicks With Sticks" scores a winning goal for hockey lovers and movie lovers too.