I’ve always liked Sean Patrick Flanery, and I’m not just saying that because we happen to be friends in real life – what can I say, he’s from Texas, we all know each other here. From the moment I saw him in THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES in the early 1990s (playing a teenage Indy), there was just something about him I found engaging and impressive. As he got older, I followed him in THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, POWDER and SUICIDE KINGS, and always found him to be a welcome face on the big or small screen. When given the right material, he can be really great, and I’ve been waiting for another showcase film for him to come along… BORN A CHAMPION might just be that. Telling the true story of MMA legend Mickey Kelley, one of the first American black belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, this material hits close to home for Sean I’m sure as he actually owns a martial arts training dojo in Houston, TX (and has been quite open about his fascination with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). In BORN A CHAMPION, Flanery co-stars with the great Dennis Quaid, along with Katrina Bowden, Reno Wilson, Currie Graham, and Costas Mandylor. The film is directed by Alex Ranarivelo (DIRT, THE RIDE), and the screenplay is co-writter by Flanery and Ranarivelo. This is a pretty great trailer, definitely has me interested. Check it out and tell us your thoughts in the comments below. You can pre-order the Blu-ray here.
Dennis Quaid (The Day After Tomorrow) and Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints) headline this powerful martial arts action film about the love for family and the drive for greatness. After a blood- soaked jujitsu match in Dubai, fighting legend Mickey Kelley (Flanery) falls to superstar Blaine. But years later, an online video proves that Blaine cheated, and the world demands a rematch. Can the aging underdog get back into shape in time to vanquish his foe, get revenge, and claim his prize?
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
