1999, 2 hrs 40 min., Rated R for strong language and some nudity/sexuality. Dir: Oliver Stone. Cast: Al Pacino (Coach Tony D'Amato), Jaime Foxx (Willie Beaman), Cameron Diaz (Christina Pagniacci), Dennis Quaid ('Cap' Rooney), James Woods (Dr. Harvey Mandrake), Ann-Margaret (Margaret Pagniacci), L.L. Cool J (Julian Washington #33), Lawrence Taylor ('Shark'), Matthew Modine (Dr. Allie Powers), Lauren Holly (Cindy ooney), Jim Brown (Montezuma Monroe), Bill Belamy (Jimmy Sanderson #88), Elizabeth Berkley (Mandy), Aaron Eckhart (Nick Crozier), Charlton Heston (Commissioner).

Oliver Stone's newest project, Any Given Sunday, is frenetic, kinetic and sometimes pathetic, while being full of chicks, pricks, and plenty of hard licks.

The overlong "talking" scenes (as opposed to the "game" or "party" ones) in the middle of the long film probably wouldn't drag down the tone of any other movie, but in Sunday they feel like a weak cup of tea compared to the energy of the game scenes that are hopped up on two lattes and a plate of sugar cookies.

Apparently Stone knew this, which has to be why no scene is free from his touch of inserting five-frame flashbacks and lightning in order to keep you awake, accompanied by some rap, metal or hip-hop music. Stone also uses a technique I first saw in the original The Thomas Crown Affair, separating the screen into several boxes of shots. This is most definitely a film for the MTV generation that requires something different every ten seconds to prevent boredom.

Amid all the hoopla Stone tries to insert a message of redemption, of accepting change, of teamwork being more important than winning and losing. It's clear that Stone is old school, and appreciates the history of football and its purity, and decries the spirit of money and winning over everything. I have no problem with this since I'm old-fashioned as well.

Unlike Stone, though, I believe that not every person is evil. Not one character in Stone's professional football universe is free from corruption. More than once I think I've found a decent person, only to have Stone pull the rug out from under my feet by making that character turn to the dark side.

I do not care for this movie. It is a throwaway, one that I've seen, not I'll sink it deep in the recesses of my brain, not caring to watch it on HBO or even TBS in five years. Stone's direction is uncoordinated and herky-jerky, ranging from slow motion to loud to silent with no fixed point of reference, and the game action is so jerky you can't tell what's going on half the time.

The one thing I did truly like was the dramatic turn of events that takes place during the credits, so stick around should you see the picture.

I can't fault the performances of the sizeable cast, because they did their jobs amicably. Plus, there are several NFL veterans and coaches sprinkled about in cameos that keeps it interesting. I find it amusing that Stone recruited estranged former Dallas Cowboy coach Barry Switzer as a commentator for the game between the Miami Sharks and Texas Knights--obviously the Cowboys and in Texas Stadium no less.

Which is another awkward thing about Sunday: Stone did not have the cooperation of the National Football League to use its name or teams. Therefore, our heroes are the Sharks, and instead of the Super Bowl, everyone yearns to win the Pantheon Cup of the AFFA instead of NFL.

The name of the trophy is in accordance with Stone's constant reference to the game of football as a modern game of gladiators. A reference to Ben-Hur was much appreciated by me, though when I think about it I'm almost upset such a great movie inside a not-so-good one.

Those who came to the movie and had never seen an Oliver Stone film may enjoy it more, expecting less. Many behind me were ooh-ing and ah-ing at the hard hits, and laughing at the "checks" between arguing characters. So I'm sure they were entertained more than I was, but most likely were far more bored by the "talking." Maybe it evens out in the end. Thus, I can only give it two-and-a-half stars for what turned out to be a mediocre experience, which is a big negative when Oliver Stone is involved.