Rialto Film Series Presents: Friday Night Lights at Rialto Center for the Arts

Smalltown Odessa, Texas, may be failing economically and racially divided, but one thing keeps locals going: Friday night football. The hometown Permian Panthers have a big winning tradition, led by QB Mike Winchell (Lukas Black) and superstar tailback Boobie Miles (Derek Luke) until he suffers a career-ending injury in the season opener. Though hope for the team is initially lost among Odessa denizens, Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) somehow summons the Panthers’ rise to a huge season comeback. Now on their way to state, where everything is on the line, the Panthers must go out and be perfect, because they may never matter this much for the rest of their lives. With supporting roles by Tim McGraw, Connie Britton and Amber Heard, this 2004 football classic and winner of the Best Sports Movie ESPY Award is presented with the Rialto’s recently upgraded digital projector, screen and sound system.