ESPN has been in the film game for awhile now, but after a few failed attempts at creating original flicks, they've moved onto documentaries. While their originals were poorly thought out, and often very cheesy (see: 3), their docs have struck a chord more often than not.

Their latest effort is a colorization and look into the 1958 NFL Championship Game appears to be another step in the right direction, and after viewing this extended preview....I think you'd agree.

Hosted by Chris Berman, The Greatest Game Ever Played explores the most important game in NFL history to commemorate its 50th anniversary. ESPN Films has created an unprecedented look at this landmark event, which featured 17 Hall of Famers and the only NFL championship to be decided in overtime. The presentation will include new colorization/restoration technology and previously unseen footage of the game.

Additionally, to give viewers perspective about the impact of the 1958 NFL Championship Game on players then and now, ESPN Films brought together 11 surviving members of the legendary game and their modern day NFL counterparts from the past two Super Bowl champion teams - the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants. Pairings include Baltimore Colts star receiver Raymond Berry with current Colts head coach Tony Dungy; former Giants kicker Pat Summerall with current Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri; Giants running back Frank Gifford and Colts defensive end Gino Marchetti with current Giants head coach Tom Coughlin; Colts great Lenny Moore with current Giants running back Brandon Jacobs; former Giants linemen Al Barry and Rosie Grier with current Giants lineman Chris Snee; and former Colts star Art Donovan with newly retired Giants star Michael Strahan, among others

It's been awhile since we've had an ESPN "movie promotion" post, so this announcement comes with perfect timing. Jim Carey will appear on Monday Night Countdown with Chris Berman and the gang to promote his new movie "Yes Man".

Actor Jim Carrey, star of the upcoming Warner Brothers film The Yes Man, will appear on this week’s Monday Night Countdown in a pre-taped special segment. The piece will play off the theme of Carrey’s new film as he asks viewers a series of NFL-themed questions, answering an emphatic “YES” to all and getting increasingly excited as he progresses.

I always try to avoid the back-to-back ESPN posts, but I just couldn't pass on this item. ESPN is always looking for one movie or another to get into bed with, and was even helping to promote one as recently as last night. Monday Night Countdown used the theme from the new Bond movie (although not as much as I originally thought they would), but I've also posted on cross-promotions with "The Mummy 3", "The Gameplan" and "Live Free Or Die Hard". Well this week's movie collaboration comes with the DVD release of "Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and it's actually a much better promotion than any of the annoying ones they tried above.

Starting today, if you go to ESPN.com and search for the keyword "Indiana Jones", you'll be linked over to a set of videos. Seven university bands (Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, LSU, USC and Texas) have all performed, John Williams' Indiana Jones Theme and the school with the most votes with receive a $25K donation from Lucasfilm Ltd. for their school's band program.

I say that it's a good promotion for a few reasons but the obvious ones are the donation, it's not plastered all over ESPN.com or on Sports Center, and most importantly.....the song and performances are pretty badass. My vote is going to LSU not only because they have both the mascot and cheerleaders dressed as Indy (amazing look btw), but anytime you can give me a Les Miles cameo where he tells me to, "Have a great day"....I'm in your camp....

I thought that the Mummy previews were exclusive to NBC's coverage of the Olympics, but of course I was wrong. ESPN is going to get in on the action and they've got their first commercial with Steve Nash and Brendan Fraser...

Sage Steele was talking with Mark Wahlberg about his new movie "The Happening" and as she was closing she accidentally thanked Donnie instead. This obviously led to her admission that she was once a New Kids On The Block fan....

Say what you want about ESPN films, but this one looks like a winner if you ask me. ESPN is producing a two-hour documentary on Japanese Baseball and will more than likely show things about the Sport and Culture that have never been seen in America.

Slated to air in the Spring of 2008, the tentatively titled “Bobby V in Japan” will give baseball fans and viewers unprecedented access to Valentine and his team, while exploring the impact globalization has on the game’s present and future. Additionally, original online webisodes and written blogs detailing the production of the film and baseball life in Japan will be produced exclusively for ESPN.com’s Page 2.

The producers have been granted a rare inside look at a world mostly unknown to the American public. It’s a world where cheerleaders chant between innings, rock bands perform before each game and barbwires keep ecstatic fans from running onto the field.

In the essence of fairness (since people think I'm so "anti" ESPN) I'm just going to "report" on this new ESPN programming feature that you'll be sure to see in the weeks leading up to the network's first NASCAR telecast. You can decide if you think it's a good idea or not (in the comments).

ESPN will be kicking off "Ultimate NASCAR Week" in which it plans to air it's 11 hours of programming on the history of NASCAR.

ESPN Ultimate NASCAR has continued in July with three countdown shows: NASCAR’s Greatest Drivers, Hottest Rivalries and Biggest Races, and will culminate with “Old Spice Presents ESPN Ultimate NASCAR Week” – seven hours of NASCAR documentaries, including The Explosion, The Dirt; The Cars; Speed and Danger; and The Families.