I am looking for good Baseball movies [NEW W/ POLL]
by cubswgnrocks
on Jul 7, 2008 12:40 PM CDT
I am looking for good baseball movies to watch. I have seen Field of Dreams ("If you build it, he will come..."). I have seen the Natural. I have seen Rookie of the Year (1993). I am looking for some good family friendly movies to watch about America's Pastime.
I have a definite feeling that we can easily take two out of three from the Reds and Dusty. Then we take two out of three from the Bay guys. That is 4-6. not bad!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Sandlot is an alltime great.
For Love of the Game was decent.
"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07
by RynoHoF on Jul 7, 2008 12:49 PM CDT 0 recs
Sandlot is the best!
Geovany Soto you're my Hero
by love the ivy on
Jul 7, 2008 1:17 PM CDT
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The Pride of the Yankees
The Pride of the Yankees with Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright would be the one I would recommend. Babe Ruth and Bill Dickey have cameos in the movie. I don’t like the Yankees, but it’s a great film!
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Jul 7, 2008 12:50 PM CDT 0 recs
You must see 61*
Billy Crystal directs. Great performances. Best baseball movie ever.
"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse
by Goodie1969 on Jul 7, 2008 12:50 PM CDT 0 recs
Some Foul Language, But Great Film
I don’t know what is meant by “family friendly”. There is foul language and a revealing shot of Thomas Jane’s hip. 61* is the best baseball film since the 1980’s. I loved seeing Tom Candiotti fill the role of Hoyt Wilhelm. The actual baseball played in the picture is of high quality.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on
Jul 7, 2008 1:00 PM CDT
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Yeah you're right about some of the language
Forgot he said “family-friendly.” I heard Maris’ widow came to the set one day, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Barry Pepper out on the field in Roger’s old uniform. She said he had all of her husband’s mannerisms down pat, and looked exactly like him.
"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse
by Goodie1969 on
Jul 7, 2008 1:10 PM CDT
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Im Shocked!
No one has mentioned Bull Durham or This Old Cub. I cant watch This Old Cub without bawling my eyes out! Also, Wait ‘Til Next year is also a classic. You can never go wrong with A League Of Their own, great movie with Tom Hanks at his best.
"Okay, just so I understand it...in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil."- Jim Halpert
by ryanbrixenivy on
Jul 7, 2008 3:20 PM CDT
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Why has nobody mentioned Bull Durham?
Those two little words: “Family. Friendly.”
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
by Cool Hand on
Jul 8, 2008 3:24 AM CDT
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Totally agree on 61*
Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper are excellent in this movie.
Can't wait for the Cubs in '08!!!
by fuzzycubfan on
Jul 7, 2008 8:34 PM CDT
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What holds me back on 61*
is the lies. Maris NEVER had a chair thrown at him.
But seeing Brian from The Breakfast Club play Whitey Ford was hysterical.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on
Jul 8, 2008 6:42 AM CDT
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If you can handle a GREAT movie at a slow pace...
then watch Bang the Drum Slowly.
by jbertram on Jul 7, 2008 12:56 PM CDT 0 recs
+1
Still my all-time favorite baseball movie – gets to me every time.
a win is a win.
by JoToPo on
Jul 7, 2008 1:38 PM CDT
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+1 for that one, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Jul 7, 2008 3:53 PM CDT
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+1 more...
Good film, not just a good baseball movie.
by MN exile on
Jul 7, 2008 5:33 PM CDT
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Some older and charming classics
Rhubarb and It Happens Every Spring. Very family friendly.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 7, 2008 12:56 PM CDT 0 recs
my 2 cents
haven’t watched these in awhile. and your definition of “family friendly” and mine may differ. i don’t recall massive swearing or violence in either, but they’re not disney movies.
eight men out is pretty great.
and i second the sandlot mention, but also want to throw out the under-appreciated “hardball.”
you can’t really go wrong with 61, either. great movie. just might be a touch over the head of some kids.
by billywan on Jul 7, 2008 1:02 PM CDT 0 recs
Bad News Bears
Oscar Madison coaching little league…nuff said.
by StevenABQ on Jul 7, 2008 1:04 PM CDT 0 recs
Yeah that was my 2nd choice. Love that movie!
"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse
by Goodie1969 on
Jul 7, 2008 1:05 PM CDT
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Of course...
Not really family friendly…unless you call rampant acts of alcoholism (including staight up DWI) “family friendly”.
by StevenABQ on
Jul 7, 2008 1:07 PM CDT
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I'd recommend "A League Of Their Own"
very entertaining and family friendly
by bluekoolaide on Jul 7, 2008 1:18 PM CDT 0 recs
A League of Their Own
depnds on what we are qualifying as family friendly, but this is a great movie and I don’t recall a lot of cussing, maybe some suggestive things, but I think it’s alright.
Geovany Soto you're my Hero
by love the ivy on Jul 7, 2008 1:19 PM CDT 0 recs
Bull Durham....
I still think is the best movie ever made about baseball.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Jul 7, 2008 1:20 PM CDT 0 recs
Just one more dying quail...
And you’re in Yankee Stadium
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on
Jul 7, 2008 1:32 PM CDT
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I have a hard time
Considering Bull Durham a movie about baseball. Baseball is a backdrop to the storyline (which happens to be a love story). Don’t get me wrong its a great flick. Its one of those sports movies you can at least get your wife/gf to watch. Pretty much movies like this that prevent me from scratching my eyes out during some sappy story on the Lifetime channel.
by StevenABQ on
Jul 7, 2008 1:49 PM CDT
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Absolutely right
my all-time favorite baseball movie but not exactly family friendly.
by bluekoolaide on
Jul 7, 2008 2:15 PM CDT
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If you watch it on TBS it is....lol
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on
Jul 7, 2008 4:30 PM CDT
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I second that 100%
“That ball got outta here so fast it should have had a stewardess on it!”
I've told you a million times never to exaggerate!!
by pscrblazer on
Jul 7, 2008 2:23 PM CDT
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Joe E Brown Cub Double Feature
How about Elmer the Great and Alibi Ike from the 1930’s? Joe E Brown, as Elmer Kane and Frank Farrell, plays for the Cubs in both movies. I love how these movies end. I first saw these pictures in 1989, right before the NLCS between the Cubs and Giants.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Jul 7, 2008 1:22 PM CDT 0 recs
MAJOR LEAGUE!!!
Just stay away from the 3rd one.::cringes::
Jim Edmonds has seriously become my favorite player. WHAT'S HAPPENING????
by Cub Style on Jul 7, 2008 1:24 PM CDT 0 recs
This list begins and ends with Bull Durham
If that isn’t friendly enough for your family, then get a different family
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 7, 2008 1:32 PM CDT 0 recs
Or use it as an opportunity
to explain the joy of kinky sex to your children.
"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse
by Goodie1969 on
Jul 7, 2008 1:33 PM CDT
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If you have a method
That does not involve murder, I’m all ears.
by StevenABQ on
Jul 7, 2008 1:40 PM CDT
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Can't vouch for the quality
but try Mr. Baseball and Fever Pitch for the older family members, and Angels in the Outfield and Little Big League for the kiddies.
And ED for the brain dead.
by johnnywishbone on Jul 7, 2008 1:36 PM CDT 0 recs
Just FYI.
When some friends of mine saw “Fever Pitch”, they said, “That’s you!”
And they’re right. Mostly.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Jul 7, 2008 3:54 PM CDT
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Fever Pitch
gets me teary eyed especially towards the end when they recap just how the Red Sox pulled off winning it all. I am sure its me just wishing with all my might that the Cubs will do that sooner raither than later. It’s right behind Field of Dreams on the tear-meter.
Geovany Soto you're my Hero
by love the ivy on
Jul 8, 2008 2:24 AM CDT
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Eight Men Out - one of my favorite all time movies
Also – have to agree with the Sandlot recommendation
by Texas Wahoo on Jul 7, 2008 1:39 PM CDT 0 recs
i was going to say this one
great film about the black sox scandal
"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto
by CubbyBlues on
Jul 7, 2008 1:52 PM CDT
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Eight Men Out = The Best IMO
Extremely authentic replication of the era. And a good tale to boot. And my gal Nancy Travis is in it!
Eat More Katsui
by CaliCub on
Jul 7, 2008 6:39 PM CDT
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Dig Deep for this Classic
“It happens every Spring”. The only bad part is the Cardinals win the pennant by Cheating.
by ourtimehascome on Jul 7, 2008 1:43 PM CDT 0 recs
yep, sandlot is...
an all-time classic, the rookie w/ dennis quaid, for the love of the game…all good family friendly…
other than that, major league is a great flick
You ARE freaking out MAN!
by crw89 on Jul 7, 2008 3:19 PM CDT 0 recs
I was surprised by how much I liked "Fever Pitch"
considering that I’m usually automatically anti anything that involves Jimmy Fallon or the Red Sox but this was a genuinely good little movie that did a good job of portraying what it means to be completely devoted to one team-just substitute the Cubs for the Red Sox and I could relate to the main character.
BTW-yes, “The Scout” WAS terrible-one of my all-time worsts.
“Little Big League” I thought was underrrated.
Love the original “Bad News Bears’ but hated the pointless remake.
by bluekoolaide on Jul 7, 2008 3:22 PM CDT 0 recs
FYI on "Fever Pitch" again...
... the ending had to be rewritten when the Red Sox made the World Series that year (the writers had originally expected that, as they hadn’t for many years, they wouldn’t again).
The ending was shot on the field during Game 4 of the Series in St. Louis, where the Red Sox actually won it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Jul 7, 2008 3:55 PM CDT
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I was actually pleasantly surprised by the BNB remake....
.....since the original came out when I myself was in little league and holds a close place in my heart.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on
Jul 7, 2008 4:30 PM CDT
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Naaaa...
Have to disagree, the remake was simply a re-hashed and watered down version of the original screenplay. All they did was take out the controversial elements that would not be considered PC today, and then your left with kids that really arn’t funny. Can’t beat a classic.
by StevenABQ on
Jul 7, 2008 4:55 PM CDT
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and you expected what?
An R-rated version of the new BNB? They had to do that stuff. Everything’s PC’d to death these days.
Still prefer the original, but I expected the remake to suck hard, and it didn’t.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on
Jul 7, 2008 9:40 PM CDT
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I don't see the point of re-making a classic like BNB in the first place
but if it does get remade, you’d think they would’ve at least tried to do something different with it (and, no, I don’t mean make it R rated). To present the same material pretty much unaltered seemed like a waste of time.
by bluekoolaide on
Jul 8, 2008 8:19 AM CDT
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The
origional Angels in the Outfield (1951) is much better than the 1994 Danny Glover remake. Plus it was shot at Forbes Field, so that’s neat. And that’s definatly a family film…
Moose
Hubbs!
by moose97 on Jul 7, 2008 3:53 PM CDT 0 recs
For Love of the Game
Its a real baseball movie. It does have a “love story” in it but its a great movie. Kevin Kostner is a real baseball guy. I think it shows the truth about pitchers and how they do what they do on the mound in a game. I watch it on DVD all the time, and it never gets old.
by pickupman21 on Jul 7, 2008 4:29 PM CDT 0 recs
Best movie. Ever.
On second thought…
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on Jul 7, 2008 6:00 PM CDT 0 recs
wow
I loved that stupid movie.
It reminds me of this game we came up with several drunken Labor days ago called Whiffle Beer. I have a patten pending, so don’t get any ideas! Basically you need a table, 4 shot glasses(for the bases and home plate), whiffle balls and bat, and lots of beer. You fill up the four shot glasses, then bat. once you hit the ball you have to drink all four shots before someone from the opposing team tags you with the ball. If you don’t get through all of them its an out. A more fun version of homerun derby for drinkers I guess. Try it, you will like it!
Geovany Soto you're my Hero
by love the ivy on
Jul 8, 2008 2:32 AM CDT
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Family friendly baseball movies...
...and no one has mentioned “The Rookie?” It’s a Disney-movie, for crying out loud….and REALLY good…..Dennis Quaid convincingly pulls off a baseball pitcher.
by Chadnudj on Jul 7, 2008 6:29 PM CDT 0 recs
+1 for "The Rookie".
Had forgotten about that one. And it’s a true story, which makes it even better.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Jul 8, 2008 4:01 AM CDT
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Little Big League isn't bad
its family friendly.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
by DTJchris on Jul 7, 2008 6:30 PM CDT 0 recs
Damn Yankees, Anyone?
Family friendly for the most part, and one of my all time favorite lines from the movies:
“Wives! They give me more problems than the Methodis Church!”
Eat More Katsui
by CaliCub on Jul 7, 2008 6:38 PM CDT 0 recs
The Bingo Long Travelling All Stars and Motor Kings
is a forgotten gem. I second/third/fourth a ton of the movies mentioned above: The Rookie, Field of Dreams, Damn Yankees, Major League, Pride of the Yankees, 61*, The Sandlot, Bad News Bears, This Old Cub…
But I hadn’t seen any mention of this one, and it’s one of my favorites. As far as I remember it’s family friendly, plus as a story about the barnstorming teams of the Negro Leagues, it’s a good history lesson for the kids. The baseball action is well done, the characters are well drawn out representations of Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson, and the movie is a fast-paced and funny look at some of baseball’s forgotten heroes.
This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
by HectorVillanueva on Jul 7, 2008 7:34 PM CDT 0 recs
Up For Grabs...
...is a really interesting and thoughtful documentary about the ball Bonds hit for his 73rd HR in 2001 and the big fight that ensued over its ownership. Highly recommended.
The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) is also quite good….with Jackie playing himself.
I’m also a big Bull Durham fan…..and Damn Yankees is great….
"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983
"The only thing that bothers me is that I would never want to destroy the love and what the fans of Chicago are to the Chicago Cubs. I mean, God knows. If there's one pure thing in baseball, it is the fans of Chicago." - Lee Elia, 2008
by CaughtInTheVines on Jul 7, 2008 8:43 PM CDT 0 recs
THE FAN with DeNiro and Snipes
...just kidding
"That’s what I love about my skip, man. He’ll tell you that you suck...I know I suck. We know we suck...Yeah, we suck. But we’ll see who sucks at the end."
- Gary Sheffield
by DrGalazkiewicz on Jul 7, 2008 9:25 PM CDT 0 recs
The Final Season
Its the true story of the Norway, Iowa high school baseball team that won 20 state championships in 24 years.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449018/
"Without me to keep the saber-magicians and drool monkeys in check, this blog is narrow minded and non-challenged opinion sharing with much less traffic. I am the straw that stirs the drink." #17 in Cubbie World According to MDBNIU
by hoppy91 on Jul 7, 2008 9:42 PM CDT 0 recs
Long Gone
A vastly underrated gem of a movie! Captures the feel of minor league baseball in the 1950’s. William Petersen and the very lovely Virginia Madsen. Can’t say enough good things about this movie. One of my alltime faves.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on Jul 8, 2008 12:05 AM CDT 0 recs
How many women are in your family?
I’ve found that a lot of women don’t get “Field of Dreams”
Sure, they like it. They think it is cute. They marvel at the fact that Kevin Costner once had great hair.
But they don’t cry when Ray says, “Dad? Wanna have a catch?” They don’t get chills when Dr. Graham walks off the field to save Ray’s daughter. They don’t roll around on the floor when Terry says to Ray, “I’m going to beat you with a crowbar, until you go away.”
Women are really an inferior species at times.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 8, 2008 6:45 AM CDT 0 recs
The "Crowbar" Line
Used to have it on my answering machine back in my younger and crazier days.
Eat More Katsui
by CaliCub on
Jul 8, 2008 10:03 AM CDT
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Please don't tar us all
. . .with that brush. I bought that DVD just so I could see the “Wanna have a catch?” moment whenever I want to.
by bjs on
Jul 8, 2008 10:46 AM CDT
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"Wanna have a catch"
Doesn’t ring true to me. I never heard that line my entire life until that movie came out. Growing up in Chicago it was always, “do you wanna PLAY catch”.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on
Jul 8, 2008 12:05 PM CDT
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Hey Me Too
Guess they talk kinda funny in Ioway.
Eat More Katsui
by CaliCub on
Jul 8, 2008 12:41 PM CDT
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Women are really an inferior species at times.
Wow, I hope that’s a failed attempt at humor on your part.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on
Jul 8, 2008 1:48 PM CDT
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Out of context much?
Sheesh.
I also submit that if the line was correct, “Wanna play catch?” then it would not resonate with the world as it has.
But the real question, bjs, is do you cry? I’ve yet to meet a woman who does.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on
Jul 8, 2008 2:15 PM CDT
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Overgeneralization much? Taking a conclusion too far much?
Men and women are different, I don’t think that makes them inferior. And there are quite a few who probably enjoy playing catch more than you.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on
Jul 8, 2008 4:32 PM CDT
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Depending upon what you consider family friendly...
...I would have to go with The Naked Gun. Absolutely hilarious from start to finish. As you probably know, the movie centers on a plot to assassinate the Queen of England at an Angels game. To foil this, Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) pretends to be the famous opera singer Enrico Palazzo and sings the national anthem. Later he assumes the role of the home plate umpire and hilarity ensues. I saw it when it came out in 1988 and was 9 at the time.
As others have mentioned, The Sandlot and Field of Dreams.
by John Q Freejazz on Jul 8, 2008 7:42 AM CDT 0 recs
And the scenes from that "Angels" game...
... were shot at Dodger Stadium.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Jul 8, 2008 8:20 AM CDT
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By the same token...
Here are some to avoid:
“Major League III.” - This was the moment I realized that one of my favorite TV actors - Scott Bakula, really isn’t that good. Bad times.
“Stealing Home”—Someone earlier called “Bull Durham” a chick movie. This makes “Bull Durham” look like “Die Hard.”
“Major League II”—Actually, if you think you might enjoy watching Charlie Sheen celebrating the greatness that is Charlie Sheen, give this a try. Someone forgot to tell him he wasn’t the most interesting character in the first movie.
“For the Love of the Game”—I think the Kevin Costner character was on HGH
“The Fan”—Yes, we play baseball while under a Hurricane Watch. Morons. Also, John Kruk was in it, and two things can happen to something that comes near John Kruk. He either eats it or he makes it suck.
The final 5 minutes of “A League of Their Own.” We could have done without the creepy old ladies playing baseball. I slept with the light on after seeing that. Shut the movie off after Geena Davis gets in the car with her husband.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 8, 2008 8:36 AM CDT 0 recs
"Creepy old ladies"?
That’s not a very nice way of treating the women who actually played in that league, many of whom are still alive and who deserve recognition and got it in that movie. Shame on you.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Jul 8, 2008 9:01 AM CDT
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Old people scare me
It’s a phobia. I probably will refuse to look in the mirror after I turn 60.
I’m very happy they got recognition. The entire movie was about giving them recognition. But I also thought the ending - my old people phobia aside - was a very clunky bit of exposition and when one of them broke out in song? Blech.
And old Rosie O’Donnell and Madonna? Yipes!
I did like the scene where Stillwell sees his mother’s picture and he gets a sad little smile on his face.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on
Jul 8, 2008 9:08 AM CDT
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