Sports Movies
Written while attending Louisiana State University and published in the Plaquemine Post South in 1991.
BY: DAVID B. GOURGUES
FILM - WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM SPORTS
With the summer months in full swing and the children out of school, baseball and softball games have suddenly taken precedent over books and studying. After watching my 12 year old cousin play baseball for the first time this summer, it came upon me that I should write about some films, that with a sport as their main subject, might just force you inside to get an air conditioned view of some of America's favorite pastimes.
Listed below, in no particular order, are some of the films that deal with sports, usually baseball, that I think are worth renting at one of Plaquemine's many video stores. My rating follows each summary.
The Natural: This well made baseball film starred Robert Redford in the title role as the mythical baseball hero, Roy Hobbs. The story, which takes place in the early part of this century was pure baseball pleasure. If you haven't seen this one, you do not know what you are missing.
My Rating: A-
Major League: A sort of Animal House goes to play baseball movie, the film starred Charlie Sheen (Navy Seals) and Corbin Bernstein (L. A. LAW) as a couple of "anything goes" ballplayers. A few good laughs and fun, but compared to the rest of this list, it is very mediocre.
My Rating: C-
Hoosiers: Gene Hackman, one of America's least appreciated actors, was superb as the Hickory High School basketball coach who leads a group of dedicated boys to the Indiana High School State Basketball Championship. Barbara Hershey turns in her usual stellar acting as the teacher whom Hackman falls in love with. Every high school basketball player, much less any athlete, should see this film.
My Rating: A
Bull Durham: Besides Dances With Wolves, this is Kevin Costner's finest film. Written and directed by Ron Shelton, this movie about the minor league baseball team, the Durham Bulls, is probably the best sports movie of the last decade. More about life than baseball, the script follows the life and games of Crash Davis (Costner) and his constant rejection from the game and the woman (Susan Sarandon) that he loves. Tim Robbins is perfect as the young pitcher that Costner must train for "The Show" (the major league). Don't miss this one, but keep the kids in their rooms. Shelton directed Everybody's All American starring Dennis Quaid in Baton Rouge.
My Rating: A+
Field of Dreams: Yes, Kevin Costner again! In this film that won writer Phil Alden Robertson an Oscar, Costner is the Iowa farmer who decides to put a baseball diamond in the middle of his corn fields. O. K. But remember the "voice" said to build it. Heck, after I saw the film, I wanted to put one in my backyard. Right!
My Rating: B+
Days of Thunder: Tom Cruise's race car movie was a disappointment at the box-office last summer, but received fairlydescent reviews from most critics. Driving race cars may be popular at Daytona but not at the movie theater. I still thought this was a movie worth seeing, especially because of the humorous role of Robert Duvall as Cruise's crew chief. This film was not Born on the Fourth of July, but Cruise is still the best young actor under 30 in Hollywood today.
My Rating: B