[teejers1]

Late to the party, several random observations:

To be enjoyable, sports flicks have to be somewhat tied to reality, and it bothers the heck out of me when the editors/directors screw up the basics.  I loved The Natural (and yes, the ending was ridiculously sappy), and a big part of that is that Robert Redford can clearly play some ball.  But a walk-off homer on the road in Chicago?  (When he finally reunites with Glen Close, his HS Sweetheart?).  And how about when Hobbs first (and finally) wows his temmates/coaches by being allowed to participate in batting practice?  You remember when he launches dinger after dinger?  Well, watch where he connects, watch his eyes after he hits the ball (following flight of the ball), but the editors screwed up when panning to his teammates/coaches.  For example, Redford goes oppo (while batting lefty) and the camera then flashes the pitcher and manager looking to the right field stands.  And how about when Redford gets his first hit for the Knights ("hit the cover off the ball"), and the game is called due to a brobdingnagian downpour with Redford standing on third base in a rain/mud drenched uniform.  Of course, in the next scene Redford is walking along side his manager (Brimley) talking about what just transpired on the field, in a spanking clean uniform.  C'mon now . . .

Also enjoyed Bull Durham for all the reasons cited in this thread, but it should also be noted that Kevin Costner can ball.  But Tim Robbins as Nuke LaLoosh?  Please.

Count me in group enjoying A League of Their Own (Hanks was terrific) and Eight Men Out. 

As for other flicks:  loved Lone Star and think Aliens belongs in any discusion of great flicks (scared the bejeezus out of me, as did Jaws).  Charlie Wilson's War is one of the best movies I've seen in last decade, but that doesn't mean too much as my movie viewing has been pretty limited.

Great all time scenes:  Joe Pesci in Good Fellas ("Funy how? . . . "); Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross ("Put that coffee down! . . . ABC . . . Always Be Closing . . . "); and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War ("The Helsinki job was mine . . .").

And for those who have not seen the CWW scene, here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ_4m2ocxhI

As an fyi, lots of profanity, and may not be suitable for work.

[teejers1]

Late to the party, several random observations:

To be enjoyable, sports flicks have to be somewhat tied to reality, and it bothers the heck out of me when the editors/directors screw up the basics.  I loved The Natural (and yes, the ending was ridiculously sappy), and a big part of that is that Robert Redford can clearly play some ball.  But a walk-off homer on the road in Chicago?  (When he finally reunites with Glen Close, his HS Sweetheart?).  And how about when Hobbs first (and finally) wows his temmates/coaches by being allowed to participate in batting practice?  You remember when he launches dinger after dinger?  Well, watch where he connects, watch his eyes after he hits the ball (following flight of the ball), but the editors screwed up when panning to his teammates/coaches.  For example, Redford goes oppo (while batting lefty) and the camera then flashes the pitcher and manager looking to the right field stands.  And how about when Redford gets his first hit for the Knights ("hit the cover off the ball"), and the game is called due to a brobdingnagian downpour with Redford standing on third base in a rain/mud drenched uniform.  Of course, in the next scene Redford is walking along side his manager (Brimley) talking about what just transpired on the field, in a spanking clean uniform.  C'mon now . . .

Also enjoyed Bull Durham for all the reasons cited in this thread, but it should also be noted that Kevin Costner can ball.  But Tim Robbins as Nuke LaLoosh?  Please.

Count me in group enjoying A League of Their Own (Hanks was terrific) and Eight Men Out. 

As for other flicks:  loved Lone Star and think Aliens belongs in any discusion of great flicks (scared the bejeezus out of me, as did Jaws).  Charlie Wilson's War is one of the best movies I've seen in last decade, but that doesn't mean too much as my movie viewing has been pretty limited.

Great all time scenes:  Joe Pesci in Good Fellas ("Funy how? . . . "); Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross ("Put that coffee down! . . . ABC . . . Always Be Closing . . . "); and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War ("The Helsinki job was mine . . .").

And for those who have not seen the CWW scene, here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ_4m2ocxhI

As an fyi, lots of profanity, and may not be suitable for work.