The Sandlot

1993

Director: David Mickey Evans

Distributor: 20^th Century Fox

Key Elements: Story – Lines – Characters – Message

Review:

When I was a kid, my mom suggested we rent this movie form blockbuster, and I turned it down. I remembered seeing girls in swimsuits in the trailer, and I thought it would be awkward to watch with my folks. Eventually, however, I saw it and loved it.

It's another cult classic and tells the story of the wild summer had by a group of baseball loving boys. Like other movies of this genre, its charm comes from its iconic characters, memorable lines and winsome story telling.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• But I'm not good at anything, mom. Face it, I'm just an egghead.
• Man, this is baseball. You gotta stop thinking. Just have fun. I mean, if you were having fun you would've caught that ball.
• L, 7, Weenie!
• I've been coming here every summer of my adult life, and every summer there she is oiling and lotioning, lotioning and oiling... smiling. I can't take this no more!
• You play ball like a girl!
• I don't know. Some lady gave it to him. She even signed her name on it... Ruth. Baby Ruth.
• For-ev-ver! For-ev-ver! For-ev-ver! For-ev-ver!
• You’re killing me, Smalls.
• And we did the dumbest thing anyone of us could ever have imagined.
• Let me tell you something kid; Everybody gets one chance to do something great. Most people never take the chance, either because they're too scared, or they don't recognize it when it spits on their shoes.
• Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong.
• Baseball was life! And I was good at it... real good.
• Bertram?... Bertram got really into the 60s, and no one ever saw him again.

Stills:

Little Manhattan

2005

Director: Mark Levin, Jennifer Flackett

Distributor: 20^th Century Fox

Key Elements: Story –Characters –Concept

Review:

This is a very cute movie. I clearly remember when I first started to notice girls, and so much of this movie resonates with my experience. I even remember the debates about whether or not girls mature faster than boys.

It’s a fun watch, but I think the ending is the best part.

Also, I love that New York City itself is like a character of the story.

[Spoiler Warning:]

Gabe explains that this is a love story, but it’s not until the end that you realize the love isn’t his and Rosemary’s – It’s his parents. After fighting and threatening divorce through the whole movie, they finally get back together.

I think it illustrates that no problem can be too difficult to fix in a relationship if both people are willing. What I love is that I think the crucial moment comes in a conversation Gabe has with his dad. Gabe asks why all love has to end. And his dad’s face shows that he realizes the wrong message he’s been sending his son. And I love that, like a good dad, he takes steps to correct it.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• I really had no room for a woman in my life.
• Okay, what's going on here? What the heck is this? Oh my God. What's this feeling in the pit of my stomach? Who is this - this amazing creature before me? I looked at Rosemary and just felt so, um, confused. She's a girl. I'm supposed to despise girls, not feel nervous talking to one, not feel tongue-tied. I mean this was Rosemary Telesco, I knew her since Kindergarten!
• Does she like like me?
• Never had I been so keenly aware of the ability of palm to manufacture sweat, but I was determined to hold that girl's hand for every single second.
• This much I know firsthand - love hurts.
• Look at them all. Rats in their cages, their lives destroyed by love. I'm done with it. I won't be like them. The fools.
• See, this is just like I told you. Same thing I knew getting into this whole mess - love ends.
• But it wasn't that easy. I guess love never is.

Stills:

Avatar

2009

Director: James Cameron

Distributor: 20^th Century Fox

Key Elements: Concept - Visual

Review:

*Sigh*  …Avatar.

James Cameron did something VISUALLY AMAZING here.  Creating his OWN 3-D technology, he presented us with an on-screen world unlike anything we’ve ever seen.  The effect this new technology created for its viewers was staggering and beautiful.

…What a pity he didn’t put as much effort into finding a worthy story to carry his new technology.

Some have compared the plot to Dances With Wolves; others to Pocahontas.   To me it’s nearly an identical retelling of Fern Gully.  No matter which movie it makes you think of most, it WILL make you think of another movie.  Because you’ve seen this one before – probably more than once.  While the visual effects are new, the story has already been told over and over again.

So… It was worth seeing once, if only for the visual effects.  But the lame story nearly nullified any enjoyment I might have taken from the experience overall.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• Everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world, and in here is the dream.
• I see you.
• One idiot with a gun is enough.
• If you are one of us, help us!
• All I ever wanted was a single thing worth fighting for.
• We're going up against gunships with bows and arrows.

Stills: