Movie Rewind: FIELD OF DREAMS (1989)

FIELD OF DREAMS (1989)
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Starring: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Gaby Hoffmann, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones, Timothy Busfield, Burt Lancaster, Frank Whaley

In honor of baseball season, I wanted to look back at one of my favorite baseball movies. I asked my Facebook and Twitter followers for their opinions on this topic and A League of Their Own, The Sandlot, and Field of Dreams were, by far, the most common titles given. As much as I love those first two films, I feel like I have watched them quite frequently as they always seem to be airing on ABC Family or some other cable network. It has been many years since I last saw Kevin Costner build a baseball diamond in a corn field, so I thought Field of Dreams would be the perfect choice to revisit as its central message seems very relevant in my personal life right now. Plus, the film is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Baseball has always been an important part of Ray Kinsella’s (Costner) life. Many of the memories of his dad all center on that American pastime. Ray’s father had idolized Shoeless Joe Jackson (Liotta), who was suspended from the game after the baseball league blamed him and seven of his fellow players of intentionally throwing the 1919 White Sox World Series game for money. At the age of 36, Ray, his wife Annie (Madigan), and their daughter Karin (Hoffman), move to a farm in a small Iowa town. One day while out in the corn fields, Ray hears a mysterious voice whispering, “If you build it, he will come.” He had heard an urban legend about hearing voices in the cornfield, but Annie and the locals think he’s a bit crazy.

This phrase permeates in his head until he believes he solves the mystery of what he is supposed to build and for whom. He believes the voice is telling him to build a baseball diamond for Shoeless Joe and his teammates so they can return to the game. Ray is scared of turning into his father who never did anything daring, never fulfilled a dream, or carried out some spontaneous mission. He explains this all to Annie over a bedtime heart to heart talk. While the idea to build a baseball diamond to host some dead ball players is a bit far fetched, she fully supports him. Ray cuts down a huge portion of the corn crops and builds a full-scale field with lights, white chalk outlining the bases, and a few wooden bleachers. Months pass until the night when Shoeless Joe finally arrives. His entrance onto the field marks the beginning of a longer journey Ray finds himself on as he lives out his mission in life, which also includes a reclusive author (Jones) and the influence baseball has on so many individuals.

The film is written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson (Sneakers, The Sum of All Fears) based off the book Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella. The title of the film was originally the same as the book, but test audiences reacted poorly to it, so it was changed to Field of Dreams. Terrence Mann is a fictionalized version of J.D. Salinger, whose real name was used in the book. Since Salinger disapproved of the use of his persona, the character’s name was changed for the movie. I have never read the book, but it seems to be one of those cases where the movie will be remembered more than its original source material. It has a terrific cast led by Kevin Costner. Amy Madigan is a funny spitfire as his wife. Ray Liotta has some beautiful moments with Costner when he first appears as Shoeless Joe Jackson. Their first moments are dialogue-free while Shoeless Joe is reunited with his love of baseball. The film also marks the last major screen role of the legendary Burt Lancaster as Doc “Moonlight” Graham, who played one single game of professional baseball as a young man and never had had a chance to go back to the game.

Field of Dreams went on to be nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Score for James Horner (Titanic). The film is listed as #28 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years 100 Cheers list and the classic line, “If you build it, he will come” landed the #39 spot on the 100 Years 100 Movie Quotes list. The film was shot near Dyersville, Iowa, and the owners of the farm kept the field intact and turned it into a tourist attraction, which is visited by thousands of people every year.

It is easy to think about the movie as a great baseball movie. There is something sentimental about the good old days of baseball where the players all played due to their love of the game and their fans. It wasn’t about endorsement deals or signing with whatever team paid the most. Instead of scandals about performance enhancing drugs, you get a glimpse into the real-life 1919 Black Sox Scandal, which naturally led to more research after watching the movie again. While it involved the 1919 World Series between the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds, those eight players were referred to as the “Black Sox” due to their potential involvement in the conspiracy to lose the game in order to win money from gamblers. The film also features the theme that the good old American past time of baseball is passed on generation after generation. “The one constant through all the years, Ray, is baseball”, says Doc “Moonlight” Graham.

While I enjoy the game of baseball and have fun sitting through nine innings of the Minnesota Twins, I don’t think I would say I have a passion or deep knowledge of the game and its history. What draws me to this movie and tugs at the heartstrings after this particular viewing is the concept that you are never too old to stop dreaming or carry out one last wish in life. I am, by no means, old, but this idea has been floating around in my head lately. Ray Kinsella meets people throughout the film who are of different ages, backgrounds, and walks of life and he encourages them to fulfill that last wish or dream they have yet to pursue. I wrote a piece for my work department newsletter about how you are never too old to stop dreaming or live out your passion in life. While many people, like me, would never claim their “day job” as their passion, I think many people get stuck in their daily routine as it pays the bills. For me, it is my passion for acting and movies that keep me going in life. Being an actor is a hard can be frustrating, but no matter how many auditions I have gone to where I get rejected, I keep going back. I keep trying because when I get to perform, I love it. The same goes for writing about the movies I see. I feel a drive and energy whenever I talk about movies to my friends and family. Someone may disagree with my perspective, but I don’t let that stop the conversation because part of my joy is learning the different reactions people have to the same experience. Some may see Field of Dreams as just some wholesome baseball film. I see it for the deeper message about carrying out that dream you have in life no matter how you old happen to be. I think this message is why it has had a lasting impact and why moviegoers continue to re-watch it year after year.

Is it worth your trip to the movies? It continues to inspire moviegoers year after year and seems personally relevant in my life as the film really teaches you that no matter where you are at in life, it is never too late to pursue a dream, be spontaneous, and live out one of your passions in life.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Ticket Stubs

Movie Review: MUPPETS MOST WANTED

MUPPETS MOST WANTED
Director: James Bobin
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, David Rudman, Danny Trejo, Ray Liotta

In 2011, The Muppets came back to the big screen in an all new adventure thanks to Jason Segel and director James Bobin. It was wonderful to see Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the gang reaching a whole new audience of moviegoers of all ages. The whole gang of Muppets plus Bobin, screenwriter Nicholas Stoller, and composer Bret McKenzie are back for a new global adventure.

Picking up at the exact same moment the last film ended, the Muppets are excited about the prospects of making a sequel and even sing a little song about it aptly titled “We’re Doing a Sequel”. Their new tour manager Dominic Badguy (Gervais) suggests going on a world tour to ride on their success. Kermit is a bit hesitant and thinks they need to polish their act first. What they don’t know is that Dominic is secretly working with Constantine “The World’s Most Dangerous Frog” who bears a striking resemblance to Kermit. Kermit gives in to Dominic, and the Muppets head out on the road for their world tour.

Constantine escapes from a Siberian prison and Kermit is mistakenly arrested instead and sent back to the prison. Constantine poses as Kermit on the tour trying to mimic his voice and mannerisms despite having a thick Russian accent. Fellow Muppets Animal and Walter are the only ones that seem hesitant and suspicious of Constantine’s behavior. Dominic takes the Muppets to these dusty dingy theaters that just happen to be located near historic museums and banks. Throughout The Muppets performances, Dominic and Constantine are pulling off heists and burglaries looking for a set of instructions leading them to the Crown Jewels. CIA member Sam Eagle and Interpol’s Jean Pierre Napoleon (Burrell) are put on the case to track down and identify these con artists.

It is no secret that there is a new helm of writers, puppeteers, and actors taking over the beloved Muppets universe that Jim Henson and Frank Oz created. There is that specific touch and vision that those two had with their characters that cannot be replicated. A special magic and feeling is missing in the writing of the past two movies. I feel like there is a general wash over how to write for some of the side characters. Each one of the Muppets has a unique personality and can be funny on their own accord, but many of them are just lumped together here as part of the larger group. The jokes even fall flat for the Statler and Waldorf, the two grumpy critics who always have the best punch lines. I would have loved to have seen more of Janice, Gonzo, The Swedish Chef, and Animal. I may be getting a bit too picky here, because what matters is the spirit of these characters. Their essence and core are still present. Unlike the Jason Segel remake, this film does a better job at making them the focus over the human actors. The love story between Kermit and Miss Piggy is as present as always as planning for their wedding becomes a part of the story.

I feel like only a Muppet movie could get so many well known actors and musicians making silly cameos or even appearing in small and RANDOM roles. I don’t want to spoil too many names here as pointing them out is half the fun of the movie. Some play themselves while others appear as prisoners, delivery men, etc… I would really like to know how much they had to pay Danny Trejo and Ray Liotta to sign on to do a song and dance number from A Chorus Line. They play two prisoners under Tina Fey’s reign who are assigned to perform in the prison talent show. Maybe it’s just the lure and nostalgic appeal to being in a Muppets movie, but it was so random and out of character for those two known for their tough exteriors.

Muppets Most Wanted is a good wholesome family film and provides some good laughs along the way. I think the bits between Sam Eagle and Ty Burrell are quite funny as they always try to top each other. Bret McKenzie won an Oscar for his song "Man or Muppet" from the last film and has written more delightful songs for this one, especially one with Miss Piggy's Fairy Godmother. While it may not be the best Muppet movie in the series, it's hard to not have a good time when Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and the rest of the gang can put a smile on your face. It's a true testament to the genius mind of Henson and Oz that even under different hands (literally), these characters have stood the test of time.

Is it worth your trip to the movies? Yes. It's great having the Muppets and Jim Henson's creations back in the limelight again reaching a new younger audience. Hopefully it will inspire young moviegoers to go back and rewatch the old movies and classic TV show.

RATING: 3 out of 5 Ticket Stubs

Movie Review: THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Dane DeHaan, Rose Byrne, Emory Cohen



After watching 2010's Blue Valentine, I knew that director Derek Cianfrance was a director that needed extra attention. The raw emotional story told by him and stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams really struck a nerve with me. Cianfrance has re-teamed with Gosling for his third movie which is one hell of an undertaking. Luke (Gosling) is a tough, tattooed, stunt motorcycle rider. He drives around in small steel cages with two motorcyclists touring the small state fair circuit. His ex-girlfriend Romina (Mendes) pays him a visit and he finds out he is the father of her son, Jason. She has moved on from him and is working as a waitress in a small diner and is now dating another man. Luke decides to get his act together by quitting the stuntman lifestyle to stay in town and help raise his son. His good intentions to turn his life around quickly stall as he turns to robbing banks to make money for his son.



After a couple of successful heists, Luke hits a snag on one attempt sending him into an altercation with rookie policeman Avery Cross (Cooper). The film shifts focus onto Avery's life. Avery comes from a wealthy family and has a beautiful wife (Byrne). There is a pre-determined path that his family wants him to go down, but Avery is torn with what he wants to do in life. After the altercation, he comes to realize his colleagues in the police force led by Deluca (Liotta) are about as corrupt as they come causing interal struggles with Avery's core values and constant determination to do the right thing. The story takes another turn and jumps fifteen years later. The culminating focus of the story narrows in on the actions of Luke and Avery and how they have impacted theirs sons. Avery is now running for public office but his teenage son, AJ (Cohen), has gotten himself messed up and arrested for drug possession with Jason (DeHaan). AJ and Jason have no idea of the history between their two fathers, and their friendship comes into question as certain truths start to reveal themselves.



I am always drawn to big ensemble dramas where actors are being pushed in every scene. With these three interconnected stories, Cianfrance delivers strong performances across the board from his cast. Gosling is as strong and realistic as he is with every character. Mendes plays completely out of her standard sexy bad-ass chick routine I think she has gotten herself stuck in. She has finally taken on a role that allows herself to give off a strong, stripped down, and vulnerable performance. This role has finally forced me to take notice of her when I had never given her credit before. Liotta may be the only one in comfortable territory playing the ruthless corrupt cop. I am happy to see Cooper successfully take on another flawed character. I was hoping Silver Linings Playbook was not a fluke performance. It is hard not to take notice of Dane DeHaan. He reminded me of a young Leonardo DiCaprio in his approach. Do not be surprised if he follows in the footsteps of DiCaprio or Gosling and becomes the next in demand actor if he continually takes on these challenging and unstable characters.



Cianfrance is drawn to making movies about family life. Blue Valentine focused on the husband and wife dynamic while The Place Beyond the Pines taps into the relationships between fathers and sons. The central characters must deal with coping with the life they have either been born into or got themselves a part of in their later years. They have to realize that certain choices and actions have consequences from one generation to the next. For an up and coming director, this multi-layered approach to the story is no easy feat. With the opening tracking shot, the cinematography is gritty and very in your face at times. Cianfrance manages to go all in without playing it safe in any regard. The film is by no means perfect, but it has had a lasting impression on me. I can only imagine what future stories and themes Cianfrance will come up with, and I know I will be in line as soon as they open.

RATING: **** 1/2 (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Movie Trailer: THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Rose Byrne, Ray Liotta, Dane DeHaan, Eva Mendes

If you saw Blue Valentine in 2010, you know the work of director Derek Cianfrance. He reunites with Ryan Gosling to bring you another intense character study. Gosling plays Luke Glanton, a motorcycle stunt rider that turns to bank robbery in effort to provide for his son and ex-girlfriend Romina (Mendes), who is the mother of his child. Luke's actions come to the attention of rookie cop Avery (Cooper) and the even more corrupt Detective Deluca (Liotta).

The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2012 and received rave reviews. Cooper is shining right now with Silver Linings Playbook, so I predict another stellar performance to keep his momentum going. Gosling can currently be seen in Gangster Squad and was recently the People Magazine cover man. Blue Valentine really got to me, so I am highly looking forward to another emotional punch to the gut with The Place Beyond the Pines.

Release Date: March 29, 2013.