Hardball DVD with Keanu Reeves, Diane Lane, John Hawkes (PG-13) +Movie Reviews +Used DVD available for Swap

Great film

09/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great film, and a nice departure for Keanu from his usual role as action superheroe. While I enjoyed him in "The Matrix," we find him at his best in "Hardball." As a gambler/drunk who gets turned aroud by coaching a kid's baseball team, Reeves is surprisingly believable, and manages to show the change in his character in a non-formulamatic way. It's nice to finally see a realistic view of inner-city kids. The language is rough throughout the movie, especially on the baseball field, but that's what makes it realistic. Also, great job by the child actors on Keanu's team. They pull of the really touching moments, and you find yourself not really minding their rough language, as they are a very likeable group of boys. For adults, I highly reccomend it. However WARNING: THIS IS NOT THE BAD NEWS BEARS. It's a drama about inner-city kids, not a nice little comedy. Please don't take your very young kid to see it expecting a nice little movie. It's not a kid's movie. Older kids and adults should enjoy baseball at it's best in "Hardball.""

Healing American Story

Robert Kall | Newtown, PA | 09/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great story which will make you feel good, especially after the WTC tragedy. I struggled over whether to go to a movie this weekend, just days after the WTC tragedy. This movie was a great respite from constant news of the tragedy. It is so all-American, telling of a flawed human presented with the challenge and opportunity to make a difference. He starts off coaching an inner city team of little leaguers for the wrong reasons, but finally sees the light.This is one example of how plugging in the usual formulas produces positive, predictable results. It just about perfectly fits the Joseph Campbell/ Chris Vogler Hero's Journey (see Writer's Journey) It does a beautiful job of taking Keanu Reeves' role through a character arc demonstrating personal growth. It has just enough sweet romance. It's a shame that this movie was scheduled to be released on a weekend when not many people are going to movies. But it is a movie that Americans could use seeing. We Americans are so like the main character-- flawed, often selfish, weak-- yet we as a nation, as a people, can pull together and do the right thing. That's the movie's message. Enjoy it. Bring your kid to see it. There is some foul language, but nothing my 11 year old hasn't heard on the playground. I must confess that as a Dad of two little leaguers, one who has coached for at least eight years, this movie really got to me, tears and all. But I am not a sports fanatic. I couldn't even tell you who won the last world series. I coached for my kids. The movie is one you'll enjoy even if you are not a sports fan."

"HARDBALL" --EXCELLENT MOVIE - THUMBS UP FOR ME

RUBEN GARZA | TUCSON, AZ USA | 09/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WHEN I FIRST SAW THE TRAILER IN THE THEATER PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WERE CRYING JUST FROM THE TRAILER. GREAT ACTING BY EVERYONE ESPECIALY THE KIDS. THE KIDS DID HAVE SOME PRETTY STRONG LANGUAGE, BUT THIS MOVIE WAS BASED ON A TRUE STORY. IT'S GREAT THAT THEY DIDN'T TAKE THE LANGUAGE OUT BECAUSE IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW THEIR WAY OF LIFE IS. CHILDREN LIVING IN THESE CONDITIONS SEE AND HEAR THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE ON A DAILY BASIS. I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS FILM - VERY TOUCHING MOVIE."

Amusing and poignant

rainbow419sg | Singapore | 10/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Despite some critics' unkind and negative comments I've read, I still find this movie hugely enjoyable. It has scenes that are amusing, touching, and poignant. And also dialogue that made me smile or chuckle, such as when the Catholic school teacher Ms Wilkes (Diane Lane) clarified "I am not a nun", and O Neill's relieved reply "Thank God!". This reply foreshadows what he intends to do, but it is a relief that the story did not digress too much into their love relationship but instead stayed focussed on the dark challenges faced by Conor and the kids' baseball team Kekambas, and the subtle transformation that he goes through from a scruffy, hard-up, compulsive gambler to a clean-cut guy ready to take up a new challenge and new job as Physical Activities Co-ordinator (in charge of games and sports) at the school, offered by Ms Wilkes. It reminds me of the hope and new life that rehabilitation can bring.The African-American child actors did a good job, and though they are not seasoned or professional baseballers, I enjoyed watching them play in such a fun and stylish way, especially the pitcher Miles, who gets his inspiration by listening to a rap song over his headphones. The soundtrack and rap music are very nice and upbeat. The death of the youngest boy, G-Baby, during a street gang shootout, and O'Neill's eulogy (with mental flashbacks) at G-Baby's memorial service, were very sad and poignant. Reeves, at times criticized for his deadpan style and expression, goes through in this movie a gamut of human emotions from start to finish. I think his acting is fine and I enjoy watching him on the screen. Also I find Reeves' "surrender-style" hand-raising mannerism while talking, very charming and characteristic of him. I thought I saw that familiar gesture in another movie...One last thing about his character's name - Conor O'Neill - funny, it seems. It sounds to me like "Corner O'Kneel", and why not? that's exactly what happened...he's terrorized and backed into a Corner by his creditors, and he Kneels in the church on that rainy night to pray that "the Bulls would cover the spread". What a guy.So don't let the critics deter you. Free your mind. When you watch it, look out for those scenes and listen for the lines that are funny, sad, amusing, and touching."

UPLIFTING AND HIGHLY ENTERTAINING

rene barton | N.Y. | 09/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful little film that EVERYONE in the whole family can enjoy and get a positive buzz from. It's very entertaining and very uplifting with the right dose of everything. KEANU REEVES (The Matrix, Speed) is very good as the hero and has a certain charisma that he normally lacks. Maybe he deserves more credit than he gets. DIANE LANE (The Perfect Storm, Judge Dredd) is wonderful (as always) as the teacher Ms Wilkes who helps him the get himself together. The kids are also great and very funny. A great film for everyone, even if you don't like sports movies. Highly recommended!"

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	Hardball Actors: Keanu Reeves, Diane Lane, John Hawkes, Bryan Hearne, Julian Griffith Director: Brian Robbins Genres: Comedy, Drama PG-13 2002 1hr 46min An aimless young man who is scalping tickets, gambling and drinking, agrees to coach a Little League team from the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago as a condition of getting a loan from a friend.
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