HTF REVIEW: "The Sandlot" (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PURCHASE) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

The Sandlot

lotiony, oily, lotiony, oily, lotiony
I just finished watching the most incredible
movie, and I hope that by the time I am finished
with this review, I am going to make each and every
one of you go out and buy this DVD.
The Sandlot comes onto the scene as part
of Twentieth Century Fox's Family Feature
Collection. Some of these new titles include:
My Bodyguard, Breaking Away and Baby's
Day Out. While I have a stack of these titles
sitting on my desk, it seems sort of destined that
I chose The Sandlot out of all these titles.
It's a movie I never saw before, and ultimately
fell in love with.
The year is 1962. A young scrawny boy by the name
of Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) has just moved into
town. With 2 weeks left till school's out, it's
impossible for this fifth-grader to make any new
friends. The only other interesting boys his age
all hang out at THE SANDLOT, a run down baseball
field located behind a junkyard. These are kids
with nicknames like "Ham", "Squints" and "Yeah-Yeah".
Tom doesn't quite fit in with the kids at first.
He can't throw or catch a baseball. The gang thinks
he's a total geek. If not for the team's leader and
star player, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez (Mike Vitar)
recruiting the neighborhood dork, there wouldn't be
the adventure of a lifetime!
This is the ULTIMATE feel-good movie about growing
up, playing baseball, first kisses and confrontation
with....THE BEAST.
Fox has presented their entire Family Feature
Collection on 2-sided DVDs that offer BOTH
anamorphic widescreen and Pan & Scan versions.
What a concept - eh?! Every studio should learn
from these DVDs. Yes, folks, it is possible to
put family features on DVD that appeal to BOTH
parents who don't want widescreen and those of us
who know better.
The anamorphic (2.35:1) presentation looks great.
The transfer is extremely clean, and there is no
grain evident anywhere. The studio did a nice job
of taking a smaller title and making it look nearly
as good as their major ones.
Although presented in 5.1 Dolby Surround, I did
not hear any surround action. In fact, the entire
film remained in the front soundstage. Overall,
however, the sound was very robust throughout.
Bonus Features
What's this?! A studio can put Widescreen and P&S
on the same disc and offer bonus features? You betcha!
A 6-minute 1993 featurette introduces us to the
kids that make up the Sandlot cast. The kids
are having the best Summer ever filming this movie
and playing lots of baseball. Director David
Mickey Evans talks about assembling this cast of
shapes and faces. Sitting in their Director chairs,
the kids talk about how they were cast, and tease
us about the film's storyline. We also see some
behind-the-scenes footage of the filming.
Not only is the Original Theatrical Trailer
included, but 7 TV Spots that span the film's
pre-release to post release.
Why You MUST own this DVD!
I am sure many of you own STAND BY ME on
DVD. You fell in love with that movie because it
captured an era of innocence, taking you on a
wild adventure with kids you fell in love with.
The Sandlot inspired me just as much as
that other film. It's a feel-good movie about
growing up and playing baseball -- all set against a
wonderful musical rock & roll soundtrack that
reflects the era.
For anyone that has kids or for anyone that just
wants to feel like a kid again, this is the most
wonderful movie you'll own in your collection.
Release Date: January 29th, 2002
==================================================
Note: This will be my final
review of a Fox title. I have made a personal decision
to cease reviewing Fox titles. In no way does this reflect any personal
problems or disagreements with
the studio.
==================================================

 

[Tom-G]

Thanks for the review, Ron. I've been anxiously awaiting this DVD. I caught this movie on HBO a few years back and loved it. Unfortunately, it was pan and scan and looked horrendous. I'm looking forward to seeing it in it's OAR of 2.35:1

 

[Tim RH]

May I ask how come? Are their movies and DVDs just TOO good or something?

 

[Brett_B]

Ron,

You do not have to convince me to buy this. I was probably one of the few who actually saw this in the theater, and too bad it was towards the end of its run.

I am very happy that this is getting a widescreen treatment that it truly deserves.

 

[Ross Williams]

This is one that I've been waiting quite a while for. Bought this years ago on video, finally I can throw it away. Glad to hear that Fox treated it well.

 

[KrisM]

I remember liking this when it came out. I don't have that many cherished memories of my days playing baseball though. But when somebody makes a movie about a hockey playing kid who makes his own rink in his backyard, practises night and day and has dreams of the NHL(and doesn't make it ) I'm all over it!
KrisM

 

[Ted Lee]

i've seen this movie at least three or four times! it is one of the best "feel good when i was a kid" movies around.

it does an excellent job of capturing innocence at it's best, recalling that great feeling you had just "hanging out" with your friends with no cares in the world, doing silly things and just being a kid.

right up there with goonies and stand by me...

 

[Jeff_A]

This one will be in my collection fast. I am a complete nostalgia softie. Thanks for the great review, Ron. It makes the purchases so much better when the quality of the DVD matches the quality of the film.
I would like to acknowledge Ricky for his hard work in pushing this release. BTW, where has Ricky been lately?

 

[Sean Conklin]

Great review as usual Ron! thank you.

I agree this is a MUST own film, and will be getting it on release day.

 

[Kenneth Cummings]

Oh good, I loved this movie when it was show at school a long time ago(sadly in Pan and Scam), but this new DVD will do it justice. By the way, what is the release date for Sandlots?

 

[Carlo_M]

Is it just me, or is January 29th shaping up to be "one of those expensive DVD days?"

 

[David Lambert]

May I ask how come? Are their movies and DVDs just TOO good or something?

I'm with Tim RH. What's going on with that? I realize it won't be in-depth, but please at least skim the surface.
Does Peter's precense on HTF have anything to do with it?

 

[TonyD]

i hope it's not because of some of the commennts by people here and on other forums. don't let the ignorance of the few keep the many from experiancing your thoughts aand opinions.

 

[Brian E]

i hope it's not because of some of the commennts by people here and on other forums. don't let the ignorance of the few keep the many from experiancing your thoughts aand opinions.

I agree. I enjoy your reviews and it would be a shame to limit them to non Fox titles, especially considering how many excellent titles Fox puts out.

 

[Robert McDonald]

I'm thankful that Fox did a good transfer of one of my favorite movies. Thanks, Fox!

Now, Ron, I sincerely hope you continue to review Fox titles ALONG WITH titles of all other studios. If your decision was based on any accusations of bias towards Fox then I hope you will reconsider. Are you also not to review titles from other studios with a presence on the board? The people of this forum (at least those of us who have been around for awhile) have great respect for you and what you do, and I implore you to reconsider.

 

[Deane Johnson]

Thanks Ron, nicely written as usual.

I hadn't plan to buy this DVD, but now it's going on my 1/29 list.

With February looking kind of slim for purchases, I can use a new idea or two.

Deane

 

[Martin Jeeves]

I really liked this film. 'Squints' is just great, especially the drowning/lifeguard sequence (hope that isn't a spoiler). It's also great to see seasoned pro's like Denis Leary, Karen Allen and James Earl Jones all having fun with their smaller 'character' parts.

What people don't realize is that this relatively low budget film grossed $34 million at the boxoffice and has consistently sold really well on home video ever since. Eitherway, a big thanks to Fox for releasing it on DVD. Thanks to Ricki for his poll and determination. And thanks to Ron for the review.

I'm off to order a copy now!

 

[David Lambert]

I'm going to jump back into this with one more comment.
There are many reviewers/critics out there who are accused of not being very "critical". They are said to "like eveything the review". They never publish about an item "they don't like" or "they can find fault with".
You guys know the old saying, of course: "If you can't find something nice to say, then don't say anything at all". Maybe that's what they're doing.
A *LOT* of reviewers, whether it be of films, books, or whatever, get into their job because they want to recommend good stuff to other people. Not to bash the bad ones, just to spread the word on the good ones.
ANY reviewer who avoids publishing reviews on the shit are to be commended for letting us know about the shinola. I think Ron can tell shit from shinola, and if he recommends one I was on the fence about, I'll get it (like Moulin Rouge). If I wasn't thinking about it, or was borderline, the absence of a review from Ron or anyone else won't make a bit o' difference.
Ron, having said all of that, I wish you would reconsider.
EDIT: Oops. So much for never saying anything bad. I just read Ron's review of The Man Who Loved Women. Whew! Good job trashing a bad, bad movie. Still, I wish you would reconsider!

 

[Allen Hirsch]

Thanks for the review, Ron.

This one was always right up there with Stand By Me and My Dog Skip for terrific, nostalgic, "growing up" movies, IMHO.

(Especially since I have a soft spot for baseball movies - Sandlot will soon join 61*, The Natural, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, and In a League of Their Own in my collection.)

 

[Jeff_A]

(Especially since I have a soft spot for baseball movies - Sandlot will soon join 61*, The Natural, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, and In a League of Their Own in my collection.)

Where is your copy of Eight Men Out, Allen?