Field of Dreams

Rating:
Summary: A classic; and deservedly so!
Review: This movie blends Iowa, simple living, baseball, family support and faith in a wonderful way, but "Field of Dreams" is so much MORE than that.

It's about having the ability to step outside of the limiting confines of mortal views and see the bigger picture, even when everything that seems real and substantial is telling you that you're a fool!

And when you have the vision and courage to follow your heart's dreams, all the powers of the Universe conspire to work with you to help you become what the Voice has told you that you were meant to be!

That's what I got out of the movie.

We own this movie and watch it regularly. Have seen it several times, but it's one of those flicks that regularly illicits a few tears of joy.

Great movie!

Rating:
Summary: "If you build it, he will come"
Review: In FIELD OF DREAMS, a man believes it to be his destiny to build a baseball field on his farm when he starts hearing voices. Everyone else doubts him, but he perseveres. Kevin Costner is on potentially his best form as the man with a heartfelt mission to do what he wants to, not what everyone else wants him to.

A pleasing soundtrack adds to quality of this movie, and the struggles of Costner and his screen family to keep the farm from bankruptcy whilst a dream is followed is a lesson for us all in doing what we think is right.

Little is explained for the reason he was chosen, or why the team chose that cornfield to appear on. Perhaps this is part of the glory of FIELD OF DREAMS: it just wants to tell a story that will make you feel good, not deliver a physics argument on the reality of ghosts.

Rating:
Summary: Capra in the Corn
Review: Here's a wonderful movie for all those people who complain that "they don't 'em like they used to", a sentimental, inspiring fable about an ordinary man who achieves quiet grace through love and faith. This is exactly the type of affirming and upliftingly American story that Capra would have filmed in his heyday with Gary Cooper in the Mr. Deeds/John Doe "Everyman" role here played so effectively by Kevin Costner. Costner is ably supported by Ray Liotta, Timothy Busfield and the great James Earl Jones; there's also a touchingly effective performance by Burt Lancaster, who masterfully creates a beautiful and complete characterization in just a few short scenes. Only Amy Madigan seemed to me a little out of key; she comes off as too intensely strident in a couple of moments, although overall she's fine as Costner's supportive and capable wife.

The Universal Collector's edition DVD is a pleasure to watch, thanks to an immaculately clean and sharp film-to-video transfer, and the wealth of extras on the disc. Particularly enjoyable was the documentary on the making of the film; it offered some interesting insights into the "magic" of visual effects, and the pressures of filmmaking in general. Here's a lovely presentation of a genuinely sweet and heartfelt film that's almost guaranteed to leave a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye. Curl up and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best baseball movies ever made
Review: If you love baseball, and it's history, this movie is definitely for you. I am not a big Kevin Costner fan, but this movie ranks high in my top 5. Terence Mann's (James Earl Jones) baseball speach will bring a tear to the eye of any baseball purist, and the game of catch between Ray Kinsella and his Dad at the end of the film will bring a tear to the eye of any man that ever tossed a ball with his dad when he was 10 years old. A truly great film with a little bit of history thrown in to boot. This one is destined to become a classic.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Fantasy Picture
Review: I was pleased to hear that the baseball field in Dyersville, Iowa is still there! I am going to have to check that out before I shufle off this mortal coil! Excellent cast, and wonderful fanatasy story make this a must-own VHS or DVD(I just bought a player).I love the scene where Lancaster's character saves the little girl and walks out into the cornfield.Great Stuff!Ending will have you reaching for kleenex!Top notch in every way!

Rating:
Summary: If you want to know how this magical movie was made...
Review: ...then this DVD is for you. The Field of Dreams scrapbook contains informative interviews with the cast (including one of Burt Lancaster's final interviews before his death). It shows the tough conditions the crew had to face when making the film (This film was made during the Great Drought of '88). Once you learn how and why this film was made then you'll understand why this film has such a strong hold on us after all these years.

Rating:
Summary: For Love of the Game?
Review: Kevin Costner stars in a pretty hokey movie by writer-director Phil Alden Robinson that tests its viewers' credulity, patience, and good will. Sure, it's pseudo-mystical, pseudo-religious, and manipulative as hell. But a charming cast (Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, et al.) and James Horner's powerful music hold you, until Robinson's screenplay ties up the loose ends of a sentimental story about a man coming to terms with the dead father he'd never known. Oh yeah, and they play some baseball.

Rating:
Summary: An American Classic
Review: What a great movie this is! It truely captures the spirit of Baseball and the pure love of the game. Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Ray Liotta, James Earl-Jones and Burt Lancaster are all fantastic in this movie. Costner portrays the "everyman" in America, just trying to do his best for his family, and then the immortal words are spoken "IF YOU BUILD IT..HE WILL COME!" After that, a magical journey of nostalgia, appreciation of others and love of the game are woven superbly into the plot. Amy Madigan portrays Costner's wife, and she is the type of woman in the movie that any man would be considered lucky to have by his side. Ray Liotta as the immortal "Shoeless" Joe Jackson does the real Jackson justice, and James Earl-Jones is a man running from his past, yet it is his knowledge of human character that makes him unique. Burt Lancaster adds wonderfully in the film as just a great guy who finally gets to live out his dream. The location in Iowa is beautiful, and the ballpark in the cornfield makes you want to drop what you are doing and go there to catch a game. After I saw this movie I became an instant Baseball fanatic and thanks to "Field Of Dreams" I now know so much about the early New York Yankees, The Brooklyn Dodgers, The Boston Braves and many other "old style" games. I enjoy going to baseball games and catch them from the Little League to Major League Baseball. All of this due to "Field Of Dreams". Pick the movie up today and watch it, and you will truely catch "BaseBall Fever!"

Rating:
Summary: "Moonlight" shines
Review: Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan and James Earl Jones truly shine in this glorious film, but watch for an absolutely spellbinding performance by one of the most talented actors ever to grace the screen: Burt Lancaster. While one of his briefest roles, Burt Lancaster makes the most of it and puts on a virtual acting class in portraying Archie "Moonlight" Graham. Every move, every expression is so believable and so perfect, and that grand and unmistakable voice clearly and beautifully speaks to what it truly is to play the game of baseball, whether it's been as an everyday kid out with the neighborhood gang or as a true major-leaguer. His performance in this film is flawless, and his character's importance to the story is brought home even stronger due to his extraordinary acting skills. Watch this film again, and after hearing "Moonlight" tell us what it is to really play the game, you too will want to wink at the pitcher just before he releases the ball the next time you come up to bat!

Rating:
Summary: DARE TO DREAM
Review: This movie greatly captures the spirit of baseball, but IT DOES SO MUCH MORE.

This movie (which is probably the best ever made) has so many wonderful things to it. It's about following your heart, and your dreams, no matter what anyone says, and no matter what the consequences are. It is also a movie about imagination. In today's world, people seem to imagine less. This movie puts all those people to shame. More importantly, the movie is also about the relationship between father and son, and the "good ole days." This is one of the very rare movies that can make a grown man break down and cry.

Saying the movie is a baseball movie is only scratching the surface. The DVD is a must buy, it has a documentary on the making of the film (a very insightful hour long one), and many other features.

The best movie of all time gets a stellar DVD treatment, this is definately a must buy for anyone who dares to dream or imagine.