 |
I have a lot
of weird character traits, but one I’ve
never been able to explain is the fact that
I loathe sports, yet I love sports movies.
You couldn’t pay me to waste an afternoon
watching a bunch of guys chasing after a
ball, whether it is Base, Foot, Basket or
Soccer. Yet I have in the past plunked down
my own cold hard cash to sit in a theatre
to watch “The Natural” (Base),
“Semi-Tough” (Foot), “Hoosiers”
(Basket), and “Bend it Like Beckham”
(Soccer). And even though it is only vaguely
about Baseball, I will watch “Field
of Dreams” any chance I get.
One of my personal favorites also has to
be 1992’s “A League of Their
Own,” starring Geena Davis, Lori Petty
and Tom Hanks. The film was based around
the All-American Girl’s Baseball Team
of 1943. Davis starred as Dottie Hinson,
who is recruited into the league because
she is a babe who happens to swing a bat
like Babe Ruth. She insists on bringing
her baseball playing sister Kit (Lori Petty)
along as a stipulation to signing a contract.
|
Once in the league, she realizes the owners want
nothing more than a bunch of pretty girls playing
ball in order to keep the fans coming while the
male pros are off at war. However, what she wants
is to play real baseball.
The film also stars Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan,
a washed-up ball player who is hired to ‘coach’
Hinson’s team. The team itself consists
of a multitude of clashing personality types,
which cause no end of headaches for Dugan. Leading
the pack are Madonna (who is for once, not annoying)
and Rosie O’Donnell (during the two hours
of her career when she was actually funny).
I’ve seen “A League of Their Own”
numerous times, and I still love this movie with
a passion. Even now, I still find it hard to believe
that Penny Marshall (of “Laverne & Shirley”)
became such a terrific big league film director.
Everything about this film just clicks, from the
sisterly relationship of Dottie and Kit, to the
underlying attraction that grows between Dottie
and Jimmy. The latter is especially poignant as
Dottie remains, rightfully so, faithful to her
husband (Bill Pullman) who is off fighting in
the war.
The film is equal parts funny and sad, with just
the right amount of schmaltz to cause a few tears
now and then. Even playing the game of baseball
is made to look exciting (thanks to the wonder
of movie magic). I held off on owning the DVD
of the movie for a while and I’m glad I
did. Sony / Columbia Tristar is not only releasing
an all-new Special Edition, but an all-new Special
Edition with TWO discs and a bunch a great extra
features.
The first disc is double-sided, giving you the
choice between Widescreen and Full Screen (though
why you would want to watch it Full Screen, I’ll
never understand). It includes a commentary by
director Penny Marshall, and actresses Lori Petty
(Kit Keller), Tracey Reiner (Betty ‘Spaghetti’
Horn), and Megan Cavanaugh (Marla Hooch). It’s
a fairly entertaining commentary, but I think
you might find it geared a little more to a female
audience’s point of view. .You can listen
to the commentary on either version.
The second disc is where you find all the extra
trimmings. First you’ll find 15 deleted
scenes (about a half hour’s worth) complete
with optional introductions by Penny Marshall.
I recommend watching the intros just to give you
a little better understanding of the scene and
why it was cut. There is even a scene audiences
really wanted to see, but was cut for reasons
I totally understand. I’ll give you a hint,
it’s between Geena Davis and Tom Hanks.
Then there is a terrific all-new documentary that
comes in just under an hour. It’s broken
up into 9 parts (innings), but you have the option
to play them all. Just about everyone involved
with the film is interviewed, with the notable
exception of Tom Hanks. I’m kind of curious
why he wasn’t involved.
Once you’ve made it through the documentary,
you can check out the music video by Madonna for
“This Used to be My Playground”, if
you’re so inclined. Admittedly I’m
not at all a fan of Madonna, so I just kind of
cringed through it. Finally, there are three movie
previews. One for the original ‘Brian’s
Song” with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams,
“A League of Their Own”, and “The
Natural.”
This is a great DVD release for a favorite movie
of mine, but I would like to comment a little
on the packaging and marketing. I don’t
remember what the original poster art looked like,
but this DVD features Geena Davis, Tom Hanks and
Madonna on the cover, names and all. I have a
slight problem with this being sold as a Madonna
movie (like that would be a selling point). The
stars of the film were Davis, Petty and Hanks.
Madonna was just a bit player. Then I was a bit
put off by the back of the DVD which described
the movie as such, “…Hanks stars as
Jimmy Dugan, a washed up ballplayer whose big
league days are over. Hired to coach in the All-American
Girls Baseball League of 1943 – while the
male pros are at war – Dugan finds himself
drawn back into the game by the heart and heroics
of his all-girl team…”
Why do I have a problem with this you might ask?
Well, as much as I love Tom Hanks and think he’s
one of the most talented actors around today…
that’s NOT what the movie I about!! Though
this does happen in the film, the main focus of
the story is on sisters Dottie Hinson and Kit
Keller and what happens to their relationship
as they become involved with the game. Everyone
else’s stories are secondary, Dugan’s
included. Again, I think Hanks is a terrific actor,
but the movie simply isn’t about him. But
I digress.
Aside from this little bit of marketing shenanigans,
the new 2-disc Special Edition release of “A
League of Their Own” is well worth the bucks
to pick up a copy. “PLAY BALL!”
Directed by: Penny Marshall
Starring: Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks,
Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, Jon Lovitz, David
Straithairn, Gary Marshall, Bill Pullman
Extras: Director and Cast Commentary, 15 Deleted
Scenes with Introductions by Director Penny Marshall,
“Nine Memorable Innings” Documentary,
Madonna’s “This Used to be My Playground”
Music Video
Specifications: Widescreen (2.35:1), Full Screen
(1.33:1), English 4.0 Dolby Surround
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 4/20/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG
Website
We'll give A League of Their Own: Special Edition
an A.
|
