Reviews (62)

And this ain't no bull
Often mentioned as 'one of the best sports movies ever.' I'm gonna go farther and say one of the finest movies of the past 30 years. Ron Shelton directs from his own screenplay. And that screenplay makes modern poets out of baseball players, clever words consistently spewing from the mouths of wanna be Babe Ruths. At its core, the story focuses on the love triangle involving Annie Savoy (Brilliant Susan Sarandon), Crash Davis (Kevin Costner in an unpretentious performance) and Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh (Tim Robbins). And minor league ball is the backdrop which allows for grand slam of well executed comedy and just a touch of pathos. Robert Wuhl's assistant coach is so finely tuned, he can bring you to hysterical tears. The ultimate 'chick flick for guys', Bull Durham is filmmaking at its greatest. The DVD has an informative commentary by Director/writer Ron Shelton (Tin Cup).

the carnival that is baseball
Bull Durham is a near-perfect baseball film. Although I feel it lacks some of the wonder of Costner's field of dreams, there are few films that can match Bull Durham's honest, sometimes gritty but always hilarious look into the carnival that surrounds the national pastime.

What particularly special about Bull Durham are the excellent performances given by the lead actors as well as the supporting cast.

Director Ron Shelton couldn't have asked for better performances from his three lead actors. This movie was made back when Costner could still carry a film. He is in the height of his "everyman" powers here. His portrayal of aging minor league slugger Crash Davis is one for the ages. Susan Sarandon smolders yet somehow manages to retain a certain kind of innocence as the groupie-slash-mentor Annie Savoy. Tim Robbins is outstanding as the hotheaded and somewhat mentally challenged rookie pitcher Nuke Laloosh.

The highlights of the supporting cast are Trey Wilson and Robert Wuhl. They play the manager and pitching coach. Wilson is a pure scene stealer in this movie. He provides some of the movie's greatest lines and tenderest moments. Wuhl is the master of the obvious in his cool, almost straight-man delivery.

Bull Durham, like baseball, is about so much more than baseball. Along the way we are invited to think about both the inane and the deeper issues of life. Annie struggles for meaning, Nuke come of age and even Crash's cynical heart softens a bit.

All of the things listed above, as well as the fact that it is a darn good movie earn Bull Durham my hearty recommendation.

Minor League Baseball Masterpiece
Ron Shelton spent some time in the minor leagues represented in his screenplay for Bull Durham, so he knows about the baseball things represented. But he also clearly has a gifted ear for the tempo of real life, and he knows about hopes and desires and the things that make human beings tick. The setting for this film with the minor league Durham Bulls works, and works perfectly, but the characters, especially among the central love triangle, could just as easily have been traveling salesmen or race drivers or con artists or gangsters.

Susan Sarandon plays Annie Savoy, a slightly older woman who is a Durham Bulls groupie of sorts: once a season she picks out a promising young player and begins an affair with them. During that season the promising young player has the year of his life and gets called up to the big leagues, leaving Annie to look for next year's promising young player.

The Bulls also have a million-dollar prospect of a pitcher with a right arm who the gods reached down and turned into a thunderbolt. He also has less control than a seven year old with hyperactive attention deficit disorder without his Ritalin. He's as likely to throw it over the backstop as throw a strike, although his "stuff" is like Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson. Tim Robbins brings "Nuke" LaLoosh to life in his best comic performance.

Kevin Costner, in the best of his many baseball-movie appearances, plays "Crash" Davis, a power-hitting catcher with enough talent to be a leader on minor league teams, but only 21 days in "The Show" in years of minor league work. Crash is not only a competent minor league catcher though - he also knows the history of the game, and he knows how to get into the heads of players who have mental blocks preventing them from achieving all they can as baseball players.

Crash, meet Nuke. Both of you - meet Annie.

The dialogue is so witty and sparkling that more than a decade after the film's release, it still shows up frequently in discussions about baseball movies and on ESPN. Crash envies Nuke's god-given talent, and by degrees the clueless Nuke begins to appreciate Crash's baseball wisdom. Annie has the hots for both of them, and they for her, and the way this triangle evolves and resolves makes for a very satisfying baseball movie watching experience.

The movie would be worth watching if only for the hilarious little scenes that happen out on the playing field between catcher Costner and pitcher Robbins. Nuke has the million-dollar arm and the ten-cent head. Crash knows his job (and everyone elses as well) like the back of his hand. Whenever Nuke starts trying to think for himself, he quickly gets into trouble, frequently with active assistance from Crash.

Crash "calls" the game - signalling to the pitcher which pitches to throw. When Nuke listens things go well. When Nuke doesn't listen, Crash whispers to the hitter what pitch is coming so that the batter can tee off on the pitch. Then as the batter circles the bases after his home run Crash goes out to the mound to remind Nuke not to try thinking for himself. "Boy, the last thing I saw fly out of here like that had a stewardess and passengers on it!"

Supporting parts are performed to hilarious perfection as well, with particular kudos to Trey Wilson as the manager and Robert Wuhl as a team coach. They have many entertaining scenes, including the one following Nuke's minor-league debut - when he struck out 18..... but also walked 18 - both league records! A must for grown-up baseball fans.

I hate Susan Sarandon
Not one of the best comedies that would be Mr.Adam Sandler are someone this was average at best and she sucks very badly watch other movies this is just alright nothing to special.
Acting 8/10 Story 7/10 Direction 3/10 Action 3/10 Entertained 3
Overall 24/50 A little Predictable 3 stars

A fantastic script in a dated film.
4.5 stars. Time passes, and what was once a sparkling 5-star film in the year 1987, shows its age. However, the script is still spectacular! There is so much quotable dialogue here as to seem ridiculous. But there is also a fine cast of excellent actors who bring the words and characters to life, even though they have eighties haircuts and wardrobe. This is a charming film about baseball, romance, (...) baseball, breathing through you eyelids, and baseball. This is smart filmmaking in every respect. ... Read more

Description

Tyrus Raymond Cobb played baseball like a man charging a machine-gun nest. He gave no quarter, took no prisoners. And when his Hall of Fame career was over, Ty Cobb attacked life the same way. Tommy Lee Jones portrays the legendary - and equally cheered and detested - Georgia Peach in this acclaimed film from writer/director Ron Shelton (Bull Durham, Dark Blue), also starring Robert Wuhl and Lolita Davidovich. From its recapturing of the outfielder's playing days (Roger Clemens portrays a rival pitcher) to its recreation of a 1961 Hall of Fame banquet, Cobb is a movie grand slam. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Not your typical "HERO" movie
To me, this movie is a dark comedy. Ty Cobb is obviously a racist, abusive mean spirited human being who also happens to be a baseball legend. This movie is about Cobb off the field during his last days as he plans an autobiography on his baseball career. Throughout the movie, he is verbally and physically abusive to those around him. Tommy Lee Jones manages to make his character, at times, sympathetic towards the end of the film as he gets sicker and sicker from one of his many illnesses. This does not change the fact that Ty Cobb was a vicious human being and writer/director Ron Shelton writes the character in a way that makes him funny in some ways. I can't imagine this movie being what it is without Tommy Lee Jones. Jones tends to play arogant know-it-all characters in movies and this one tops them all. This movie was not a hit because of limited release(40 theaters instead of the planned 400 according to Shelton's commentary) but it is easily one of the best movies made about baseball and the people who play the game. Without a doubt Tommy Lee Jones' best performance. Worth taking the time to watch despite the wretched character he portrays in the movie.

Not a well know movie, but worth viewing!
First off I want to say that although this movie revolves around Ty Cobb, it is not only about baseball. This movie probes deep into a very driven and disturbed ballplayer and husband. While watching the movie you go through what the director is hoping to convey to the viewer...first you hate Cobb, then you start to think that he may not be the monster he has been made out to be.

The acting of Tommy Lee Jones is stellar! One of his finest performances of his well established career. This movie is hard to find on store shelves due to it was not very popular and still isnt, however that should not impeed you from seeing this 5-star film. There are many lines that are quotable for the rest of your life in this film. Cobb's view on the world in general is very entertaining. I laughed out loud many times during his frequent outbursts. My wife, who doesnt like baseball all that well, recommended this film to her grandparents, and they loved it.
So in closing, take two and a half hours and watch a film that will become a sought after movie for your own personal collection!

Up with The Natural/Major Leagues in baseball greatness
Tyrus Raymond Cobb was unbeieveable on the diamond and as we learn in this masterpiece off the diamond as well. This movie cronicals the last few years of Cobb's life from his violent personality to his love on fine and hot women to his fued with his daughter. Tryus hires Al Stupp (played wonderfully by that guy from Arli$) to write a book about him. However, Cobb wants to be remebered as a nice friendly person not the SOB jagbag he really was(I assume he was, I wasn't around to ever see Cobb play, but i was at the Cubs/Sox game on 5/5/98 when Brant Michael Brown hit a homerun in the 12th inning to beat those jabronis on the South SIde 6-5) Anyway Cobb sees that Arli$ is secruetly writting notes about what a Jagbag he is so Cobb goes nuts and nearly kills Arli$.
Cobb does not kill Arli$ but we do see Cobb as he goes crazy on a nurse and guzles pills with booze.
There are some great lines like when Arlis and his jpurnlists buddies are at the bar and they ask each other who was the greatest babeball player that ever lived and they all say: Ty Cobb, except one guy who says Babe Ruth and they give him some Chit, not Sugar.
Also when Cobb is drunk and tired and Mickey Lolich doesnt want to talk to him Cobb tells Arliss "Carry me back to Georgia"
If your looking for a movie that focuses on Cobb's days w/ the Detroit Tugers then this isnt the movie for you, but if your looking beef, nudity, swears, car chases, Rajaah Clemens (F-Houston, Go Cubdom!!), pills, booze, a deer that gets shots and a scene of a mosaleum then this is the movie for you. I was looking for all those things so thats why I loved this movie.
T-Lee does a great job as Tryus Raymond Cobb. The only other person that could have pulled off this role was Ben(jamin) Geza Affleck, but T-Lee is supurb.
Keep in mind that the VHS/DVD covers differ. The VHS has a great shot of Cobb smoking a cigar while the DVD has Cobb playing baseball, personally i like the VHS cover better but there are some good special feautrues.
Rated R for violence, language, nudity and the killing of a deer.
Great movie to buy or obtain through Inter-library loan but you'll want a copy of this dousie.
Thank you T-Lee, Warner Bros. and Cobb
F-Houston, Bob Pulford and the cancalation of the XFL
I have reiceved 94% helpful votes so I am a trustworty source.

How about a movie called...
How about if the film industry makes a movie called 'The Hammer'? Gee, they made 'Cobb, 'The Babe', 'Eight Men Out', 'Field of Dreams', 'The Pride of the Yankees', 'The Natural', and '61*'. Well, how about making a movie about Henry Aaron, Josh Gibson, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, or even Jackie Robinson? Oh, I forgot, baseball will never allow it...

The supposedly "real" story of a baseball legend
Ty Cobb was called "the greatest baseball player of all time" and he enjoyed the spotlight. He was also known as "difficult person" to put it mildly. He drank hard, was prone to violence, insulted everybody, beat his wife, alienated his children, was a racist, beat a man to death and was accused of fixing games. In 1960 he had his biography written by a sportswriter named Al Stump. At the time Al Stump wrote a flattering portrait. Later, Stump wrote another book, telling the "real" story about Cobb. And this 1994 film is based on this second book.

The film is set in 1960 when Cobb, then 72 years old, engages Al Stump to write his biography. Stump's a young sportswriter who's flattered by the assignment. At first he hates the arrogant Cobb, but later finds himself admiring him for his "bigger than life" personality. And so he winds up being Cobb's only friend, traveling with him, drinking with him and playing nursemaid to his wild rages and need for constant medication.

Tommy Lee Jones is cast as Cobb, in a larger-than-life performance that humanizes the aging Cobb in spite of his raging racism and generally obnoxious behavior. Robert Wuhl is cast as Al Stump and his performance is equally good as we see him starting to have sympathy for the aging man. Lolita Davidovich is cast as a Reno cigarette girl who is pursued by both Al Stump and Cobb. She gives a good performance but I think the main reason she's in the film is to liven it up with a bit of flesh. There's also a small role played by Roger Clemens, the real-life pitcher in a scene of a baseball game played around 1916. Wisely, the camera doesn't stay too long on Tommy Lee Jones for this scene because he just can't look like a very young man.

The screenplay was ambitious but it lacked something. It was overlong and tended to be boring. Once the general situation was set, there was just one kind of outrageous behavior after another to prove the point that Cobb was difficult and that Stump was starting to admire the old man. In my opinion, the whole film could have been condensed to a one-hour television movie. As I'm interested in baseball, I did enjoy the film. But it certainly isn't one that I can highly recommend. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Classic comedy that rocketed 2 stars to fame
If you like basketball at all, you're going to love this movie. If you like to make fun of your friends, you're going to love this movie. Witty comedy that doesn't offend (that's hard to come by these days).

Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) is a street-wise basketball player with something to prove. He heads to Venice Beach to hustle big-time players for money. Hoyle bites off more than he can chew when he meets up with Sydney Dean (Wesley Snipes) and becomes the victim of a hustle himself. However, Dean and Hoyle can't deny the bond of friendship between them, no matter how hard they try. When Billy loses his girlfriend because he loses all of their money and Dean's home is robbed they turn to each other for the solution...the ultimate pick-up game vs the legends: Eddie "The King" Farooq and "Duck" Johnson. $2500 to play, winner take all. Do they win? Well, as Gloria would tell you, "Sometimes when you win, you really lose. Sometimes when you lose, you really win. And sometimes when you win or lose you actually tie. And sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose." Yeah, it's confusing. But that's the way it ends.

Classic comedy.

A great sports movie and much more.
White Men Can't Jump is a movie about basketball hustlers but the characters are multifaceted and this movie focuses on their reasons for hustling rather than the hustle itself. Sidney(Snipes) hustles as a means to get his family out of the ghetto. He is driven by an undying sense of family and a desire to be the provider that his family is looking for. Billy(Harrelson) hustles out of an addiction to gambling and also a desire to show his girlfriend(Rosie Perez) that he is becoming more responsible with money. The basketball in this movie is realistic as is the language and behaviors of the players. The real story; however, is one of loyalty, betrayal and eventually friendship. This is a smart and funny movie that transcends the "sports movie" genre.

Ooh, Billy! You're so stupid!
Weesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson and Rosie Perez all star in this 1992 flick about Billy, a white man who is a basketball hustler, and Sidney, who is just as much a hustler. The two recognize a kindred spirit in the other and set off to play basketball for money, pretending that, as a white man, Billy is easy to beat, when in reality he is about the best there is.

Billy's girlfriend is Gloria, a Jeopardy! junkie aiming to get on the show and win big. (Do you know how many foods begin with the letter Q? Six!)

Billy's love of hustling clashes with his love for Gloria and loyalty to his new friend Sidney. Is there any way he can truly win without losing something he holds dear? Watch this and see.

GIVE ME A BREAK
Wesleyn Snipes and Woody Harrelson are an unlikely duo in this story of two basketball hustlers. The two take to the courts with Snipes playing the loud mouthed Sidney who is unluckily paired with the dumb looking white boy Billy played by Harrelson. All of the brothers know white boys "got no game" and know Sidney will be taken for a ride. Both Sidney and Billy surprise their opponents and milk them for all that they're worth. What a surprise. We have a vanilla and chocolate team that hustles every would be basket-ball players that come as they go from tournament to tournament.

Most would find this a fun film filled with action, great athletic moves and a sound track out of this world. We can laugh at the foibles of both characters and say right on to their equal opportunity partnership. As pure entertainment we can get our chuckles but a closer look reveals some deep seated stereotypes and myths.

Rosie Perez is portrayed as Billy's booze drinking, sex starved, hoochie coochie Puertorican mama who memorizes useless information in hopes of being on Jeopardy. She is insulted by Billy throughout the movie as he continuously loses her money. Why is this woman staying with this man? Perez's talents is wasted in another role of being a sex fiend gal who exhibits no agency of her own.

For all his talen, Snipe's role isn't so hot. He portrays the stereotypical Black man in the ghetto hustling from one scheme to another supposidly trying to support his family. The chump change that both men bring to their wife/girlfriend is a laugh if you know what it takes to support a family. Essentially the women are portrayed as weak, Black men are shown as full of jive and the white boy is just making his way through the crowd.

Just what is the point of the movie? Brotherhood? Financing your dreams? Or is it a wonderful movie portraying the basketball skills in the ghetto? You decide.

Soundtrack Gets the Film Its Fourth Star
Some have trouble with the title of this film, "White Men Can't Jump", and suggest that if there cannot be a film that substitutes the word Black for White and another word for jump, there is a race issue at hand. Racism has nothing to do with this film, and while the title may set off some overly sensitive politically correct censors, not to worry, the film was not made for them. The closest this film comes to presumptions based on color is that a white ball player, Woody Harrelson, probably cannot play with the locales in the rougher parts of LA. Since the character rapidly proves the presumption wrong the idea that stereotypes should be given credence are instantly dispatched.

This is a buddy film that features some amazing street style basketball including a two on two tournament, and playing as good as anything you will see on a college court or many pro courts. The credits mentioned some, "stunt players", and I have no way of knowing how much of the playing was done by the stars of the film. But whoever was making the plays was brilliant. Some of the footage was clearly Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, and both have athletic talents. Rosie Perez also deserves mention as the encyclopedic Jeopardy fiend that eventually gets her shot at the money as well.

Some of the great moments in the film are either stand alone musical pieces or film that is greatly enhanced by the soundtrack. The music used varies widely, from 3 part acappella harmony, to rap, funk, R&B, country, the one and only guitar of Jimi Hendrix, and the soul of James Brown. This is a fun film when you have a few hours and want to relax, and are not in the mood to be hammered emotionally, lectured at or taxed to ponder great moral issues. Pure fun. ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Better than I expected; a B-grade "L.A. Confidential."
I'm stunned: "Dark Blue," the new cop thriller starring Kurt Russell and Ving Rhames, is actually pretty good.

Based on the previews, I expected it to be a tardy rip-off of 2001's excellent "Training Day," with the same old story of a crooked cop showing an idealistic rookie how to be bad, ostensibly in order to do some good.

Actually, the movie that "Dark Blue" more closely resembles is another top-notch California crime saga, "L.A. Confidential" - which isn't too surprising because the script (by "Training Day" author David Ayer) is based on a short story by "L.A. Confidential" author James Ellroy.

Here, as in most of Ellroy's material, the good guys aren't all that good; the bad guys are really, really bad; and the legal system is simply a more organized form of corruption. The movie is set in 1992 and begins five days before the violent implosion of South Central Los Angeles.

Russell stars as Eldon Perry, a grizzled, cynically corrupt L.A.P.D. detective-sergeant; he's the kind of over-the-top movie cop who keeps a bottle of whiskey in his office desk, opens his phone bill with a stiletto and maces an innocent man in the face to get information (then takes the guy out for a cheeseburger).

Perry and his partner Bobby (Scott Speedman) are investigating a convenience store robbery that ended in a half-dozen murders. As the two detectives discover a higher conspiracy behind the robbery, background references to the impending Rodney King assault verdict function like the sound of a ticking time-bomb.

But despite its dramatic use of King and the L.A. riots, "Dark Blue" isn't nearly as deep as it wants to be; its underlying messages are that racism is wrong, corruption is bad and telling the truth is better than lying.

The movie's strong points actually lie in its brisk storytelling, some interesting if roughly sketched characters, and cool action sequences. Director Ron Shelton is more closely associated with his sports comedies like "Bull Durham" and "White Men Can't Jump," but he handles the shift to grittier material well. The flick is filmed in a grainy gloss that reminds me not just of movies that set in the early 90's, but actually looks like it could've been filmed in the 90's -- which is actually a complement.

There are also quite a few good performances: Rhames is solid as a righteous deputy chief, Brendan Gleeson stands out as a 1990's version of the Civil War politico he played in "Gangs of New York" and Michael Michele brings a cool dignity to her role as a police sergeant who's neither as innocent nor as corrupt as she appears.

"Dark Blue" isn't quite as strong as either "L.A. Confidential" or "Training Day," but as a B-grade door-kicking cop caper, it succeeds.

good overall
apart from the immplausible premise of those cops having a policy to not take suspects alive and getting away with it and the confession scene at the end, this movie was about as good as training day. a standard amount of extras on the dvd.

Typical cop-hating flick
First of all, if you've already seen L.A. Confidential, skip this movie, because it's just a cheap rip-off of it. The only difference is that there's no mystery about it -- everything is completely straightforward, and the audience just waits for the disgusting characters to figure it out.

The first thing that made me angry about this film was its use of the Rodney King incident. I can't express how disgusted I am that this is continually used to show the "corruption" of police officers in our society. Of course what we didn't see was Rodney King fighting the cops, but since it's now frowned upon in our society for police officers to defend themselves, especially if the person attacking them is black, it's no surprise that the cops involved have all been made out to be Gestapo.

If you enjoy movies that insinuate that all white cops are crooked, bribe-taking, evidence-planting murderers, then please rent this film. Otherwise, avoid it at all costs.

BLUER THAN BLUE
DARK BLUE is a powerfully understated movie, even though it wastes no agony in its portrayal of what happened after the Rodney King verdict---why do people of any color think that they have the right to protest an injustice by taking it out on people who had nothing to do with it in the first place. Scenes of looting, stealing, angry people jumping on other people's cars, breaking windows---this is the real horror of our so called justice system. Of course, this is the climax of a movie that exposes those "bad cops" for what they are. Powerful performances from Kurt Russell and Brendan Gleeson in particular drive the tale of a cop who finally wakes up and realizes just what a cowboy he has been. There are no easy answers in this one, but even though it's a bad guy vs. good guy world, there is no excuse for the behavior of those who use their legal offices as an excuse to kill anyone they want.
Powerfully done.

a powerful performance by Kurt Russell
A Film by Ron Shelton

Dark Blue opens with what looks like it is an episode of COPS but turns out to be a police chase that ends up as the Rodney King beating by L.A. cops. The movie then turns to show that the cops involved in the incident are now on trial and there are whispers that if the cops get off (as most expect that the will), the city will erupt. It is with this tension that we are introduced to Eldon Perry (Kurt Russell). Perry is an L.A. detective (plainclothes) and is somewhat of a controversial figure. He does his job, gets the criminals, but his methods are suspect. He follows orders, but uses somewhat excessive force in getting the bad guy. Perry views his job as the good guys (cops) versus the bad guys and that he is justified in using any means necessary in getting the bad guys.

Perry has a new partner, a young cop named Bobby Keough (Scott Speedman). Near the beginning of the movie we see Bobby in an internal review on his use of force in a case. Bobby shot a perp and with Perry's testimony he is cleared of all internal charges. The movie is less a pure story driven film than it is a revealing of who Perry is and the situation of the L.A.P.D. during the Rodney King era. There is corruption starting at the top and there are idealistic cops (usually young) and there are some cops like Arthur Holland (Ving Rhames) who are still upstanding men and trying to do the right thing even when the other captains are not.

This is a harsh look at the L.A.P.D. at a very heated time with the riots just around the corner (indeed, the Rodney King riots begin during the movie). It is a whole lot better than I could have expected and this has to be one of Kurt Russell's best roles. This is one of the better police movies that you will see and is an under-looked gem of 2002.

-Joe Sherry ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the better romantic comedies of the 1990s, this quirky love story stars Kevin Costner as washed-up golf pro Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy, who has the singular misfortune of falling in love with the girlfriend (Rene Russo) of his arch rival (Don Johnson). Although he is inspired to re-ignite his golf career, challenge his opponent in the U.S. Open, and win the affection of the woman of his dreams, McAvoy has just one flaw: he's a show off when he should just focus on playing the game. Reunited with his Bull Durham writer-director Ron Shelton, Costner fits into his role like a favorite pair of shoes, and costar Cheech Marin scores a memorable scene-stealing comeback as McAvoy's best buddy, Romeo Posar. Mixing his love of sports with his flair for fresh, comedic dialogue, Shelton takes this enjoyable movie down unexpected detours (although some may find it a bit too long), and his characters are delightfully unpredictable. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Tin Cup, Two Movies in One!
The first movie about this loveable doofus of a golf pro named Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner) who is burnt out and running a driving range in Nowheresville. Roy is just enough of an anti-hero to make you uncomfortable rooting for him, but when a stunning Rene Russo shows up for lessons while dating a PGA pro (a perfectly cast Don Johnson), you start to pull for our hero who lives in a trailer and, apparently, does not own a hair brush.

When the "Is he going to get the girl?" question is answered, we suddenly leave the armpit of a driving range and find ourselves at the green, lush US Open, an event Roy has qualified for to show Russo he's got what it takes. Thus begins our second movie, a golf movie... lots of golf swings, lots of grass, fairly entertaining if you know what a shank is. Even if you don't, the question of whether will ruin his shot at the Open like he's ruined the rest of his life is still outstanding and, I believe, answered in an unconventional and entertaining manner.

I'm choosey about the DVDs I purchase because I'm fairly certain that in five years another more groovy video format will show up and I don't want to end up with 500+ CDs like I did in the 90s. I bought _Tin Cup_ because it's semi-non-Hollywood love story and, oh, there's golf.

"I don't even like golf, but this movie is o.k.!
Like "Caddyshack" before it, this movie is a fun take on the sport, Kevin Costner proved here he could be funny, with Cheech Marin thrown in for good measure, watching these guys interact is always fun, In this Costner is Roy McAvoy, an everyday man with character flaws that somtimes reminds us of our own, he is a washed-up driving range pro, who at one time had the ability to be the Tiger Woods of his generation,but let his ego ruin it every time, Don Johnson is good here as Costner's advesary who echoes what Costner's Roy could have been, Johnson is now a big time player & very arrogant at that, Renee Russo stars as Johnson's girlfriend who Costner developes a fixation on & decides to win her over by entering the U.S Open which in turn will pit him against Johnson, Costner's charm really comes out as if he is a lovesick puppy & Russo's demeanor only heightens it, as Cheech reminds him that it is about focus, not ego, Cheech is very good here & puts his past as half of Cheech & Chong behind him, as he is the one guy that has to make sure Costner doesn't screw up again, Russo is very convincing as the love interest of both Costner & Johnson & eventually makes the right choice, the last 15 or 20 minutes are like watching golf on a sunday afternoon, but overall a good movie about facing one's fear & ego, like "Caddyshack" it is full of one-liners as Cheech is the voice of reason & Costner the flawed everyday man within us all.

Well done
Another well done Costner Love/Sports story that provides for some good entertainment! Well cast with a good storyline.

Move Over Happy
We still love you, Adam Sandler, but this is the funniest golf movie since Caddyshack!

I just LOVE this movie
Tin Cup is just FUN!! It does not have a deep message. It has no deep conflicting character analyses. No big lessons of life in transition here. It's just plain old entertainent.

Russo is her flakey,sweet,adorable self. Costner is a natural for this down-and-out fellow drinking beer and betting on which bug will be zapped next. His friends are just plain ole Texas boys. Cheech Marin ,as Romeo Posnar, is a scene stealer. Great role and nice to see him again.

Some silly dialogue. The "Pancake House" scene is hysterical. Some nice, mature friendship develoment between Marin, Hart (who ROCKS!!) as Doreen, all in relation to Costner's "Tin Cup" character.

Just fun! Don't miss the armadillos- nice touch in the opening scene.

Shawn Colvin's "Back To Salome" (last song in closing credits) is hantingly beautiful as well as quirky- kind of like Russo and Costner. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Movie
This movie has everything.

Plot, personality, action.

Newman was never better.

Why isn't it on DVD??

"Blaze" flames out!
Ron Shelton's second directorial effort (after "Bull Durham") falls a little flat. You might be tempted to say that he should stick to sports films--which does seem to be his forte. But I suspect the real problem with this film was that it was based on a memoir and was not one of Shelton's original scripts. The memoir, of course, was that of legendary exotic dancer, Blaze Starr, and she not only provided the source material but served as consultant on the film and even had a cameo. Her influence may not have been all that felicitous, however.

The hurried exposition scenes (young Blaze, nee Belle, bidding her central casting hillbilly family goodbye as she boards a bus, being introduced to the world of exotic dancing by an unscrupulous promoter played by Robert Wuhl) just don't ring true. Belle/Blaze can't have been SO naive as to think that she was being hired to sing in a strip club. And the scene where she and Wuhl cook up her stage name is almost painful in its cuteness. The movie stumbles badly in its introductory scenes.

It is not the fault of Lolita Davidovich, who is quite fetching in the title role, and the film does get better once Paul Newman makes his entrance as the irascible, eccentric governor of Louisiana, Earl K. Long, brother of Huey and therefore heir to a colorful tradition of populist backwoods-backroom politicking. Newman delights in the role, and the chemistry beteen him and Davidovich is genuine. It ratchets the film up a notch or two.

But it still never quite catches fire. It may be that by 1989, we had already seen this type of cornpone politics on film a few too many times. Was the real Earl K. Long as much of a progressive on the integration and voting rights issue as the film implies. Well, this Yankee won't presume to know for sure, but within the context of the film, Long's progressivism comes off as a little cliched. He's clearly a rascal, but he's supposed to be redeemed somewhat in the audience's eyes since he's on the right side of the race issue. But frankly it would be a little more interesting, if he were just a little more conflicted about the racial politics of his home state.

As for the Blaze Starr character, well, as implied above, her character could be, uh, fleshed out more as well. She has been elsewhere described as a "stripper with a heart of gold," and that may well have been the case, but surely, the country gal who started out wanting to be a singer must have been more conflicted about her career path than this film ever suggests. The only sense we get of that inner conflict, however, is her reluctance to tell her backwoods mama what she really does for a living (of course, Mama's not quite as naive and isolated as Blaze thinks: she even keeps a scrapbook of her daughter's exploits). A more nuanced portrait might have upset the real-life Starr, however, and maybe she wouldn't have served as consultant to writer/director Shelton.

Hmmm. Maybe that would have been a good thing.

A very entertaining and underrated film
This movie stirred some controversy when it came out because it is based on the autobiography of Blaze Starr, and so as history it is somewhat unreliable. But the movie works very well on its own terms, and I believe is and was underappreciated. Among other things, it includes another fine performance by Paul Newman, which is worth the price of admission by itself. It is too bad that it is now out of print. Seen as a story told through Starr's eyes, the movie works very well. It is both poignant and funny, and tells this colorful episode of Louisiana history entertainingly (but it's not a documentary, so don't expect complete historical accuracy). Paul Newman gives a memorable performance as Goveror Earl Long, and Lolita Davidowich and the supporting cast are also great. The movie also has a superb soundtrack that includes Fats Domino, Hank Williams and Randy Newman.

Blaze
A nice tribute to the best of the USA, the liberal tolerant side which is so little in evidence today. A must for bible thumping bigots. I don't suppose they'll watch it though. Good soundtrack featuring Hank Williams senior I believe. The story is about a politician who falls for a table dancer. The bigots crawl out of the woodwork as Paul Newman defends black rights. Set in the laste 50's.

Another political film that is good.
This hansome, rich bio of Earl Long, Louisiana political honcho who fell in love with stripper Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovich) while he was governor in the 1950s. Paul Newman is excellent in the lead. There is fine support from a veteran cast of character actors. This is superb entertainment. Political junkies can enjoy detailed political history here. Others can be amazed at Newman's performance, Davidovich's beauty, and director Ron Shelton's eye for atmosphere and detail. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Classic comedy that rocketed 2 stars to fame
If you like basketball at all, you're going to love this movie. If you like to make fun of your friends, you're going to love this movie. Witty comedy that doesn't offend (that's hard to come by these days).

Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) is a street-wise basketball player with something to prove. He heads to Venice Beach to hustle big-time players for money. Hoyle bites off more than he can chew when he meets up with Sydney Dean (Wesley Snipes) and becomes the victim of a hustle himself. However, Dean and Hoyle can't deny the bond of friendship between them, no matter how hard they try. When Billy loses his girlfriend because he loses all of their money and Dean's home is robbed they turn to each other for the solution...the ultimate pick-up game vs the legends: Eddie "The King" Farooq and "Duck" Johnson. $2500 to play, winner take all. Do they win? Well, as Gloria would tell you, "Sometimes when you win, you really lose. Sometimes when you lose, you really win. And sometimes when you win or lose you actually tie. And sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose." Yeah, it's confusing. But that's the way it ends.

Classic comedy.

A great sports movie and much more.
White Men Can't Jump is a movie about basketball hustlers but the characters are multifaceted and this movie focuses on their reasons for hustling rather than the hustle itself. Sidney(Snipes) hustles as a means to get his family out of the ghetto. He is driven by an undying sense of family and a desire to be the provider that his family is looking for. Billy(Harrelson) hustles out of an addiction to gambling and also a desire to show his girlfriend(Rosie Perez) that he is becoming more responsible with money. The basketball in this movie is realistic as is the language and behaviors of the players. The real story; however, is one of loyalty, betrayal and eventually friendship. This is a smart and funny movie that transcends the "sports movie" genre.

Ooh, Billy! You're so stupid!
Weesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson and Rosie Perez all star in this 1992 flick about Billy, a white man who is a basketball hustler, and Sidney, who is just as much a hustler. The two recognize a kindred spirit in the other and set off to play basketball for money, pretending that, as a white man, Billy is easy to beat, when in reality he is about the best there is.

Billy's girlfriend is Gloria, a Jeopardy! junkie aiming to get on the show and win big. (Do you know how many foods begin with the letter Q? Six!)

Billy's love of hustling clashes with his love for Gloria and loyalty to his new friend Sidney. Is there any way he can truly win without losing something he holds dear? Watch this and see.

GIVE ME A BREAK
Wesleyn Snipes and Woody Harrelson are an unlikely duo in this story of two basketball hustlers. The two take to the courts with Snipes playing the loud mouthed Sidney who is unluckily paired with the dumb looking white boy Billy played by Harrelson. All of the brothers know white boys "got no game" and know Sidney will be taken for a ride. Both Sidney and Billy surprise their opponents and milk them for all that they're worth. What a surprise. We have a vanilla and chocolate team that hustles every would be basket-ball players that come as they go from tournament to tournament.

Most would find this a fun film filled with action, great athletic moves and a sound track out of this world. We can laugh at the foibles of both characters and say right on to their equal opportunity partnership. As pure entertainment we can get our chuckles but a closer look reveals some deep seated stereotypes and myths.

Rosie Perez is portrayed as Billy's booze drinking, sex starved, hoochie coochie Puertorican mama who memorizes useless information in hopes of being on Jeopardy. She is insulted by Billy throughout the movie as he continuously loses her money. Why is this woman staying with this man? Perez's talents is wasted in another role of being a sex fiend gal who exhibits no agency of her own.

For all his talen, Snipe's role isn't so hot. He portrays the stereotypical Black man in the ghetto hustling from one scheme to another supposidly trying to support his family. The chump change that both men bring to their wife/girlfriend is a laugh if you know what it takes to support a family. Essentially the women are portrayed as weak, Black men are shown as full of jive and the white boy is just making his way through the crowd.

Just what is the point of the movie? Brotherhood? Financing your dreams? Or is it a wonderful movie portraying the basketball skills in the ghetto? You decide.

Soundtrack Gets the Film Its Fourth Star
Some have trouble with the title of this film, "White Men Can't Jump", and suggest that if there cannot be a film that substitutes the word Black for White and another word for jump, there is a race issue at hand. Racism has nothing to do with this film, and while the title may set off some overly sensitive politically correct censors, not to worry, the film was not made for them. The closest this film comes to presumptions based on color is that a white ball player, Woody Harrelson, probably cannot play with the locales in the rougher parts of LA. Since the character rapidly proves the presumption wrong the idea that stereotypes should be given credence are instantly dispatched.

This is a buddy film that features some amazing street style basketball including a two on two tournament, and playing as good as anything you will see on a college court or many pro courts. The credits mentioned some, "stunt players", and I have no way of knowing how much of the playing was done by the stars of the film. But whoever was making the plays was brilliant. Some of the footage was clearly Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, and both have athletic talents. Rosie Perez also deserves mention as the encyclopedic Jeopardy fiend that eventually gets her shot at the money as well.

Some of the great moments in the film are either stand alone musical pieces or film that is greatly enhanced by the soundtrack. The music used varies widely, from 3 part acappella harmony, to rap, funk, R&B, country, the one and only guitar of Jimi Hendrix, and the soul of James Brown. This is a fun film when you have a few hours and want to relax, and are not in the mood to be hammered emotionally, lectured at or taxed to ponder great moral issues. Pure fun. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Best friends Vince (Woody Harrelson) and Cesar (Antonio Banderas) areboth down-on-their-luck boxers who've suddenly been given a highly visible fight and a promised shot at the middleweight title--only they're fighting each other. With Grace (Lolita Davidovich), Cesar's current girlfriend and Vince's ex, they drive to Las Vegas. Unsurprisingly, the trip opens up hidden resentments, regrets, and mistakes from the past. What's more surprising is how meandering and shapeless Play It to the Bone is; writer-director Ron Shelton is responsible for such charming and sprightly sports films as Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump, and Tin Cup, but boxing doesn't seem to have inspired him. The actual boxing match does achieve a kind of brutal energy, though it's curiously filled with gratuitous hallucinations of female nudity. Still, Harrelson and Banderas have a nice rapport, and in their best moments they just yammer at each other, not exactly listening but still communing in a kind of rhythmic groove. Also featuring Lucy Liu from TV's Ally McBeal and dozens of famous cameos at ringside during the bout. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Amazon.com

Harrison Ford lends his solid, perpetually disgruntled presence to Hollywood Homicide, an action comedy in which he's paired with the squinty eyes and peaches-and-cream complexion of Josh Hartnett (Black Hawk Down, O). Radical French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard would appreciate this complete deconstruction of the buddy-cop flick genre; basic cinematic elements (mismatched partners, a hard-ass superior riding them, arguments about who's going to drive, arguments about intuition vs. diligent detective work, the bad cop who killed Hartnett's father, etc.) have been scrambled and slapped together with no concern for coherence, making clear their innately artificial nature. Sex scenes and car chases come out of nowhere and disappear without consequence, providing arbitrary visual stimulus. During shootouts, it's impossible to tell who got killed or why, underscoring a basic doubt about the purpose of making movies like Hollywood Homicide. It's rare for a mainstream movie to be so daringly (if perhaps accidentally) avant-garde. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (105)

NOT REALLY A COMEDY, BUT A LIGHT-HEARTED ROMP THRU COP LIFE
Harrison ford and Josh Hartnett play homicide detectives investigating the quadruple murder of an up-and-coming rap group. Yet, no, don't go in expecting a nailbiting police procedural.

The film is strewn with several cliches but I fail to see why reviewers tend to compare it to "Lethal Weapon" and "Rush Hour." The partners are not mismatched, not constantly annoying each other , and it is filled with interesting characters that make up for the generic storytelling.

Ford's character for instance moonlights as a real-estate agent who, despite not having sold a house in some time, dabbles in the business because being a cop can't pay the bills. Hartnetts character takes yoga lessons, in the process meeting women. This makes even the most generic scenes seem fresh and new.

So, when watching an otherwise predictable car chase, you will find yourself worrying more about the characters reactions than the actual car chase itself. This is a film that relies more on characters than action and eye-candy. You will probably wear a slight grin on your face when Hartnett re-enacts "A Streetcar Named Desire" on the balcony of a Beverly Hills condo, or when Ford closes a real estate deal on his cell phone in the middle of an intense gunfight.

Yes, the story is stale, but the characters are not, and that is probably the point. "Hollywood Homicide" puts itself a step above other cop films by offering characters (or caricatures thereof) that we can actually care for.

ok movie/ nothing great
Hollywood Homicide is a decent movie.
nothing great.

plot is ok, predictable.

but good entertainment.

BUM RAP
HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE plays like a Starsky and Hutch episode, that might air on Showtime since it's violent and has some nudity. Harrison Ford is a LAPD cop who moonlights as a real estate broker; Josh Hartnett is his young partner, who wants to be an actor and teaches some kind of yoga on the side. Together they investigate the execution style slaying of a rap group named H20 Slick, a group who was planning on getting out of their contract with a sleazy record producer, played by Isaiah Washington (True Crime, Ghost Ship). Add Bruce Greenwood (Below) as an IA cop who's trying to nail Ford due to an old vendetta; Gladys Knight as the mother of an eyewitness to the crime; Lena Olin as Ford's psychic radio star girlfriend; Lou Diamond Phillips as a male hooker undercover cop; Martin Landau as a hasbeen director; Master P as a record producer out to buy the perfect house; cameos by Robert Wagner and Eric Idle---you get the picture.
Ford and Hartnett have a good rapport and some of their dialogue is hilarious, but the movie is so disoriented and implausible, it leaves you wanting more...of what, I'm not sure, but something's missing.
Not a bad time passer.

Homicide's DOA
Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett star in "Hollywood Homicide", an action comedy that has a lot to say about the sillieness of buddy-cop movies. Ford and Hartnett are partners assigned to investigate a nightclub massacre. The problem is that neither one of them really want to be cops; Ford has a real estate buissness on the side and Hartnett is an actor off duty. I am sorry to say that there are no stand out performances here, which is sorry to say considering the outstanding cast involoved. Ford and Hartnett are usually very good, but here they are just, well, blah. Lina Olin is just kind of there in a very rediculos subplot involving her psycic powers. Isaiah Washington, Lolita Davidovitch, Keith David, and Matrin Landau are all underused in their bit roles. The problem is that it wants to be a comedy, but it isn't very funny, too many cliches. It isn't very action packed, either. The only real action piece is at the end, but it is too long, and it just dosn't seem to have any punch to it. I was very disappointed, I am truelly sorry to say. If you can find it on TV, that would be best. All I can say in it's defense is that It's biggest problem is that it feels like no one was really trying, it is just a lazy movie all the way through. It's only defense is I have seen much worst.

hollywood waste of time and talent
harrison ford is playing a over the hill grandfather of a cop in his 60's moon lighting as a realestate salesman and the handsome josh harnett playing the doof partner.

get a real storey with substance, harrison ford does have a fan base, but stay away from the hip hop element or sound track, it just annoys people seeing that in a theatre.

harrison ford get a face lift, ya look like a worn out old man ! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Bull Durham is about minor league baseball. It's also about romance, sex, poetry, metaphysics, and talent--though not necessarily in that order. Susan Sarandon plays a loopy lady who just loves America's national pastime--and the men who play it. At the opening of every season, she attaches herself to a promising rookie and guides him through the season. Unfortunately, the player she bestows her favors upon does not really deserve it. She knows it, and veteran Kevin Costner knows it. Her choice, a dim bulb played for laughs by Tim Robbins, is the only one who doesn't know it. The film, directed by its writer, Ron Shelton, a former minor league player, is rich in subtle detail. There are Edith Piaf records playing in the background, fast-talking managers, and minor characters as developed as the leads. Sarandon's retro-'50s outfits make you think she's just another bimbo, not an English teacher very much in control of her life. And Costner's clear-eyed, slightly vitriolic performance is devastatingly sexy and keenly witty. The love scenes, though tasteful, are almost as humorous as they are hot. Sarandon's character likes to tie her players up and expand their horizons by reading Walt Whitman to them, "'cause a guy will listen to anything if he thinks it's foreplay." How can you not love a movie with such a wicked sense of humor? --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (62)

And this ain't no bull
Often mentioned as 'one of the best sports movies ever.' I'm gonna go farther and say one of the finest movies of the past 30 years. Ron Shelton directs from his own screenplay. And that screenplay makes modern poets out of baseball players, clever words consistently spewing from the mouths of wanna be Babe Ruths. At its core, the story focuses on the love triangle involving Annie Savoy (Brilliant Susan Sarandon), Crash Davis (Kevin Costner in an unpretentious performance) and Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh (Tim Robbins). And minor league ball is the backdrop which allows for grand slam of well executed comedy and just a touch of pathos. Robert Wuhl's assistant coach is so finely tuned, he can bring you to hysterical tears. The ultimate 'chick flick for guys', Bull Durham is filmmaking at its greatest. The DVD has an informative commentary by Director/writer Ron Shelton (Tin Cup).

the carnival that is baseball
Bull Durham is a near-perfect baseball film. Although I feel it lacks some of the wonder of Costner's field of dreams, there are few films that can match Bull Durham's honest, sometimes gritty but always hilarious look into the carnival that surrounds the national pastime.

What particularly special about Bull Durham are the excellent performances given by the lead actors as well as the supporting cast.

Director Ron Shelton couldn't have asked for better performances from his three lead actors. This movie was made back when Costner could still carry a film. He is in the height of his "everyman" powers here. His portrayal of aging minor league slugger Crash Davis is one for the ages. Susan Sarandon smolders yet somehow manages to retain a certain kind of innocence as the groupie-slash-mentor Annie Savoy. Tim Robbins is outstanding as the hotheaded and somewhat mentally challenged rookie pitcher Nuke Laloosh.

The highlights of the supporting cast are Trey Wilson and Robert Wuhl. They play the manager and pitching coach. Wilson is a pure scene stealer in this movie. He provides some of the movie's greatest lines and tenderest moments. Wuhl is the master of the obvious in his cool, almost straight-man delivery.

Bull Durham, like baseball, is about so much more than baseball. Along the way we are invited to think about both the inane and the deeper issues of life. Annie struggles for meaning, Nuke come of age and even Crash's cynical heart softens a bit.

All of the things listed above, as well as the fact that it is a darn good movie earn Bull Durham my hearty recommendation.

Minor League Baseball Masterpiece
Ron Shelton spent some time in the minor leagues represented in his screenplay for Bull Durham, so he knows about the baseball things represented. But he also clearly has a gifted ear for the tempo of real life, and he knows about hopes and desires and the things that make human beings tick. The setting for this film with the minor league Durham Bulls works, and works perfectly, but the characters, especially among the central love triangle, could just as easily have been traveling salesmen or race drivers or con artists or gangsters.

Susan Sarandon plays Annie Savoy, a slightly older woman who is a Durham Bulls groupie of sorts: once a season she picks out a promising young player and begins an affair with them. During that season the promising young player has the year of his life and gets called up to the big leagues, leaving Annie to look for next year's promising young player.

The Bulls also have a million-dollar prospect of a pitcher with a right arm who the gods reached down and turned into a thunderbolt. He also has less control than a seven year old with hyperactive attention deficit disorder without his Ritalin. He's as likely to throw it over the backstop as throw a strike, although his "stuff" is like Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson. Tim Robbins brings "Nuke" LaLoosh to life in his best comic performance.

Kevin Costner, in the best of his many baseball-movie appearances, plays "Crash" Davis, a power-hitting catcher with enough talent to be a leader on minor league teams, but only 21 days in "The Show" in years of minor league work. Crash is not only a competent minor league catcher though - he also knows the history of the game, and he knows how to get into the heads of players who have mental blocks preventing them from achieving all they can as baseball players.

Crash, meet Nuke. Both of you - meet Annie.

The dialogue is so witty and sparkling that more than a decade after the film's release, it still shows up frequently in discussions about baseball movies and on ESPN. Crash envies Nuke's god-given talent, and by degrees the clueless Nuke begins to appreciate Crash's baseball wisdom. Annie has the hots for both of them, and they for her, and the way this triangle evolves and resolves makes for a very satisfying baseball movie watching experience.

The movie would be worth watching if only for the hilarious little scenes that happen out on the playing field between catcher Costner and pitcher Robbins. Nuke has the million-dollar arm and the ten-cent head. Crash knows his job (and everyone elses as well) like the back of his hand. Whenever Nuke starts trying to think for himself, he quickly gets into trouble, frequently with active assistance from Crash.

Crash "calls" the game - signalling to the pitcher which pitches to throw. When Nuke listens things go well. When Nuke doesn't listen, Crash whispers to the hitter what pitch is coming so that the batter can tee off on the pitch. Then as the batter circles the bases after his home run Crash goes out to the mound to remind Nuke not to try thinking for himself. "Boy, the last thing I saw fly out of here like that had a stewardess and passengers on it!"

Supporting parts are performed to hilarious perfection as well, with particular kudos to Trey Wilson as the manager and Robert Wuhl as a team coach. They have many entertaining scenes, including the one following Nuke's minor-league debut - when he struck out 18..... but also walked 18 - both league records! A must for grown-up baseball fans.

I hate Susan Sarandon
Not one of the best comedies that would be Mr.Adam Sandler are someone this was average at best and she sucks very badly watch other movies this is just alright nothing to special.
Acting 8/10 Story 7/10 Direction 3/10 Action 3/10 Entertained 3
Overall 24/50 A little Predictable 3 stars

A fantastic script in a dated film.
4.5 stars. Time passes, and what was once a sparkling 5-star film in the year 1987, shows its age. However, the script is still spectacular! There is so much quotable dialogue here as to seem ridiculous. But there is also a fine cast of excellent actors who bring the words and characters to life, even though they have eighties haircuts and wardrobe. This is a charming film about baseball, romance, (...) baseball, breathing through you eyelids, and baseball. This is smart filmmaking in every respect. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Value. Office Space is super funny
Excellent value if you're interested in both titles Office Space (from Mike Judge from Bevis and Butthead and King of the Hill) creates a wicked and funny movie. I found White Men Can't jump tp be much lesser of a movie however if you like Wesley Snipes you'll most likely want this a part of your collection ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Movie
This movie has everything.

Plot, personality, action.

Newman was never better.

Why isn't it on DVD??

"Blaze" flames out!
Ron Shelton's second directorial effort (after "Bull Durham") falls a little flat. You might be tempted to say that he should stick to sports films--which does seem to be his forte. But I suspect the real problem with this film was that it was based on a memoir and was not one of Shelton's original scripts. The memoir, of course, was that of legendary exotic dancer, Blaze Starr, and she not only provided the source material but served as consultant on the film and even had a cameo. Her influence may not have been all that felicitous, however.

The hurried exposition scenes (young Blaze, nee Belle, bidding her central casting hillbilly family goodbye as she boards a bus, being introduced to the world of exotic dancing by an unscrupulous promoter played by Robert Wuhl) just don't ring true. Belle/Blaze can't have been SO naive as to think that she was being hired to sing in a strip club. And the scene where she and Wuhl cook up her stage name is almost painful in its cuteness. The movie stumbles badly in its introductory scenes.

It is not the fault of Lolita Davidovich, who is quite fetching in the title role, and the film does get better once Paul Newman makes his entrance as the irascible, eccentric governor of Louisiana, Earl K. Long, brother of Huey and therefore heir to a colorful tradition of populist backwoods-backroom politicking. Newman delights in the role, and the chemistry beteen him and Davidovich is genuine. It ratchets the film up a notch or two.

But it still never quite catches fire. It may be that by 1989, we had already seen this type of cornpone politics on film a few too many times. Was the real Earl K. Long as much of a progressive on the integration and voting rights issue as the film implies. Well, this Yankee won't presume to know for sure, but within the context of the film, Long's progressivism comes off as a little cliched. He's clearly a rascal, but he's supposed to be redeemed somewhat in the audience's eyes since he's on the right side of the race issue. But frankly it would be a little more interesting, if he were just a little more conflicted about the racial politics of his home state.

As for the Blaze Starr character, well, as implied above, her character could be, uh, fleshed out more as well. She has been elsewhere described as a "stripper with a heart of gold," and that may well have been the case, but surely, the country gal who started out wanting to be a singer must have been more conflicted about her career path than this film ever suggests. The only sense we get of that inner conflict, however, is her reluctance to tell her backwoods mama what she really does for a living (of course, Mama's not quite as naive and isolated as Blaze thinks: she even keeps a scrapbook of her daughter's exploits). A more nuanced portrait might have upset the real-life Starr, however, and maybe she wouldn't have served as consultant to writer/director Shelton.

Hmmm. Maybe that would have been a good thing.

A very entertaining and underrated film
This movie stirred some controversy when it came out because it is based on the autobiography of Blaze Starr, and so as history it is somewhat unreliable. But the movie works very well on its own terms, and I believe is and was underappreciated. Among other things, it includes another fine performance by Paul Newman, which is worth the price of admission by itself. It is too bad that it is now out of print. Seen as a story told through Starr's eyes, the movie works very well. It is both poignant and funny, and tells this colorful episode of Louisiana history entertainingly (but it's not a documentary, so don't expect complete historical accuracy). Paul Newman gives a memorable performance as Goveror Earl Long, and Lolita Davidowich and the supporting cast are also great. The movie also has a superb soundtrack that includes Fats Domino, Hank Williams and Randy Newman.

Blaze
A nice tribute to the best of the USA, the liberal tolerant side which is so little in evidence today. A must for bible thumping bigots. I don't suppose they'll watch it though. Good soundtrack featuring Hank Williams senior I believe. The story is about a politician who falls for a table dancer. The bigots crawl out of the woodwork as Paul Newman defends black rights. Set in the laste 50's.

Another political film that is good.
This hansome, rich bio of Earl Long, Louisiana political honcho who fell in love with stripper Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovich) while he was governor in the 1950s. Paul Newman is excellent in the lead. There is fine support from a veteran cast of character actors. This is superb entertainment. Political junkies can enjoy detailed political history here. Others can be amazed at Newman's performance, Davidovich's beauty, and director Ron Shelton's eye for atmosphere and detail. ... Read more