Jeri Jacquin
Coming to Bluray from writer/director and film narrator
David Mickey Evans and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes one of the
most amazing stories that has become iconic with THE SANDLOT.
It is 1962, a time of pretty much being outdoors from sun up
till sundown in the San Fernando Valley . It is
also time for America
At the town's sandlot, Smalls makes the 9th player on the
team and is welcomed. The problem is that Smalls doesn't know how to play
baseball. One bad play makes him feel horrible and it doesn't help that Benny
"the jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vitar) breaks out into laughter. Really
wanting to learn, Benny takes the time to teach him and it pays off as Smalls
is back on the team. The roster also includes Ham Porter (Patrick Renna),
Squints Palledorous (Chauncey Leopardi), Yeah-Yeah McClennan (Marty York),
Timmy (Victor Di Mattia), Kenny Denunez (Brandon Adams) and Repeat Timmons
(Shane Obedzinski).
The one thing the team has to watch out for is 'The Beast'
and his owner Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones). When a ball ends up in the Beasts
yard, the gang stops Smalls from trying to get it back. Not understanding why
they are afraid of the Beast, Smalls gets the down low on the man eating dog that
has no problem downing a human being. They basically tell him that once a ball
goes into the yard, it is never seen again.
The lazy sunny days brings the group to the local pool where
Squints continues his crush on lifeguard Wendy Peffercorn (Marley Shelton). The
boys know and tease him a little about it and Wendy isn't thrilled to be stared
at by Squints. That's when he gets the brilliant idea to do the one thing the
other guys can't - get Wendy to put her lips on his. The guys have a new found
respect for their friend!
Back on the field, when Benny gets a little to hard on their
ball, they have no choice but to find another. Smalls says he can get one from
home belonging to step-dad Bill (Denis Leary) and it ends up with the Beast.
What makes things even worse is that the ball is very special to his
step-father and the gang has a week to get it back! The gang tries but nothing
seems to work because the Beast is on to them.
It would take a dream and sage advice from Babe Ruth to find
a way to get the ball back. PF Flyers, the most awesome shoes of the day, were
suppose to bring speed to any kid wearing them. Thinking he has finally beat
the blocks monster, the Beast snaps his chain sending Benny running for his
life through pretty much every part of town only to end up back at the sandlot.
That's where a piece of fence falls on the creature as Benny and Smalls start
to see the Beast differently.
They also finally talk to Mr. Mertle and discover that what
they thought was true about the Beast, was actually not. They explain to Mr.
Mertle about the ball and a change takes place that helps them understand a
little more about the world around them and learns what true friendship truly
is.
That's what happens when friendship and baseball come
together!
Guiry as Smalls is the outward feeling of the group. Wanting
to make friends, he learns that he needs to relax and accept everything that
comes his way. He can thank Vitar's Benny for everything he came to experience
that summer and the obvious friendship that would follow him into adulthood.
Vitar is the inward feeling of the group knowing that Smalls needed a teaching
friend.
Leopardi as Squint is a hero beyond heroes! Watching his
young self come up with the plan to get his lips on Wendy Peffercorn is nothing
short of brilliant. He is the kid I'd probably have hung out with back in the
day. Renna as Ham is the red headed kid who has the amazing ability to shut out
the team who tries to take down the Sandlot and yet be horrified at the snort
of the Beast. York, DiMattia, Adams and Obedzinski round out the boys of summer
and without them, the chase between Benny and the Beast wouldn't have been as
funny or the contraptions they came up with to get Smalls Babe Ruth ball back
wouldn't have been as genius.
Leary as Bill is the uncomfortable step-dad who is still
trying to find that relationship with Scotty and baseball would turn out to be
the key. Allen as Mom just wants her son to be happy and Allen has the look of
just that, a Mom of the times who just wants everyone to be happy.
James Earl Jones as Mr. Mertle is larger than life, but then
so is Hercules. When the boys discover they were all wrong about the situation,
it is a man who also loves the game of baseball that would show them that
baseball has no age limits or boundaries. Then again, James Earl Jones is a
iconic and timeless actor who I still adore.
Other cast include Karen Allen as Mrs. Smalls and Art
LaFleur as The Babe.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings
award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital
HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own
home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have
please visit www.fox.com.
THE SANDLOT Bluray comes with some amazing Special Features
including a Featurette, Theatrical Trailer and Television Spots. The best part
is the 10 Exclusive Topps Baseball Cards featuring Smalls and the gang as well
as an All-New Booklet and Poster that is so very cool to have. My son saw the
Topps Baseball Cards and is thrilled that each of the characters he has come to
remember fondly is on Topps cards!
THE SANDLOT Bluray: 25th Anniversary contains amazing treats
and surprises for everyone. The Special Features include the Featurette,
Theatrical Trailer and original television spots. What's even more amazing are
the set of 10 Exclusive Topps Baseball Cards featuring Scotty, Benny and the
rest of the ragtag roster. There is also an all-new booklet that contains
behind-the-scenes photos from the film director's personal archives and a
full-color poster.
With the opening day of baseball upon us, THE SANDLOT is a
film filled with the reason baseball has become a game that excites millions
and brings us all together for America
THE SANDLOT is exactly like that - memories of a sweeter
time and an amazing time where being outside with your buddies was the end all
be all of our existence. Leaving first thing in the morning and being home by
the time the street lights came on, there were no cell phones, computers,
internet or anything else distracting. Instead it was talking with our friends,
doing things we hoped our parents never found out about, climbing on things we
shouldn't, getting dirty and running around with our mitts dangling from our
pant belts, a ball is someone's pocket and if a bat wasn't handy then a strong
stick would do just as well.
"You're killin’ me Smalls" is an iconic phrase
that is used constantly and, of course, I use it myself - on almost anyone who
has just pushed me to my limits. That it just the tip of the bat of reasons
that THE SANDLOT has become a staple on the list of baseball films and also a
film that has engrained itself on our hearts.
It is amazing that it has been 25 years since THE SANDLOT
first hit the big screen and now that it is on Bluray and Digital - it will be
the perfect addition to any baseball library. Seriously, who doesn't love these
boys of summer!
In the end - a piece of paradise a half block wide and a
whole summer long!
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