America’s pastime has always held a special place in the hearts and minds of the people, but cinema’s love affair with the game has been remarkably brief. That is surprising, considering the highest level of national popularity seemed to have coincided with the beginnings of film. Back then, baseball ruled. These days, attendance is higher than ever but baseball is still number two on the American sports list behind the NFL. Regardless, some classics have been made on the subject, and Pennsylvania satellite TV subscribers can enjoy these five classics after watching the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies take the field.
5. Major League. A wacky, hilarious look at the game, Major League has just enough going for it to remain among the best baseball pictures ever. The owner is one of the indispensable characters, along with “Wild Thing” (every team has one) and other memorable egos. Besides, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t break out laughing when Bob Uecker calls “Just a bit outside,” on a pitch that had flown to the backstop.
4. Eight Men Out. There are villains, there are slimy conspirators and most importantly, there are innocent, mythical players being taken along for the ride. A complex vision of the 1919 Chicago “Black” Sox scandal, director John Sayles may have gotten too clinical in his depiction, but it’s still impressive. Nothing reverberates in any of these films quite like the final scene, when a banned Shoeless Joe Jackson floats across the field. Watch this film on premium satellite TV networks.
3. Field of Dreams. Check your cynicism at the door for this fan favorite. Shoeless Joe again makes an appearance -- this time truly as a ghost -- as Kevin Costner tosses logic to the wind and constructs a baseball diamond on his Iowa cornfield. A cry for the baseball of old, as well as a celebration of the father-son bonds formed around the game, the movie succeeds in spite of its corniness. Always in heavy rotation on Pennsylvania satellite TV networks, watch this film without commercials in HD for the full effect.
2. Bull Durham. One of the baseball pictures that succeeded with the movie going public at large, Bull Durham may be the most authentic of baseball pictures. This time, Shoeless Joe is nowhere to be found (though Costner is) as the minor leagues of baseball are giving their fair shake. The film succeeds because it has a simultaneous reverence and casual approach to the game. It’s not mythical; it’s life. Costner is terrific, as well as Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.
1. The Natural. Besides Costner, there were few actors who looked more like a player than Robert Redford. Another study of the game’s mythical qualities, Redford’s comeback is inspiring for so many reasons. No baseball season should begin until you’ve reviewed this film in high definition.
Baseball has been good to PA residents and direct tv in Pennsylvania carries all the games as well as the movies. Forget about cable tv in Philadelphia, PA when you have the chance to go satellite.
