Excellent, a Must See

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

I had previously read that Clint Eastwood had retired from acting following his wonderful performance in Gran Torino. Many were displeased, perhaps, especially after such a great last showing for him, but I was among those who felt it was a good thing. I always liked the man's acting, but after such a long and terrific career, I felt the old man had earned the right to hang it up if he wanted to.So when I heard he was returning for this film, I thought it odd and a bit troubling even. Had they tricked a senile old man into doing something he didn't really want to do, against his better judgment? Why ruin a good career with a potentially mediocre baseball movie, especially after going out with a bang like Gran Torino. Better to just leave well enough alone.And I heard the reviews. Not great. Just okay. I felt bad. I won't watch it, I said. I'll boycott. And I didn't watch it for many years, but finally I turned it on one day when I was bored and hungover and it was drizzling and gloomy outside. And boy, I'm glad I did. It made my day so much better and it really was great to see the old man back in action, doing what he does best. I'd like to see him back for many roles to come. Even if it is just another baseball movie.

It goes to show that with too many big name actors, it doesn't necessarily pay off. I feel like the first 30 minutes I was trying to recognize who I knew from other films. And is it just me or do some of the big name actors come in 3's. The introduction of both Gus' bosses and the daughter's bosses are set with 3 big name actors. Was that just me who noticed? It's a good movie but there's no room for potential with so much talent on the cast. People love Clint Eastwood movies and movies that introduce talent on the rise.

Clint Eastwood is an old grumpy, but successful baseball scout. As his health declines is successful lawyer daughter steps in to help him out. The two clash over old issues.First off, not an awful lot happens in this movie. This is all about the relationship between father and daughter, even that story is fairly pedestrian. Saying that the characters, acting and direction are all good.I enjoyed this film, it was a nice gentle film, but not endearing enough to enter my Rainy Sunday DVD collection.I watched this, smiled a few times and now will forget it.

By default this film earns three stars because it's about baseball and an additional one because of Clint. While the film was well-intentioned in its depiction of how "old school" scouts are slowly being replaced by young "whiz kid" number crunchers it ultimately failed with its soft, off-tangent narratives and clumsy casting. Clint was his usual self and has been pretty much been playing the same role since "Million Dollar Baby" (an excellent boxing film by the way, but I digress) while Amy Adams wasted her talents on a poorly written and poorly directed film. I don't dislike Justin Timberlake (I loved his depiction of Sean Parker in "The Social Network") but he was all wrong for this film. His overall performance was what is expected but that play-by- play call of a famous HR in the bar was really poorly executed and it made me cringe. He looked unnatural and it was evident that here was someone pretending to like baseball and not actually appreciating what a beautiful game it can be and is. If you care to watch films about baseball and learn a bit about the sport please the following, you won't be disappointed (in no particular order):Major League Moneyball Field of Dreams A League of Their Own The Sandlot Bull Durham Little Big League