Farming Game, The Movie Reviews

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Family movie reviews for "Farming Game, The" sorted by average review score:
When it Was a Game
Released in DVD by Hbo Studios (18 April, 2000)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Starring: When It Was a Game
The HBO documentary When It Was a Game (slightly shortened on DVD from the two-part VHS release) is based on a highly original idea: tell the story of baseball from the Great Depression era through the late 1950s using footage from home-movie cameras shot by fans and players. The result is a marvelous retelling of baseball in America as seen from the ground--the culture of stadiums, the ritual of afternoon games, the spiritually sustaining rivalries. Somewhat enthralled by the images at its disposal, the film has a way of almost stepping back from itself, waxing poetic at a sighting of the St. Louis Cardinals' "Gashouse Gang," or a glimpse of Bogart and Bacall in the stands, or the legendary contests between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Among the truly unexpected sights is color footage of the 1938 World Series (Cubs versus Yanks), not only from inside the stadium walls but from the street as traffic cops, crowds, and vehicles amassed. Of course, there are the heroes, too, often caught in relaxed, unselfconscious moments through the lens of a teammate or a true believer in the bleachers. A great experience all around.

Arguably more defined and even more lyrical than its predecessor, the second installment of When It Was a Game moves from a general celebration of baseball culture in America to a specific focus on various facets of the game's history. Once again using footage compiled from the 8mm and 16mm collections that players and fans shot over decades, this sequel follows, among other things, the special relationship between game announcers and fans and takes a fascinating trip through the story of the farm-team system during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s (particularly the near-alternate world of the Coast League). The working-class commonality of players and fans is examined, too. Imagine taking the subway home from Ebbets Field and finding yourself looking back on the day's game with a Dodger outfielder. (It could, and often did, happen.) Brooklyn's assimilation of the Dodgers into their community identity, a story often told, is covered quite winningly here, as is the heartbreak of the team's desertion to sunny California. Closing in on its final minutes, the film takes us on a tour of some of the game's legends and presents a touching tribute to the extraordinary Babe Ruth. --Tom Keogh

Average review score:

Wow. Color film footage of Lou Gehrig and much, much more
"When It Was a Game" is composed entirely of 8mm and 16mm home movie footage that was taken by players and fans between 1934 and 1957. What this means for every baseball fan who has seen nothing but black & white newsreel footage of the good old days is the opportunity to see great players and the old ballparks where they played in living color. As soon as your see Lou Gehrig in color your heart just about skips a beat. Every spring right before Opening Day I watch the Ken Burns 9-inning documentary on "Baseball," and once it gets up to the Sixties and we start seeing things in color, the whole thing loses some of its charm for me because I am so used to seeing old footage and photographs in black & white. That makes the nostalgic images in "What It Was a Game" so astounding.

The only thing I can come up with to compare this documentary to wuld be the 1953 Bowman baseball cards. That was the year Bowman went to photographs, with 64 black & white 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" cards and 160 in color. These remain some of the most beautiful baseball cards ever made, particularly card #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals' Stan "The Man" Musial. When we see footage of Musial in this documentary, his uniform a beautiful combination of black and red, this is just something transcendent about that image. Even when these are just home movies taken before a game, seeing Ted Williams, Hank Greenberg, Bill Dickey, Carl Hubbell, Robin Roberts, and Jackie Robinson in color is just so captivating. Even shadowy footage of Satchel Paige in the major leagues at last is memorable. Then there are the shots of some of the living Hall of Famers such as Honus Wagner and Cy Young, including film of the greatest outfielders of the first half century: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Tris Speaker. I have seen black & white photographs of their joint appearance, Ruth ill and not wearing a uniform, but this is in color and the pictures are in motion.

The producers have to come up with something for somebody to say while we watch these fascinating images, and there is a mixture of recollections from former players, poetic observations from sportswriters, and some actual commentary on what we are seeing (I have reason to suspect that some of this is leftover audio from Burns's "Baseball" since they are the same voices). But you will probably have to watch this 57-minute documentary a couple of times to catch everything that is being said because a real baseball fan is just going to lose themselves in these pictures. Players are often identified, which is good because since they are not in black & white some of them are actually hard to recognize. But in terms of the most shocking images that would have to be reserved for the section on the old ballparks where we see Chicago's Wrigley Field when the outfield wall was not covered with ivy and there were no bleachers for the fans. If that does not give you a sense they we have gone back into the distant past when baseball was a game, nothing will.

Amazing
I'll keep this short. If you are a baseball fan (you're a dying breed) then you will love this. This series magically takes you back in time to a place where the game was played for sport and pride and not money. Before free agency there was a thing called respect. Baseball helped to make hard times a little easier and to forgot lifes troubles for awhile. Buy this DVD and show your children what sports used to be. What men used to be.

Baseball time travel
I sometimes dream in black and white, and when I do, I'm usually watching an old baseball game, one played before there was TV, even. Doubtless my dreams are influenced by all the old books I read as a kid, and from watching "When It Was a Game" when it originally aired on HBO a decade ago. I decided to buy the DVD for myself after seeing some of the memorabilia from the Baseball Hall of Fame currently on display in the "Baseball As America" exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.

And while many of the players and ballparks captured on film here were gone long before I was born, I recognized most of them anyway. I especially thrilled in seeing the black & white footage from the 1934 World Series -- the hard slides, the beanballs, the old-school herky-jerky pitching deliveries -- and the color footage from the '38 Series at Wrigley Field. Here you also get to see the fabled Green Monster at Fenway Park, before it was either Green, or called "Monster" -- covered in billboards for razor blades or Lifebuoy soap.

If I had to complain, I'd say that for a beginning or casual fan, the footage presented is confusing at first, since graphics and explanatory voiceovers are kept to a minimum in the first twenty minutes. Eventually, however, all the ballparks shown are identified by name, as are many of the players. The narration is misty-eyed and minimal, and not all of the poems or literary passages recited may be to your liking. However, it should be understood that HBO is quite adept at this form of documentary, and "When It Was A Game" was at the forefront of the HBO revolution. And it's also hard to argue with hearing Burgess Whitehead and Eldon Auker and Tommy Henrich speak for themselves.

Go out and watch "When It Was A Game" for yourself -- with the sound on, painting a word-picture of a time you can no longer see for yourself, or even with the sound off, just to look at the footage (Pepper Martin's juggling trick has to have been done with mirrors!). Then when someone asks you what you watched on TV yesterday, you can say, "Oh, the 1934 World Series..."

When it Was a Game 2
Released in DVD by Hbo Studios (01 May, 2001)
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Arguably more defined and even more lyrical than its predecessor (When It Was a Game), this HBO documentary moves from a general celebration of baseball culture in America to a specific focus on various facets of the game's history. Once again using footage compiled from the 8mm and 16mm collections that players and fans shot over decades, this sequel follows, among other things, the special relationship between game announcers and fans and takes a fascinating trip through the story of the farm-team system during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s (particularly the near-alternate world of the Coast League). There's also an enlightening sidebar about the old disparity of capital and profits among major-league teams (as opposed to the contemporary disparity), and about how each season's funding shortages took a toll on such lowly outfits as the Boston Braves and the St. Louis Browns. The working-class commonality of players and fans is examined, too: imagine taking the subway home from Ebbets Field and finding yourself looking back on the day's game with a Dodger outfielder. (It could, and often did, happen.) Brooklyn's assimilation of the Dodgers into their community identity, a story often told, is covered quite winningly here, as is the heartbreak of the team's desertion to sunny California. Closing in on its final minutes, the film takes us on a tour of some of the game's legends and presents a touching tribute to the extraordinary Babe Ruth. --Tom Keogh
Average review score:

More color home movies of baseball players (1925-1961)
The initial joy of seeing baseball players like Lou Gehrig and retired greats like Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and Cy Young in living color is worn off when you get to volume 2 of "When It Was a Game," but this is still a captivating look into the past. The time frame for these collected home movies from players and fans on 8mm and 16mm film is a bit broader this time around, going back to 1925 and forward to 1961, which means the oldest shots are actually in black & white and seem rather out of place, because once again the thrill here is seeing players and ballparks in glorious color. There is Hank Aaron wearing the great looking uniform of the Boston Braves, old Crosley Field in its green splendor, and Babe Ruth making his final appearance in a Yankee uniform at the Stadium. There is a bit more effort this time to have the disembodied voices talking about subjects that sort of match up to the images on the screen, such as Joe Garagiola talking about graffiti on an outfield billboard, Enos Slaughter explaining why he always ran on and off the field, and the story of catcher Moe Berg being a government spy while barnstorming with Connie Mack in Japan. There is a nice section on what lfie was like the Pacific Coast League when major league baseball did not exist west of St. Louis.

But whether you actually listen to what is being said or tune it out will not affect your enjoyment of these nostalgic images. At the end of these hour-long HBO documentaries, when they simply show shots of various ballplayers and superimpose their names, that is the essence of what makes "When It Was a Game" so special. There is Jackie Robinson in color, Hank Greenberg in color, Mel Ott in color, and so on and so forth. Even when it is someone we are used to see in color, such as Yogi Berra or Willie Mays, we are still talking a young Yogi and a young "Say Hey" Kid. A lot of the action is off field-baseball players in Spring Training wearing bathing suits and cleats, Yogi and some other Yankees sticking out their tongues for the camera, the Chicago Cubs in a parade before the start of a World Series game-but that does not detract from our enjoyment of these simple film clips spliced together.

moving documentary
All 3 WIWAG are excellent. This is more than just a well put together documentary. Its very moving because of the footage, narration and music. You don't feel like you are watching a DVD about baseball. It feels like you are watching a snapshot of Americana from the 50's and 60's. After watching this, you wish that things today were as they were back in those days. Not just baseball or sports, but life in general as it was protrayed in the DVDs.

The best baseball movie of all time.
This is no Hollywood baseball movie. This is the real deal. Exquisite colors and poetic comments from those who played baseball the way it should be played- as a game.

Perfect Game
Released in DVD by Buena Vista Home Vid (06 May, 2003)
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Dan Guntzelman
When a championship-bound coach (Patrick Duffy) adds some notoriously untalented kids to his team on a bet, the players view it as their chance to learn from the master. But the scheming coach has other plans, which include not letting them play. When young Kanin and friends uncover the plot and the coach is dismissed, the team disintegrates--or does it? With the help of Kanin's determined mom (Tracy Nelson) and a past-his-prime coach (a blustery Ed Asner), the multiracial, coed team pulls it together enough to make it to the playoffs, where they face... you guessed it, Duffy and his new team. The latest in a long line of underdog kids sports movies, which started with The Bad New Bears, this 96-minute film from Disney TV has neither the wit nor the grit of its inspiration, but it serves as reasonable family entertainment. Baseball fans will have to forgive its casual approach to the rules of the game, however. (Ages 5 and older) --Kimberly Heinrichs
Average review score:

memories
reminiscent of the Kenny Roger's hit "The Greatest". Superb acting by young Cameron Finley (Kanin) as he struggles to become a great ball player like his dad. A movie that will surely bring back Little League memories, whether as a player, parent of coach. Great family film for young and old alike.

A Great Family Film!
There are all too few movies around that we can take the kids to. And many of them are tough for adults to sit through. Thankfully, this one is a gem. Ed Asner is charming as always and Patrick Duffy makes a great bad guy. But the kids are the stars of this story of a young boy who just wants to be one of the team. Don't miss this one. It'll make a great addtion to the kids' video library.

The Waiting Game
Released in DVD by Vanguard Films (29 July, 2003)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Ken Liotti
At last, a movie made by and for actors with lots of experience in the service industry. The Waiting Game is a slight movie, but nice enough, and sure to provide a few moments of recognition for actors still slugging away in the trenches. The characters are familiar ones: Lenny, the Actor with the Upscale Girlfriend Who Doesn't Understand His Career; Andi, the Actress Who Is in a Dishonest Relationship; Shannon, the Midwesterner; and of course the Gay Guy. Then there is Dan, the Bitter Failed Actor, and clearly the most fun part--he is awarded the angry interior waiter monologues; the bad, pretentious one-man show; and the actor-blows-up-at-the-insensitive-casting-people monologue. The Waiting Game has nothing you haven't seen before, but it's made with affection and authenticity. Watch it after you've spent the evening in the weeds with a low-tipping eight-top. --Ali Davis
Average review score:

An unexpected treat
This is a terrific movie to rent and watch and spend a fun evenig with a friend. The story keeps moving and has plenty of hilarity to keep you interested throughout. The advertising accurately describes it as a cross between Friends and Sex in the City. Neither to serious or to light its the perfect entertainment.

Ken Liotti: The Next Woody Allen
One viewing of this hilarious movie will convince you the name Ken Liotti is one to watch. His insightful vignettes of contemporary artists-in-waiting splays across the screen the bold colors of desperation, decadence, and the undaunted pursuit of a dream. Ken's mastery of colloquial New York-ese draws laughter and - at times - disturbing introspection from the audience. His hard-line realism in depicting the grunge and garishness of these aspiring artists' world transports the viewer directly into their midst. This man's days among independent filmmakers are numbered...watch for this boy in Hollywood!

When It Was a Game - Triple Play Collection
Released in DVD by Warner Home Video (01 May, 2001)
MPAA Rating: Unrated
This HBO documentary is based on a highly original idea: tell the story of baseball from the Great Depression era through the late 1950s using footage from home-movie cameras shot by fans and players. The result is a marvelous look at baseball in America as seen from the ground--the culture of stadiums, the ritual of afternoon games, the spiritually sustaining rivalries. Among the truly unexpected sights is color footage of the 1938 World Series, not only from inside the stadium walls but from the street as traffic cops, crowds, and vehicles amassed. It also covers World War II's impact on the game, and, of course, the heroes, often caught in relaxed, unselfconscious moments.

Arguably more defined and even more lyrical than its predecessor, When It Was a Game 2 moves from a general celebration of baseball culture in America to a specific focus on various facets of the game's history, including the special relationship between game announcers and fans and the farm-team system during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. Brooklyn's assimilation of the Dodgers into their community identity is covered quite winningly as is the heartbreak of the team's desertion to California. Last, the film takes us on a tour of some of the game's legends and presents a touching tribute to the extraordinary Babe Ruth. --Tom Keogh

When It Was a Game 3 focuses on the 1960s, a time of change for all of America. Through sharp, incredibly clear color footage of players and fans, the film shows how Major League Baseball slowly but surely evolved from pure sport to moneymaking entertainment. Covering the mighty Yankees, the western expansion of both leagues, the increasing inclusion of black players, and the rise of free agency and increased salaries, the film shows the growth of baseball from adolescence to adulthood. --Rob Lightner

Average review score:

When it was a game-3 pack
I have been an avid baseball fan since 4 yrs. old. (1951) I am a collector of baseball sports memorabilia going back to late 20's. The series, "When it was a game" was an absolute delight. It finally placed faces to names I have collected for over 50 yrs. The 8 and 16 mm made the viewing even more spellbounding. It made me feel like I actually took the photos. It is refreshing to see my hero's in everyday circumstances; snapshots of the best of the best as ordinary people. The movies were well-done, I was not able to stop viewing until I have watched all three DVD's. This is the best collection of home movies of hall of famers I have ever seen. I would recommend this collection to any baseball fan who truly wants to reward himself with the very best footage of his favorite leaguer. I will cherish the entire set.

Baseball History on DVD
The when it was a game series is one of the best baseball documenturies that I have ever seen. The extreamly rare footage of baseball's greats with commentation is a very good mix. You'll love to relive the history and remember those great days "when it was a game."

The Gin Game
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (08 July, 2003)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Arvin Brown
Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, performing together for the first time since the heady days of The Dick Van Dyke Show, demonstrate the natural chemistry that made them television icons so long ago. In this skillful TV-movie of D.L. Coburn's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Van Dyke and Moore play two elderly people who fight loneliness, loss, and each other while playing cards at a nursing home. The game reflects their approach to life as much as card-playing--but if you expect an easy, sentimental journey, you'll be surprised. Both Weller (Van Dyke) and Fonsia (Moore) have led unhappy lives, marred by misfortune and the spoils of their own difficult personalities. The dark undertone of their quarreling makes The Gin Game a potent piece of work, and these two old pros tear into their parts without fear or compromise, finding both humor and bitterness. --Bret Fetzer
Average review score:

Great Movie!!
It's nice to see Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore reunited again which makes it a great movie!!

The Last Game (Director's Cut)
Released in DVD by (30 December, 2003)
MPAA Rating:
Directors: T. Patrick Murray and Alex Weinress
Sports documentaries don't get any better than The Last Game, which seems likely to remain the greatest film ever made about the undiluted thrill of high school football. You couldn't write a Hollywood script better than this riveting, real-life celebration of Central Bucks West--the reigning champions of Pennsylvania high school football--and the team's passionate hard-ass coach of 32 years, Mike Pettine Sr. The year is 1999, and as CB West storms its way toward an astonishing, undefeated three-season record of 45-0, we witness the many facets of an unfolding drama: star fullback Dustin Picciotti rises to prominence with an abundance of cocky self-assurance; former CB West player-turned-rival coach Mike Pettine Jr. prepares to battle his father's team in a crucial game; and Pettine Sr. wrestles with the decision to retire after this, his 33rd season. It all culminates in a final championship contest during which Picciotti and two other valuable players are injured--an escalating sequence of events that's guaranteed to have you white-knuckled on the edge of your seat. Given the pure, non-professional nature of high school football, the raw energy of this low-budget, shot-on-video production, and the volatile personalities involved, The Last Game reflects the spirit of CB West: It's just about perfect. --Jeff Shannon
Average review score:

nonsports fan glued to my seat
..this film deserves all of the praise lavished by USA TODAY, LA TIMES, AINT IT COOL NEWS, as well as the directors of other sports movie legends...

IF you ever played football, or, if like me, always wondered why they did it, this film answers it all while leaving me( and soon you) breathless during the games of this epic champion filled season

THE LAST GAME - 4 Stars (USA TODAY)
This film is truly one in a million- if you like football, you will love it for the excellence of the action. If you don't love football- you could still love this film because it centers on the drama of a family- a father and son who must play each other- as coaches of the #1 and #2 team in the state- and the wife and mother stuck in the middle.

This film got 4 stars from USA TODAY and was called "one of the best sports documentaries ever made" by the Los Angeles Times. Check their website if you don't believe me- www.TheLastGame.com

This is a rare, once in a lifetime movie- I am not exaggerating.

Get it! See it! Share it!

The Official 2003 NCAA National Championship Football Game: Ohio State
Released in DVD by Computer Group Inc (08 July, 2003)
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Average review score:

awesome!!
this is a great dvd to add to your collection. for all the fans of the 2002 national champions ohio state buckeyes, this is a must. shows the complete game, and the 2 overtimes...no commercials. great dvd.

Predators III: Killing Game
Released in DVD by Madacy Entertainment (20 March, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Average review score:

Excellent DVD!
The producers of this DVD really nailed it on this one. I've never seen such action in a nature film before....the lions hunting a bull giraffe sequence is chilling, tragic (for the giraffe) and awe inspiring all at once. I am looking forward to Predators IV!

Hip Hop 101: The Game
Released in DVD by Ventura Distribution (28 October, 2003)
MPAA Rating:
Average review score:

Entertaining look inside the music buisiness
Lots of stars and industry pros to watch. They all give some pretty insightful info on what they think it takes to make it in music. Ghostface is hillarious, and why is he in a bathroom?!?!

Overall, this movie definitely pumps me up and makes me want to go practice my beats!

AWESOME!! ONE OF THE BEST HIP HOP FILMS !!
MASTER P, NELLY, G UNIT, SCARFACE, KRS ONE, FAT JOE, GHOSTFACE, LOON..... THE LIST GOES ON & ON.
SO MANY OF HIP HOP'S GREATS AND THEY ALL KEEP IT REAL ABOUT EVERYTHING. ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS HIP HOP GAME RAW & UNCUT. NOTHING WATERED DOWN!!
A MUST HAVE FOR ANY FAN OF HIP HOP MUSIC.

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