Home Run

"Nothing great happens when you hold back." Cory Brand (Elrod) is the best baseball player in the country. He has a huge following and is the heart and soul of his team. He also has a very quick and violent temper. After throwing a tantrum during a game he is suspended and sent back to his hometown for rehab. While there in order to keep his image clean he is also to coach the local little league team. Little by little the rehab, coaching and a higher power start to change his life. I am a huge fan of sports movies so this is one I sat down expecting to like. I did not realize going in that it was also a religious themed film. I do not automatically discount a movie because of that aspect because I have seen some that are very good, but this one like so many others like it are just too unbelievable. I have no problem with putting prayer in a movie or showing religious beliefs but when simply saying I now believe in God instantly makes life better and fixes everything it really takes away from the rest of the movie and makes it feel like a commercial for religion. It may be because I was raised Catholic and therefore cynical but to make a religious movie believable would mean that prayer helps but isn't an automatic fix all. Sorry for that tirade. Overall, a good movie that is worth watching but the religious aspect took me out of the movie. I give it a B-.

Home Run is a very good and very simple story; more main-stream than Facing the Giants, Fireproof, or even Courageous. It chronicles the career of a major-league baseball player whose excesses get the best of him. We watch and enjoy the repair of his life and the lives of those around him. Due to it's simplicity and perhaps audience apathy towards this genre, Home Run will likely prove to be one of the most underrated films in a long time. It is of a recent slate of Christian message movies, and carries a certain pro-Celebrate Recovery message... but to summarize it as only that would do this movie and potential viewers a tremendous disservice. Get out and see it, or at least get the DVD! It is well directed, very well produced, and has the best acting of any movie in this group. On par anything out of Hollywood.

The only problem would be the length of the movie - was a bit drawn out. With that said, I must say that the acting was very good and drew me into the story. I hope to see more two main actors (Scott Elrod, Dorian Brown)in other movies in the future. Scott Elrod really made the character believable in his struggle (the good, the bad and the ugly). Dorian Brown reminded me of a young Sandra Bullock and was very charming in her performance. The music was fitting to the scenes and really set the mood. The movie presented a believable story which was easy to follow and had you hoping that a happy ending was possible. All in all the movie was very good and professional. Great to see a movie with a positive message which shows Christianity in a positive light. Such a movie is is rare today - recommended.

Those down-rating this movie based upon its religious text is just juvenile. Whether or not you are religious, this is a good movie that is well-acted and directed. It has a point, purpose, and resolution that is readily identifiable with- not some convoluted, life is depressing or futile trope that hollyweird and indie films are pumping out. It is also entertaining, which I can't say about a lot of films these days with their CGI-filled, over-produced and over-hyped crud.

The movie is real and not afraid to touch on some very disturbing themes like family abuse, alcoholism and second chances.

Although at moments it becomes predictable, it is not sugar coated, characters are full of shortcomings, but likable. By the end, you want them to succeed and get a new chance in life.

Production and cast is more like TV movie, but you will get your hour and a half of ups and downs and some happy endings.

Perfect portrait of life in small American mid West town and why some strive to get away as fast as possible and some find they true happiness in a place they were born and raised.

Not really a family movie.