Reviews

I'm a huge fan of Eric Clapton's music, but this documentary was worse than a trip to the dentist. Most of the interviews were boring, as was much of the focus on the film. It just seemed to unfold in slow motion. It's 2 1/2 hours long, which immediately is a red flag for any documentary. What we need is a 90 minute compelling documentary on the entire arc of Clapton's music. This wasn't it, especially since much of the 1970's was a slow period for his body of work. Anyway, there might be 20 minutes total of concert footage worth watching, but spare yourself the rest.

Where to start on this start-to-finish drivel? The plot line is banal. The script writer should be embarrassed to have anyone else hear the lines he or she wrote -- clunker after clunker. The acting performances are wooden, probably because they realized they were being put in front of a camera with such pablum to recite. The music is insulting. I grabbed this as i was on my spinning bike, and it's a bit inconvenient to change selections, so i stayed with it. I did retain some hope it would improve, but it stayed dismal start to finish. Perhaps consistency is the only positive thing I can say about this consistently miserable excuse of a movie. Anyone who rates it higher than three out of ten stars was either in it, helped produce it, and is a supportive friend or family member of those who dumped this lame effort on the world.

You have to wonder how this film happened. I'm sure I've seen a few that were worse, but none come to mind. Save yourself the time and watch paint dry. It will be a lot funnier, and you won't find yourself at the end saying, "What in the world was the person who made this paint thinking?" Really, really lame film.

So in posting this review, it looks like I need to go on for ten lines to get it posted. If I were to list things I hated about this film, I could go on for volumes. But if I focused on what I liked, I'd be limited to a big round of applause for whoever did the trailer, which put the best possible face on a really dismal film.

Light enough entertainment, and we made it to the end. But the person who did the casting for this film really struck out. Jack Black isn't in the slightest credible in his role. And Cameron Diaz looks so much better than she acts. It's a movie that had real potential, and is moderately entertaining in its final form. But I suspect it won't ever make anyone's list of top 50 movies for the holidays, even though it's got the exact right title for making that list.

One reason to watch this film is Eli Wallach, who is a real treat. And Kate Winslet's interactions with him are the film's highlight. Two great actors with a compelling subplot are almost enough to give this movie lift-off. But then Jack Black and Cameron Diaz come back into focus, and you're back to looking for the remote control to switch the channel.

I saw the premiere of this movie at Sundance, and had a chance to talk to several others in the audience. All of us felt this movie was one of the most powerful and moving films we've ever seen. Although there is a tie to the war in Iraq, this is not yet another political statement on the issues around the war.

The movie is based on the actual experience of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, who volunteers to escort the body of a young Marine (Chance Phelps) who was killed in Iraq, and whose remains are being returned to the Marine's family. Scene after scene in this movie are pitch perfect, and it made me appreciate the professionalism and sacrifice of those in the military. While I was personally opposed to the war in Iraq, I feel this movie is something every US citizen should see, as well as every government official. As a result of seeing "Taking Chance," the dedication and professionalism of our military is far more tangible, as well as the pain and suffering each family experiences with each death.

My only caution is that you should have tissue handy, since the movie made almost everyone in the audience cry. But as our Sundance group talked about the film afterwards, we were all deeply appreciative to have had the opportunity to see this movie, and gain new empathy with the rank-and-file in the military who are so heroic.

Our family watched this movie and we were on the edge of our seats through the final credits. It's an inspiring story, and a well-executed movie. And it has deeper meaning than just baseball. We (two adults and a 10 and a 12 year old) all thought it was fabulous, gripping, and so fun to watch. And we then did some web research after watching it to learn more about the baseball program in the tiny town of Norway, which has been so successful for decades. Thank you to those who put this movie together, since it was a real treat for the audience! Whether you're into baseball (we are) or not, I think you'll enjoy the excitement of this story, the accomplishments of kids from a tiny town, and the challenges presented by mindless bureaucrats to life in small, agricultural towns.