We get a look at spirituality. We learn that while angels can help crappy ball teams cheat, they can't interfere in championship play.
God is sneaky like that.
We get to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt two years before he played a young Tommy Solomon on "3rd Rock from the Sun" and six years before we all forgot about him completely.
And, as a special bonus, they killed off Tony Danza.
Yeah, Angels in the Outfield rocked.
So, it was only fitting that Disney turn it into a mega theme park attraction:
Yeah, that's it.
The Angels in the Outfield attraction is one of those boardwalk games where you throw baseballs at a bunch of wooden targets in the hopes of knocking down two with only three balls.
You will notice in the photo that THREE of the targets are down.
Yeah, I am that damn good.
Anyway, this game is located in the Paradise Pier section of Disney's California Adventure park in fabulous Anaheim California.
California Adventure is located just across from Disneyland in space that was once the Disneyland parking lot. You could throw a stone from California Adventure to Disneyland park, but they won't let you.
Stupid Disney security force.
Anyway, Paradise Pier is one of the themed "lands" of California Adventure. It resembles a Southern California boardwalk, complete with a roller coaster and a fake tattoo parlor. The Angels in the Outfield themed booth is one of the many booths you can try your luck at for a couple bucks (after you pay $50 to get in.)
The targets are all painted to look like catchers extending their mitts. Lined up side by side, it looks like an army of Benito Santiagos are staring you down.
Then you toss the baseballs, and, if you are lucky you leave with a monkey.
They have monkeys in blue, green and pink.
After I won I took home the blue monkey. I like to pretend that he is not getting enough oxygen and is dangerously sick.
Anybody wanna buy a monkey?
ReplyDeleteAngels in the Outfield definitely one of my favorites. I was a loyal viewer when it was on HBO, and rushed out to buy the DVD when it was released. I think this movie was very tastefully done. It contains absolutely no unpredictable elements. The premise involves a young boy named Roger whose deadbeat father has all but abandoned him, saying that their being a family again is as unlikely as the last-place Angels winning the pennant. This prompts Roger to pray for the team and for a family. Suddenly, real angels jump in to help the inept team, and the coach of the Angels insists on Roger and his friend JP attending every home game.
ReplyDeleteI have now told you everything you need to know to figure out every plot turn in the movie. Yes, it is THAT predictable. Combine that with some unbearably goofy comedy, and you have what would appear to be a complete waste of 90 minutes. I was delighted to see such diversity in the movie. It was very refreshing to see Jews, Mormons, Protestants, Homosexuals, Heterosexuals, Republicans, and Democrats together.
But appearances aren't everything, and Angels ends up being more than the sum of its parts. While every part of the movie stays true to formula, the acting and directing never descend into mediocrity, and this infuses the film a with a sincere heart, a sense of joy that allows us to care for the characters even though we know exactly what's going to happen to them. I have heard much criticism directed toward Al Pacino. However, I think Pacino did very well as is character. I have little knowledge of the real Cohn, but Pacinio was able to give Cohn an evil personality, while still keeping the audience aware of how human Cohn really is. It was very interesting.
To be sure, there are many better films out there, and adults would almost certainly want to spend their time watching one with a bit more maturity. But for those looking for a movie they can enjoy along with their children, they will find Angels worth their time.
I found Angels in America very inspiring, and after seeing it for the first time, I seemed to see the world in a whole new light. I know that sounds cheesy, but it is true. For someone very passionate about equal rights, like me, this movie seemed to relay exactly what I stand for. If you are an easily offended Conservative, this movie may not be for you, but I recommend this to anyone with an open mind.
I can't believe they wouldn't have little stuffed Christopher Lloyds as prizes.
ReplyDeleteOh, you think your blue monkey is so tough. But he won't be so tough when Don Muracco drops an elbow on him... FUJI STYLE!
ReplyDelete