"Million Dollar Arm" Worth Seeing

By Anonymous
Image result for million dollar arm movie pics
 
With this weekend's big monster of a blockbuster "Godzilla" thrashing through box office numbers, it's easy to forget that it wasn't the only movie to open this last weekend. Disney's "Million Dollar Arm" opened with a relatively soft opening weekend. It's a bummer though, because though it may not be a summer blockbuster, it's one of the best feel-good movies of the year thus far.

   I'm a huge fan of warm, family-fun sports movies. Who isn't, right? Let's face it, I'm sure I'm not the only one who learned everything he needed to know about the game of hockey from "The Mighty Ducks" trilogy; and that all you needed to do was believe and the impossible can happen (thank you "Angels in the Outfield"). There's a level of camaraderie that comes from these sappy, wholesome movies you and your whole family can experience. My friends forever more will always remember turning over recycle bins for goals as we played out our favorite scenes from "The Mighty Ducks", (my knuckle-puck shot was the best, by the way). When these fun-loving sports flicks are based on a true story, well that just makes it all the better.

   "Million Dollar Arm" falls perfectly within the likes of "The Rookie", "Moneyball", and "Miracle", in that for 124 minutes you'll be able to be apart of a story unique to our culture...since it actually happened. The story itself is a predictable cookie-cutter Disney sports movie, but that aside it's still impressive. Jon Hamm plays the well-groomed agent J.B. in search for a big client that will offer the financial stability he and his newly-started agency is desperately in need of. When he gets the idea to go to India to convert a couple of cricket players into professional baseball players, the comedy ensues...as does the emotional tension.

   Though the film is chalked full of comedic moments,  the most intriguing aspect of the film was the emotional contrast in dealing with cultural clashing. J.B.'s adjustment from high class living to a more humble status as he ventures to India is but a friendly reminder of how "nice" we really have it here in the good ole U.S.A. In contrast to that, Rinku (Saraj Sharma, Life of Pi) and Dinesh's (Madhur Mittal, Slumdog Millionaire) adjustment away from home as they strive for the chance of a lifetime, pings the heart strings ever so slightly. That's what makes these movies so enjoyable, even if they are predictable in nature.

   "Million Dollar Arm" is a warm and fun film. You'll laugh, you may even cry. It's everything you would expect from Disney. If you're looking for a family night out at the cinema or just a nice breather after the monstrous likes of "Godzilla", just before the craziness of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" this weekend, then go see it. Movies are escapism and this one will leave you happy after seeing it.


[Image via indianties.com]

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