tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post5200815800389469742..comments2024-03-27T15:16:57.305-05:00Comments on F This Movie!: Review: 42 (Heath Holland's Take)Patrick Bromleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-60229853613962699472014-07-28T08:34:35.728-05:002014-07-28T08:34:35.728-05:00After just having just finished watching this film...After just having just finished watching this film, a moment ago, I wasn't expecting Heath Holland's response but, as they say, each to their own. Honestly, I thought that <i>42</i> was one of the worst historical films I've ever seen.<br /><br />Having completed a history degree (albeit an undergraduate one), historical film has become quite important to me. Indeed, I learnt more in the historical film course I took than in most of my other courses in my four years. (Somehow, I even wrote four thousand words on the politics of Forrest Gump, but I digress.)<br /><br />To me, the romanticised history of <i>42</i> was terrible. The score was forgettable, as was the acting (I really didn't like Harrison Ford's performance). Thus, I don't consider it suitable for viewing by adults. It's great for inspiring kids to play baseball, but not teaching people "real" history. But, what do I know? Perhaps, I'm just a product of the hyper-realism of many twenty-first century films. The one positive point I can make here is that <i>42</i> presents a story of American racism from the perspective of a black man himself. Unlike in <i>Amistad</i>, the white man isn't the protagonist and hero.Chrishttps://twitter.com/C_W_Allennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-9367021763128425972013-04-15T21:29:21.483-05:002013-04-15T21:29:21.483-05:00Oops! I am a terrible editor. I just noticed my hu...Oops! I am a terrible editor. I just noticed my huge mistake. *Branch Rickey. My apologies.John Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08810774557887719483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-34128306371684867602013-04-15T19:17:17.100-05:002013-04-15T19:17:17.100-05:00Branch Rickey is considered a local hero in southe...Branch Rickey is considered a local hero in southern Ohio, where I'm from. He was born in Stockdale and has a stadium and a park at the college I went to named after him. He was a very interesting person.Shannon Briggsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-13110798478569355672013-04-15T18:39:27.177-05:002013-04-15T18:39:27.177-05:00Gonna see this with my dad (who's a huge baseb...Gonna see this with my dad (who's a huge baseball fan) this weekend. I was interested in seeing it definately but i'm hearing it's pretty flippin great so now i'm pretty jazzed about seeing it. Also can't wait to see Harrison Ford act for the first time in years. Great, insightful review!!Mike Onoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-55987970990912970662013-04-15T09:47:51.236-05:002013-04-15T09:47:51.236-05:00The movie does feel "by-the-books" in a ...The movie does feel "by-the-books" in a couple of scenes, but it's still an enjoyable movie that’s worth a watch. Good review Heath.Dan O.http://www.dtmmr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-56808509032492010022013-04-15T09:43:29.479-05:002013-04-15T09:43:29.479-05:00I saw this over the weekend and wrote my own revie...I saw this over the weekend and wrote my own review of it. It's a remarkable movie, for sure. <br /><br />I hope Ford gets some recognition for his performance as Blanch Rickey, because it was really great. It was definitely the best and most engaging performance I've seen him give in a while, and he was the best part of this movie. But I also won't take anything away from Boseman. I agree with you that the unfamiliarity I have with Boseman does help the movie, making you believe that this is, indeed, Jackie Robinson, and he is powerful to watch as that man. <br /><br />Now, I'm no baseball expert, or barely even a fan, so I don't really know how events actually went down, but I would have liked to have seen more of what life was like for Jackie outside of the baseball field, and the same for Rickey. The many death threats Robinson received were briefly mentioned, but only briefly. And I am curious of the backlash experienced by Rickey. I don't think they got deep enough into the repercussions I'm guessing he must have experienced for making such a difficult and controversial decision at the time. The same for Robinson choosing to take on such a controversial position. <br /><br />Still, the movie is well-directed, powerfully acted, and even humorous at times. It's touching and inspirational with an important message delivered through the fascinating story of an American sports icon. It's definitely worth seeing.John Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08810774557887719483noreply@blogger.com