CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.
Film Review: ‘Million Dollar Arm’ Misses the Strike Zone
CHICAGO – “Million Dollar Arm” harkens back to a period of shameless family friendly schmaltz that used to play to families in theaters and then run in perpetuity on “The Wonderful World Of Disney” on television. But this treacly baseball drama throws nothing but balls.
Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
Although slightly more believable than a story about a football kicking mule who wins the big game, its ambitions are the same. It yanks at the heartstrings by whatever means necessary while largely ignoring the sport the redemption tale is ostensibly about.
Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) stars as a failing sports agent just barely getting by. When his big NFL recruit leaves him- he’s left in dire financial straights. But one night while watching singing phenom Susan Boyle he gets that far away look that signals inspiration in movies like this. He heads to India to organize a reality competition show to turn a cricket player into a major league pitcher.
JB (Jon Hamm) and Aash (Aasif Mandvi) in ‘Million Dollar Arm’
Photo credit: Walt Disney Pictures