Cool Runnings

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: October 1, 1993

DVD Release Date: August 24, 1999

Plot 411: A story loosely based on the true story of the Jamaican bobsled team of 1988.

Review: This is the inspirational tale about the Jamaican bobsled team whose sportsmanship and courage gained them a bit of respect where there previously had only been derision. John Candy plays Irv Blitzer, a former Olympic gold medalist from America. After becoming involved in an Olympic scandal, he goes to Jamaica to retire. He becomes a bookie and wallows in his self-pity. However, when 100 meter sprinter Derice (Leon) is disqualified from the summer Olympics, he and some other friends (Malik Yoba, Doug E. Doug and Rawle D. Lewis) try to pursuade Irv to teach them to bobsled in time for the winter Olympics. Faced with many obstacles, like the lack of snow and inadequate equipment, the team strives to qualify for the Olympics no matter what the cost. Cool Runnings is one of those movies I still remember from my childhood. It had a great impact on me because of its inspirational message - follow your dreams. The heart shown by the team and their concerted effort to succeed is something to which everyone can aspire.

Watch It: If you're facing a new challenge and feel as though the whole world is against you. This'll give you the boost you need to strive toward your goals.

Skip It: If you're sick and tired of Disney's family sports movies like The Mighty Ducks.

The Sandlot

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: April 7, 1993

DVD Release Date: January 29, 2002

Plot 411: The new kid on the block spends his summer bonding with the kids from the sandlot and "the beast."

Review: "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” This is clearly a legend of a coming-of-age movie in my book. Bookish Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry) moves to L.A. with his mom (Karen Allen) and stepdad (Denis Leary). In an effort to make friends, he follows some boys to a dirt field affectionately called "the sandlot." Here, he is taught the great game of baseball by the local kids and is taken under the wing of Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vitar), who is the best player in their neighborhood. However, when an over-the-fence homerun knocks a ball signed by Babe Ruth into the domain of "the beast," the boys must find a way to recover it despite their fear of the ferocious dog. Not only does this movie have it all (comedy, drama, intrigue and wholesomeness), it is especially good at relating to kids. All the little details that are so important when you're 10 or 12 years old is important in this movie. The idea of losing a baseball over the fence feels immense. Getting a kiss from a pretty girl is a life or death situation. A day can seem like a year when it's summer and you have all your friends with you. This movie captures this feeling of childhood innocence and enthusiasm like no movie of its kind. Everything is there in this film, including inspirational themes like realizing your dreams and overcoming your fears. And yet, in its purest form, this is just a movie about a summer of baseball. Genius.

Watch It: For a good amount of childhood fun and adventure that will have you reliving your own summer adventures.

Skip It: If maybe hockey is your thing and you'd prefer Mighty Ducks. I think that movie is good in its own right but it's no Sandlot. There's something about the '60s that just makes you think baseball and apple pie.