March Madness: A League of Their Own

First of 'reel scribbles' where I try to organize my thoughts while watching a movie.

A League of Their Own is about Women's Baseball during WW2 and I saw a sign that said March is Women's History Month, so I thought I gave it a go.

So, the movie is (also) directed by a woman, so this is an extra in femininity... not that I'm trying to keep score... anyway, the movie starts with a mother and daughter trying to bond or something. After a not-so-subtle underdog appreciation and bad 90's music montage. We see that the two is going to Cooperstown... you know where they start baseball and there's I think Girl's Baseball League Reunion thing going over... which requisites a flashback.

We move to around Portland, because Portland is the first place they think of girls playing baseball. Probably played Arcade Fire in the stands. So, the main girl is too... perky to play baseball and the mentor or coach or whatever is obviously good at it. Oh, turns out it's a sister. Okay, so a sibling rivalry... okay.

(I'm not even doing an actor reference, I'm bad at early 90's) After some horrible 90's soundtrack, we have Jon Lovitz seeing his future career.... (okay, only once) and propose a contract to national league. After a requisite definace, you know to check off the Hero's Journey checklist, (Lovitz's only good at tiny moments. Also, is this a quiet radio?) You know, train in a running speed is not a good idea, also inside baseball. And anyway after beauty placement, we move on to Chicago.

Lovitz is starting to... whatever... he's going away. Great accents... and the sound effect. I thought this was Annie... then I heard the music... and overly long sequence... well, we have the requisite dumb or disabled. and we move 40's women's standard that subverts the whole message by turning into a gag.

Then we have... 90's Tom Hank... he just looks so awkward. Hey, that's nice camerawork and someone didn't notice Tom this isn't Forrest Gump. So, he just act drunk... and that's good for him. (That's a big bladder. Snapchat?) Laughing game exhibition, isn't it? Nice hit. Sure, he knows... (like the last time.)

 (Funny...) This is very awkward. Weird newscast... Greatest Gilligan cut, too young to drive... that's the point??? How he sense that chocolate? A kiss and horror. Nice reference... and the movie turns into vignettes... another staple of sport movie, random scenes of 'culture'.

After 40's dancing (golden age, isn't it?) and rape culture, (she's a singer... I guess.) Hmm, the priest is weak. That was... random... (It's a start...) Dugan always does a crazy performance.

It's a movie... and a random wrench. That's a lead... as the merchandise pile in and little bit of... everything? A lot of conflict and tobacco advertisement? Well, that's... women does make lot of montages... (Is that Will Forte?) Little inconsistencies in the background... (sorry, I notice that)

Well, with the romance said. That's a random black man and the next conflict... seems like they have enough conflicts and they are making new ones. (Least, it's realistic...) It's catching a thing and also, that's weird.

The song is actually the real song. That's weird... what a red herring... Oh, it was Bill Pullman! I get so confused. Also, is Bill Pullman not famous enough to only play a bit part back then?

Beside Tom Hanks has a better career... Car is Illinois... Shouldn't be Oregon? Well it's 3-3 and Seems like Rosie is a... oh well you know. I kind of like the subversion of the tropes... Also, we see the Ann is in Racine. I like how the surprise is dampened. It's like... you know really post-modernistic this movie... Also, I like how the coach eariler is the opposing, so you kind of know him. So another little arc ended. Good uses of Western standoff... even the music got better.

And it is just a hit. It's just something nice that... and it happens again! With a reference to the opening scene!! That's really good writing. All the bases are covered... so to speak. Look at the aversion, look at the subversion and look at the inversion! That is a strangely fresh ending... or not as there's still more to go.

I like how movie is all about the game and yet not about the game... also it's strange how characterization is little understated but nevertheless there's complexity in the relationship. This is a strange ending...

And now we end the frame and a reference. Strange to kind of have a long frame ending, that's another subversion. Nice reference to Kit's remarks.

Bad 90's music and interesting back-and-forth in the background at the credits.

Overall, the movie has all the faults of the early 90's. Little bit intrusive nod to the issues, really really bad music and stupid frame narrative. But all the subversion, inversion and aversion of the sport movie tropes is quite worth it for the whole experience. It's a sport movie that takes a backseat into history and reminds us that Baseball is not just a game, it's a monument to our life. Also no crying in Baseball.