Home Run

source: Home Run

In the Dallas area, we have had seen quite a few sport-hero-types act out, due to their addictive / compulsive lifestyles. Many times, they'll apologize to let us see that they are trying to make nice; in spite of their last slip up. In Home Run, we catch Cory Brand playing out the same scenario. He messes up then jumps through the hoops to lessen the consequences he has set in motion. If he can charm his way past the media and team fine; he'll come out smelling like a rose. However,in Home Run - Cory does get a chance to take a good, long look at his painful past and end the process of spiraling out of control - that is, IF he will let himself. As he goes from one chaotic mess to another,Cory begins to slow down long enough to reach out for help. After listening to others reveal the pain that they have worked through, Cory finds himself hitting bottom. From there, he and the guys in his recovery group experience a way to break free of the demons that once dogged their every step. It's nice to see an athlete progress from "bad-boy felon" to a responsible adult, where life may not be a total Hollywood-Happy-Ending; but, more like, living one day at a time - enjoying one moment at a time - accepting hardship as a pathway to living in peace. This is refreshing. Grab you teenagers and go catch Home Run.

My husband and I first saw this movie at a one day seminar for Celebrate Recovery and to watch a Christ centered movie in a room full of people who love the Lord was AMAZING! SPOILER ALERT: When Cory was struggling with his drinking and finally had a break through that was both funny and uplifting the room was all in applause!! We saw the Movie again on opening weekend to support Christian films we brought our entire Celebrate Recovery group and it was amazing to see it a second time. The big shockers that tore my heart previously; I already knew were going to happen so I got to see the underline story, the subtle struggles and stories that are in between the lines. People who could relate to this movie: *People who dealt with high standards ether in sports or academically could really relate with the pressure he felt. *People with alcoholic or drug addict parents could relate with being scared all the time, the need to protect your siblings... not want to grow up like your parents, but when you do its just so hard to change that legacy. *People that ran from a relationship and possibly a child due to their fear; that fear that you were not good enough because that is what your parents said or how they made you feel. *People who may be in an addiction that wants to change, but with God it is just too hard. It's work! *A Widow dealing with that loss. *A mother keeping a secret from her child who their father is. *A family member watching their family member struggling and feeling helpless. This movie could be for any age I believe. My kids are 6 and 10 and I wouldn't mind them seeing it. Yes there is drinking, but they do not glorify it. And they are able to see the outcome. That when you are struggling, you never have to do it alone. There are groups; especially Celebrate Recovery; and people that are there for you to set you on the right path. The path to God.

First of all, this movie is not really a story about baseball; it is a story about a ball player's slide down into the abyss of human despair. Ultimately, through a 12-step program (the Christian-based Celebrate Recovery), his life is redeemed. I heard about the movie on a Christian radio program. Most Christian movies I have seen do not have the best production values. Story lines tend to be very predictable; and characters and dialog rather one-dimensional and not at all realistic. Not so with "Home Run". I very much enjoyed Scott Elrod's portrayal of the baseball player in need of repair. I thought the character was entirely believable. Vivica A. Fox did a good job as his somewhat self-serving, always ready to enable sports agent. The young actors who played the little league team players had their moments, a couple of which were good for a chuckle. Although the movie portrays a Christian theme for recovery, the movie is not preachy. The stories presented during the recovery scenes were taken from real-life recovery stories; lending a bit of authenticity to the picture. There were a few spots in the film where I was close to tears, but I enjoy a good story about man triumphing over evil, even if that evil is internal to himself.

What I love about Home Run is the many stories of lives through out the entire film. Not just the main character Cory Brand, but Emma's,Karen's, Clay's, Tyler's and Carlos....so many avenues in which to see the power of God's ability to bring about positive change in lives when we surrender to Him. There is a place in the film when Cory is listening to Karen's testimony & all of a sudden there is no one else in the room but the two of them..a powerful example of identification. At that moment, Cory saw that he was not alone nor unique. I also loved the true testimonies that were used and the cardboard testimonies at the end were a perfect way to end the film!

The only problem would be the length of the movie - was a bit drawn out. With that said, I must say that the acting was very good and drew me into the story. I hope to see more two main actors (Scott Elrod, Dorian Brown)in other movies in the future. Scott Elrod really made the character believable in his struggle (the good, the bad and the ugly). Dorian Brown reminded me of a young Sandra Bullock and was very charming in her performance. The music was fitting to the scenes and really set the mood. The movie presented a believable story which was easy to follow and had you hoping that a happy ending was possible. All in all the movie was very good and professional. Great to see a movie with a positive message which shows Christianity in a positive light. Such a movie is is rare today - recommended.

Sorry but I am an Addictions Counselor that attends Celebrate Recovery and yes it was worth watching and yes I intend to show my group at work. I know the Christian theme but it was a warm and encouraging movie and it does follow the 12 step spirituality of needing to admit being powerless over my addiction and need a power greater than myself that can restore me to sanity. I absolutely loved it. Addiction many times is passed down from the parents to the children. Addiction destroys self and when we are powerless over our addiction we cannot stop it is only when we give that control to a power greater than ourselves can we stop

We loved the movie "Home Run" that started playing in theaters this weekend. What a powerful movie of God's love and power to change broken lives. We related to the beautiful story of hope because God truly used Celebrate Recovery to bring needed healing to our personal lives. I hope all our Facebook friends will check out this movie and go see it. It's for anyone who's ever been hurt or has hurt someone else and needs hope and healing. :)Great movie! Excellent promotion of Celebrate Recovery showing how real hurts, hangups and habits can be healed and we can be changed for the good and have freedom from shame and our past.

All right, while I'm aware the purpose of this movie is the promotion of a recovery program that promotes the worthiness of Jesus Christ, the way this tale of a major league baseball player whose alcoholic ways get him in hot water which then has him teaching a Little League team that happens to have his biological son in it with his mother-and the player's former lover-also involved was such a touching and inspirational drama that any potentially preachy moments didn't kick in until nearly the end and by then, one can believe the transformation of the leading character. Really, there's nothing much else to say except I do indeed recommend Home Run if you go for this sort of thing.

The performance by the lead actor "Scott Elrod" makes this movie worth watching. I'm in a mixed marriage, and my wife the Christian, lost interest in the movie despite to the strong religious overtones. As a Jew, I was fascinated by the use of religious values to help cure addictions; it's a strong and powerful message. Vivica Fox also puts in a very strong performance as the lead character's agent (spokes person), so was believable in her role. As a public relations spokesperson, she plays her character exceptionally well, being able to profit from those she represents, yet knowing if they don't get help they will be worthless to herself & others. I'm looking forward to seeing Scott Elrod in future leading roles, Hollywood can use another strong lead actor who's message isn't hypocritical. I'm not sure why people didn't believe this was a baseball movie, with the constant flashbacks to the daemons of his fathers voice "haunting" him throughout the movie. The baseball cards in a closed box, representative of his inner child and letting them go at the end of the movie. Almost every scene was filmed at a baseball field or with a ball / ball; so how exactly is this not a baseball movie on the surface. It might have not been all filmed at the major leagues, but all players have to get their start somewhere. Whether at home growing up or in a little league type program. This is overall a good movie which kept my interest throughout (yes, it slightly dragged at the 3/4 mark), with a positive message and some great lead acting.