The Bad News Bears

LOL, I know I stole that line from I love the 70's, but I just thought it was so true and that was my exact thought from the first minute I started watching The Bad News Bears. Now to the movie, The Bad News Bears is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time, I almost died laughing throughout the whole movie. I obviously heard about this movie from the show I love the 70's on VH1, way before the remake with Billy Bob Thorton. It always slipped my mind though when I wanted to rent it, but finally I remembered and I am so glad that I got the chance to see it, because this is one of the best comedies to come out of the 70's. Buttermaker is a has been baseball player and now an alcoholic, he is given the job of a little league coach for the Bears since no other fathers are taking the job. But he's definitely taken back when he finds out that the team he is coaching are kids who are, well, I guess you could say "lacking" in the department of knowing how to play baseball. But he just wants to get paid and get the job over with, but when their first game comes along, the kids get creamed 26-0, Buttermaker is pressured to drop the team out of the league, but instead teaches the kids how to play and recruits a couple of new kids, a girl who's mother he used to date, and a rebel without a cause. The kids get better in each game, but it's a matter of Buttermaker getting his priorities straight when he lets the game get the worst of him... and he's an alcoholic! The Bad News Bears is just so funny, Walter Matthau was just too perfect for this role as Buttermaker, he was so believable. I think my favorite Bear was Tanner, because the role could have been over done, but the kid did it just right, not to mention his last line of the film is just classic and fit the movie just right. I loved how the film wasn't your traditional your favorite team is always going to be out of no where champions, this was an awesome comedy that anyone would just fall in love with. 9/10

This was a hit back in the mid '70s because of several things. Walter Matthau was funny in the lead role as a Little League manager. The kids were varied and interesting. Feminists liked the movie because the best pitcher on the team was a girl. Tatum O'Neal, at 12, became an instant star because of her role as "Amanda," the great pitcher. She wound up living a tumultuous life as a child star and later as adult marrying another spoiled-brat rebel, tennis star John McEnroe. The public seems to always love shows in which ragtag misfits somehow come together to beat the powerful "establishment" teams or groups or companies or governments. Liberal Hollywood has always loved that rebels-make-good theme, and always will, from "Rebel Without A Cause" to "Easy Rider" to "Revenge Of the Nerds" to "Dirty Harry," on and on. The worse you act, and the more you rebel against authority, the better they will portray you. In this movie, the manager, "Coach Buttermaker," is a drunk, is profane and a misfit himself but, of course, he gets it all together, too, and winds up a hero along with these bratty kids. And just to make sure you get the point, the biggest rebel of them all - "Kelly Leak" (Jackie Earle-Haley), is some 12-year-old who thinks he's Marlon Brando on a motorcycle. He's the best hitter on the team and an indispensable member of the squad, if they are to win. He's so cool with that bike and a cigarette in his mouth....wow! All of these movie clichés work, though, and the film was fun to watch and a big hit 30 years ago, spawning numerous lame sequels. It's another one of those '70s irreverent films that were new and "cool" back in their day, but a bit dated now

I have to say that I was appalled at the language in this movie. For a kids' movie especially, the swearing is excessive. Many of the movies we consider to be "grown-up" movies don't have as much vulgarity in it. While the message of the movie may be positive, the examples set by virtually everyone in this movie are pitiful. I was very disappointed - and have a copy to sell! We will not watch this again. "Greatest kids and sports movie ever"?? I think not! I would much rather my kids watch something like "The Mighty Ducks" - at least no kids were abused in the making of that movie! I really find it hard to believe that the movie only garnered a PG rating. It also surprises me that it was filmed in the 70's when we supposedly had higher standards.

Hilarious film with a darker side that sometimes pokes through, especially in its serious moments. This is classic Walter Matthau, and classic Jackie Earle Haley, too! (Love that air hockey scene!) It reminds me of my childhood, and not many movies do. I can watch this film a dozen times and never get tired of it.

This is a superb movie. I don't think it will ever become dated--not as long as little league baseball is in existence. I remember first seeing it at a drive-in when I was ten, shortly after my own little league season had finished. Walter Matthau is excellent as Buttermaker, the beer-soaked coach who takes on the unwanted task of coaching a team of misfit kids who were allowed to play in the league only after a civil action law suit was won in their favor. Tatum O'Neal shines as the team's recruited pitcher Amanda, whose mother once dated Buttermaker. A touching subplot involves the relationship between Amanda and Buttermaker which turns from distant to warm as the final game approaches. Vic Morrow gives a frighteningly good performance as the out-to-win-no-matter-what coach of the opposing team who was never happy with the fact that the Bears were allowed to play in the first place. Joyce Van Patten is also good as the butch, outspoken league supervisor. It's the kid players that really give this movie the edge. All performances are top-notch, and director Michael Ritchie splendidly keeps the focus mostly on them and their feelings about the whole ordeal. Stand-outs include Jackie Earl Haley as the heroic Kelly Leak and Chris Barnes as shortstop Tanner Boyle. This film should be a warning to relentless adults who try to achieve stardom on the backs of their children, be it on the baseball field or on the ballet floor.

source: The Bad News Bears

Trailer—The Bad News Bears

The Bad News Bears

The Bad News Bears (1976) This is a classic sports comedy about an aging, down-on-his-luck ex- minor leaguer coaches a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive California little league. It stars Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal. This is one of my favorite movies from my childhood. Considered crass and crude in its day, it's now received cult status. The film garnered two sequels, a television series, and a 2005 remake. It also received multiple award nominations. The remake wasn't necessary, as I believe the original still holds up, despite the critics' problem with the drinking, smoking, and profanity. This a great representation of comedy from the era.

I know that is an exaggeration, but I truly believe that this movie sets the standard by which all other "kids and sports" movies will be measured. What it does that is unique is that it keeps the swearing and fighting where it belongs: on the field. This movie does not even try to make anyone look good, for the sake of making them look good. It just shows the kids at their very essence: booger-eating morons, just out to have a good time trying to play baseball.