Home Run (2013/Millennium Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B+     Sound: B     Extras: B     Film: B-

 

 

Baseball superstar Cory Brand knows how to please his fans, but his only problem is his alcoholism.  After series of car accidents and punching a ball boy on live TV, he is suspended from the game until he takes a 12 step sobriety course and makes amends with his past.  He is forced to return to his hometown to coach the little league baseball, but can he face the past he has been running away from? Can the power of Jesus transform and change his life?

 

David Boyd’s Home Run (2013) has Brand (Scott Elrod) an egotistic, glory hog, alcoholic baseball star and a pain in the butt to his PR agent.  After wrecking his career, several cars, his life and even sending his brother to the hospital, the baseball league throws him out of the game until he sobers up, he returns to his hometown to remake his image, do some community service and complete a 12 step program.  He unfortunately keeps on drinking and fakes his 12 step sober program until he realizes the league isn't taking him back, but is then forced to face his past, an alcoholic father, and a wife and son he never knew he had. 

 

This is a touching recovering alcoholic story, the story of man who had it all, fame and wealth until he lost it all.  As an alcoholic makes any excuse to deny his problem, he first tries to barter his way, blaming everyone but himself, but it is only after truly losing everything does he come to realize the gravity of his problem.  Sobered by the fact he had family, a wife and son he never knew he had, he only then begins to change.  The 1080p 1.78 X 1 image looks really good and lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix is not bad to match.  Extras include around the bases featurette, freedom is possible featurette, and praise from baseball stars.

 

 

-   Ricky Chiang