MovieChat Forums > The Sandlot (1993) Discussion > This movie was painful to watch

This movie was painful to watch

posted 14 years ago by grim107
86 replies | jump to latest

I can't believe I'm writing this, as it's only a matter of time until I'll be flamed. First off, I'm not going to write one of those mindless posts with little to no punctuation saying that this movie sucks and giving little to no reasons. I watched this movie after seeing Stand by Me. While looking on the IMDB forums as well as Google for similar movies, I kept coming back over and over to The Sandlot. I decided to watch it, and amazingly, struggled through every moment of it. I'd viewed different posts asking which people like more: The Sandlot or Stand by Me. Just about everyone said it was a really close call, as they are both classics. Obviously, I began watching with pretty high expectations.

The acting was extremely flat. Yes, I'm aware that these kids were obviously very young, but so was Jerry O'Connell of Stand by Me (not saying he was the best of the four, but he WAS the youngest).

The idea of the supernatural dog was annoying in itself. How was a dog supposed to outsmart a large group of kids over and over? Once it escaped, why did it only chase down Benjamin Rodrguez and not the rest of the kids? How was it able to jump through a pane of glass and walk out unharmed? Once the boys freed the dog from under the fence, how could it have just taken a liking to them? Why was the dog hoarding kids' baseballs anyways? Stand by Me definitely had NOTHING supernatural, and it was written by Stephen King! It was this that made Stand by Me so believable.

What was up with those annoying sound effect that was played whenever a pop-fly started to drop? I groaned every time I heard that. There was little in the movie to let us know that it took place in 1962. Had it not been for the drugstore, the movie could have pretty much taken place during any time period. Perhaps one of the more major annoyances was the fact that the kids never really matured. If anyone remembers Stand by Me, there are several scenes when the kids start opening up to each other about their broken homes, their hopes, and their dreams. There were also several powerful scenes which featured the kids breaking down.

If I had more time to think, I'm sure I can find many more annoyances with this movie. The only redeeming thing about watching it was hearing the song Green Onions. Overall, I'm giving this movie a 3/10.

I'm aware that I've only compared this movie to Stand by Me, but that is because Stand by Me is definitely the best example of a coming-of-age tale and was magnificently put together. It had great acting, great script, and great direction. Also, many people on these forums compare the two movies together. Stand by Me was a kids movie made for adults. The Sandlot was a kids movie made for kids. I'm guessing that the only reason this movie is viewed at as a classic is because many people saw it when they were young, and it brings back sentimental memories. Even if I'd had far lower standards (for example, if I hadn't seen Stand by Me), I still would have hated this movie. So here is my challenge: explain to me why you think this movie was so good. Also, I ask that because I've actually taken the time to write a thoughtful response, you do the same. No one will take you seriously if you don't. Thank you all for reading.

[–] HowYaLikeDemApplesWill 10 years ago

"The idea of the supernatural dog was annoying in itself. How was a dog supposed to outsmart a large group of kids over and over?"

The idea that "The Beast"....aka "Hercules"...and that name alone should give you a clue...was some supernatural and super-aware dog, was all done from the kids' perspective. That is why the dog was always filmed with some surreal, dreamlike lens quality.

The fact you took any of this in literal terms that somehow ruined the enjoyment and believability of this coming-to-age movie, is pretty laughable.

Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?

[–] filmrevolutionary 8 years ago

"The fact you took any of this in literal terms that somehow ruined the enjoyment and believability of this coming-to-age movie, is pretty laughable. "

INSANELY LAUGHABLE.

[–] oklahomatulsa 8 years ago

So is this a review of the Sandlot or "Stand By Me"?

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] JohnnyCastle 8 years ago

Definitely not going to bother reading this long bull**** post. This movie is a classic and an absolute joy to watch.

[–] modman-2 8 years ago

seriously. did anybody read all that nonsense?

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] realplayer54 8 years ago

The acting was extremely flat. Yes, I'm aware that these kids were obviously very young, but so was Jerry O'Connell of Stand by Me (not saying he was the best of the four, but he WAS the youngest).

The acting was definitely not great, but it was anything but flat. These kids had fun and you can tell. This was a comedy, not a drama like Stand By Me.

The idea of the supernatural dog was annoying in itself. How was a dog supposed to outsmart a large group of kids over and over?

Suspension of disbelief(just go with it).

Once it escaped, why did it only chase down Benjamin Rodrguez and not the rest of the kids?

Supposedly, the dog liked to play and only wanted the ball and that's why it chased only Benny.

How was it able to jump through a pane of glass and walk out unharmed?

I agree that was a little much. It looked like Cujo.

Once the boys freed the dog from under the fence, how could it have just taken a liking to them?

That's what happens in real life when you ease an animals pain, they appreciate it(not all of them, but many do).

Why was the dog hoarding kids' baseballs anyways?

Dog's hoard things all the time. They even bury them.

What was up with those annoying sound effect that was played whenever a pop-fly started to drop?

Have to agree to disagree on that one. I thought those sound effects were cool and funny.

There was little in the movie to let us know that it took place in 1962.

Agreed. There was some things, but very little.

Perhaps one of the more major annoyances was the fact that the kids never really matured.

Once again, this was a comedy..

As a movie connoisseur, I know this isn't a great movie, but it has great moments and built up to those great moments beautifully.

That's my corn out there! You guys are guests in my corn!

[–] baran_erik 8 years ago

There was nothing to let us know it was 1962? Other than the music, the cars and the way they dressed, you mean? What was it about your precious Stand By Me that made you think 1959?

Your argument that Stand By Me is superior because a bunch of 11/12 year olds talked about their broken homes and their hopes and dreams? Yeah, that's really realistic, isn't it? I don't know about you, but my summers were pretty much like the Sandlot guys, the only difference was we played in a open piece of land behind the Food City grocery store in the late 60s/early70s. And the yard where we lost our balls and Frisbees was the yard of a spinster and her widowed mom.

Yeah, the slide whistle was kinda lame, but heII, they use lame sound effects on FOX sports highlights.

I didn't see this movie until today, and it is great nostalgia. The baseball, the bikes, the pool, playing army, the Erector sets, those big plastic action figures on Ben's dresser, PF Flyers (I was a Red Ball Jets/Keds guy, though) but mostly, the entire day spent outside without an adult in sight. That was summer vacation in the 60s, man.

If you want to compare this to another kid movie, compare it to A Christmas Story.

[–] fairyqueen144 8 years ago

"If you want to compare this to another kid movie, compare it to A Christmas Story."

The Sandlot and A Christmas Story is a great comparison.

They both involve a grown man looking back on his childhood several decades earlier. They are nostalgic and set during a time that is usually special to children (summer and Christmas, respectively). The narrator tends to exaggerate and and makes his story seem larger than life.

It's a tv show but The Wonder Years is probably a better comparison to Stand By Me. They also involve a grown man looking back on his childhood several decades earlier but are more realistic and deal with heavier and more serious themes.

[–] disent 7 years ago

Your face is painful to watch!

Dam I'll miss being able to contribute meaningful thoughts and content like this to IMDB