JEANNE’S REVIEW

 

What is summer without a baseball movie --- a great baseball movie? Writer/director Lee Cipolla, along with his wife, producer Katherine Borda, have taken the children’s book “Rally Caps” by daughter-father writing duo Jodi Michelle Cutler and Stephen Cutler and turned it into a wonderfully engaging movie also entitled RALLY CAPS.

 

Jordy (Carson Minniear) loves baseball. He especially loves pitching. His father has passed away, but his grandfather, Pop (Judd Hirsch), and his mother, Nora (Amy Smart), continue to nourish that love. But after a devastating accident at Little League tryouts, Jordy loses  his desire to play. Even his older brother, Rob (Ben Morang), can’t convince him to pick up a ball again.

 

It isn’t until Jordy goes away to Camp Belgrade for the summer that things change. Encouraged by the head counselor/baseball coach, Jerry Nathan (James Lowe), and his deaf bunkmate, Lucas (Colten Pride), a catcher, Jordy slowly makes his way back to the mound. With the help of Rob, a camp counselor, Jerry, and Ruth (Cathy Ladman), the owner of Camp Belgrade, Jordy and his motley teammates --- most importantly Lucas --- come together to compete for a championship.

 

Cipolla has packed a lot into his film. Based on Jodi Michelle Cutler’s own experiences with her deaf son, Jordan, RALLY CAPS deals with many issues including the anxiety children experience dealing with disabilities and significant injuries. But despite these setbacks in life, RALLY CAPS also showcases the joy and immense fun that children can experience when their needs are addressed and met.

 

This film is so empowering. Colten Pride, who is deaf in real life, is the son of Curtis Pride, a former Major League outfielder, who was born deaf. He plays himself in a cameo in RALLY CAPS. But it is Colten as Lucas who inspires Jordy to take a chance on playing baseball again. They form a true bond as evidenced by their convincing performances.

 

Minniear is perfectly cast. He’s adorable, but also quite believable as the anxiety-ridden Jordy. Hirsch and Smart are equally special, each emanating the right among of love and support for Jordy. This is such an ideal role for Hirsch. Lowe and Ladman provide the adult comic relief.

 

As far as kids’ baseball movies go, RALLY CAPS is one of the best in a very long time. It’s funny, poignant and very entertaining. And its message of overcoming fear, acceptance and love is one that everyone can get behind. The entire family, including grandmas and grandpas, will adore RALLY CAPS.

 

            Available on VOD to rent or buy on                               September 10th

 

Opinion: See It Now!

 

 

DAVID’S REVIEW

 

Just in time for MLB’s playoffs and World Series comes a baseball movie about Little Leaguers that prominently showcases why the sport is called America’s Pastime. Written and directed by Lee Cipolla based on the book by the father-daughter writing duo of Stephen J. Cutler and Jodie Michelle Cutler, RALLY CAPS is a heartwarming family film for anyone who has ever played baseball. Or for anyone who watches baseball. Or anyone who just plain loves the game.

 

The writing and acting are all top-notch. The presence of veterans Judd Hirsch and Amy Smart lends credibility to an otherwise unknown cast. But without a strong performance from the story’s young protagonist, RALLY CAPS would not be the hit it will surely become. Carson Minniear plays Jordy, an aspiring baseball pitcher who suffers a bad facial injury and vows to give up the sport he loves.

 

Special kudos to cinematographer Beth Napoli who manages to capture all the action as well as the all-important close-ups of the actors, particularly of Jordy. We know precisely what Jordy is going through as he endures a crisis in his young life.

 

His friendship with battery mate Lucas (Colten Pride) is the catalyst Jordy needs to revamp his attitude about baseball. Colten, who is deaf, is the son of Curtis Pride, a former major leaguer who was born deaf and played professional baseball for several years. Curtis plays himself in the film.

 

RALLY CAPS is truly a story for the whole family. Although we have a feeling about how this film should end, it is beautifully packaged in a concise 100 minutes and should satisfy any moviegoer. And as for the film’s title, fans of the 1985 New York Mets began the practice of wearing their baseball caps inside out to spur their team to victory.

 

     Available on VOD to rent or buy on

                   September 10th

 

Opinion:  See It Now!