Baseball all-star Cory Brand knows what it takes to win in the big leagues. But off the field, with memories of his past haunting him, his life is spiraling out of control. Hoping to save her client’s career and reputation after a DUI and a team suspension, Cory’s agent sends him back to the small town where he grew up. Forced to coach the local youth baseball team and spend eight weeks in the only recovery program in town, Cory can’t wait to return to his old life as quickly as possible.
As his young players help him experience the joy of the game, Cory discovers his need to find freedom from his past and hope for his future … and win back the love he left behind. With this unexpected second chance Cory finds himself on a powerful journey of transformation and redemption.
Okay, I admit it—I didn’t write that, the PR people for the movie did. The reason I used it was that on this movie I wanted to make sure I get it right. As you know, I usually review movies that have hit the big screen (or sometimes not) and go fairly quickly to DVD. Many of these movies are incredible movies with small marketing budgets and other than word of mouth they don’t stand a chance at big box office numbers. Homerun will be in theaters April 19th and I think you should do yourself a big favor and be there on the first day it comes out. Homerun is a message movie. The message is — Hope!
I had the privilege of seeing a pre-screening of Home Run a month or so ago. It’s good! Really good. Cory Brand is played by the drop dead gorgeous (that’s me talking) Scott Elrod, most recently of Argo movie fame. Scott is joined by Dorian Brown and veteran, Vivica A. Fox.
Cory finds himself in a court ordered recovery program. At first he thinks he doesn’t need it. He sits in the meetings wondering what he’s doing there with “these” people; after all he’s a force to be reckoned with on the baseball diamond. In reality, his life is one big slippery slope. Now, I want to unabashedly put a plug in for the rehab program he finds himself in…Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery Ministry is a Christ-centered 12 Step Recovery Program that helps people address life’s hurts (Abuse, Abandonment, Codependency, Divorce, Relationship Issues, Grief, Distress, etc.) Habits (Alcohol, Drugs, Food Gambling, Sex, Shopping, Smoking, etc.) and Hang-ups (Anger, Depression, Fear, Unforgiveness, etc.). About now, if you are honest with yourself, you might just fall in to one of those categories.
Freedom is Possible! Best-selling author, Max Lucado summed it up, “Home Run reminds us of the power of forgiveness, the richness of redemption and the wisdom of trusting God to revive us.”
Just so you know, Home Run is not preachy. It’s about real people with real problems. It’s a movie based on thousands of true stories. I loved this movie and I think you will as well. In the words of Cory Brand, “Nothing great happens when you hold back.” So, check the theater schedules for the opening of Home Run on April 19th. Go alone, go with your family (PG13) or take someone with you. I’m sure you will enjoy it. As always, let me know what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com
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