h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here's a nice review of that old film favourite "Field Of Dreams". Obviously this place isn't for film reviews and the author has avoided give it ***** out of 5. I think they done a reasonable job of keeping to the facts and explaining why it's so (un)popular.

I think this should be in the Guide because I wrote it, so maybe I'm slightly biased. Your comments please, ladies and gentlemen.

Check out this superb entry on http://www.h2g2.com/A487154

I have to admit to bias too - FoD is my favourite film ever.

My main gripe is that there's so much more that could be said - without, of course, giving too much of the plot away.
Yes, it's about following our dreams, but it's also about the love between a father and a son.
It's about guilt and greed, and how they impoverish the soul (eg the brother-in-law who tries to get Ray to sell the farm).
It's about death and loose ends, and how important it is to tell the people you love, that you love them. Today.
It's about working out which of the things you have right now are really important to you.

The best (unsentimental) moment from the film is when Kevin Costner shows up at James Earl Jones' house talking hippy talk, and JEJ attacks him with a plant sprayer, crying "Go back! Back to the Sixties!".
[Jones is also, of course, the man who says "This is CNN" about five hundred times a day - it's amazing he finds the time to make movies ]

I think it was the film critic Pauline Kael who said, "I couldn't love anyone who didn't love this film." I agree. It's schmaltzy, it's unrealistic, and the ending is a little trite - but it's a *great* movie.

To get an idea of the kind of research detail and planning which will get a movie review recommended, check out:
http://www.h2g2.com/A453836
GVI

Hi - thanks for your comments GVI

My primary aim was to get an entry up there for the film. Having read "The Italian Job" I think a revamp is certainly needed (although it won't be until 2001).

I don't really see this as the place to retell the entire story scene for scene. Probably best just to watch the film in that case. That said I will extend the story narrative to explain the roles of Lancaster, Liotta and JEJ. Maybe I'll tack in an "The Ending Revealed" section to help explain.

I certainly take on board your comments regarding the deeper meanings of the film and I'll include these too. Would you like a credit?

I'm thinking that Terence Mann and his book are obviously intended to be JD Salinger & "Catcher in the Rye" (not an original thought by any means). Do you have any idea of why he's in the film or what the theme/meaning behind this role is?

As for favourite moments we all have them and each is very subjective. I'll look to add the "Go back! Back to the Sixties" quote to the classic quotes list. I was also trying to remember exactly 'S'JJ said, something about "Ty Cobb wanted to come too. But none of us could stand the son-of-a-bitch when he was alive, so we told him to stick it .... hahaha". Maybe I should rewatch the video!!

Well, it's now 2001... what's the chance of that revamp?

Not very high - this should probably go to the Writing workshop for the forseeable future.

Ah yes, it's been here for a while now... I'd like to know what those quotes were trying to tell. I don't get the idea

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'The Writing Workshop' to 'The Flea Market'.

...as the author of this entry seems to have 'left the building'.

I haven't left the building just failed to contribute anything worthwhile. Just keeping my eye on matters from afar ...

well, you're free to take it up yourself again