FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

gavin6942 Aging, down-on-his-luck ex-minor leaguer Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) coaches a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive California little league.Tatum O'Neal as a "reformed tomboy" is a bit odd. Not that she is bad, but her line delivery seems a bit flat. Is this intentional? And it is interesting to see Jackie Earle Haley as a kid (he is in all three "Bears" movies) now that he has reinvented himself as an adult, with such roles as Freddy Krueger or Rorschach in "Watchmen".Roger Ebert called the film "an unblinking, scathing look at competition in American society", and that can be one commentary the film is trying to make. But more importantly, this is the precursor to every kid's baseball film out there, including "The Sandlot". Who cares if it has a political message? It is just a fun film!

TOMASBBloodhound The Bad News Bears still stands as an impressive film. In a world where some little league teams apparently don't even keep score anymore, this film provides some valuable nostalgia. It isn't hard to forgive the ancient "sports movie" clichés about a bad team somehow learning to win against their more privileged competition when you take the entire film into account. The laughs generally keep coming as Walter Matthau stars as an alcoholic ex-ballplayer hired to coach a pack of misfit kids. Apparently these kids have won some type of lawsuit to be able to participate in an exclusive tween baseball league. Not a lot is said of this legal aspect, and once the games start, its basically forgotten. Matthau's Bears are made up of mostly "Jews, Sp*cs, and N-words", as the foul-mouthed kid named Tanner points out. Its frankly kind of jaw-dropping to hear little kids use that kind of language, but by the end you're used to it. This is one of those PG movies from back in the day that are more harsh than some of today's PG-13 movies.The story progresses as you might expect it to. The team stinks, they get made fun of, it looks like they're going to have to quit, etc... Then Matthau pulls an ace out of his sleeve. Tatum O'Neal plays the daughter of a woman he used to date. She has a hell of a pitching arm and after he bribes her into playing, the Bears are suddenly contenders. A local juvenile delinquent also helps out, if only to annoy off the arrogant coach of the rival Yankees. Naturally the league championship comes down to the Bears against the Yankees, and the outcome was at least not so much clichéd.The Bad News Bears succeeds because it can do so many things at once. Not only is it funny, but it has some arresting moments involving over-aggressive parents and stunning bad behavior from some of the kids. There are also some touching moments. One has O'Neal try to suggest Matthau and her mother reconcile, or at least maybe they could do something together after the season like a father and daughter. Matthau angrily rebukes this olive branch and admits he's just using the girl for her fastball. She walks away heartbroken, and as a viewer you're kind of stunned. You sort of presumed there will be a happy ending with the little girl melting the old drunk's heart, but it doesn't happen. The cast is good enough. Matthau is perfect as Buttermaker. Vic Morrow is memorable as the slimy coach of the Yankees. His career of course would be cut short in a horrific accident on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie. Tatum O'Neal had definite charisma, and you really wish she could have had better guidance growing up. She ended up too much like her dad, unfortunately. Most of the kids are pretty funny. The Tanner kid steals plenty of scenes. You have to listen close in many cases to hear some of the hilarious things these kids say in various situations. In one scene for example, a kid is hit in the groin by the ball. He collapses in agony and you hear one of the adults call for a stretcher. Listen close, and one of the kids says, "a stretcher? For his balls?". Lots of funny moments like that! The film also makes great use of classical music throughout. Definitely take another look at this film. But not the sequels, and the remake was likely also a dud. 8 of 10 stars.The Hound.

TheLittleSongbird I have to admit I am not a huge sports fan, but several sports movies have sparked my interest, such as Hoosiers, Breaking Away and Remember the Titans. I saw The Bad News Bears mostly for Walter Matthau and I really enjoyed it. While it could have been a tad longer perhaps, and one or two scenes could have been tighter in the pace, it is a very good movie. For a sports movie, it is quite different, taking on the underdogs taking on the big boys scenario for example, and it works wonderfully.The production values are very nice, and Jerry Fielding's score compliments each scene beautifully. The film's script is quite gritty, but it is also funny and thoughtful, while the story is always engaging and well-thought out with the relationship between Morris and his team particularly pulling you in. The direction is solid, while the acting is excellent. Walter Matthau is simply brilliant as the boozy coach Morris, while Joyce Van Patten gives great support and the child stars are more than a match for Matthau. Especially Tatum O'Neal, who is quite charming yet very spunky and likable, and I personally think she has better screen presence than her dad.All in all, a very enjoyable movie, and whether you are a fan of sports movies or not, this movie is recommended. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Spikeopath Rewarding for both adults and children, this funny and astute movie revels in poking the ribs of Little League Baseball whilst casting a cautionary eye of the obsession some have with winning. An on form Walter Matthau stars as Morris Buttermaker, a now washed up ex minor league player who, prompted by a financial carrot, becomes manager of a multi-racial team of Little League misfits. It's originally a rough road as Buttermaker is more concerned with drinking beer, while the kids themselves don't know which end of the bat to hold. But things start to pick up when Morris enlists his talented daughter Manda (Tatum O'Neal) to pitch for them. Not only that but the town rebel, Kelly Leak (Jackie Earl Hayley), with points to prove, has also been prompted to join.Directed by Michael Ritchie and written by Bill Lancaster (yes, Burt's son), The Bad News Bears never sinks to being a preachy fable. It also delightfully doesn't resort to type for its finale. Making this a very clever and aware film from a genre of film so often troubled by safe playing and a too frothy approach. It would spawn two so so sequels in the next two years, inspire an imitation, get a TV series make over and was remade in 2005 with Billy Bob Thornton taking on the role of Buttermaker. 7.5/10