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The Movie:
Director John Sayles has covered a wide range of subjects throughout his career, but one of his most popular pictures remains as this 1988 feature about the 1919 Chicago White Sox who accepted money from gamblers to lose the World Series. D.B. Sweeney, Charlie Sheen, Michael Rooker, Don Harvey, James Read and Perry Lang, John Cusack and others star as the players, who find themselves involved in the scandal after sox owner Charles Comisky doesn't pay any of them a wage that they'd be able to live comfortably on.
Once the games begin, though, it becomes obvious to the fans and the reporters that something's amatter, and the players are eventually caught, although one denies involvement and another says he was never payed. The film does become a little bit crowded at times, and although there are several major actors involved with the proceedings, it's really only Cusack, Strathairn and Sweeney that get a chance to shine.
Sayles has always been a fine director (and, as we learn here, a pretty solid actor as he takes on a bit part), but there's a point where I think there could have been some slight editing done to the picture. It's apparent where the film is going, and occasionally it feels a bit long in getting there. But still, it's incredible what the director has done in terms of the production - the sense of period is terrific and Robert Richardson("Nixon", "Snow Falling On Cedars")'s cinematography is great throughout. It may not be the best film from Sayles, but it's still a fine effort.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Eight Men Out" is presented in the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and it is anamorphic. Sharpness and detail vary throughout the film - the outdoor scenes on the baseball field look crisp and well-defined, but some of the interior scenes appeared rather soft and occasionally almost hazy looking.
There is occasional traces of pixelation visible, but the main problem is print flaws. Speckles and slight marks appear infrequently throughout the film. While not heavy, they were enough to cause slight distraction at times. The film is mainly made up of earth tones; browns, etc. Robert Richardson("Casino", "Nixon")'s cinematography is excellent though, and captures the games on the field wonderfully. It's not a bad presentation, but there's some noticable bumps along the way.
SOUND: Although one wonders why a 1988 picture had to be in mono (although Woody Allen still presents his pictures in mono today), but for a mono track, this is about as good as you'd expect. The classic score sounds crisp and clean, and dialogue remains clear and easily understood.
MENUS:: Menus are non-animated, with very basic film-themed images serving as backgrounds.
EXTRAS: The trailer. A commentary with Sayles would have been nice, as his track for "Secret Of Roan Inish" was fascinating.
Final Thoughts: Although it didn't receive much of a reception at the box office, "Eight Men Out" is still a film with some terrific performances and it's worth checking out. MGM's DVD provides decent audio/video quality and almost nothing in the way of extras.
Film Grade
The Film ***
DVD Grades
Video 85/B = (340/400 possible points)
Audio: 80/B- = (320/400 possible points)
Extras: 70/C- = (210/300 possible points)
Menus: 70/C- = (140/200 possible points)
Value: 81/B = (243/300 possible points)
TOTAL POINTS:1253/1600
DVD GRADE:C/78%
FILM GRADE: ***
DVD GRADE: C
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