| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From director J.J. Abrams comes the next installment in the Star Trek saga, Star Trek Into Darkness. See it at Cinemark theaters now and pre-order on Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, DVD, and the Exclusive Starfleet Phaser Gift Set. Shop Star Trek Into Darkness and more in the Star Trek Store. Learn more |
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Special Features
- Featurette
- Baseball Strike Newscap
- TV Spots
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Like the millions of fans who endured the St. Louis Cardinals' disappointing 1998 baseball season to watch the heroics of Mark McGwire, so will Albert Brooks devotees thrill to their comedy god stepping up to the plate in a rare starring role in a film he did not direct and knocking it, if not quite out of the park, then certainly to deep center field.
Brooks, sporting a paunch and a beat-up straw hat, stars as Al Percolo, a disheveled, down-but-not-out New York Yankees scout. His latest sensation, a high school phenom, blows his Yankee stadium debut after he unceremoniously throws up on the mound. Al is not fired, but instead banished to the backwaters of Mexico, where he discovers his own Babe Ruth and ticket back to the majors: local sensation Steve Nebraska, who has a 100 m.p.h. fastball and a titanic swing. As winningly played by Brendan Fraser, he is also an incredible screwball, part Encino Man and part George of the Jungle
The Yankees are willing to pay the outrageous salary of $55 million (those were the days!) for him. But first he must get a clean bill of mental health. That won't be easy for a guy prone to throw dinnerware at the press. In a scene that recalls Brooks's increasingly desperate lobbying to get casino owner Garry Marshall to return the nest egg his wife squandered in Lost in America, Brooks strikes out in his attempts to get Steve's psychiatrist, Dr. H. Aaron (Dianne Wiest), to rubber-stamp the case. As Al becomes a surrogate father to the troubled youth, Dr. Aaron uncovers dark secrets from his past.
While perhaps not in the same league as Bull Durham, The Scout will be a hit with everyone who loves baseball and Brooks (not to mention Brendan). --Donald Liebenson
Product Description
In this hilarious fantasy for baseball lovers, Albert Brooks stars as a desperate Yankee scout who'll do anything to sign a new prospect. Banished to Mexico to search for talent, he discovers the greatest young ball player (Brendan Fraser) he's ever seen. But once he gets him back home, he finds this new recruit has a few unexpected problems that may just jepardize both their jobs. Dianne Wiest, Lane Smith and Tony Bennett co-star along with some of baseball's most popular players.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Rachel
Format:VHS Tape
"The Scout" is one of those movies that leaves you with a warm feeling in your soul after the video has been turned off. It is the story of a man who finds a friend and triumphs over his fears.
Al Percolo is a New York Yankees scout who is experiencing the worst luck of his life. When his boss sends him to Mexico on a grudge trip, Al discovers "the greatest ballplayer that ever lived": Steve Nebraska. Al manages to land a deal with Steve, but is fired while telling his boss about his great find. When the pair returns to the United States, Steve is promptly snapped up with a $55 million bid from the Yankees. Despite all his success, Steve's world is anything but the fairytale it appears to be. Steve has dangerous idiosyncrasies and an abusive past, which are uncovered as time goes on.
Brendan Fraser plays the part of the slightly eccentric, slightly insecure Steve Nebraska with astounding depth. Albert Brooks is perfect as the cheeky, unyielding scout.
However, Dianne Wiest is much too abrasive as Steve's psychologist, Doctor Aaron. She cannot decide who her character is. One minute she is speaking gently to Al, the next she is glaring and snapping at him. I'm afraid this psychologist might need a psychologist herself!
Despite the heavy subject material, the movie has its light moments. There are several comedic occasions provided by Steve's singing, and I must say, these points alone are reason enough to see the movie. Of course, there is also the inevitable victory, which makes everything beforehand worth it.
What is really refreshing about this movie is how clean it is. There are less than ten profanities in the entire film, and they are the only objectionable content.
"The Scout" is simply a fine piece of work, and a wonderful trip to take from everyday life.
Al Percolo is a New York Yankees scout who is experiencing the worst luck of his life. When his boss sends him to Mexico on a grudge trip, Al discovers "the greatest ballplayer that ever lived": Steve Nebraska. Al manages to land a deal with Steve, but is fired while telling his boss about his great find. When the pair returns to the United States, Steve is promptly snapped up with a $55 million bid from the Yankees. Despite all his success, Steve's world is anything but the fairytale it appears to be. Steve has dangerous idiosyncrasies and an abusive past, which are uncovered as time goes on.
Brendan Fraser plays the part of the slightly eccentric, slightly insecure Steve Nebraska with astounding depth. Albert Brooks is perfect as the cheeky, unyielding scout.
However, Dianne Wiest is much too abrasive as Steve's psychologist, Doctor Aaron. She cannot decide who her character is. One minute she is speaking gently to Al, the next she is glaring and snapping at him. I'm afraid this psychologist might need a psychologist herself!
Despite the heavy subject material, the movie has its light moments. There are several comedic occasions provided by Steve's singing, and I must say, these points alone are reason enough to see the movie. Of course, there is also the inevitable victory, which makes everything beforehand worth it.
What is really refreshing about this movie is how clean it is. There are less than ten profanities in the entire film, and they are the only objectionable content.
"The Scout" is simply a fine piece of work, and a wonderful trip to take from everyday life.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
I like everything about this movie. It's got comedy, it's got drama, and it's something you can watch with your girlfriend's family without getting embarrassed. I love baseball movies and this is one of my favorites. A lot of celebrity cameos, too: Steinbrenner, Saberhagen, Keith Hernandez, Ozzie Smith and singer Tony Bennett. A good movie for any underdog with major league dreams.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
This movie is a delightful surprise, from Albert Brooks, to Brendan Frasier, to Dianne Wiest's great turn as a psychologist. I was laughing out loud by myself, always a sign of a great movie to me.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
VERY GOOD MOVIE
THIS IS A VERY GOOD MOVIE—WHICH IS AMAZING CONSIDERING I DON'T LIKE BRANDON FRAZIER. ALBERT BROOKS IS SO ALBERT BROOKS.
Published 4 days ago by J. Steave Conley
5.0 out of 5 stars
love this movie
If you like the New York Yankees, then this is a great movie, perfect gift for a family member or friend
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Donald G. Knight
1.0 out of 5 stars
Inability to play disc
Unfortunately I was not able to play this disc = as the blu ray disc apparently had a different region code to my player
Published 3 months ago by Annette Van Lierop
5.0 out of 5 stars
Movie
It was a great kids movie. Bought for my 12 yr old son who has watched it several times already.
Published 4 months ago by rwdw92
1.0 out of 5 stars
The worst movie ever made?
Quite possibly the worst movie ever made. It's not funny. The plot is dumb. The acting is bad. Enough said.
Published 11 months ago by Who's Your Daddy
2.0 out of 5 stars
What Might Have Been
Roger Ebert said, "Rarely does a movie start high and go downhill so fast." The first 30 minutes is wise, witty, amusingly world-weary and wry. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tim Williams
3.0 out of 5 stars
A story of a baseball scout
The Scout examines the recruitment of baseball talent, with an at times humorous narrative.
As a baseball film it doesn't resonate with a particularly engrossing theme,... Read more
As a baseball film it doesn't resonate with a particularly engrossing theme,... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Nicholas R.W. Henning
2.0 out of 5 stars
It's no Bull Durham. Heck, it's no Major League.
Albert Brooks is a washed-up Yankee$ baseball scout who discovers a phenom (Brendan Fraser) in Mexico - a kid who pitches around 105 mph, but is also a Babe Ruth home run machine... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jeremy Fletcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Scout, by Albert Brooks
Bought as a requested gift for a friend's sister living in Brisbane, Australia (down-under, not the Govenator's homeland). Read more
Published on September 16, 2009 by frubes
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
I love the movie but I am disappointed that they edited scenes from the original video .
Published on August 2, 2008 by A. Cortez
