Eight Men Out

1919. The year that eight Chicago White Sox players (who will live in infamy as the Black Sox) took a bribe to fix the World Series. Novelist-turned-director John Sayles brings his exceptional storytelling abilities to tell the tale of, arguably, the finest team to ever play the game, the phenomenal '19 White Sox, who were also among the lowest paid players in either league. Underworld gamblers, led by William Thomas Burns (Christopher Lloyd), saw a situation ripe for the plucking. Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast (including John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, and D. B. Sweeney), Eight Men Out traces the human story: the winning over of the players, the disillusion that sets in, the renewed spirit that spurs some extraordinary playing (too late), and the public reaction, epitomized by the now famous plea of a young boy to "Shoeless" Joe Jackson: "Say it ain't so Joe." But it was. Although the extra-less DVD is no home run, this is a solid base hit, overall. Recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Mar. 18, 2008—MGM, 120 min., PG, $14.98—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1988's Eight Men Out (20th Anniversary Edition) boasts a fine transfer. DVD extras include audio commentary by director John Sayles, a two-part retrospective documentary (58 min. total), “The Story Behind the Movie” featurette on the real-life 1919 Chicago White Sox scandal (36 min.), and “DB, the Bat, & the 2005 World Series" featurette (3 min.). Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning film.]