Cinema Society

THE YANKLES

Average
Rating

2

Tuesday, February 08, 2011, Reading Cinemas Town Square 14 Theatre

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

5:00PM or 7:30pm (You Pick!)

Salute to the 21st Anniversary of the San Diego Jewish Film Festival

THE YANKLES

Discussion will follow screening

Reading Cinemas Town Square 14 Theatre

Salute to the 21st Anniversary of the San Diego Jewish Film Festival

THE YANKLES

The Cinema Society of San Diego is proud to salute the San Diego Jewish Film Festival, which celebrates its 21ST Anniversary this year. For the celebration, we are pleased to be presenting one of the many delightful films shown over their 12-day celebration.

Whoever heard of an ultra Orthodox baseball team? That’s what The Yankles delivers. Take Charlie, a recently out of prison, washed-up baseball player whose probation requires community service. Add a gaggle of yeshiva buchers in love with baseball. Put them together in a pot and stir into a sweet dramedy. Against a backdrop of rabbinical supervision and the players’ orthodox practice, Charlie coaxes and cajoles his players into a capable team. Tzitsis and baseball bats do mix! Play ball!

Starring Brian Wimmer, Bart Johnson and Don Most, THE YANKLES is directed by San Diego State University graduate David Brooks.

Running Time: 115 Minutes

Rated PG

Send a Comment

10-Feb-11: ebee - Rating: 3

I am giving this a solid 3. I agree with the other posts that this movie was not very well made/acted. But~ I came away with a better understanding of what it means to be an Orthodox Jew ~ I appreciated the themes brought forward ~ I really liked the Rebbe's line "you denied me the opportunity to help someone" ..that was a very powerful scene ( I thought). The filmmakers are young and ambitious and brave to tell this story. Not the best movie we've had....

9-Feb-11: JF - Rating: 3

We agree that the direction and performances were amateurish, but enjoyed the spirit and heart of the movie very much. The story was predictable, but the twist of having a yeshiva school team was terrific. This insight into different cultures is always appreciated. Walked out smiling!

9-Feb-11: RichG - Rating: 1

The three young men who came to the theater did NOT live up to their hype. The film was way too long. Not funny poorly written, directed and edited. Each season we have GEMS and some losers. All in all things balance out. This was the low ebb of the season. Things can only go up from here.

9-Feb-11: jh - Rating: 2

THE YANKLES wasn't a very good film, but it had a lot to like. The leads were good, Charlie, Elliot, and Deborah. The Rebbe was great. And I agree, the film had heart. The main problem was that it just wasn't that funny. It tried to be MAJOR LEAGUE, but it was out of its league.

8-Feb-11: Georgi - Rating: 2

I really liked the music. It had a good beat and you could dance to it.

8-Feb-11: Margaret - Rating: 2

The premise is funny -- but the actual production seriously disappoints. At least 30 minutes should have been left on the cutting room floor; the story is contrived and the dialogue a challenge to the best of actors. I am baffled that the film has done so well on the festival circuit. A low point this season...

8-Feb-11: Mark - Rating: 1

My reaction may be atypical, in which case I'm sorry to be a party-pooper. But in my view this movie was not up to the Cinema Society's high standards. The story was unoriginal, predictable, cloying, and unfunny. The acting was painfully bad, both amateurish and hammy. I don't know whether the problem was with the actors or the director or (more likely) both. But the performances were embarrassing. The only positive thing I can say about the film is that it has a good heart. On the merits, however, I think it is the weakest movie the Cinema Society has screened in my two seasons as a member. I cannot fathom why the movie has won festival awards.

I also second the complaint about the volume level -- I had to spend a fair amount of time with my fingers in my ears to protect my hearing.