There is no greater bond between a father and his son then the game of baseball. Speaking from personal experience, some of my greatest memories are my son, Phillip, and I doing something baseball related. Whether it's going to see the Orioles play, watching him play in high school and college, coaching him in American Legion ball or simply just having a catch, that time shared is most special. "Field of Dreams" takes that passion and puts it on a larger stage, making the love of the game a major part in what one son learns is redemption.

The story of an Iowa farmer who one day, when he hears a voice tell him, "if you build it, they will come," plows under his crop and erects a baseball field, "Field of Dreams" captures the effect that baseball has on us all as America's pastime. When "Shoeless" Joe Jackson appears out of the corn, the field begins to resemble a heavenly hall of fame on earth. Even the players who find themselves playing on the diamond (Gil Hodges, Mel Ott, etc) find themselves constantly asking, "Is this Heaven?" only to be told, "no, it's Iowa!" The film is a living testament to the great game of baseball, highlighted by a passionate speech delivered near the end by James Earl Jones. "The one constant" in America, he states, "has been baseball!"

The cast is perfect, with Kevin Costner giving one of his best performances ever. Amy Madigan is perfectly cast as his wife while James Earl Jones lends importance to the role of a writer loosely based on the very reclusive J.D. Salenger. Ray Liotta is a fine Joe Jackson, even though he bats right handed in the film (Jackson was a lefty). In his last film, Burt Lancaster is touching as the former ballplayer now small town doctor Archibald "Moonlight" Graham. And, yes, there WAS an Archie "Moonlight" Graham who played ball in the early 1900s. Fans of the film can travel to Dyersville, Iowa and actually play a game on the field. A few years ago, my son and I went up to Dyersville and walked onto the field. It was chilly out so we were the only ones there. I can still picture it in my mind like it happened yesterday, he and I not saying a word, having a catch.

Next week I'll look at Steven Spielberg's second best film, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

Well, that's all for now. Have a great week. See ya!