Saturday, October 13, 2012

MEMPHIS SANDLOT EVENT OCTOBER 19th...



Dear Reader,

I'm heading to AutoZone Park in Memphis Tennessee (home of the Memphis Red Birds) on October 19th for the next Sandlot event.

This one should be big (now that my friends at 20th Century FOX are onboard), and I'm really looking forward to watching the audience watch the movie; it never gets old that, watching the fans enjoy the film, and I still get the same overwhelming sense of satisfaction I did when, on the night of the movie's original release I visited as many theaters as I could just to linger in the back row and see if the audience was enjoying the film.

They were.  And, thankfully, they still are.

The Sandlot has been called "The Greatest Baseball Movie Ever Made," and "The Best Summer Movie of All Time."  I'm certainly not going to argue with accolades like those and since fans keep telling me that over and over, I accept it gratefully.

I've made-up three commemorative posters (movie size at 28" X 35", and mini at 9" X 11") and posted the images here.  These will be for sale (signed, of course) at the event in addition to t-shirts with the same poster image on the back, and the famous piece of dialogue from the film, "You're killin' me, Smalls!" on the front.  Here's what they look like:





I hope you think they're as cool as I do!  If there are any left after next Friday's event I'll see about offering them for sale here, so stay tuned -- and if you think you might want to purchase a poster or t-shirt drop me an email at DMESandlot@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading and check back soon -- I'll have a big post coming after the event on the 19th -- and, obviously, if you are anywhere near the Memphis, TN area please come to the screening at AutoZone Park, a huge portion of the proceeds are going to support great local charities.

Best Regards,

DME

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

"HOTEY," A BOOK BY MY FRIEND JOSEPHINE BAILEY...

Dear Reader,

When I read something I truly find worthwhile I recommend it, and when it happens to be written by a writer friend, then I wholeheartedly recommend it.

This is one of those instances.

This book should be in every library and on every school reading list in North America.  So pass it along, especially to your Librarian, Teacher, and influential Book-Reviewer friends.

Please either visit the Hotey website or Amazon, B&N etc... and buy this book.  Also check out the website for information about Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue.  A worthwhile cause if ever there was one.

Buy "Hotey," the book by my friend Josephine Bailey

Thanks for reading and check back soon,

DME

MY FAVORITE "THEN & NOW" IN A LONG TIME...

Dear Reader,

Here's a very cool little article that tracks the original cast members of The Sandlot from back then until today.

New post and more information about The 20th Anniversary Sandlot Tour coming.  Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading.  Check back soon and SIGN UP TO FOLLOW!

DME



See the Kids From ‘The Sandlot’ Then And Now

The Sandlot
20th Century Fox
In his review of ‘The Sandlot,’ Roger Ebert called the 1993 comedy “the summertime version of ‘A Christmas Story.’  The venerable critic is certainly onto something there, as both movies take nostalgic looks back at more innocent times and each rely heavily on the talents of its child actor cast.
When ‘The Sandlot’ ends, we learn exactly what happen to each of the nine players who made up the rag-tag team. But whatever happened to the actors who played the Sandlot nine?
We have that information below. So keep reading to learn what really became of the kids of ‘The Sandlot.’

Tom Guiry, Scotty Smalls

Tom Guiry
20th Century Fox/Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Then: In ‘The Sandlot,’ Tom Guiry played protagonist and narrator Scotty Smalls, who slowly gains acceptance in his new Southern California hometown by playing baseball with the other neighborhood kids. The film was the-then 11-year-old from New Jersey’s big screendebut. For his next film, a year later, Guiry starred in the ’90s update of ‘Lassie.’
Now: While you might not recognize Guiry’s name, you’ve likely continued to see his face. He’s been acting ever since ‘The Sandlot’ wrapped and has popped up in movies such as ‘Black Hawk Down’ and ‘Mystic River.’ Guiry also played one of the title characters in the TV drama ‘The Black Donnelleys.’

Mike Vitar, Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez

Mike Vitar
20th Century Fox/LAFD
Then: Vitar’s character Benny “The Jet” Rodriquez was the oldest and by far the best baseball player of the ‘Sandlot’ bunch. He also acted as Smalls’ protector when the other kids mocked him for his lack of skill. Rodriguez was Vitar’s biggest role as a child actor, but you may also remember him from another ’90s sports movie franchise — Vitar played Luis Mendoza in the second and third installment of Disney’s ‘The Mighty Ducks.’
Now: In ‘Sandlot,’ Vitar’s character takes his baseball skills all the way to the big leagues and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In real life,Vitar also stayed in Los Angeles. But he chose a nobler — if less well-paid — profession: the 33-year-old has been a firefighter for the LAFD since 2002.

Patrick Renna, Hamilton “Ham” Porter

Patick Renna
20th Century Fox/Frazer Harrison Getty Images
Then: ‘Sandlot’ was the first substantial acting role for Patrick Renna, and his Hamilton “Ham” Porter character has long been a favorite of fans of the film. With his unique look, Renna became one of the more recognizable child actors of the mid-nineties, starring as pesky kids in the movies ‘Son in Law’ and ‘The Big Green,’ as well as making guest appearances on TV shows such as ‘Boy Meets World.’
Now: Renna continues to act and also does voiceover work. Perhaps his most prominent role as an adult actor was as the recurring character Warren Peters on ‘Boston Legal.’

Chauncey Leopardi, Michael “Squints” Palledorous

Chauncey Leopardi
20th Century Fox/Facebook
Then: By the time Leopardi played the wisecracking Michael “Squints” Palledorous in ‘The Sandlot’ he already had quite a few acting credits under his belt. The then-12-year old had appeared in ‘Father of the Bride’ and a bunch of TV shows, including ‘The Commish’ and ‘Evening Shade.’
Now: Leopardi had two substantial and very different from each other TV roles as an adult, playing the bully who terrorized the titular geeks on ‘Freaks and Geeks’ and the geeky Kyle on ‘Gilmore Girls.’ His last credit, however, is as Squints in 2007’s straight-to-DVD reunion flick ‘The Sandlot: Heading Home.’ Leopardi also maintains an active presence on Twitter, where he tweets under the name of his memorable ‘Sandlot’ character.

Brandon Quintin Adams, Kenny DeNunez

Brandon Quintin Adams
20th Century Fox/Facebook
Then: By the time Brandon Quintin Adams was cast as pitcher Kenny DeNunez in ‘The Sandlot,’ he was already a showbiz vet. The Topeka, Kansas native’s acting debut was in the 1988 Michael Jackson film ‘Moonwalker’ and he had been featured in ‘A Different World,’ ‘Empty Nest’ and ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ Like ‘Sandlot’ teammate Mike Vitar, Adams also showed off his hockey skills, appearing as Jesse Hall in ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and the sequel ‘D2: The Mighty Ducks.’
Now: After a good run in ’90s, Adams’s acting credits have become few and far between. But Adams himself reportshe’s been keeping himself busy in the “background” of the entertainment industry. (Gamers will recognize his work as the voice of Raijin in ‘Kingdom Hearts II.’) He’s also an aspiring rapper, and released the mixtape ‘B. Lee in H.D’ in 2009.

Marty York, Alan “Yeah-Yeah” McClennan

Marty York
20th Century Fox/Myspace
Then: Marty York played Alan “Yeah-Yeah” McClennan, who had a habit of beginning his sentences with his double affirmative nickname. Following his acting debut in ‘The Sandlot,’ York made appearances ‘Saved by the Bell’ and ‘Boy Meets World.’
Now: While York did star in the 2011 indie comedy ‘The Brothers Sinclair’ — his first feature film since ‘The Sandlot’ — his most notable recent activity is a MySpace page in which he flashes the type of ‘Jersey Shore’ poses that would make even The Situation blush. It was also reported that he was arrested for domestic assault in 2009 and used said MySpace page to raise funds from ‘Sandlot’ fans for his legal defense.

Grant Gelt, Bertram Grover Weeks

Grant Gelt
20th Century Fox/Facebook
Then: Grant Gelt played second baseman Bertram Grover Weeks who, despite his somewhat dorky looks, was the team’s tobacco-chewing, counter-culture loving rebel. ‘The Sandlot’ came in the middle of fairly busy career for Gelt. Among his other credits were movies like the Steven Seagal classic ‘Marked for Death’ and TV shows such as ‘Boy Meets World,’ ‘Life Goes On’ and ‘Northern Exposure.’
Now: Gelt stopped acting by 1999, but is still very much in showbiz. After high school Gelt decided that he wanted to managed rock bands, and these days the 32-year-old has a management company which works with Velvet Hammer, Mudvayne, System of a Down, Deftones and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. We think Bertram would be proud.

Shane Obedzinski, Tommy “Repeat” Timmons

20th Century Fox/Myspace
Then: Shane Obedzinski was 10-years-old when he portrayed Tommy Timmons, the youngest and smallest player on the ‘Sandlot’ roster. Before that he had had a few minor movie roles, such as “bleeding kid” in the John Goodman film ‘Matinee.’
Now: ‘Sandlot’ was the end of Obedzinski’s acting career and not much information is known about the now 30-year-old.  A Myspace account which may have once held clues still exists but Obedzinski recently removed all of the details from it.

Victor DiMattia, Timmy Timmons

Victor Diamatti
20th Century Fox/Vimeo
Then: Victor DiMattia played Timmy Timmons, older brother to Tommy and a big  fan of the Yankees. DiMattia had worked regularly as an actor since he was five, appearing on shows such as ‘Punky Brewster,’ ‘Married With Children’ and ‘Evening Shade.’ You may also remember him from the Tom Hank’s film ‘Turner and Hooch’ and the so-bad-it’s-awful Vanilla Ice vehicle ‘Cool as Ice.’
Now: Much like his fictional brother, not much is known about Dimattia these days. (He did write, direct and star in a short zombie film called ‘Dinkins,’ which you can see photos from here and here.) 

Marley Shelton, Wendy Peffercorn

Marley Shelton
20th Century Fox/David Livingston Getty Images
Then: Marley Shelton played lifeguard and ideal Southern California beauty Wendy Peffercorn. Shelton had made her film debut two years earlier in the drama ‘Grand Canyon.’
Now: Shelton played prominent roles in movies like ‘Pleasantville,’ ‘Sugar & Spice’ and ‘Uptown Girls.’ and is arguably the most famous of the ‘Sandlot’ bunch today. She continues to do movie and TV work — most recently appearing in an episode of ‘Harry’s Law’ — and still looks every bit the California girl at age 38.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SANDLOT TOUR, OMAHA & KEARNEY, NEBRASKA, 2012


"THE GREATEST BASEBALL MOVIE EVER MADE!"
- ESPN

 & 

"THE GREATEST SUMMER MOVIE OF ALL TIME!"
- BleacherSeats.Com


Dear Readers and Fans of The Sandlot,

As promised, here’s the big post about the two, first ever, 20th Anniversary Sandlot Tour events in Omaha and Kearney, Nebraska that happened on August 10th and 11th.

In a word they were both “Awesome!”



WERNER PARK, OMAHA NEBRASKA



We arrived in Nebraska on Wednesday, August 8th, after a 1,400 mile drive from Florida which took us through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa.  A beautiful drive through some incredibly beautiful American landscapes.  (Sidebar: if you ever travel through Saint Louis and don’t make a stop at “Nick’s Pub” you’re missing one of the greatest Irish Pub’s in the USA).

Arriving in Omaha, I had high hopes but really no idea what to expect; I mean, I know The Sandlot is what’s called an “Evergreen Film” (meaning it sells, and sells, and sells and never stops selling), and that people love it, and that it has fans the world over... but buying a ticket to an outdoor screening on a Friday night?  I had absolutely no idea if anyone would show up.  That’s scary.  The Werner Park crew (home of The Omaha Storm Chasers AAA baseball team -- and one of the most beautiful baseball stadiums anywhere) had done a great job of promoting it on a local level and managed to pre-sell a few hundred tickets.  I had a limited merchandise inventory for this first outing, and hoped it would be enough so that no one was disappointed.




The day of the event, I did two promo appearances, one on local sports radio show and one on a local, morning time TV show.  And that’s all the promo we had, really.  So imagine my shock when the night of the event 1,400 people showed up!  I knew the film had/has fans... lots of fans, but apparently it has really, really great and loyal fans.  I can’t even count the number of times little kids, big kids, moms and dads grandfathers and grandmothers came up to me and thanked me for making the movie, recounting stories of growing up with the film, or of their kids growing up with it, or even both.  

I must have autographed 600 t-shirts, and even the cast of a kid with a broken arm!




And that was all before the movie started!

The fans begin to arrive at Werner Park, in Omaha Nebraska

I had scripts, some posters, dvd’s and Blu-Rays, some baseballs and 8X10’s of the poster I had made for the event and blew through almost all of it, again, this was before the movie started!  The fans could not get enough of anything with The Sandlot on it.  It was incredibly gratifying to see how much everyone wanted to be able to take both a little piece of The Sandlot, and a little piece of that special night home with them.




Families and picnic blankets at Werner Park

The fans particularly enjoyed meeting and interacting with my friend, actor Daniel Zacapa, who played “Officer Chief of Police Grandpa Squints” in the movie.  He made the role his own with the way he delivered the famous line, “For-evv-err...”





I think Daniel had his picture taken with fans and families more times in one night than he has in his entire wonderful career (I’m kidding, but the fans loved him).





 He acted as the “roving microphone,” making his way through the audience during “The Sandlot Trivia Contest” we held before the movie started.  I would ask a trivia question, a thousand hands would go up, I would pick an audience member, then Danny would run over to get their answer - which was broadcast through the stadium’s PA system for all to hear.






The best of those moments was when, out of literally nowhere, a little boy (he must have been 3 or 4 years old) came walking up to me, making his way through the crowd on the infield, and in-between all the families and their picnic blankets -- brave as could be -- and stopped at my knees, looked up at me and said, “You... you...” and this is when I pointed the microphone at him, he continued, “You.. you...” and then he finally put it all together and got the sentence he was trying to say out all at once: “YOU PLAY BALL LIKE A GIRL!”  A classic.  Classically delivered!

He brought the house down.  The whole stadium burst into laughter and applause.  He was awesome -- and fearless -- and so he got a DVD  of The Sandlot.

















KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

So, after that incredible night, the next day it was off to Kearney, Nebraska, about 2 1/2 hours west of Omaha.  There -- in a cosmic aligning of the stars which once again proves there are no coincidences -- The Young Professionals Association had taken a vote for the movie most people wanted to see screened at their annual movie in the park night.  It was The Sandlot hands down.  When they learned I was appearing in Omaha, they reached out to see if I would attend their event.  That was a big “YES OF COURSE I WILL!”



And in one more piece of “the stars aligning,” when I arrived at the park it turned out that the same projectionists, with the same big movie screen that we’d used at Werner Park were there for this event as well!  A very good sign.






Much like the Omaha event, there had been a few hundred ticket pre sales, but on the night of, another 1,300 fans showed up!  If the Omaha attendance put my fears to rest about anyone being interested enough to actually show up, this one gave me great confidence that wherever and whenever I screen the film for fans, they will come.  Again, incredibly gratifying.

My friend Daniel Zacapa had to skate to Chicago where he was acting in a film, so I had this audience to myself.  And they were, just like the Omaha fans, GREAT!  The screening took place in their new city park which is simply beautiful, and the audience got to lay out their picnic blankets on a huge grassy hillside forming an amphitheater fronted by the projection screen that was just perfect.








After the trivia contest and a few stories, I screened the original trailer for The Sandlot, the making-of featurette and then the film.  After the ear-ringing applause at the end, I stayed around for several hours signing autographs and meeting people.  The screening benefitted The World Theater Project in Kearney, so if you’re ever in Kearney, stop by -- it’s one of the most beautifully restored movie theaters you will ever see.














I told both the organizers of the two shows, and the fans that because of their incredible kindness and support of the first two “trial screenings” that I would come back through both cities next year during (what I hope to be) the BIG 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR, during which I would like to bring the film to every MLB stadium in North America and as many AAA parks as time allows.


I can’t wait.  It’s gonna be a blast.

One last thing, special thanks to Ben and Marty at Werner Park, Patrick at SpeedPro Imaging, Ryan at Mail Marketing, Tulley's Kennel, Dave and Christine at Fox, Erin at P.F. Flyers, and the people and Sandlot Fans of Omaha and Kearney Nebraska!  And, of course, "Super Adventure GSD Maverick" the official K-9 Mascot of "The 20th Anniversary Sandlot Tour!"







Thanks for reading and check back soon.

AND SIGN UP TO FOLLOW!  This is where I will be announcing any further Sandlot Tour info.

And if you’d like the Sandlot Tour to come through your town, drop me an email at DMESandlot@gmail.com.

Best,

DME