"Tape" Review

Richard Linklater is a unique and underappreciated filmmaker who has produced some of the most distinctive films I’ve seen.  Dazed and Confused is an all-time favorite that is possibly the most re-watchable movie ever made.  The Before Sunrise trilogy weaves a dialogue-fueled tale unlike anything I have seen.  Boyhood, his latest effort, is a film for ages.  And Tape (2001), which I recently viewed for the first time, is a remarkable story-telling achievement.

Tape is a low-budget drama that takes place solely in a hotel room.  The film features only three characters on screen, one which doesn’t appear until the end.  Starring two future stars in Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, we are treated to complex characters that have been hardened by the harsh realities of their lives.

Ethan Hawke flexes his acting chops as 28 year-old drug dealer Vince, who needs to be in control of everything.  Reuniting with his high school pal/friend Jon, played by Robert Sean Leonard, the duo bickers about their current situations before revisiting a dark event from the past.  What Jon believed to be a joyful reunion turns to a potentially life-altering evening.

The narrative hits a breaking point when a third person arrives to the room, threatening both of the mens’ livelihoods.  Tape is a tale of morality, forgiveness, and friendship.  It touches on the fact that our motives are not always what we believe they are.

Dialogue and pacing are the film’s biggest strengths. Once the two main characters have been introduced, there is never a dull moment.  Linklater methodically builds tension through well-crafted conversations and continuous conflict.  His ability to transform three characters conversing in a hotel room into a gripping drama speaks volumes of the man’s ability.

My complaints about the movie are mostly visual-based.  The camera work is distracting at times, and the lighting is far from perfect.  But what do you expect from a film with a $100,000 budget?

Tape is very different from Linklater’s other work.  The tone is dark, and the story is heavy.  But if you appreciate good dialogue, great characters, and relentless tension, Tape is a worthwhile watch.

                       3/4 Stars

Cactus League aka MLB's Baseball Heaven

What would a baseball heaven be like?  For starters the sun would always be shining.  There would never be rainouts, and the temperature would stay at a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  Young prospects, current superstars, and Hall of Famers would all gather on one field.  A place like this exists in central Arizona.  It is Major League Baseball’s Cactus League, where 15 MLB teams hold their annual Spring Training.

The Cactus League ballparks are home to minor league clubs during the regular season.  Rather than holding 50,000 fans, these venues hold only 10,000 and do not have a bad seat in the house.  The smaller capacity makes the ballparks much more intimate than major league stadiums.  Close in proximity, it takes no longer than one hour to travel from any one park to another.

Entry to Spring Training practice is free, and many complexes house multiple teams.  Visit Camelback Ranch in Glendale, and it is a one-minute walk from watching the Dodger’s Yaseil Puig crush pitches over the fence to witnessing professional hitters wave at Chris Sale’s filthy slider.  Practices are often much less crowded than games and truly reflect the rustic nature of America’s pastime.

Many of baseball’s top prospects spend time in the Cactus League. They can be seen displaying their skills on the practice field and playing in exhibition games against major league competition.  It is a treat see how these future stars measure up to established big leaguers.

A relaxed Spring Training atmosphere makes the Cactus League an ideal location for collecting signatures. Both players and managers are more likely to sign during Spring Training than throughout the regular season.  Each year thousands of autograph seekers flock to the Arizona for signatures. Some are hoping to resell items for a profit, others collect memorabilia as a hobby , and a select few are simply children who want to meet their heroes.  Dedicated autograph hounds can gather dozens of autographs in just a few days.

Spring Training is a spectacle that brings together thousands of like-minded people who all share in common a love for baseball.  The majority of fans around the Cactus League are extremely knowledgable and can hold their own in any baseball conversation.  Visit multiple complexes, and you will surely see some familiar faces.

The collection of baseball legends around the Cactus League is second to none.  Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, and Wille McCovey are just some of the baseball heroes who stop by Arizona.  An exuberant 78 year-old Koufax hopping around Camelback Ranch is truly a sight to behold. And at nearly 80 years old, Sandy is tough as ever:

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24451097/sandy-koufax-hit-in-head-by-line-drive-during-batting-practice-at-dodgers-camp

The arrival of pitchers and catchers has long been a gateway from the end of winter to the beginning of spring.  It is and always will be a symbol of rebirth and optimism.  No matter how difficult the past season was, there is hope for the future. For all these reasons, visiting the Cactus League makes for an incredible experience that even the most casual baseball fan would enjoy.