Boys of Summer Book - Entry #152

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

Below are a few of the reviews from the film festival by viewers. There are many more posted at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770724/reviews.

April 3, 2006

Robert, 

I saw your documentary in Phoenix and it blew me away. Like you, my best connection with my Father (and Brother) came through baseball. My Dad started playing catch with me and taking me to baseball games when I was 8 yrs. old. And, he died when I was 11 and my brother was 5. I passed along a love of baseball to my brother which we share to this day. I'm 56 and my little brother is 50. Thank you for another thing baseball we can share! 

Best Wishes, 

Hank

Reviews from imdb.com:

A Father and Son Odyssey to Baseball Parks, raising awareness of Parkinson Disease. 

March 31, 2006

Author: boyerpk from Phoenix, AZ 

This film touched my heart and brought back memories of sharing good times with my parents. As a film patron, I look forward to the general release of this film, as the story is entertaining as well as educational. The wide release would not only raise knowledge about Parkinson Disease but would raise funds for Parkinson research. The every day trials were fun to watch, the sense of humor of both men was priceless. There is much to be learned from these fellows and the way they handled disappointment and triumphs. The public embraced them and that was heartwarming. It is America at its finest -baseball- as our national pastime. And being able to share it with someone you love is priceless. My wish for all would be for everyone to experience one day with a parent and enjoy the day. This film celebrates the America in all of us.

*********

Baseball, Apple Pie, Fathers & Sons 

April 1, 2006

Author: jzatarski from Phoenix, Arizona 

Boys of Summer, a Father & his Son - Who wouldn't want the opportunity to tour all of the Major League baseball parks? Yes, as baseball fans it sounds like the ultimate road trip. But what if the reason for going is not the reason you expect.

Some of us have been to many of the big league stadiums. We may have gone to our favorite park as youngsters with our Dads, we may have gone to the ball game while on an out-of-town business trip - or better yet on vacation.

Yet the road trip this son and his father took was unique. Unique in the way they met the challenge of the father's medical condition and the son's quest to make the trip financially feasible. The cause they were on as they skipped across the USA and into Canada one ideal summer.

While watching the Boys of Summer, I thought back to the time my father was alive and wish that something like this would have been possible for us to do. But like the song, the time is never there when you need it so that the commitment that was made was an impossible dream.

You will really find yourself involved in this journey of a son and his father. Even my non-sports wife found the opportunity to share their adventure - a dream in the making. You wondered if they would ever be able to make all the professional ball parks and not run out of money.

But those key observations made along the way - the interviews with the fans and the new friends made along the way - will make seeing this movie a perfect opportunity for all of us to share in the wonderful game, the families that enjoy it, and a father & son who know that the road traveled together is the best world to be in.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #132

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

June 20, 2005 - Bob

Los Angeles, CA

My focus has shifted as I’m embarking on another journey in just a few days. Back in the winter of 2004, I met a wellness expert named Gary Earl through Annamaria’s work at the corporate side of Caesars Palace. He heard about “Boys of Summer” from Annamaria and was touched as he has a son (Tommy), they both love baseball and Gary’s mom has Parkinson’s Disease. Although Gary and Tommy’s interview didn’t make the final cut of the movie (no offense, guys!), we got to talking. Gary mentioned his need to reach out and talk to more people across America about the health crisis we are facing. The way he’d do it? By hopping on a bicycle and riding coast to coast. 

His message and passion for it fascinated me. I told him I thought it would make a great documentary. Without much more discussion, he said, “Great!” 

Now, about nine months later, I’m preparing to leave at the end of this month with him on a 35 day, 3000+ mile bike ride across the country. I’ve never been a cyclist (save for the past four months, when I’ve been riding six days a week) though I did love my dirt bike as a kid. The adventure and the meaning behind it are too good to pass up. Saying yes was also made easier by being bitten by the “road bug” last summer -- it is infectious.

This will also give me a brief reprieve from “Boys of Summer” so I can come back to the film and the marketing of it with the notes from two screenings and a fresh set of eyes. 

In the final book form, the following will all be actual  photocopies of the letters. They are typed in here for reference.

Florentine Films (Ken Burns)

Aug. 15, 2005

Boys of Summer

The joy of Boys of Summer comes from its brilliant honesty. Working in the documentary world and being surrounded by its fierceness, rebelliousness, and alternative structure, I have come across many different types of documentaries, all with their own style. However, I have rarely come across a film that is so full of life, so comforting, and so truthful, yet, wonderfully simple. Robert Cochrane does not cloud his film with special effects, drawn out story lines, or unnecessary footage, but lets the story unfold gradually as the viewer travels from city to city, along for the ride. The nature of a documentary and Robert Cochrane does just that. He takes the viewer on a personal journey into his relationship with his father and shows how the two of them cope with his father's illness: with laughter, adventure, and love. Yet, most importantly, they cope with it together.

One of the greatest treasures of this film is how well we get to know the Cochranes. Robert does an excellent job of showing his father's humor and spirit. Even though his father is quiet and thoughtful through most of the journey, Robert is careful never to overshadow him. He is courageous in hi film making as he lets the camera capture his father's silences and subtle facial expressions. Robert himself is energetic and driven in his mission to raise money and spread the word about Parkinson's Disease. He is also very open about his trouble, his fears, and his mistakes along the way, but he perseveres through it all. The viewer is along for the ride, through all the parks, the games, the sleep-deprived nights, the hours of driving, and the aching homesickness, just as if every viewer is an old friend of the Cochrane family.

I challenge any person to watch this film and not desperately want to call Robert to personally ask how his father is doing. This film is truly inspiring and the drive behind it comes from pure love. I have asked many people to watch this film and all of them have been moved, sometimes to tears, sometimes to laughter, but always to try and make a difference themselves. I believe that this film is a real treasure. The camaraderie between the Cochranes would make anyone yearn for late night baseball tosses in the backyard and road trip adventures with their own father. 

Devon Ciampa

Assistant to Ken Burns

Florentine Films

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #130

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

Our first review:

From www.athleticsnation.com
Written by Devo

...I saw it at its first public screening. It is quite excellent...

...After a quick trip to the gym, I was off to Concord, to watch an excellent film of a son and his dad, finally finding the time they never had and visiting all 30 ballparks in 60 days. It was an excellent and touching film. I don't want to give away too much of the film, because, as our own Princemilo mentioned, coming into a film without expectations is crucial to truly appreciating the art. I can't not mention one excellent directoral choice. Through 30 games in 28 cities in an hour and a half long film, not a single moment depicted Major League Baseball being played. There's a tremendous power in what is not shown. It was actually the key theme in the student film I made a couple of years back. In this case, it pointed to the key theme of what Princemilo was very clear to point out was a baseball movie - and that was, it was not about baseball. It was about living life and about the relationships that we can find, develop, and fully enjoy. We can sit on our asses and let life drag us into what is convenient or we can really live. Hopefully this film can encourage more of us to do so before lives start being taken away from us.

Bob’s note: Yes, that would be me playing the part and displaying the screen name of “Princemilo”.

June 12, 2005 - Dad
Walnut Creek, CA

I generally don't like being the center of attention. So I was anxious about that prospect. As I think I've stated before, I am a bit surprised seeing (on the screen) how Parkinson's has affected my movement and expressions. So this was going to be a "total emersion" into a view of my disease. Not much of a surprise to anyone who had been around me for the past year but a bit of a shock to me.

I don't think I had seen any of the video up to that point so I was very excited to see what Bob had come up with. I knew we had a good turnout for the screening. The crowd seemed to be all family or friends so I did not think we would get a very objective reaction. As it turned out, from a physical quality point of view, the film was not as clear as some of Bob’s other work. I know a large part of that had to do with the lighting or lack of darkness in the facility. I felt very proud of the job Bob did. There was so much experience and film to distill into a marketable project. I was sorry that Bob Bronson was left out.