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No. 7: Field of Dreams (122 points)

Year released: 1989.

Cast: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Amy Madigan, Burt Lancaster, Ray Liotta, Timothy Busfield.

What we like: It speaks volumes about our ability to dream and the relationship between fathers and sons; we all want to know what's on the other side of the corn -- but we're willing to accept that it's some sort of mystical force that's stronger than all of us; anyone who has ever played catch with dad will need some Kleenex during the closing sequence; much of the dialogue -- especially Jones' "baseball-has-stood-the-test-of-time" speech -- are memorable and brilliantly written; Kinsella's tense/strange relationship with author Terence Mann.

What we're willing to overlook: The fact that we have to suspend belief for two hours and just concentrate on a fantasy; the fact that Moonlight Graham waited his whole life to get "one at-bat" against a big-league pitcher, and then he steps up and hits a sacrifice fly, which doesn't count as an official at-bat.

It's a fantasy, but it works because Costner doesn't believe what's happening, either. -- Page 2 columnist Jeff Merron

Just an odd and wonderful premise with baseball acting as a metaphor for so much more about life, and love, and passions. -- Page 2 columnist Bob Halloran

Just try explaining the story to someone who hasn't seen this movie. Somewhere between "the farmer starts hearing voices" and "ghosts emerge from the cornfield," you'll realize how much of a fantasy this movie really is. And that's what makes it so wonderful. -- Page 2 editor Kevin Jackson

Could be subtitled, "Fathers Playing Catch with Sons," which is what this movie is really about -- reclaiming one's innocence. A good message that never fails to make you cry. -- Page 2's Hollywood insider, Jeff Freedman

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