danomychowski Honestly, I never cared for the movies produced by the modern Disney channel (I think they're calling it Zoog? Whatever that means.). In fact, I haven't really liked most of the more recent theatrical films from the Disney company. They seem to have gone way downhill since Walt died, though there have been signs that they are returning to form lately. Movies like Sky High, Pirates, and even The Game Plan was a minor improvement over the countless number of sub-par attempts they have been making since the late 80's. And now we have this. Yet another family sports comedy featuring a kid as the lead, just another sandlot wannabe. Or is it? Yes, the plot is cliché and tired, and yes, the film itself is endlessly predictable--especially how it ends. But somehow it manages to pull itself away from what seemed like inevitable mediocrity. The film itself had a sort of charm to it that really added to the viewer's enjoyment of what would be an otherwise pointless mess of cliché. That and Taylor Ball, best known for playing the part of Brian on the sitcom Still Standing. He times his lines just well enough that he actually makes some rather silly lines of dialog work. He manages to make a character out of one of the most tired cliché vehicles in the book. and for that, I praise him. Taylor Ball saved this movie from being a total failure. It is a wonder why he doesn't get more work.-Ryan out.

Brandt Sponseller Hank Ogden (Mark L. Taylor) is a coach for a junior-high level community baseball team, the Groundhogs. Unfortunately, the team is much closer to the Bad News Bears than the New York Yankees. Hank's son Eddie (Taylor Ball) is one of the few quality players, and Hank thinks he has a shot of making it to the major leagues. Although Eddie likes baseball, he discovers that his true passion is for cooking. Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off is the comic tale of conflicting desires and expectations between Eddie and his friends, family and teammates over his aspirations.Although some viewers may have difficulty looking past the exaggerated social beliefs and interactions fueling a prominent "moral of the story", this is a great, funny film that succeeds because of the style, subtlety and comic sense of director Paul Hoen, aided by excellent performances. I don't think I've ever seen food fights filmed this artfully before. Yes, food fights are clichéd, and much of the script, on its own, would be somewhat clichéd and banal, but Hoen and the cast manage to make the film feel fresh and original. I almost felt as though I had never seen a film centered around food before--your eyes are opened to the many metaphorical ways that such a commonplace thing is woven through our lives.Of course, this film isn't just about food, though. Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off is intended to help shatter gender stereotypes--especially the way we try to graft them on to our children. The message is to follow your dreams, and be what you want to be, whether it's what others have planned for you, or expect of you, or not. At the same time, there's a message about supporting others in following their dreams. These are valuable messages for people of any age, not just kids, and the exaggerated and old-fashioned-seeming pigeonholing shown by the characters in the film are only cartoonish to emphasize the point.This might all sound dreadfully serious and preachy, but the film doesn't tend to play that way. It plays as lighthearted, humorous and heartwarming. Just be careful that your kids don't have easy access to blenders and ovens after they watch the film, or you'll have some serious cleaning to do.A 9 out of 10 from me.

paelentologist The Groundhogs are the lamest team in the league. But when their best player, Eddie Odgen (Taylor Ball), makes a comeback in tip-top shape, they show the other teams that they can win. But Eddie has another love that no one else knows of, cooking! When he signs up for Home Economics instead of Computer Sciences, his teacher (Nancy Lenehan) asks whether anyone wants to sign up for a million dollar cook-ff to enter the culinary school of their dreams ...bla bla bla. Only Bridget Simons (Kylie Leydon)-the cooking sensation-gets a form. When everyone's gone, he snags one. He unbelievably enters the finals, and it's all out EDDIE THE BASEBALL MASTERO LOVES TO COOK. To make up for the humiliation, there's good news, his team goes to the finals! But the cook-off and the baseball game are on the same day at the same time. Which will Eddie choose?Also starring:Orlando Brown as Frankie and Reiley McClendon as D.B. - his 2 best friends (and players on the team),;John Barker as Andy Ogden and Susan Brady as Sarah Ogden - his parents,;Nick Miller as Alex Ogden and Mark Taylor as Hank Ogden - his brothers,;Rose McIver as Hannah - another player on the team with problems of her own and;Daniel Costello as Oliver and Bobby Flay as Bobby - other players on the team.BASEBALL AND COOKING DON'T ALWAYS GO TOGETHER AND EDDIE'S STUCK IN THE MIDDLE.

Weatherdude This movie was not as good as some Disney Channel Original Movies over the past year, but it is better than The Even Steven's Movie and The Scream Team. Orlando Brown, Taylor Ball, and Reilly McClendon were good actors. I just thought it was a little strange how everyone made fun of him because he cooked. I mean come on. He was just cooking. No big deal. Overall B- Here's How it compares to other Disney Cahnnel original Movies over the ppast year.Get a Clue AA Ring of Endless Light BThe Scream Team CYou Wish A-Right on Track A-The Even Steven's Movie C+