Maybe Arvid Engen should have directed this one instead.

Rating: Null/10 (20 August 2003)

HARD BALL (2001) was almost as unoriginal and cheesily detached as "Head of the Class" was to the classroom. It's like watching Beverly Hills 90210 when 'The Cowboy' of course shoots himself with his dad's gun and then Vanilla Austin Green of course runs to his DJ booth to of course lay-it-down tight for his Beverly bruthas. And my favorite, Brandon's "Squash It" campaign against violence.
30 year old theater geeks, acting and directing for 70 year old "Love Boat" producers like they "is in touch with the peeps". Throw in a cheesy guitar riff for dramatic effect, a pop-chart soundtrack to market, and a "tiger-beat" cover model and you're set. It does seem to work.

Ridiculous, preachy, schmaltzy, nerdy-30's whiteboy directed geekfest...the only thing HARD BALL was missing was for Allen Thicke to come in as a reformed street pimp who delivers a touching anti-drug speech.

HOWEVER, like "Head of the Class", HARD BALL did have some very nice and positive messages. I think we could all use a little dose of Arvid in our Tupac.
Make theater not war I say! Put down the pistol and pick up a pencil! That especially goes for you 80's sitcom stars!