{"id":11164,"date":"2023-08-25T00:02:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T07:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=11164"},"modified":"2023-08-25T12:03:37","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T19:03:37","slug":"the-hill-a-hard-hitting-cast-and-beautifully-written-evocative-script","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2023\/the-hill-a-hard-hitting-cast-and-beautifully-written-evocative-script\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hill * A Hard-Hitting Cast And Beautifully Written, Evocative Script"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHillPoster.png?resize=113%2C168&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11170\" style=\"width:113px;height:168px\" width=\"113\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHillPoster.png?resize=202%2C300&amp;ssl=1 202w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHillPoster.png?w=220&amp;ssl=1 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 113px) 100vw, 113px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Growing up impoverished in small-town Texas, young Rickey Hill shows an extraordinary ability for hitting a baseball, despite being burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. His stern, pastor father discourages Rickey from playing baseball to protect him from injury, and to have him follow in his footsteps and become a preacher.&nbsp; As a young man, Ricky becomes a baseball phenomenon.&nbsp; His desire to participate in a try-out for a legendary major league scout divides the family and threatens Rickey\u2019s dream of playing professional baseball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, \u201cWith a hard-hitting cast and beautifully written, evocative script, <em>The Hill<\/em> surely captured my attention and should appeal to sports, drama and biographical film fans as well.\u201d See his full review below. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hill<br>By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ADdjBsLASAw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.a.jpg?resize=99%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11165\" style=\"width:99px;height:150px\" width=\"99\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.a.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.a.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 99px) 100vw, 99px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jesse Berry stars as Young Rickey Hill. \u00a92023 Briarcliff Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>With a hard-hitting cast and beautifully written, evocative script, <em>The Hill<\/em> surely captured my attention and should appeal to sports, drama and biographical film fans as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Hill<\/em> is based on the true story of Rickey Hill (Colin Ford, Jesse Berry), a kid from a poor Baptist family in rural Texas. Rickey has big dreams of becoming a baseball superstar and he\u2019s immensely talented at batting, but he must face one problem &#8212; his dad (Dennis Quaid) won\u2019t let him. Even when Rickey seems to have overcome congenital degenerative spinal disease, his father refuses to let him play, and he&#8217;s intent on molding him into a pastor just like him.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.b.jpg?resize=191%2C127&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11166\" style=\"width:191px;height:127px\" width=\"191\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.b.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.b.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Colin Ford stars as Rickey Hill in THE HILL. Credit: \u00a92023 Briarcliff Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The direction by Jeff Celentano and screenplay by Angelo Pizzo and Scott Marshall Smith come together to bind the story \u2014 a riveting narrative of talent torn between passion and family. The set pieces and props, ever the wooden leg braces Rickey wears as a child, are all realistic. The dialogue in <em>The Hill <\/em>is real and raw, and I especially like how each cast member has convincing Texan accents. Dennis Quaid is an absolute superstar in the film; you\u2019ll want to scream your head off at him sometimes and at other times, you\u2019ll consider where he\u2019s coming from &#8212; though that\u2019s an angle the film doesn\u2019t explore much. I was most taken by Jesse Berry\u2019s portrayal of the young, fiery Rickey; he helms the film\u2019s many tear-jerker moments. It\u2019s certainly a stellar performance by a child actor, especially given the complexity of the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jUee8FPZ1PA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.d.jpg?resize=112%2C168&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11168\" style=\"width:112px;height:168px\" width=\"112\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.d.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TheHill.d.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 112px) 100vw, 112px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>The Hill<\/em> promotes pursuing your dreams with resilience; never saying never; and gaining a better understanding of perspectives different from you. The film contains religious content given Rickey\u2019s upbringing in a strict, conservative Baptist family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Hill<\/em> 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on August 25, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HKXIKjYsc6U?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Growing up impoverished in small-town Texas, young Rickey Hill shows an extraordinary ability for hitting a baseball, despite being burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. His stern, pastor father discourages Rickey from playing baseball to protect him from injury, and to have him follow in his footsteps and become a preacher.  As a young man, Ricky becomes a baseball phenomenon.  His desire to participate in a try-out for a legendary major league scout divides the family and threatens Rickey\u2019s dream of playing professional baseball. <\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, \u201cWith a hard-hitting cast and beautifully written, evocative script, The Hill surely captured my attention and should appeal to sports, drama and biographical film fans as well.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15,14],"tags":[6904,6903,6503,6908,1783,6893,6901,6898,281,6907,6910,3322,6897,1166,6900,6906,6892,6905,6902,6894,6896,6891,6895,6899],"class_list":["post-11164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film-reviews","category-film-screenings","tag-angelo-pizzo","tag-baptist","tag-baseball","tag-bonnnie-bedelia","tag-by-kids-for-kids","tag-carina-worm","tag-colin-ford","tag-degenerative-spine-disease","tag-dennis-quaid","tag-jeff-celentano","tag-jesse-berry","tag-joelle-carter","tag-mba","tag-movie-reviews","tag-randy-house","tag-rickey-hill-the-hill-movie","tag-ricky-hill","tag-ryan-dinning","tag-scott-marshall-smith","tag-siena-bjornerud","tag-spine-disease","tag-the-hill","tag-the-hill-2023","tag-white-boy-rick"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-2U4","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11164"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11176,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11164\/revisions\/11176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}