KUSER FARM PARK MOVIE NIGHT: FIELD OF DREAMS (4/25)

Field of Dreams is a fantasy masterpiece, an unofficial, Twilight Zone episode, if one will, with ample, Bradbury-esque trimmings to spare, which never fails to warm one's heart and conjure a sentimental tear.  

As a special treat, on Friday, April 25, Kuser Farm Park Mansion (at 390 Newkirk Av, Hamilton Twp, NJ 08610) will present writer/director Phil Alden Robinson's awe-inspiring classic on an 18' x 5', Cinemascope screen, free of charge. 

Based on W.P. Kinsella's novel, Shoeless Joe, Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, Ray Liotta, Timothy Busfield, Amy Madigan, Gabby Hoffman, Art LeFleur, Frank Whaley and Dwier Brown in a tale of heavenly redemption, as pitched through "America's favorite pastime." The movie also bears a sweet, mystical score by James (Star Trek II/III) Horner, which once heard, will follow one forever. 

The movie was a solid hit during the summer of 1989, holding its own against such high-profile competition as Batman, Ghostbusters II, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. Its popularity has only grown over the decades, and it's now placed on an affectionate par with Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. 

The movie means a great deal to many people, and it'll be satisfying to see it presented in regal fashion once again.

Field of Dreams begins at 7 p.m. in the Kuser Farm Park Mansion Theater, with doors open to the public at 6:30. Email Heather Pizza, at HPizza@HamiltonNJ.com, to accommodate your spot for the showing. 

FIELD OF DREAMS: REDEMPTION RETURNS

It's hard to believe that thirty years have passed since I first viewed "Field of Dreams". I was inspired to see writer/director Phil Alden Robinson's adaptation of W.P. Kinsella's novel, "Shoeless Joe" after catching a wee "making of", which conveyed a right-up-my-alley, "Twilight Zone"/Frank Capra tease. I sure wasn't disappointment. In fact, "Field of Dreams" rivaled my expectations and remains one of my all-time favorite films.

There's no point in rehashing the plot.  (Has any one not yet seen this wondrous creation?)  Still, for that select few who may be out of the loop, it's suffice to say that the fable features ghosts, time travel, Noah's Ark-ish faith and a tenderhearted, James Horner score, bracketed by a father-son, baseball motif that references the woebegone Black Sox Scandal. 

Its cast is an all-star dream come true: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Ray Liotta, Frank Whaley, Burt Lancaster, Timothy Busfield, Dwier Brown, James Earl Jones, Gaby Hoffman and a slew of stand-out, supporting players, each lending empathy and depth to a heaven-on-earth concept, where redemption is the magnificent reward. 

The movie's big line, "If you build it, they will come" has become one of the most quoted in popular culture and epitomizes the main characters' quests for forgiveness, love and the precious basics of life. 

Thanks to TCM, "Field of Dreams" will return to the big screen on June 16 and 18 in honor of Father's Day.  What a wonderful way to commemorate the occasion. 

Go on, now.  Listen to that voice. Buy your ticket. Replenish your dreams.