Watch Bad News Bears

The 2005 production of Bad News Bears seems to been made as an homage as well as an update to the original 1976 comedy classic. Billy Bob Thornton takes over the role of Morris Buttermaker, originated by Walter Matthau. Buttermaker is a heavy drinking and foul mouthed former minor league baseball player who spends his days chugging beer and liquor while killing bugs for a living during the day and chasing women at night.

Buttermaker is approached by a local mother who has won a lawsuit to allow her son to play on a team of misfit players that no other little league team wanted. Since she had no one willing to coach the gang of misfits he pays off Buttermaker to attempt the impossible, make this team of losers into a championship caliber little league squad.

Morris Buttermaker ends up having a few aces up his sleeves in his ex-girlfriends 12-year-old daughter who is also a pitching wonderkind , Amanda Whurlitzer, and a local ruffian who turns out to be a big time slugger in Kelly Leak. Despite a rough start as coach Buttermaker does his best to make the Bears winners. One big obstacle that stands in the way is the defending league champions, the Yankees. Throughout the film you'll see the ups and downs as the Bears grow as a team and Buttermaker grows as a man.

The film is directed by Richard Linklater. Thornton stars along with Greg Kinnear, Marcia Gay Harden and Jeffrey Davies.