Swing for the fences, art lovers and baseball buffs, because a cinematic home run has just been released in the form of a captivating documentary. Entitled The Diamond King, this new film delves into the colorful and compelling world of renowned baseball artist Dick Perez. For those eager to paint their couches with culture, The Diamond King is now available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV, Prime Video, Google TV, and Kinema.
Produced by The McCaw along with Votiv, this documentary serves as a portrait of an artist whose canvas is the conquest of American dreams and major league cred. From the festive palm-dotted landscapes of Puerto Rico to the gritty concrete jungles of Harlem, we traverse Perez’s life journey, connecting the dots of a young boy’s fascination with the bat, the ball, and the brush.
The Diamond King is narrated by John Ortiz, whose voice carries the kind of resonant timbre you’d expect from someone who could describe a no-hitter or recount a narrative in which dreams defy odds. Ortiz, perhaps more familiar as a face from will-they-or-won’t-they moments in popular series like Will Trent and Bad Monkey, guides us through interviews with Perez and those who know him best — including family, fellow artists, and curators of the almighty diamond.
Perez’s big break, the feature reveals, began under the glint of baseball’s golden 1980s sunlight. It was here that his collaboration with the trading card company Donruss gave birth to the Diamond Kings baseball card series. These weren’t just cards; they were pocket-sized Marvels of art that treated sports fandom to a masterpiece induction reserved for the biggest of games.
With brush strokes as smooth as a lefty’s curveball, Perez’s artistry marries realism and emotional poignancy, capturing not just the silhouette of athletes but the aura of their legacy. His work bursts forth with nostalgia for the game, celebrating not just the statistics but the spirit of those who have made the Hall of Fame and those dreaming from dugouts afar.
For those unaccustomed to such painterly panache, Steve Kopian, a notable voice in the realm of cinematic critique, describes The Diamond King as a masterpiece destined for repeat viewings on sports channels eternal. He posits it’s so robust in narrative and visual glory that it will likely become a staple on the MLB channel, a beacon for curious eyes who seek the sacred pilgrimage between sports, art, and relentless pursuit.
Can’t wait to glimpse the goodness? A trailer tease awaits on The Diamond King Movie website, offering a fastball of anticipation through a curated collection of previews. While there, be sure to navigate through a treasure trove of Perez’s offerings, including prints, posters, and exclusive cards — a collector’s cornucopia fit for connoisseurs and casual fans alike.
In spearheading this artistic endeavor, The McCaw, under the directorial eye of Marq Evans, continues its lofty pursuit of pinpoint poeticism. Evans is no rookie to lauded documentaries, having previously bathed audiences in the vivid, claymated brilliance with films like Claydream, which details the inventiveness of California Raisins creator, Will Vinton. He’s also illuminated our radio waves with The Glamour & The Squalor, an odyssey into the rise of Seattle DJ Marco Collins and his grunge crusade.
Boasting a cinematic style as deft as a clutch hitter’s swing, The Diamond King isn’t just for the baseball purists but for anyone who gazes long into the tension of artistic motion. It presents an exploration of the tributaries of creativity that flow between sport and artistry, capturing the essence of life that is as colorful as a seven-inning stretch on a summer’s day.
So whether you’re fitted with a baseball cap and cleats, or clasping at a canvas with easel intent, The Diamond King is a filmic brushstroke you won’t want to miss — a harmonious ode to icons, artists, and every heart that has ever touched America’s favorite pastime.
