Thursday, January 12, 2012

Movie Review -- Moneyball with Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill - Released on January 10th to Blu-Ray and DVD





PG-13, 2 hr. 13 min.
Drama, Comedy
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin

Jan 10, 2012
$75.6M
Sony Pictures
Buy now at Amazon.com

Summary:



Based on a true story, Moneyball is a movie for anybody who has ever dreamed of taking on the system. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's and the guy who assembles the team, who has an epiphany: all of baseball's conventional wisdom is wrong. Forced to reinvent his team on a tight budget, Beane will have to outsmart the richer clubs. The onetime jock teams with Ivy League grad Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in an unlikely partnership, recruiting bargain players that the scouts call flawed, but all of whom have an ability to get on base, score runs, and win games. It's more than baseball, it's a revolution - one that challenges old school traditions and puts Beane in the crosshairs of those who say he's tearing out the heart and soul of the game.

My Thoughts:

I love watching films that are based on true stories, especially sports ones.  So, when Moneyball came out to theaters back in 2011, I couldn't wait to see it.  But, being a busy mom to a young baby at the time, my husband and I were unable to see this movie on the big screen.  So, we eagerly awaited its arrival to DVD on January 10th.  My husband is not a huge sports fan, but I love baseball. Growing up with two older brothers and a father, who loved watching the Red Sox on television, I was exposed to the game and its rules.  And, who doesn't like to see Brad Pitt in a film?  :-)  Out of all the recent films that Brad Pitt has been in, I have to say that his performance in Moneyball was truly one to remember, and one that should garner award nomination nods in 2012.  Also, breakout star,  Jonah Hill, who is know for his comedic performance in Super Bad did an amazing job in her supporting actor role.  He really made you believe he could figure out and analyze baseball player's stats, in order to determine who to sign and who would help bring a team like the Oakland A's to victory.

Even though I enjoyed this film, at times it felt like it was dragging, and you couldn't wait for things to speed up.  But, I loved all the baseball footage, and how Peter Brand, played by Jonah Hill and Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, were able to draft a team with mediocre players, based on overall their overall performances and stats, and bring their team to victory -- well at least to 2nd place in the 2001 American League West Championship, losing to the New York Yankees in the Division Series, 5-3.  I always wondering how players were drafted, and what signing agents looked for.  

If you are a Brad Pitt fan, and want to see one of his best performances to date, or are a baseball buff, then you will enjoy Moneyball, just as much as I did.  My husband, on the other hand, ended up only making it halfway through the movie before he fell asleep -- go figure!  But, since viewing it, I have watched it again with my father, and couldn't help but enjoy watching it all over again. I would never have thought of pairing Brad Pitt with Jonah Hill in a movie, but they worked great together.


Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this DVD from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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