Feb 2

Feb 2 Moneyball (2011)

Turning a nonfiction book not just about baseball, but about the math behind it, into an A-list film might seem unlikely, but Moneyball does just that. With a very good script from Oscar-winning scribes Steven Zallian (who penned Schindler’s List) and Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network), and a deft, note-perfect performance by Brad Pitt, the film tells the tale of a seismic shift in the analysis of what it takes to win in the Major Leagues. Interesting, humorous, and even touching, this is a baseball movie like no other you’ve ever seen—and also one of the best films of the year.

*¼ (out of ***)

2011 • 2 HOURS, 13 MINUTES
COLUMBIA PICTURES • A SCOTT RUDIN/MICHAEL DE LUCA/RACHAEL HOROVITZ PRODUCTION

STARRING
• BRAD PITT, JONAH HILL

ALSO STARRING
• PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, ROBIN WRIGHT, CHRIS PRATT, STEPHEN BISHOP

WRITTEN BY
• STEVEN ZAILLIAN AND AARON SORKIN (SCREENPLAY)
• STAN CHERVIN (STORY)
• MICHAEL LEWIS (BASED ON THE BOOK)

DIRECTED BY
• BENNETT MILLER

2011 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (6)
• BEST PICTURE (LOST TO THE ARTIST)
• BEST ACTOR: BRAD PITT (LOST TO JEAN DUJARDIN FOR THE ARTIST)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: JONAH HILL (LOST TO CHRISTOPHER PLUMMERFOR BEGINNERS)
• BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY (LOST TO THE DESCENDANTS)
• BEST FILM EDITING (LOST TO THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO)
• BEST SOUND MIXING (LOST TO HUGO)