Moneyball

            Over time there have been many movies done about baseball. Whether true or fictional it always seems like there's a new one that comes out every few years and usually they're done pretty well. In the case of Moneyball, for the lack of a better pun, it's money. The movie is based on a true story and the book "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game" by Michael Lewis. That name may sound familiar as he is also the author of "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game;" which is obviously the book the movie "The Blind Side" was based off of. Now adapting a movie from a book can be troublesome as you must deal with people's judgements who have both read the book and seen the movie. However, with me I have not read the book yet, though I own it, therefore I'm completely impartial to judge this film with out any prejudice.
           Moneyball is the story of the Oakland Athletics baseball season in 2002. More importantly, it's the story of how General Manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, put together this team after losing three star players and using a budget around $40 million. While trying to figure out how to overcome these obstacles Beane meets Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), a special assistant to the GM of the Cleveland Indians. Brand tells him about a new way to evaluate players using statistical analysis called sabermetrics. Instead of the traditional way of scouting and putting value on a player's certain skill sets, sabermetrics has you value what they do on the field instead. For example, how often they get on base and score runs is more important than how much power a player has or how strong his arm is. Intrigued by this new way of thinking Beane hires Brand. Together they work an unconventional system to put together a team that they hope can win a championship, all the while facing doubts from people outside the organization as well as inside.
          This film is enjoyable all throughout as the audience is entertained by great actors working off of a great script. Moneyball was co-written by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Zaillian is the Oscar winning writer behind "Schindler's List" while Sorkin is the Oscar winning writer behind "The Social Network." Together these two put together a script that while watching, feels like a fictional story, but that helps make it connect that much more with the audience when you realize it is based on a true story. (Update: This pair's great writing has earned them an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay that would be shared with Stan Chervin as well who came up with the story)
         Acting wise everyone was on top of their game. Pitt is stellar as the young, somewhat carefree GM. He transitions back and forth seamlessly from the methodical, set in his ways side and big kid still having fun with baseball no matter what side of Beane. Though Pitt was great in this role Jonah Hill may have stolen the show. Hill's portrayal of the composite character Brand is a role many fans of his aren't used to seeing as it is a dramatic one. Hill is great as this young Harvard grad who's uncomfortable and unsure of himself as he's thrust into a job opportunity of a lifetime at such a young age. Together with Pitt their chemistry is great as the two's characters play off of each other quite well throughout the entire movie. (Update: Due to their great performances Pitt has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar and Hill has been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar)
         One must not forget Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of A's manager Art Howe. Though small, he plays the long time manager and stubborn old style baseball guy great as he goes head to head with Beane throughout. Also, Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) is solid as Scott Hatteberg, the long time bench player who is one of the main guys brought in to contribute and replace Jason Giambi. Plus, there's a great shot of his WSU Cougar jersey in the background when Beane goes to his house to sign him. Can't ignore that now can we?
          Anyways, overall I thought this movie was great. Like any good sports movie should it grabs the audience with its drama and hooks you into cheering for the team on the screen. Even I, a lifelong Mariners fan found myself hoping for the A's success while I watched, even though I already knew the outcome. (Update: I'm not the only one who thought this was a great movie as it's nominated for a Best Picture Oscar)
         I give this movie 3 1/2 out of 4 stars and a thumbs up. I recommend you go see it even if you're not a baseball fan as this movie is about much more than just baseball. This movie is out in theaters now as it was just release last Friday so you have plenty of time. Enjoy! (Update: This movie is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray and is available at Redbox and OnDemand)

Editor's Note: I know I said "Last Night" would be my next review, but since Moneyball is in theaters now it gets higher priority. Lookout for Last Night next time unless the same circumstances arise again.

Revolutionary Road

            In 2009's Revolutionary Road, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet team up for the first time since they costarred with each other in Titanic back in 1997. Only this time they team up with talented director Sam Mendes who was the man behind the great American Beauty.
            Based upon the book of the same name released back in 1961 by Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road takes a very dramatic look at a couple stuck in their mundane repetitive suburban lifestyle of the 1950s.
            The film begins with Frank Wheeler (DiCaprio) meeting April (Winslet) at a party. At the time Frank is a longshoreman while April has dreams of becoming an actress. These dreams don't last long as we quickly fast forward to where they are for the rest of the movie. Married, with two kids, living in a very nice house in the Connecticut suburbs on Revolutionary Road. April is a stay at home mother (not uncommon for this time) and Frank commutes to New York City for his sales job. Seems pretty ideal from the outside looking in. But from the inside to Frank and April it is a slow hell. April can't handle the repetitiveness of her daily life, while Frank hates his job and therefore puts little effort into it whatsoever. In an effort to pull out of their tailspin the Wheelers decide to move to Paris and start anew. Of course the perfect plan ever goes off without a hitch, and the Wheeler's must not only try and deal with the obstacles put in their way, but also must fight for their marriage to survive them.
           This is not a film to watch if you're looking to watch something light. It is a heavy drama that deals with heavy subjects and complex characters. DiCaprio plays his role skillfully of a cowardly man unsure of what he wants to become in life. Winslet is great as this woman defeated of her dream and stuck in a life she does not want to be in. If it was not for her Oscar nomination in The Reader in the same year she would have most likely received one for this role.
            The great acting is not limited to just the two leads however. Kathy Bates is solid in the role of the Wheeler's friend and realtor Mrs. Givings. Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire) is even better though as John Givings, the mentally troubled son of Bates' character. His bluntness and lack of manners is very well timed and triggers heavy debates and arguments between him and the Wheeler's. Shannon's performance even netted him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
           The movie does have its holes however. For a married couple with two kids, the Wheeler's sure spend a lot of time with their kids not around. It just seemed a bit too convenient, though in the end it's not a huge deal and can be easily overlooked. Some people may find this movie slow and/or boring. But the big picture to see in this film is that it's not driven by a particular plot line or the character's plans, but by the character's themselves. This movie is about two people and the depths of their emotions, personalities, and actions and how these come to affect each others' lives.
           Overall, I give this film 3 out 4 stars and a thumbs up. It wasn't as good as I had hoped but maybe I was looking for too much. The acting is very solid and is worth seeing at least once, though it's not necessarily something to watch again and again. As I mentioned above it's a bit heavy for that. You can buy this movie on DVD or Blu-Ray or rent it through Netflix. Enjoy!

Editor's Note: My next review will be on the 2011 drama Last Night starring Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, and Eva Mendes so be on the look out for that!

Tangled

          Well everyone, first off I'd like to apologize for being pretty much non-existent over the last month and a half. I've been pretty busy and to be completely honest, haven't really watched any new movies. Buy I've got a couple that I've seen in the last week so it's time to let you know what I thought. The first one we'll talk about is the animated Disney movie Tangled.
           Tangled is loosely based off of the Brother's Grimm fairy tale Rapunzel. In this version Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) is a princess born with magical hair after receiving the powers from a magical flower her mother ate during pregnancy to cure her illness. This flower was being used by Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) to keep herself young and in her desperateness to stay young she kidnaps Rapunzel for her hair. To keep her from being discovered Mother Gothel locks Rapunzel up in a tall tower and never lets her out in to the world while pretending to be her mother. This goes on for years until a thief on the run named Flynn Ryder, voiced by Zachary Levi (Chuck), hides out in her tower and discovers her. Rapunzel who has been dying to see the floating lights that appear on her birthday every year, makes a deal with Ryder to be her guide in exchange for his satchel which she holds as a ransom. Little does Rapunzel know she is about to discover a lot more than she bargained for, all the while Mother Gothel desperately tries to get her back to the tower to protect the magic hair and her secret.
            Though Disney has said that this will be their last "princess" movie for awhile its obvious they have discovered their winning formula again. After their torrid streak in the 90s of successful animated musicals they've been on a bit of a down slide, relying heavily on their pals at Pixar and discovering more success in live action. Though they've adapted with the times and animated Tangled in 3D they created a film along the lines of their successful films in the 90s. They don't need a princess movie to be successful again. Just a good creative story, with plenty of laughs for kids and adults with a great musical score. With Tangled they provided all of that.
           They hired old pal Alan Menken to compose the score. Menken having won 8 Academy Awards for his work on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, and Beauty and the Beast. Menken does not disappoint, as just like in those other films he composes fresh, fun songs that fit perfectly into the story and provide plenty of laughs and emotion. Example, "I See The Light" was nominated for Best Original Song at last year's Academy Awards.
             Mandy Moore does a very good job of voicing the sheltered, naive Rapunzel. Also, it certainly helps that she can sing as she's the one singing most of the songs. Zachary Levi is also good at voicing the care free self involved Flynn Ryder. His voice was also quite impressive in the couple of songs he had to contribute on.
             As with most Disney films the cast wouldn't be complete without some great sidekick characters. In this case the two best ones in my opinion were the non-speaking animal pals. Just like Aladdin had a Abu, Rapunzel has Pascal her cute little chameleon pal. There's also Maximus, the horse of the palace guard that's after Ryder. He's hilarious has he tries to track Ryder down, all the while being smarter than the other guards and reminding one of a bloodhound on the scent.
             Tangled is a cute funny film that is appropriate for all ages. I hope Disney sees the success of this film and realizes this formula worked throughout the 90s and they continue to stay with what works. If that's the case then us viewers could be in for a treat in the years to come.
              I give the movie a solid 3 out of 4 stars and a big thumbs up. If you haven't seen this yet then I recommend doing so regardless of your age. It can be found on Netflix's instant streaming service or through DVD mail order. It is also available to purchase now on DVD and Blu-Ray. Enjoy!

Editor's Note: As I stated above sorry to anyone who has been curious of what movies to watch lately. I'm going to try and get back in the groove of things and put out at least one review a week. My next review will be on the film Revolutionary Road starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Until next time readers!