Moneyball
In 2001, the Oakland A’s budget was so much smaller than everyone else’s in Major League Baseball, they just weren’t able to field a competitive team. Every time they’d get a good player, they’d lose them to a wealthier team. General manager Billy Beane was determined to do something about it so he threw traditional scouting out the door and went with a system of choosing underrated, and less expensive, players based on their statistics – how often they got on base, how often they were walked, etc. With the help of a new assistant, he put together a team that he hopes will make it to the World Series.
Before seeing Moneyball, I read that you didn’t need to like baseball to enjoy it. That may be true on some level, but I do think it’s necessary to enjoy sports, but not necessarily baseball, to enjoy this movie. (By the way, I enjoy sports and did enjoy the movie.) Based on a true story, and the bestselling book by Michael Lewis, the movie provided a fascinating peek into the world of professional sports. I will admit that, at over two hours, the movie did drag in a few spots. There was a second storyline about Beane’s relationship with his daughter that didn’t add much in my opinion. For the most part the casting was good and the acting was solid.
I haven’t heard of this movie. It sounds interesting, i’ll have to check it out at some point.
This movie has gotten so much buzz (Oscar buzz even) and it has Brad Pitt (say what you will but he is pretty cool), that I’m going to have to see it. It has all the markings of Netflix, with the way my schedule has been.
I so want to watch this, just to see what the whole deal is about, but I’m barely into sports, baseball least of all. So, this may be meant for renting for me. Glad you enjoyed it though.
I’m glad to hear you don’t need to like baseball to enjoy it, otherwise I might decide this wasn’t for me!
I hadn’t heard of this movie before. It’s good to know you don’t need to like baseball to enjoy it because I’m not a baseball fan though I’ve seen a few sports-themed movies and liked them. Still, I also think it may be a rental for me.
I haven’t even seen ads for this movie. I must be living under a rock! I think I’d enjoy this one.
I had not ever heard of this movie before, but the premise sounds interesting. I am not a big sports person, but I do have enough glancing knowledge that the movie would probably interest me. I am glad you liked it!
This is one I think I can wait for the dvd. I enjoy a good sports movie once in awhile. And Brad Pitt isn’t so hard to look at for a couple of hours.
Generally I prefer movies to be under 2 hours. Even if it’s really good!
I’ve never even heard of this movie! I tried to watch the video, but I guess YouTube removed it.
Between your review and Margot’s, I’m definitely sold. I love baseball and I’m a big fan of Brad Pitt (I mean look at him!) so this is a movie made for me.
I love baseball, and have been looking forward to seeing this movie. The two hour investment is a bit much, but I’m glad you think it was worth it!
I agree Kathy, I think for any of these sports based movies you have to at least like sports. I don’t mind some sports but I’m not an avid fan so these movies don’t normally attract me. I’m glad you enjoyed it though!
I saw the trailer and wondered if I should go. Hmmm sports and I rarely go well together, but if you say it’s good – might have to do it then.
This movie is on my radar and I do enjoy sports so now I’m confident that I will enjoy it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it Kathy!
This sounds like a movie for Anna’s husband…not so much for me…maybe the men should go out to see it together.
I don’t like baseball much, but for some strange reason, I like baseball movies– Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, The Natural. Denis likes baseball, so we might just have to go see this one.
There has been quite a bit of buzz about this but it seems as though it would appeal more to sporty guys…lol…maybe a movie to wait for and watch at home.
As a fan of baseball, and Brad Pitt
, this would be a good movie choice for me. Great presentation, Kathy!
I can believe we both saw this movie but I can’t believe we posted our reviews on the same day! Your review is very good and you mentioned things I didn’t. I’m going to put this coincidence down to “great minds think alike.”
By the way, I just saw the new George Clooney movie. What day do you want to do that review? (Just kidding.) It was very good, very well done.
I saw this a few weekends ago with my family and really liked it. My dad has been a huge Oakland A’s fan for as long as I can remember, so it was extra-interesting for him since he actually remembered seeing the winning streak!
I love when you post about movies – I look forward to seeing them when they come to base in about three – four weeks! I wasn’t sure about this one but you put me over the edge – I’ll have to go see it!
I’m not a big sports fan but I really enjoyed this. I thought it was smart and funny and somehwat suspenseful. I also liked getting a “sneak peek” into how baseball works.
Margot saw this movie too!! You both posted about it on the same day..how strange is that??? This one sounds like one I would like to read. I want to see how he changed the team!
I like baseball movies and Brad Pitt is not bad to look at for a few hours so I’ll probably like this one. I usually wait for the DVD though.
Ok I will watch it, I mostly watch everything anyway
Except for movies with Angelina…
I like sports but baseball not so much. I’m sure Jason will put this one on out Netflix list.
I’m glad that you liked this movie! Since it’s set so close to home I want to see it for sure.
I haven’t decided whether to see this one or not. I do like baseball, but I’m not sure about a movie centered around it. On the other hand, it would be a good one to see with my husband. Glad to see you enjoyed it.
My husband shocked me by saying he has absolutely zero interest in seeing this movie. I was stunned and thus failed to ask him why. SO I bet I never see it. (not the kind of movie I run to see with just my girlfriends even if it does have BP)
We saw this movie on Sunday, and I’m so glad we did. I thought the story was so good, but I must say just watching Brad Pitt was a good time.
I had avoided this movie as I thought it was strictly a baseball flick. It sounds like it is a lot more than that however!
i’m not a huge baseball fan or anything but i do love sports so i might just give this one a try. whatever happen to movies that end after 90 minutes? those are my favorite kind of movies. but with the way they’ve been increasing ticket prices i guess they have to lengthen the movies so we can get our money’s worth.
Glad to see you liked it, even if it did drag in parts. I’m so weird, I love the sport of running and I like soccer. I could care less about any other sport. However, I LOVE sports movies! lol! I have no idea why.