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Post by justice1 on Oct 2, 2011 12:44:41 GMT -8
We saw "Money Ball yesterday. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this movie. Brad Pitt did a wonderful job in this movie, it was funny at times, heart breaking at others. I don't remember the computer geeks name but he did a great job playing his role as well. It was one of those movies that just make you feel good. We were glad that we went to see it and we thing you would be glad if you did too.
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Post by Arethusa on Oct 3, 2011 2:03:06 GMT -8
I want to see this movie too and went looking for a synopsis of it to post here to add to what you've said. I found this Wiki entry on the book on which it is based that provides a snapshot of baseball's "living history" that we are presently still experiencing as a result of Billy Beane's (GM of the Oakland A's played by Brad Pitt) invention of "moneyball": " Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game . . .is a book by Michael Lewis, published in 2003, about the Oakland Athletics baseball team and its general manager Billy Beane. Its focus is the team's modernized, analytical, sabermetric approach to assembling a competitive baseball team, despite Oakland's disadvantaged revenue situation. . . Rigorous statistical analysis had demonstrated that on-base percentage and slugging percentage are better indicators of offensive success, and the A's became convinced that these qualities were cheaper to obtain on the open market than more historically valued qualities such as speed and contact. These observations often flew in the face of conventional baseball wisdom and the beliefs of many baseball scouts and executives. . . A movie based on the book was released in 2011. Actor Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, while Jonah Hill plays a fictional character based on Paul DePodesta [Beane's statistician]. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays a fictional A's manager named after the actual A's manager, Art Howe. Academy Award-winning screenwriter Steve Zaillian was hired to write the script, and Steven Soderbergh was slated to direct (replacing David Frankel). "I want you to not realize how much information is being thrown at you," says Soderbergh, when asked how he was going to make a film based on statistics entertaining. . . " Link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MoneyballThe Wiki entry also notes that, "the book is parodied in the Simpsons episode "MoneyBART", in which Lisa manages Bart's Little League baseball team using sabermetric principles." Thanks for the thread on the movie, Justice, and enjoy your Monday and the week ahead, Arethusa  |
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Post by dustdevil28 on Oct 3, 2011 5:02:39 GMT -8
As an A's fan I'm a bit mixed on going to see this. Billy Beane built what would have been the best team in baseball of the last decade, only for us fans to have to sit and watch as the fucking Red Sox and Yankees swooped in every offseason and took our best away.
If you ever wonder why i have such a vivid hatred for both the Red Sox and Yankees, it's this reason.
-DD
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Post by ReformedLiberal on Oct 3, 2011 6:07:05 GMT -8
I grew up with Billy. He was a couple of years behind me in High School and broke most of my pitching records after I graduated. Yes, he was a pitcher in High School. He was drafted by the Mets, and the first draftee from our new school. He lived down the street and around the corner from our coach, Sam Blalock, who went on to become a national coach of the year and has 2 or 3 guys drafted every year for over 30 years. Several Oakland A's played for Sam, who is also the father of Hank Blalock.
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Post by Arethusa on Oct 4, 2011 2:41:35 GMT -8
I grew up with Billy. He was a couple of years behind me in High School and broke most of my pitching records after I graduated. Yes, he was a pitcher in High School. He was drafted by the Mets, and the first draftee from our new school. He lived down the street and around the corner from our coach, Sam Blalock, who went on to become a national coach of the year and has 2 or 3 guys drafted every year for over 30 years. Several Oakland A's played for Sam, who is also the father of Hank Blalock. ***** RL, everyone I know who has seen "Moneyball" is fascinated by Beane's turning down that deal with Boston. Knowing him for so long, what's your take on why he wouldn't go there? Thanks and have you seen the movie yet? Arethusa |
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Post by ReformedLiberal on Oct 4, 2011 5:29:53 GMT -8
I grew up with Billy. He was a couple of years behind me in High School and broke most of my pitching records after I graduated. Yes, he was a pitcher in High School. He was drafted by the Mets, and the first draftee from our new school. He lived down the street and around the corner from our coach, Sam Blalock, who went on to become a national coach of the year and has 2 or 3 guys drafted every year for over 30 years. Several Oakland A's played for Sam, who is also the father of Hank Blalock. ***** RL, everyone I know who has seen "Moneyball" is fascinated by Beane's turning down that deal with Boston. Knowing him for so long, what's your take on why he wouldn't go there? Thanks and have you seen the movie yet? Arethusa I haven't "known him for so long." Just way back when, 30+ years ago. We haven't kept in touch. We have some mutual friends that have, but they are like groupies who act like they are his best buds just because he will return an email now and then. Haven't seen the movie yet. With entertainment technology the way it is, I usually wait a few months and watch movies at home where I can pick the time, pause and rewind, and make my own snacks, etc. Theaters are so last century.  |
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Post by Arethusa on Oct 4, 2011 11:46:51 GMT -8
***** RL, everyone I know who has seen "Moneyball" is fascinated by Beane's turning down that deal with Boston. Knowing him for so long, what's your take on why he wouldn't go there? Thanks and have you seen the movie yet? Arethusa I haven't "known him for so long." Just way back when, 30+ years ago. We haven't kept in touch. We have some mutual friends that have, but they are like groupies who act like they are his best buds just because he will return an email now and then. Haven't seen the movie yet. With entertainment technology the way it is, I usually wait a few months and watch movies at home where I can pick the time, pause and rewind, and make my own snacks, etc. Theaters are so last century. **** I do agree! OnDemand is my movie theater now that I have a TV set with a screen that seems nearly as big as one you'd find there. ;D I'm surrounded by baseball fans of the Phillies variety in the area where I live and most of them hustled to their local megaplex this past weekend to enjoy the rare opportunity of watching a "pure" baseball flick. I'm sure Billy Beane's cast of a thousand friends sucking on borrowed glory will likely increase into the millions now that Brad Pitt has played him in a movie. Anyhow, thanks very much for your reply and I hope when you see "Moneyball", that you'll come back here and share your impressions. Arethusa |
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Post by justice1 on Oct 15, 2011 15:11:57 GMT -8
The big screen still holds it's charm for us. Last century or not. we still love it.
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Post by Arethusa on Oct 15, 2011 15:34:13 GMT -8
The big screen still holds it's charm for us. Last century or not. we still love it. ***** I know! But, it seems you might not live in an area where your movie houses are filled with people chattering away with each other like they were sitting at home in front of their flat screen TV's. I enjoyed going to the theaters and probably still would if they still held the charm they held for me long ago. Even with the hideous prices for everything, especially the popcorn!  You're lucky still to be able to have that experience and I envy you for it. Y'all have a great weekend! A/P |
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Post by Arethusa on Mar 18, 2012 19:35:15 GMT -8
I finally saw this movie on OnDemand about a month ago and agree with Justice that it was worth the investment and a great movie about baseball. Was pulling wholeheartedly for Brad Pitt to receive an Oscar for this work and for bringing in the hundreds of millions of dollars that he's earned for the dream factory during his tenure in Hollywood. But, the star of a very strange "kids are puttin' on a show" flick harkening back to the old Judy Garland - Mickey Rooney stuff in days of yore - got the golden statue instead. And the movie won Best Picture to commend Harvey Weinstein for the hundreds of millions of dollars more than Brad Pitt has earned for the dream factory during his tenure in Hollywood. Though word is that the Jack Russell Terrier actually stole "The Artist". And I hear the Martian Dog in "John Carter" stole that one too. Either way, as an animal lover, I don't mind that one bit. Pity Billy Beane's character wasn't given a computer geeky dog to inspire his statistical work, instead of Johah Hill. And that "Moneyball" wasn't produced by Harvey Weinstein.  Arethusa |
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Post by fader on Apr 17, 2012 15:22:26 GMT -8
I finally saw the movie on TV this weekend. Funny thing is, the DVD was sitting here for a month or so all along. Oh well. We enjoyed it though.
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Post by Arethusa on Apr 17, 2012 17:15:06 GMT -8
I finally saw the movie on TV this weekend. Funny thing is, the DVD was sitting here for a month or so all along. Oh well. We enjoyed it though. ***** Hi Fader! We lucked out in the baseball thread by having an A's fan - DustDevil or "DD" - sponsor the team so we can keep track of how they're doing with Billy Beane's signing of Yoenis Cespedis - who had a good pitching record in his own country and came cheap because he's a relative unknown here. And, of course Manny Ramirez for this season. Manny's still serving that suspension, but it will be fun to see if he's still got power with his bat. He's currently in 14th place on the all time Home Runs' list with 555 and Billy was apparently banking on him hitting a few more for the Athletics. ;D Have a great evening! Arethusa |
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Post by dustdevil28 on Apr 29, 2012 14:42:44 GMT -8
Just watched the DVD.
A few thoughts.
I loved Ron Washington's character towards the beginning of the movie. From most reports, a pretty accurate portrayal of the man who did a lot to teach new positions to the players the A's picked up. He's the reason, if the A's aren't going anywhere, I'm rooting for the Rangers.
Second, I loved reliving the 20 game win streak from 2002, but was a bit bitter over the memory that in the end we still went no where as a team.
Third, I don't understand why Beane didn't take the money and go to Boston. I hate those teams for what they do to Oakland and other clubs each year, but I don't begrudge the players for making the most money they can, while they can, in their careers.
All in all a decent flick.
-DD
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socialcaesar
First Class Member
I AM CANADIAN!!!!
Posts: 240
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Post by socialcaesar on Apr 30, 2012 7:40:13 GMT -8
I thought it was a great movie. Funny, dramatic and Pitt's character interaction with his character's daughter was very touching.
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Post by Arethusa on May 1, 2012 4:25:31 GMT -8
I thought it was a great movie. Funny, dramatic and Pitt's character interaction with his character's daughter was very touching. *** I very much agree, Socialcaesar. I've even had the experience of hearing these kudos about the movie from people who don't follow baseball. Have a great Tuesday and week ahead, Arethusa |
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