Thu. March 8, 2012
By Gregg Shapiro
Nominated for six (really?) Academy Awards, "Moneyball" (Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment), based on the true story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's (Brad Pitt) efforts to change the business of baseball is a baseball lover's dream come true. But not so much for the rest of us. Not even an exceptionally fit Pitt or a locker room full of fully-dressed (!) ballplayers can make this one interesting.
Opening in October 2001, with a game featuring the extremely well-funded New York Yankees playing the bargain basement A's, Beane comes to the realization that his team simply can't compete against the deep pockets of the Yankees' $120 million payroll. Things begin to get technical (read: BORING) after this, as Beane meets with scouts, managers, team owners, players and the like, to figure out how he can construct a winning team. A former player himself, he is simply at a loss. That is until he encounters Peter (Jonah Hill), a Yale-educated economics grad who has a unique system for figuring out the value of players.
Their unique working relationship results in the team's 20-consecutive-game winning streak. But that's just not as exciting as it sounds because you have to sit through dull analysis and even more tedious personal details. There are probably even some sporty gays who will find this tiresome. Blu-ray special features include the "Brad Loses It" blooper, three deleted scenes, a selection of featurettes and more.
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