Friday, September 23, 2011

Moneyball

Title: Moneyball
Directed by: Bennet Miller
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Genres: Biopic, Drama, Sports
Running Time: 2 hours. 6 minutes
Release Date: September 23rd, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I am not usually a big fan for sports movies. At least not the typical garden variety of sports films, filled with cliches, and predictably triumphant endings. 'Moneyball' is not one of those films. 'Moneyball' is a film about people, more than it is about sports. It is also one of the best films of the year.

The story is good, the casting fantastic, and the performances brilliant. Brad Pitt is great as the GM of the Oakland A's, Philip Seymour Hoffman's does epic grumpy as only he can, and Jonah Hill shows us he can actually do more than be funny; he can act.

If the typical underdog-to-thriumph story is your thing, you might be disappointed with this film. You'd be crazy, but you know, "to each their own". For everyone else, catch 'Moneyball', because it's one of the few really great films so far this year. I know, this year suffers from severe good-film-drought, so that doesn't say a lot. However, even compared to a year with an epic film crop, 'Moneyball' would be one of the best.
Grade: 9

Abduction

Title: Abduction
Directed by: John Singleton
Starring: Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins, Alfred Molina, Sigourney Weaver, Maria Bello, Jason Isaac
Genres: Drama, Action/Adventure
Running Time: 1 hour. 36 minutes
Release Date: September 23rd, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I will say, this is not the typical cheesy action plot, however, a good movie, it is not. Our young hero, Taylor Lautner, and Lily Collins, who plays his love interest, have the chemistry of two paper bags, and the acting chops to match. The acting of the entire cast is actually laughably poor throughout 'Abduction', which I found somewhat surprising given a supporting cast consisting of Maria Bello and Sigourney Weaver.

Overall, 'Abduction' can safely be missed. In fact, save your pennies and your time and skip this one.
Grade: 5.5