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

Invictus

Title: Invictus
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng, Matt Stern, Julilian Lewis Jones, Bonne Henna
Genres: Drama, Adaptation, Biopic, Sports
Running Time: 2 hour. 14 minutes
Release Date: December 11th, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Review: Seeing as Cling Eastwood is one of my favorite directors, I did have some expectations for this film. Couple that with the fact that South African politics has a special place in my heart, after spending a lot of time in that beautiful country, and we've got ourselves whipped into a expectation-frenzy. And it is a great film, full of great performances, restrained and skillful directorial work, and a powerful true story to stir the heart.

However, it is also a bit heavy on the sweaty-men-in-a-game-huddle slo-mo's, and being as rugby is the sport at hand (basically making it incomprehensible for anyone not already familiar with the game) it does get a bit tedious. Is it worth the 2 hours & then some? Yeah, I would say it is. But at the same time, there is no need to hold off on the soda - you'll have plenty of time for a visit to the restroom without running the risk of missing anything crucial. In other words, 'Invictus' is a great film definitely worth seeing, but it won't be joining the multitude of previous Eastwood's films on my All-Time-Favorites lists.

Grade: 8

The Blind Side

Title: The Blind Side
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Adaptation, Biopic, Sports
Running Time: 2 hours
Release Date: November 20th, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Review: The Hollywoodized version of a pretty remarkable true story, complete will feel-good sensations that stays around for quite a while after the credits roll. I will admit, I am kind of a sucker for the occasional feel-good sports movie, but it is nothing I go completely ga-ga for. I did, however, see several movies back-to-back today, and this one still managed to stay in my mind afterward. Definitely one I will recommend.

Grade: 8.5

Whip It

Title: Whip It
Directed by: Drew Barrymore
Starring: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristin Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis
Genres: Comedy, Sports
Running Time: 1 hour. 51 minutes
Release Date: October 2nd, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I knew this movie would be great! Unfortunately, nobody I knew agreed with me, and every time I would try to go and see it, I would get talked into seeing something else. Therefore it took me a few extra days to go see this highly entertaining flick, which also happens to be Drew Barrymore's directorial debut.

The only one who would love this movie more than I do now, is my teenaged self, who would have been absolutely obsessed, had this movie come out about 10 years ago. This is a homage to teenage girls everywhere seeking for their life's purpose, coolness, and independence. Now please excuse me while I go and look for a Roller Derby Club in my neck of the woods. I'm ready to be my own hero. Luckily I already have a suitable Derby name...

Grade: 8

The Wrestler

Title: The Wrestler
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Judah Friedlander, Ajay Naidu
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Sports
Running Time: 1 hour.45 minutes
Release Date: December 17th, 2008 (limited)
MPAA Rating: R

Review: Mickey Rourke delivers the role of a lifetime in this film about a wrestling has-been, and I watched it with a sense of pity, sadness and heartache that can only come from a film that is so real you wonder if it isn't. An absolutely fantastic (albeit depressing) film, that definitely is worth watching, but not necessarily in the theater. Do not miss this one on DVD.

Grade: 7.5