Movie Review Monday #48: Moneyball

Jeff and I used to try to watch the majority of the Oscar-nominated films before the awards ceremony. Of course, that changed after Eiley was born since it became harder for us to randomly go to the movies, so this year we had only seen two (The Help and Midnight in Paris). Last night we rented a third: Moneyball. Moneyball is the story of the General Manager of the Oakland A's using a new (at the time, which was in 2001) method of statistical analysis to choose the best team with the smallest amount of money. It's a true story, which always makes things more interesting, and it stars Brad Pitt, which always makes things more attractive. Observations:


1. I am not a baseball fan, so I'm certain I missed out on some of the appeal of this film, but it was still extremely accessible. You really don't have to be a baseball fan to understand the thought process behind their statistical theory. And obviously you don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate the character development of Billy Beane, played by Pitt.
2. Even without being a baseball fan, the film editors certainly evoked emotion from me. After a particularly inspiring moment, Pitt says "How can you not get romantic about baseball?" and I very nearly agreed with him.
3. This film was slow at times, but in such a realistic way. It had slow moments like life has slow moments. It had slow moments like a good baseball game has slow moments.
4. Pitt's performance was impressive. I forgot at times that I was watching Brad Pitt. His character was at times angry, superstitious, sad, passionate, insecure, overly confident. What I'm getting at is that the dude has range in addition to his good looks. Whatever.
5. Chris Pratt was also in this. I have to admit that I thought he was 100% like his character on Parks and Rec (though maybe not quite that dumb), so I was surprised to see him in a completely different role. I don't know why I assumed he was a man-child in real life.

He doesn't even look like the same person.
It looks like there are thoughts running through his head here.

In conclusion, two claws up, though I recommend watching when you are not tired in the least, otherwise it might be too slow to keep your eyelids up.

Movie Review Monday #14: The Help

The Help was an amazing book. I devoured it. The characters were vivid and memorable and distinct yet natural. The movie was equally fantastic. Observations!


1. Arabella and I have chosen celebrity best friends - you know, the celebrity who would be your best friend if you ever met and hung out. Hers is Anne Hathaway and mine was, up until recently, Queen Latifah. Because Queen was my celebrity BFF, I of course imagined her in the role of Aibileen. Instead, the role went to Viola Davis. After watching the film, I have to commend the casting director. Viola Davis is incredible for many reasons, not the least of which is her ability to let snot drip out of her nose when she cries. She did it in Doubt, and I'm convinced that's what got her an Academy Award Nomination. She snotted in this film too. It's a brilliant use of bodily fluid to convey raw emotion. I hope she gets another Oscar snot nod.

Doubt snot!

2. Okay, all the actresses in this film were amazing. I was going to start listing them all, but there were at least five other impressive performances and me gushing about actors would get old fast. So let's just all be impressed with the acting and move on.
3. The Help deals with an intense subject without getting super depressing and without making too light of the matter. It's a tricky balance. I laughed (and so did two super loud ladies near me - seriously, it was surround sound cackling/screaming laughter in my theater at times) and I very nearly cried. 
4. The movie followed the book fairly well. Or at least it had been long enough that I didn't notice any major changes. I have a terrible memory for details in books though, so this really isn't saying much. Maybe this shouldn't count.
4 again. This is one of those films that anyone could enjoy. Sure, it's a heavily female cast, but men could enjoy it too (in fact, one of the men in my theater whistled at the screen when Jessica Chastain showed some cleave - classy). Any age could enjoy it, any race...anyone. Nearly universal entertainment is rare.
5. You may have noticed that I said Queen was my former celebrity BFF. That's because I've been thinking it through and Emma Stone has replaced her. I've been feeling this coming for a while, but The Help really sealed the deal. Emma is hilarious and a good actress and I like her film choices (yes, The House Bunny, yes!) and I think we'd be great friends. And if you're reading this, Queen Latifah, I'm sorry you had to find out this way. 


In conclusion, two claws up, Lobsters! Go see The Help today because you is kind, you is smart, you is important!

Sabbath Sunday #13

Today I'm observing the Sabbath by going to church, then lunch with friends, then hopefully to Goodwill to buy some not maternity and not my normal size shorts and also hopefully going to see The Help. Next week is my first week as a theater widowed single mom (rehearsal starts next week), so I'm trying to live it up today!