Moneyball landed itself a Best Picture nomination for the Academy Awards and it could not be more deserved. When we caught up with Brad Pitt, the film’s star and producer, in Toronto he told us that his movie works beyond the sports genre because “it’s complicated material. It’s not your conventional story or story line, with conventional character arcs.” That’s the beauty of the film. We believe that is central to why it is nominated for Best Picture.
If you haven’t seen Moneyball, do so before Oscar night. The story of Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane and how he shook up the over-a-century-old sport transcends sports to the very heart of human nature.
Check out our exclusive video interview with Supporting Actor nominee Jonah Hill on why he felt the film was one of his career best experiences.
Director Bennett Miller (previously nominated for the directing category for Capote) adds his two cents on the subject of Moneyball in another of our Movie Fanatic exclusive video interviews.
Moneyball has made fans out of audiences that would not normally see a sports movie. Between the stellar performances, expert direction and the screenplay writing collective led by Aaron Sorkin, the film is not only one of the best films of 2011, but one of the best sports films of all time. That is because it is so much more than a film about athletes.
Parks and Recreation star Chris Pratt welcomed the opportunity to flex his muscles, both on screen and on the field. He has a moment in the film that caused many in our screening to leap out of their seat and that magic moment clearly resonated with the actor in his exclusive video chat with Movie Fanatic.
Of the nine films vying for Best Picture, Moneyball may not have the best odds to win. But then again, neither did the Oakland A's! It is an important film and a must-see for any Oscar fan, whatever genre of movie is your favorite.