Moneyball (Exclusive Series) (Hulu/Netflix)

Initial release date: September 23, 2011

Studios: Sony-Columbia/Scott Rudin Productions/Plan B Entertainment

Tagline: What are you really worth?

Plot: Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, one day has an epiphany: Baseball’s conventional wisdom is all wrong. Faced with a tight budget, Beane must reinvent the team by outsmarting the richer ball clubs. Joining forces with Ivy League grad Peter Brand, Beane prepares to challenge old-school traditions. He recruits bargain-bin players whom the scouts have labeled as flawed, but have game winning potential. Based on the book by Michael Lewis.

Cast

Brad Pitt - Billy Beane

Jonah Hill - Peter Brand

Philip Seymour-Hoffman - Art Howe

Robin Wright - Sharon

Chris Pratt - Scott Hatteberg

Stephen Bishop - David Justice

Reed Diamond - Mark Shapiro

Brent Jennings - Ron Washington

Ken Medlock - Grady Fuson

Tammy Blanchard - Elizabeth Hatteberg

Jack McGee - John Polani

Vyto Ruginis - Pittaro

Nick Searcy - Matt Keough

Glenn Morshower - Ron Hopkins

Casey Bond - Chad Bedford

Kerris Dorsey - Casey Beane

Arliss Howard - John Henry

Writer(s): Steven Zaillian (Netflix’s The Irishman; Exodus: Gods and Kings)

Aaron Sorkin (Being the Ricardos; Netflix’s Trial of the Chicago 7; Molly’s Game)

Michael Lewis (based on the book by)

Director: Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher; Capote)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language (132 minutes)

The 2011 movie ‘Moneyball’ is an interesting and intriguing look at the rare behind the scenes look at the game. This movie is probably one of the best sports movies out there. I really can’t think of any baseball movie that primarily focuses on the behind the scenes aspect of America’s favorite pastime.

‘Moneyball’ is awesome story-telling and is definitely a must watch. There are even a few bits that can be a little humorous. I definitely found this movie to be rather interesting since not a lot of people know much about this side of baseball. The movie also serves as a nice little “underdog” story with the Oakland A’s going from a losing streak to win after win after win for 20 consecutive games.

‘Moneyball’ can be streamed on Hulu and Netflix.

Here are some interesting tidbits for ‘Moneyball’:

• Since there was no money to shoot in all the stadiums the Oakland Athletics visited, Dodger Stadium was dressed up as eight different ballparks.

• All but about four of the scouts in the movie were played by actual MLB scouts. Tom Gamboa is perhaps best known as the Kansas City Royals first base coach who was attacked on the field by two fans during a game against the Chicago White Sox on September 19, 2002. The father and son, highly intoxicated, ran onto the field, unprovoked, tackled Gamboa, and threw several punches before being restrained by players and security. Gamboa ultimately suffered permanent hearing loss.

• When Aaron Sorkin agreed to rewrite the screenplay, he stated as a condition that Steven Zaillian would not be removed from the credits, because his draft was great and Sorkin didn’t really feel he could improve it much.

• This is the first baseball movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar since 1989s ‘Field of Dreams.’

• The A’s won the AL West again in 2012 with the lowest payroll in MLB and a record setting 54 wins by rookie pitchers. The season had been informally called ‘Moneyball 2’ by fans and the press.

• In May 2004, Sony Pictures acquired the rights to the Michael Lewis book ‘Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.’

• Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2001. The film grossed $75.6 million in the US and Canada and $34.6 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $110.2 million, against a production budget of $50 million.

https://youtu.be/-4QPVo0UIzc