Everything You Need to Know: Moneyball

Director.........Bennet Miller
Starring:
Jonah Hill asPaul DePodesta (Peter Brand)
Brad Pitt as Billy Beane
Phillp Seymoure Hoffman as Art Howe
Chris Pratt as Scott Hatteberg

From Michael DeLuca Productions:

The story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.

When rumors arose that this story was being made into a film, I was excited. When it was assured with Hoffman and Pitt attached, I almost went into convulsions. Moneyball is based on a true story and was created into a book in 2003. I'm a huge fan of solid sports films, but they have really been lacking lately. I feel that they have been overplayed and are full of cliche' tag lines. I'm hoping we do not see the same in Moneyball.

Okay, Bennet hasn't had a ton of history. But he's had enough. Bennet directed the 2005 Oscar Best Picture winner, Capote. For everyone who has seen it, no one can argue that it was deserving of the Oscar and that Hoffman gave one of his best performances to date. Bennet is directing, but he also has the number one man in cinematography behind the camera, Wally Pfister. Wally Pfister has filmed some of the greatest films in the past decade. He's been the head of filming in Inception, The Dark Knight, The Prestige, Batman Begins, The Italian Job, Insomnia, and Memento. That's 5 Nolan films by the way. What's funny, was that Pfister was a replacement. Adam Kimmel (Capote and Almost Heroes) was arrested in Conneticut on sexual assault, weapons and explosives possession charges.

The film is currently filming in Boston:

So this film sounds incredible, right? Well there's one thing that bothers me; Jonah Hill cast as Paul DePodesta. First take a look at this:

I hope I do not have to explain this picture, but I will. Jonah Hill looks nothing like DePodesta. DePodesta is a thin, fit, Harvard graduate. Jonah Hill is overweight and usually plays slackers in films, so we'll see. While most who go see this movie will have no idea who DePodesta is, it still bothers me.

Yet another reason why we're excited for this film;

This is a quote from former big leaguer Chad Kreuter who is working with all of the actors who are portraying baseball players:

"We took lots of takes making sure everything is right,” Kreuter said. “The directors and producers are very intent on trying to get as much realism out of the baseball scenes as possible. There is not much that’s been missed."

I'm happy to hear that this film is working to be  as realistic as possible. Seeing realism in Moneyball will be a breath of fresh air. Moneyball won't be working to showcase fantastic plays or how hard a certain player can hit the ball. Moneyball is going to bring to theaters the true life story of baseball that exists outside of the diamond. Chad Kreueter is also working with Chris Pratt to correctly represent his character, Scott Hatteberg, by hitting left-handed.

Some funny stuff about the project?

Back when Steve Soderbergh was on board to direct the film, Brad Pitt and Demetri Martin were on board instead of Pitt and Jonah Hill. Soderbergh even shot about 12 scenes including the two.