" It's a game, that's plays for money, not the love of the sport, that only counts if you're a youngster "

Rating: 7/10 (13 February 2012)

In the late 19th century, a baseball team was introduced to a up-and-coming young America as pastoral fun and leisure entertainment. However, someone from a rival town took to betting on that unimportant, non-descriptive game and promised to return with a better-team. That created a rivalry and up sprang a dozen teams all believing their's was the best. Fast forward to the present and anyone with a T.V. can see a baseball game being plays with a variety of teams, players and managers earning vast sums of money. Records and statistics are kept, revamped and stored, none of which can add one ray of sunshine to the original pastoral intent. This movie staring Brad Pitt is called " Moneyball. " It tells the story of Billy Beane (brad Pitt) who is a General Manager told by the owner that he is charged to create a winning baseball team with the funds already allocated to him. Despite his pleas for additional monies, none are forthcoming. Forced to accept that, he decides to hire Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) a statical researcher who believes the best way to win is to select players based on accumulated untapped statistics. Upon assembling said team, they are primed to win games, but are prevented by Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman) an old style coach who does not believe it's the way to run a team. Thus, it's a test of wills and therein lies the heart of this movie. In addition to his on the field problems is Beane's personal life and his growing teenage daughter. The film is a reminder of what's important, the game or the money? For the audience, it's a reminder of what becomes important to a man, his family or what he does to it? Something to remember when seeking a fun game. ****