Moneyball

☆☆☆☆

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More than an entertaining sports story…"Moneyball" (based on true events) is an engaging story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (well-played by Brad Pitt) who is trying to put together a winning team with a budget that makes it impossible to hire top major league players.
Beane, along with the help of Yale econ grad Peter Brand (strong performance by Jonah Hill) begin to improve their record by looking at baseball differently.
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Since the film is based on a true story there are very few surprises.

Some viewers say…too much spitting.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 6 min.

Visit the "Moneyball" website and watch the trailer.

Contagion

☆☆☆☆

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In this dramatic thriller, Gwyneth Paltrow returns from a business trip with what she suspects is jet lag…but it’s actually the beginning of an international virus outbreak that terrifies the world.

Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh seamlessly guides the film…back and forth in time…showing the progression as well as the origin of the deadly virus.

The all star cast includes Oscar winners: Matt, Damon, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard , along with Oscar nominees Jude Law and Laurence Fishburne.
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A few of the storylines lack depth…for example we don’t a chance to know and understand Dr. Leonora Orantes (played by Marion Cotillard).


Rated PG-13
1 hr. 46 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

The Debt

☆☆☆

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“The Debt” skillfully tells the story of three retired Mossad agents (played by Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, and Ciaran Hindsby…and in their younger years by Jessica Chastain, Marton Csokas and Sam Worthington respectively) who worked together 30 years earlier to capture and bring to trial a notorious Nazi war criminal (the Surgeon of Birkenau) in a secret Israeli mission…the results of which have been passed down through time inaccurately.

Jessica Chastain (“The Help”) gives another excellent performance displaying her versatility and talent.

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The story is strong but it lacks excitement and a true connection with the characters…so it makes it difficult to care about them.


Rated R (some violence and language)
1 hr. 44 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Attack the Block

☆☆☆

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Offering a few scares and a few laughs “Attack the Block” (writer/director Joe Cornish) stars Jodie Whittaker as Sam, a nurse mugged by a group of young teenage thugs while on her way home from work. She escapes when a meteor (with an alien on board) falls…distracting her attackers.

The story takes a turn (and offers some depth) when Sam joins forces with the gang to fight the aliens... In doing so she begins to view the teens with a little compassion.
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Another alien invasion film?

The beginning felt like a movie for teens.

Rated R (creature violence, drug content and pervasive language)
1 hr. 28 min.


Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

My Idiot Brother

☆☆☆1/2

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Paul Rudd gives a winning performance as Ned the slacker brother of 3 sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer) in this enjoyable Jesse Peretz (FIRST LOVE, LAST RITES) film.

Rudd adds an innocence and naiveté to the character that makes Ned endearing as opposed to obnoxious.
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You may find yourself caring much more about Ned than his 3 sisters…who at times were boarding on annoying (script not performances).


Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.