Saltzman Sees...The Newsroom

The greatest show on TV is not a reality television monstrosity, or a sitcom, or even a talent show.  The greatest show on TV is Aaron Sorkin's Newsroom. In true Sorkin fashion, he shines a bright light on flaws in society while shining a brighter light on flaws in his characters in the show.  Newsroom is the perfect blend of Sorkin's two previous television shows, Sports Night and West Wing.  Sports Night's cast of characters are almost mirror images of the main characters in The Newsroom.  On top of that, the issues the news show discusses are heavy into politics and the current political landscape of our country.  The writing style is all Sorkin, which is music to the ears of fans of West Wing.  As one of Sports Night's biggest fans, Newsroom is Sorkin's comeback to the news show.  Sports Night was cancelled after just two seasons, and with the backing of HBO and the star power of Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer and Sam Waterson, the Newsroom should be broadcasting for several seasons to come.  Sunday night was the final episode in a 10 episode season for the new show, and it ended in a full circle way that Sorkin is known for.  If you never had a chance to watch an episode, go to HBO GO and start from the beginning.  It is a brilliant show about real issues in America, and a strong enough take on those issues to be entertaining and insightful. 

Saltzman Sees...The Social Network (2010)

The Social Network won my Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin & Ben Mezrich) in 2010.

Saltzman Sees...The American President (1995)

The American President won my Best Actress (Annette Bening) and was nominated for my Best Supporting Actor (Michael J. Fox) and Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin) in 1995.

Saltzman Sees...2010 Oscars

2010 Nominees & Award Winners of My Oscars

• Best Picture

127 Hours
The King's Speech
The Social Network
Temple Grandin


• Best Director

Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
Danny Boyle (127 Hours)
Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit)
David Fincher (The Social Network)


• Best Screenplay

Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy (127 Hours)
Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit)
David Seidler (The King's Speech)
Aaron Sorkin & Ben Mezrich (The Social Network)


• Best Family Picture

Despicable Me
How To Train Your Dragon
Shrek Forever After
Toy Story 3



• Best Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception & Shutter Island)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
James Franco (127 Hours)
Sam Rockwell (Conviction)


• Best Actress

Claire Danes (Temple Grandin)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Emma Stone (Easy A)
Hilary Swank (Conviction)


• Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
Denzel Washington (Unstoppable)


• Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Mila Kunis (Black Swan & Book of Eli)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)


• Best Ensemble Cast

The Fighter
Flipped
The King's Speech
Temple Grandin

To see all the movies I've seen in 2010, Click Here

Saltzman Sees...A Few Good Men (1992)

A Few Good Men included my Best Director (Rob Reiner), and was nominated for Best Actor (Tom Cruise) and Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson)

Saltzman Sees...Moneyball (2011)

 [Nominated for 7 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay - Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Best Actor - Brad Pitt and Best Supporting Actor - Jonah Hill, as well as Film Editing and Sound Mixing by the Academy of Arts]


Saltzman Sees... Moneyball is the story of the have-nots and their struggle to compete.  It is the story of Billy Beane, who is trying to find a way to win a rigged game.  His ideas for how to adapt are met with resistance from everyone, including people in his organization.  Ultimately it is a story that says if you believe in something strong enough, it just might work.

Brad Pitt gives a strong performance as Beane, but it certainly is not along the lines of Tyler Durdin in Fight Club or Mickey in Snatch. Brad Pitt's best scene might be his most toned down moment.  When he explains to Jonah Hill's character "Peter Brand" why he decides to stay in Oakland rather than move to Boston, it explains all you ever need to know about Billy Beane.  Pitt's portrayal makes the movie, considering the movie's apex is a 20 game win streak they almost forget to mention.  Hill is also strong as the soft spoken and brilliant "Brand" who is deliberately loosely based on Paul DiPodesta.  This isn't the best baseball movie ever (Field of Dreams, Bull Durham or The Natural) or even the best true story about baseball (The Rookie, Bang the Drum Slowly, A League of Their Own or Eight Men Out) but it was captivating and it was true to the American Pastime.