Saltzman Sees...2011 Top Ten List

2011

1. The Artist
2. The Music Never Stopped
3. The Help
4. War Horse
5. 50/50
6. Soul Surfer
7. Warrior
8. Hugo
9. The Ides of March
10. Moneyball

Saltzman Sees...2011 Oscar Update (2/20/12 Edition)

2011

1. The Artist
2. The Music Never Stopped
3. The Help
4. War Horse
5. 50/50
6. Soul Surfer
7. Warrior
8. Hugo
9. The Ides of March
10. Moneyball

***This weekend, I watched Hugo, Midnight in Paris, The Descendants, The Iron Lady, War Horse, and Warrior

To see all the movies I have seen in 2011, go to http://saltinuts40.tripod.com/movies2011.html

Saltzman Sees...Oscar Season Update

Need to See that are still in theaters: The Descendants, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, The Iron Lady, & War Horse.

Need to rent: Midnight in Paris***, The Tree of Life, & Warrior***







2011

1. The Artist
2. The Music Never Stopped
3. The Help
4. 50/50
5. Soul Surfer
6. The Ides of March
7. Moneyball
8. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
9. Drive
10. Beginners

*** At Home from Netlfix

For all the movies I have seen in 2011, Go to: http://saltinuts40.tripod.com/movies2011.html

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.

Saltzman Sees...Oscar Season in Full Swing

With the Oscar nominations out, here is my preliminary Top 10 List for 2011.  Keep in mind, I have only seen Beginners, Bridesmaids, Drive, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2, The Help, The Ides of March, Moneyball, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes among the movies nominated.








2011

1. The Music Never Stopped


2. The Help


3. 50/50


4. Soul Surfer


5. The Ides of March


6. Moneyball


7. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close


8. Drive


9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes


10. Crazy, Stupid Love

For all the movies I have seen in 2011, Go to: http://saltinuts40.tripod.com/movies2011.html

Saltzman Sees...Top 10 Sports Movies of All-Time

Moneyball doesn't make my top 10, despite being a top 10 movie in 2011.  Here is my top 10 sports movies of all-time

1. Field of Dreams: A love story between a father and son and their love for the game of baseball.  One of the most beautiful stories ever on screen.

2. Hoosiers: The greatest underdog story in movie history, with incredible performances by Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and the small town of "Hickory."

3. Rudy: Underdog stories are a common theme in sports, and Rudy is as inspirational as they come of a young boy living his life long dream.

4. Remember the Titans: The hard truths of racism in America during the 1960's is documented brilliantly through the eyes of two men coaching football in Virginia. Denzel Washington is coach Herman Boone.

5. Rocky: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, Burt Young and Carl Weathers are magnificent in a true tale of opportunity in America. A beautiful love story that proves the American Dream is still possible.

6. Miracle: One of the greatest upsets ever, documented beautifully by Disney. A true David and Goliath. Kurt Russell is tremendous.

7. Brian's Song: One of the most unlikely but truly great friendships ever immortalized on film.  James Caan and Billie Dee Williams are terrific as Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers.

8. Million Dollar Baby: A story of determination and love that captures the human spirit. Clint Eastwood's heartfelt story of a woman's dedication to make something of herself.

9. Radio: The true story of a young man who brought out the best in everyone he ever touched. Cuba Gooding Jr., Ed Harris, Alfre Woodard and Debra Winger are masterful telling the tale of 'Radio."

10. Seabiscuit: Jeff Bridges, Tobey Maguire and Chris Cooper learn about hope during one of the darkest times in our nation's history. During the depression, America fell in love with an undersized, overweight horse.

For more on my love affair with the Cinema, please go to: SaltzmanSees.blogspot.com