Filmmaker reacts to Moneyball (2011) for the FIRST TIME!

[@JamesVSCinema]

My expectations for this film was really blown away..! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a great day!

[@justinpeck6015]

Put "Slap Shot" on a poll bro. It's a hockey movie staring Pual Newman

[@EShelby2127]

Based on another Michael Lewis book. The film adaptation of Moneyball was released in 2011, followed by The Big Short in 2015.

[@justinpeck6015]

@@EShelby2127 Thats a really good movie too. Im not Surprises its from the same guy. Its feels like the same movie. And i think he already watched it

[@jaybee3055]

“THE FIGHTER”

[@alva1370]

Slap Shot, cult movie 👍👍

[@jackpride3]

You know a movie is fantastic when it makes you so enthralled in something that outside of the film you don’t give a rip about. Nearly perfect film

[@User77288]

And on the other end as a huge sports fan, the omissions and changes to the story don’t change how I feel about it at all

[@jackpride3]

@@User77288 well said

[@davidwilliama.7296]

I don't watch sports at all and I really enjoyed this movie. In fact, there are several sports movies I've liked even though I usually find sports boring in general.

[@RobertJW]

I do feel bad for Art Howe, who in real life was 100% on board with Beane's plan from the jump, but gets portrayed in this movie as being so completely against it.

[@Johnny2Feathers]

@@RobertJWyea the movie did Howe dirty. And sabermetrics isn’t the end all be all like this movie makes it out to be.

[@orionv75]

I’m from the UK, have never watched baseball, still don’t watch it, but I was on holiday in the US and watched this in the cinema, I was stunned. It’s fascinating, beautifully shot, great acting and great score. I’ve watched it 4-5 times since. There is something very special about this film, glad you got to enjoy it.

[@king_supreme1102]

I’m glad a Brit could pay some respects to baseball

[@SgtTechcomDN38416]

​@@king_supreme1102Well, it was invented by the British afterall!

[@ChefKeyBrien]

At the end of the film you see Billy talking with John Henry who now owns Liverpool football club & who has run it using this system for a decade or so now

[@EmoDragracer]

"The statistical analysis...it's...so beautiful" -Captain Raymond Holt

[@dylan54945]

The winning streak montage is the greatest sports montage in a movie ever to me. The music and editing gives me chills every single time.

[@AceCorban]

"How can you not be romantic about Baseball?" Never been a big sports guy, got into watching Football somewhat recently, but otherwise never really liked watching most sports. But damn sports movies really capture the soul and inspire. Great flick.

[@king_supreme1102]

Yessir! It shows the real life magic of sports

[@bobhowell9377]

You may like For the love of the game.

[@0725038]

Moneyball, Miracle, Remember the Titans, nothings beats a sport movie when it's about hope and conquering the odds. Showing the best in human nature is always uplifting.

[@evanmiller7795]

Moneyball and Miracle are my two favorite sports movies of all time

[@silentandcliche]

Great list but, htf you leave Rudy and Hoosiers off? Lol suppose we all have the ones that speak to us personally 🤷

[@evanmiller7795]

@@silentandcliche I do love Rudy too. I actually never watched Hoosiers all the way through. I have only seen bits and pieces but it was pulling me in for sure

[@0725038]

@@silentandcliche Love them, but that was my top 3. We could go on and on, everyone has his favorites.

[@S-jq1yk]

Moneyball is great though because it doesn’t become mawkish or too sentimental like a lot of American sports movies. Moneyball, Friday Night Lights, He Got Game and a few others are excellent

[@arenwestney9707]

This made me believe in Jonah Hills talent

[@ZeprahILY]

James this is your barber Ray here! Dude this is one of my favorites. I’m glad to watch this with you

[@JamesVSCinema]

My guy 🤘🏽🖤 happy you got a chance to watch this and enjoyed it fam!

[@michaeldellaire4893]

One of my favourites! Brilliant subtle performances across the board, so glad you’re reacting to this film brother

[@apctest8359]

My dad was an old-school ballplayer and coach and everytime I see this movie I see a bit of him in everyone of those scouts. This movie is so well done

[@durrrr6086]

This is an incredible film. As someone who's career is similar to the story of the book and who read it when it came out they did a remarkable job in telling the fundamentals of the story. Brilliant art.

[@MH90]

The statistical analysis, it's... so beautiful.

[@plusutrasonic6837]

I understood that reference

[@KS-xk2so]

@@plusutrasonic6837 I'm surprised to see you here..... usually you can only focus on catching the man in the yellow sweater, who murdered your female wife. Good for you Jymes.

[@Zagreau]

I think you missed a great line when the music came in at 25:53 "I hate losing more than I love winning". I really feel that encompasses his character greatly, but also how many of us view negatives and positives in life.

[@actionalex3611]

Exactly. Now put that perspective into the current US politics, mainly the far right movement. Sry for bringing that subject into this but it couldn´t be helped.

[@JackSinister]

This is genuinely one of my favourite films! So happy you reacted to and enjoyed it! ❤

[@JamesVSCinema]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@maximillianosaben]

It wasn't until my second or third viewing before I really appreciated just how darn good this movie is.

[@EShelby2127]

Based on another Michael Lewis book... The film adaptation of Moneyball was released in 2011, followed by The Big Short in 2015.

[@rbjeans007]

As a 1st round draft pick he took the money to play baseball instead of taking the scholarship. That was part of his motivation throughout the movie and why he ended up staying in Oakland even though Boston was gonna make him the highest paid GM ever.

[@guzzy620]

He turned down a baseball scholarship from Stanford. Not a football scholarship.

[@TWPhilly]

@@guzzy620he turned down both. He had an offer to play QB. Just so happens that the guy who he was going to be behind was some guy named John Elway.

[@hopsonkim4952]

This movie is a great example of what a “movie star” is. The opening scene is Brad Pitt turning a radio off and on and he just holds the camera.

[@khrisbreezy3628]

*turning off a radio with extreme prejudice, lol, but I agree. He does such a great job everywhere he goes! Oh wait, I was thinking of the radio in the car scene, my bad, but I still love that part!

[@stevemartegani]

Oooh, as an A's fan born and raised in the Bay, I had so much fun watching the team that season! These last couple years have been rough though with the bad current owner/owners...

[@chaost4544]

I feel bad for A's fans. Y'all don't deserve that nonsense.

[@stevemartegani]

@chaost4544 I've been amazed how decent the team has actually been the last 25 years, probably because of Beane still being involved. If the team gets bad, it only lasts about two years and then gets better again. The owners just never spent to KEEP the great players and teams that developed.

[@HammershotSGD]

I’m there with you. A’s fan since 1987. It’s like a death in the family.

[@jiveturkey8263]

I've been an A's fan since 1981, this season has been like one long funeral.

[@jakanater112vods]

One of the greatest sports films ever absolutely adore moneyball and I don't even like baseball

[@anon1903kg]

I'm from the UK, I've never watched a baseball game, never played baseball, but I love a baseball film. Moneyball is a new(-ish) favourite, and I can't even explain why I keep going back to it, just something about the story.

[@Atheos1]

you are a great candidate to watch Bull Durham

[@anon1903kg]

@@Atheos1 Oh, I've seen that one, maybe some teenage memories of Susan Sarandon from it.. 😁

[@king_supreme1102]

I hope you watched The Sandlot

[@Ross__A]

Great movie. I can't explain why but this movie gives The Big Short vibes. Love them both.

[@Wired4Life2]

Same man wrote the source materials for both.

[@Ross__A]

@@Wired4Life2 oh sike i can explain it lmao

[@Quiverr]

Underrated film. I can put this movie on anytime of the day, in any mood.

[@isaacgraham5727]

It’s really impossible to overstate the impact that this overall shift towards a more statistical mindset/framework had on the game of baseball. Ultimately it completely changed the way players were drafted and developed, and therefore the way they played. Before this shift in thinking video was rarely studied, stats were not paid much attention to, and baseball was truly run by the “old guard” - managers really made all the most important decisions, like Art Howe did at the start of this movie. Now it’s completely different. No GM in their right mind would put a $200-million dollar team in the hands of one guy to decide who plays and who pitches when. Now every single team has teams of guys crunching numbers to mathematically optimize wins over the course of 162 game, at least. That kind of thinking was nonexistent before Moneyball.

[@chaost4544]

Though the trend in sports was going towards advanced metrics, baseball's use of advanced metrics kicked it into high gear in other sports. The NHL started using analytics in the early 2000's and it's hard to imagine now an NHL office that doesn't have a bunch of number people. Billie Beane proved to a lot of people this approach could be applied at the GM and developmental level.

[@MrMetamorFitness]

@@chaost4544spot on, this has also impacted the NBA with 3 point attempts and the NFL in close yardage decisions/playcalling.

[@orangeandblackattack]

From 2004 thru 2023, every team that won the WS had a payroll in the top 7 out of 30 except the 2010 SF Giants, who did not use this model at all, and had the 13th highest payroll-theres a real story. Bochy does not rely on stats, he relies on his eye test. And since he has won 4 WS titles in those last 20 years, completely dispels your theory about the impact..unless you are talking about all the teams that used it and lost..there's some truth. lol

[@orangeandblackattack]

​@chaost4544 plus the theory of starting pitchers using max effort for 5 innings has increased their injuries by 400% over 1981. You go 80% and have reachback in 7th inning. Look at the jump back to starters going 7+ innings per start. The experiment failed, careers cut short..and we are back to the philosophies of the early 80s. But are we really surprised since the 80s ruled? Lol

[@chaost4544]

@@orangeandblackattack okay... that has nothing to do with my point about other sports adopting similar analytical analysis. BTW, the current pitching philosophy has everything to do with the Steroid Era.

[@HammershotSGD]

I was at that 20th win in real life.

[@TheAhursh]

One thing I love about this movie is the theme of Billy working out throughout the season. It really parallels all the work he's putting into the team. During the 20th game of the winning streak, hes not working out anymore. He put all the work in and now just has to watch it unfold

[@Alchemistic88]

This is a movie I can't explain to people. When you explain it, it sounds boring: statistics and baseball. But in practice, it is such a well crafted film, super entertaining, captivating throughout. Great cast, great script, it's just great.

[@Fantasyremix]

This movie shouldn't work as well as it does, for sure

[@brandonstarr983]

Michael Lewis, who also wrote The Big Short, wrote the book this is based on. He's a phenomenal writer.

[@luxiwow2615]

Brad Pitt is a very underrated Actor. He went from being an Eye Candy to Action Hero to Drama/Thriller Character Actor. He is 60 now but I hope we still get to see him in some Movies in the future.

[@ev1lsm1th]

Dude im so glad you watched Moneyball. Im not a sportsball guy but this movie is in my top 25 just for the fact that its about people and there happens to be some sports in it

[@moderndancingfool]

I have a deeper appreciation of a film I love seeing it through your eyes. Nailed it on the lingering shots/way it holds in frame, the silences - the mathematics of baseball itself is visual poetry. So is this film.

[@julioamado6308]

Great video, Moneyball is one of my favorite sports movies! You should consider Foxcatcher for a future react. A sports movie and really interesting character study!!

[@corvuslight]

I was living in the Northern California mountains the year this season took place. And though I'm not a sports fan and don't watch or listen to games, my friends who I was working with were. So I actually got to listen to the 20th win on the radio. What a ride, and listening to games on the radio is an amazing experience. Having to imagine everything, but more importantly, having to wait for the announcer's descriptions of everything that is happening because you can't see it for yourself puts a whole other dimension into the experience.

[@auslandermercury972]

“It’s incredibly hard.” 🤣🤣🤣 Oh, I love it.

[@Some__Rando]

Okay, now you HAVE to watch Foxcatcher (2014) from the same director. Also a sports movie about Olympic Wrestling. Steve Carell is amazing

[@bethscott4330]

I recommend “The Big Short,” if you haven’t already seen it.

[@tetleyT]

Bennett Miller. What an absolute treasure of an independent filmmaker. So much care and dedication to his craft. Great choice James.

[@BlickBlayaz]

The last 15 minutes of this movie always gets me choked up and teary-eyed - Top 5 favourite film of mine. that score man.

[@tamarleigh]

Have you seen Room? That song is also in it

[@jlmain5777]

I love this movie. I loved the book by Michael Lewis. The meetings with the scouts are just incredible.

[@russevans3586]

Some deep thoughts on this one, James. Great reaction! "The cracking of the baseball just sounds traumatic." What a great comment.

[@chaost4544]

When "Moneyball" was first announced, there were a lot of people who were scratching their heads and couldn't see how a book that's heavy in the weeds on sabermetrics could be translated into a film. Goes to show you any source material can be made into a film if the script writing is phenomenal.

[@tamarleigh]

The book was also very accessible and entertaining.

[@Hikayuhuy]

Although it is well known that the movie isn’t accurate, it perfectly encapsulate the message. It’s not just about finding other ways to win, it’s how do we redefine success and re-evaluate the cost.

[@orangeandblackattack]

Since no one (sans the SF Giants in 2010 and 2012 at 13th and 9th but not using moneyball theory) has won a World Series since 2002 without a payroll lower than the 7th highest outta 30 teams, it needs to be in the FANTASY genre. The Boston Red Sox won the WS in 2004 the old fashioned way: Payroll of $129,000,000, 2nd only to the Yankees. So there is that lie they told you at the end. lol

[@orangeandblackattack]

@@Hikayuhuy meh, they havent defined that either, since every WS winner for last 20 years has had top 7 payroll outa 30 teams. So there's that. lol. You dont reinvent this perfect game.

[@chaost4544]

@@orangeandblackattack but that's not a lie. Theo Epstein was one of the early GM's beyond Beane to adopt the philosophy. Payroll is meaningless to the discussion. Every single team in baseball has embraced analytics and have entire budgets dedicated to it regardless of payroll. Your points aren't relevant to anything about my original statement.

[@rhysroberts515]

You should do Foxcatcher if you haven't already. Absolutely harrowing! Bennett Miller directed it as well.

[@twobirds01]

15:15 it’s funny that you say “I know they’re playing a role” but the guy who plays the head scout is actually was the scout that had a huge problem with Billy’s strategy and end up quitting😂

[@robertparker6280]

I have seen this movie a shit ton of times. Man that game 20 win, gives me chills and goose bumps every time!

[@Meh-oz4gu]

The score Explosions in the Sky needs to highlighted here...

[@ingsve]

You should react to Air as well if you haven't seen it. Another personal favorite behind the scenes sports movie is Draft Day. That one is fictional but very well told in my opinion.

[@spdcrzy]

The music in this film is TERRIFiC. Those simple three notes at 11:49 are beautiful.

[@LucedOfficial]

As a sports fan, I love seeing and hearing different stories and moments in the business aspects of the games. The back and forth/give and take between the managers, scouts, trades, contract negotiations, etc. is something that really intrigues the hell out of me and something I think a lot of sports fans forget about. I'm a casual fan of baseball, I know the big name players, teams, a basic knowledge of the game, and this is one of my favorite movies.

[@oldcdog91]

I’m not even into baseball, and I loved this money. It was so well done.

[@ericgrant2670]

Fun fact, every oakland player in the cast except chris pratt played professional baseball at some level

[@Ultron2k15]

This is one of the reasons I'm studying sports analytics as my grad program right now. This story changed me

[@thedieselweasel2011]

Grew up a Braves fan in the 80-90s. There was allllllways a game on the radio, it seemed, even outside, everywhere I went. Soundtrack of my childhood. Don Sutton, Pete Van Wieren; maaan, voices I will never forget.

[@chaost4544]

Hearing Jack Buck call play-by-play for the Cardinals was a magical experience.

[@sketchcomedy748]

Rudy would be a great sports movie to watch. Very inspirational

[@Lmaoh5150]

Just in time for my lunch break hellllll yeahhhhhh

[@trol68419]

Aaron Sorkin at his best. Sometimes his screenplays can be cringeworthy but most times he knocks it out of the park. Dunno if you've seen Molly's Game, but if you loved this you may like that one as well. He's best known for writing A Few Good Men, The West Wing, The Newsroom, and many others.

[@MicahBenally]

The Social Network is one of his best

[@Broski8137]

Real events+historical context+heavyweight actor talent=a great movie. Moneyball is a prime example, another one is Miracle

[@evanmiller7795]

My favorite sports related movie of all time. So happy to see this reaction from James

[@Stormcloudfit]

I live in Portland and am 100% going to get tickets! Been watching you for a little over 3 years and you are the only channel that I click on every video you put out!

[@jamesmorseman3180]

Wasn’t expecting this one, one of my favorite movies it’s so good

[@halecj1]

This is my second favorite sports movie based on actual events, right behind Ford v Ferrari. This is one of those movies I can watch over and over, and I don't have many of those.

[@matthew6115]

Don't see it mentioned but RIP Billy Beane. Passed away last week to cancer.

[@JustForTheTunes]

YOOOOO One of my favorite movies! Super stoked to see you react to this!

[@sah4128]

Fun fact: they used real scouts in those scenes at the table so it would look and feel more authentic in the conversations. So when you mention the look and feel of a player, that’s exactly what those scouts look for. Amazing, amazing part of the movie

[@ericfranklin1802]

Just as a quick note on the baseball side of things but until about the time of Moneyball baseball front offices, scouts, etc had a VERY conservative/insular mind set towards how the game should be played, how teams should be put together, etc. you really had very few teams thinking outside of the box outside of Billy Beane here with the A’s and to a degree the Tampa Bay Rays.

[@JackHancock03]

An absolutely flawless film. For me, there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s perfect in every single way, spectacular!!!

[@jamesmorseman3180]

Something super cool about the movie is that since it’s based in a true story they splice together real clips of the game and radio broadcast

[@ThundaFuzz]

This movie is in my Top 5. Been waiting for this one. What's crazy is baseball is all about stats nowadays. There are a million different metrics that players are analyzed by. I'm assuming some older attributes are discussed behind closed doors still, but the amount of data that sabremetrics has created is wild.

[@ZacThompson]

I remember the streak, it was wiiiiiiild

[@joshuamcmillin7631]

Man, I was looking for your reaction to this a few days ago while watching some other reactions. Good timing.

[@CribNotes]

Subtle shot blocking makes all the difference informing the audience subconsciously. @ 22:24 when the team is dancing in the locker room after a loss and Billy smashes the boom box with a baseball bat. The frozen position of the actors squaring off has the dancing player looming over Billy - with what appears to be a large phallus hanging between his legs! The dancing player represents LOSING mocking Billy with its "big dick". This is where everything turns around. Billy HITS the boom box with a BASEBALL BAT. The BOOM BOX represents the negative BROADCASTING, all the radio montage criticism and pressure of Billy and the A's we've been hearing up to this point in the film. Great stuff!!

[@GrouchyOldBear7]

Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it.

[@jpa5038]

Good reaction. I always appreciate your perspectives on films.

[@CO6883-o3c]

Love workmanlike films. Films like this that deep dive into a specific profession and show it being done to the best of it's ability. Not outlandish but still motivational. Another great 'workmanlike' film is Spotlight.

[@theblobconsumes4859]

Now you gotta watch Foxcatcher, if you haven't already.

[@traviszander]

I smell Draft Day coming soon. It's football season. Let's see it happen.

[@IVIGv3]

One of the most powerful scores I've ever heard in a film. The main lingering track is "The Mighty Rio Grande" from This Will Destroy You, and it perfectly fits the entire story progression of this movie. So excited for this one!

[@Wired4Life2]

A deep-cut jukebox needle drop, then, rather than score.

[@brendanlorimer]

7:12 "I'm curious how he's going to get over this money hurdle" James that should have been the tag line for the film!! 😛

[@peaknonsense2041]

Walk off home runs are the most electric event in sports. I was at the 1993 World Series in Toronto when Joe Carter hit his World Series winning home run.

[@johnamarosa2553]

You should check out Jeremiah Johnson from (1972) it has great acting and definitely considered a classic in my eyes. The story is also amazing, there is not a single dull moment or shot in the film.

[@andrewr5184]

Excited you get to react to this one, easily one of my favorite sports movies and has great rewatchability!

[@tigqc]

Leave it to Sorkin to make a movie about baseball statistics entertaining.

[@auslandermercury972]

Love, love, love this movie. The song his daughter sings is one of my favorites. I bought it as soon as I saw this movie ☺️

[@phj223]

For another sports movie, check out Any Given Sunday (1999). Al Pacino plays the aging coach of a struggling NFL-team, and Jamie Foxx plays the team's up and coming quarterback. Starring basically everyone. :)

[@MichaelPlatson]

The A in A's stands for Athletics. Pacing and Storytelling in this film is excellent. Baseball in general lends itself so well to amazing storytelling. Wish they had been more efficient with the wife/daughter aspect of the story. Love all the frames in this too, and how they linger on shots for emphasis.

[@BrooklynBum]

My favorite Baseball movie

[@Griebss]

Did not expect this one on the channel! Incredible incredible story and film

[@jamezmcc]

One of my favourite films. I still say this is Brad Pitt's best performance. He's incredible in every scene. Love the score too.

[@elwyndude]

30:40 What a moment.... there are YT videos of people who were in the crowd filming at the time and it gives you chills.... amazing

[@scottgodlewski306]

Maybe the most underrated movie of the century thus far.

[@tamarleigh]

That hauntingly beautiful song is also used in the film Room, with Bree Larsen. Another incredible film I'd love to see your reaction to.

[@frederickmiles8815]

So well written and acted - great directing as well.

[@ScottGibbs]

One of my all time favorite movies. I think it's perfect.

[@Jokerdan76]

Love the soundtrack to this movie!

[@ATSaale]

Miracle is my all time favorite sports movie, you gotta check it out. It's about the 1980 US winter Olympic hockey team. This is probably the best baseball movie (besides Sandlot).

[@lungfulldrummer8921]

love this movie. its so watchable. the dialogue is fantastic. and its paced so well.

[@mikekay3313]

@5:43 The sound of the game on the radio in the background while you rest your eyes or take a quick nap in the car or hammock is a hidden pleasure. IYKYK

[@spornge]

The Editing is really good in this film: again : Oscar for Editing I believe

[@digitalman9735]

I LOVE this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Jared_Wignall]

This is an excellent film. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill did some of their best work in this film and deserved the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations and this film defiantly deserved the Best Picture nomination it received, though I think it would have been cool if it won Best Picture too. Bennett Miller is a director who’s fantastic and I wish he’d do another film as all three of his feature films Capote, Moneyball and Foxcatcher are amazing. Great to see you watch this film James, hope you’re doing well. Please take care and have a great day!