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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Moneyball

    Featured In Issue 164, February 2012

    Picture5
    Sound4.5
    WSR Score4
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Columbia Pictures
    (Catalog Number):
    39222
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Some strong language
    (Retail Price):
    $35.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    133
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A, B & C
    (Theatrical Year):
    2011
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    12/26/11
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Bennett Miller
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    In Moneyball, Oakland A's General Manager Billy Beane (Pitt) challenges the system and defies conventional wisdom when he is forced to rebuild his small-market team, on a limited budget. Despite opposition from the old guard, the media, fans, and their own field manager (Hoffman), Beane—with the help of a young, number-crunching, Yale-educated economist (Hill)—develops a roster of misfits...and along the way, forever changes the way the game is played. Based on the book by Michael Lewis. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include three deleted scenes (HD 12:05), four featurettes: Billy Beane: Re-Inventing The Game (HD 16:02), Drafting The Team (HD 20:51), Moneyball: Playing The Game (HD 19:28), and Adapting Moneyball (HD 16:33); the MLB 12 The Show Preview Trailer; up-front previews; bloopers (HD 03:11); and BD-Live functionality.

    The 1080p AVC picture is superb! The contrast is excellent, with deep, solid blacks and revealing shadow delineation throughout. Color fidelity is naturally rendered with strong primary saturation and rich and warm hues. Fleshtones are accurately portrayed. Team colors pop, and other colors are vivid. Resolution and clarity are stellar, with fine detail revealed in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture, especially during close-ups. Team caps and stitching on baseball uniforms are incredibly refined. A layer of grain enhances the filmic appearance, for a picture that is sure to please. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is generally subtle, though, at times dynamic and effective. The music score is wide and deep across the soundstage and extends aggressively into the surrounds. Atmospherics and sound effects are nuances, and at times, strong and directional, especially during ball play—such is enveloping within the soundfield. Dialogue is generally well integrated spatially. Broadcast commentary is positioned for realistic effect, and crowd ambiance is aggressively enveloping. The .1 LFE is generally reserved but appropriated to enhance base energy in the special effects. This is a well-crafted soundtrack that sounds natural and convincing. (Gary Reber)

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    Kevin A. Gerfen
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
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