Review: Moneyball

There's a natural and un-cinematic feel that starts as one of Moneyball's strengths but does also stop it falling slightly short of previous Sorkin effort The Social Network. Hampered by being a real-life story, the stage seems set for a West Wing inspirational speech and triumph against adversity full of stirring music and the like, but true life gets in the way of that slightly, which is a shame.

The film is at its best when Pitt (playing as downbeat as someone who looks like Pitt can get really) and Hill are together on screen - Hill deserves particular credit for a shy and sympathetic turn as stats guy Peter Brand, tuning down the increasingly obnoxious traits of many of his recent performances.

I personally could've done with a bit more Philip Seymour Hoffman, as his role a coach seems quite under-developed and disappears from screen far too early in proceedings.

Moneyball probably wasn't worth the awards buzz that came its way, but is a solid effort that even non-sports fans can enjoy.

Review: 21 Jump Street

A remake in loosest possible sense, 21 Jump Street might carry the name of the 80s undercover police show, but the film is closer to Superbad than the TV series.

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum play the lead roles who find themselves out of their depth time after time in every scenario, but by being constantly funny the film manages to avoid seeming repetitive. Hill might be the one from the comedic background but Channing Tatum is the star of the show, stealing all the the scenes he's in thanks to the best performance of a himbo since Brad Pitt's turn in Burn After Reading.

I'd be tempted to say the film could do without the last 20 minutes as like most modern comedies it does suffer from being just a bit too long, but in featuring one of the best cameos of recent times you can see why they chose to keep all of it in.