Thursday, November 17, 2011

Moneyball And Writing

Barbara: Just saw Moneyball, the latest Brad Pitt film. It is so good. Better, in fact, than I thought it would be. It’s funny, smart, sweet, sport-induced-exciting. And extremely well written. I kept thinking there was something about it that reminded me of The Social Network—another film I love love love.

As I was watching Moneyball, I described its style to myself (in one of those internal, random and ongoing monologues I often have with myself) as “quiet poetry”. Yes, there’s something distinctly poetic about it, but it’s not overt, over-the-top, or cloying (not that poetry is those things, but I hope you know what I mean!).

I didn’t know going in who had written the script, but there was a moment 2/3 of the way through (if you must know, it was when the Red Sox owner is talking to the Pitt character) and I sat back, awed by the wonderful language. The owner riffs on baseball and its practices, and he speaks the way many of us aspire to speak: with authority, with honesty, with singular insight. It is the perfect “speech” … without sounding like a speech. And then I knew it—it HAD to be Aaron Sorkin. At the end, the credits rolled by and there it was, his name as co-writer (alongside Steven Zaillian—no slouch in the writing world either). He has officially become my screenplay writing hero.

Is there a writer whose work you'd be able to pick out of a lineup of writing excerpts (if you didn't know the piece)?  Who is your writing hero?


Deb: I love Aaron Sorkin too. But my writing hero for film is still Woody Allen. And oh how I envy you a film on a Wednesday afternoon. Well done!


Barbara: I envy myself too, Deb ... except I saw the film and wrote my little love letter, like, 2 weeks ago. On a weekend night. Sometimes you just gotta blog when you gotta blog. (although I'm gonna guess you'd give a lot for a weekend movie night too, though, huh?)

40 comments:

  1. Movies.....I just love deciding at the last moment whether I have two hours to spare, and then just go randomly by myself. It feels like a mini holiday, like I'm playing hookey from life, kids, job etc. I just love taking it in without analyzing it with a friend.....just taking it in quietly and letting it sit with me on the walk home. Barb, now I will go randomly and see moneyballs after a good review like that. Ha, I also want to see Puss n Boots. Just saw the movie Buck at the Carlton (a real treat) Go if you can and thanks for your review!!

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  2. No really sure who is my writing hero really is, great question . You have got. Me on this one. The only ones and I don't know who wrote them but I do know that who ever wrote Toy STory and also dolphin tales is a great writer. Love them both.

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  3. Mary-Jo, I haven't seen PnB yet, but it sure sounds like fun. And, yes! the solitary movie treat is awesome. So nice to ruminate on your own too. Lyndsie, I haven't seen Dolphin Tale, but the Toy Stories are excellent. Turns out the first one was written by a veritable stable of writers -- which usually spells disaster, but clearly not in that case!

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  4. Everyone I think should see Dolphin Tales the movies. It's actually based on a true experience, , and is one of those movies that are very inspiring . . Trust me when I say that is worth seeing . I think that is what makes a movie a great movie, when there is a point that can be made by it. Not to mention when the audience does not want to leave because A movie is so good. I hate those movies that I just get lost in. Or the ones that don't have some type of point to them. Br of corse this is just me.

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  5. I go by myself to a lot of movies. I love Woody Allen probably the best. Not that familiar with writers of movies. I took my grand kids to Dolphin Tales and we were all mesmerized. Of course the kids by the Tale and me by Harry Connick Jr. I love that man and his looks and his voice.

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  6. I go to the movies maybe once or twice a year. So, when I go, they are movies I REALLY want to see. I can't say I have favorite movie writers, but I'm that way with movie composers. I can pick out a John Williams or a Danny Elfman anywhere. They each have such a unique sound to them. I also love James Horner, Harry Gregson-Williams and Howard Shore. Anything they write, whether I see the movie or not, is just awesome. I have several soundtracks to movies I've never seen, but love because of the amazing composers.

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  7. I feel like I'm the only person in the universe who hasn't yet seen The Social Network!

    In terms of a writing hero, I'm with Lyndsie on this one...haven't a clue. @Mary-Jo, I just saw Puss in Boots this past weekend and it was adorable! :)

    P.S. Colin and Brad tomorrow night!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait! :D

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  8. Lyndsie, I'll be sure to check it out, thanks! Madge, like you guys, I'm a Woody fan too. Molly, I love that the voices you look for are the music voices! I never would've thought of that. Holly: yay!!!!!

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  9. Um, argh, that (points up) is me, sorry!

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  10. I still have not seen The Social Network...supposed to be a wonderful movie!

    PUMPED ABOUT TOMORROW NIGHT! And...I really have nothing else to contribute

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  11. I haven't seen a movie on my own in a BUNCH of years. I did see "Bee Movie" and "The Tooth Fairy" with my daughter. I have a tendency to rewatch the movies I really like over and over again, so, as far as movies are concerned, I've either never seen it, or I know it by heart. :)

    I've read works that have made me think, "Damn, I wish I'd written that." But, offhand, I can't think of any. I've found that any Stephen King movie I like has been written/directed by Frank Darabont. He has a tender touch that I appreciate, and I don't believe it's easy to "tenderize" most Stephen King stories.

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  12. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The Aaron Sorkin years of The West Wing are the best dialogue on TV EVER. EVER. Pure brilliance, esp. the way he wrote Martin Sheen and Alison Janney's characters. (And, Studio 60 was a sadly too brief bonus prize. The Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry team in that show? Perfection.)

    (OK, nonwriting aside: It doesn't hurt that Bradley Whitford is a sex bomb. Yum. But, anyway...)

    I freakin love me some Sorkin writing!!! His dialogue style pushes all the happy writery buttons in my mind. Watching a piece of Sorkin literally FEELS good. It's like the best ever bubble bath for my brain.

    Not in the screenplay category but writing nonetheless, 2 other writing voices that stick out to me in a very singular, beautiful, and lasting way are Anne Lamott's (her nonfiction) and Andrew Greeley's (his fiction). Both writers manage to consistently pluck some resonant chords in both my mind and my heart. I do love, love, love their style. (Of particular note: Lamott's _Operating Instructions_ and Greeley's _Contract with an Angel_ and _The Bishop and the Missing L Train_.) I can honestly say that the books of both have fed an oft starved corner of my soul.

    Hmmmm, time for a West Wing moment:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUwm6WJRPIQ

    And, another:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKWmlIExRAo

    Uh, someone stop me from clicking further.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbh7FoWhndQ

    And, one more.. (Really! I've gotta stop! I've got baking to do.)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsG-Fio43U8

    OK, one last one. The epic classic:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8unqrdurxyg

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  13. Oh, Rigel of my heart!! Thanks for that. Although so don't have the time for the break! I haven't read Greeley, but I do love Ann Lamott (as I think you know from all the "bird by bird" references.

    Kelly, yay!!! (and kinda a favourite moment: "I really have nothing else to contribute."

    Dawn, I'm new to watching stuff over and over, but it really does deepen your appreciation for the faves. Thanks to my hubby, I don't resist it anymore!

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  14. Holly you're not the only one who hasn't seen Social Network yet *raises hand*. I also haven't seen any of the Lord of the Rings movies yet, which is a bit shameful considering it was filmed in my home country :S I'll get there eventually though! :)

    I don't usually take much notice of the writers of movies I see till recently. I have recently been introduced to the Firefly series and Serenity movie and have fallen instantly in love with Joss Whedon's work. The mixture of deep insight with wry and witty delivery in the dialogue is fantastic. The only downside is Joss' reputation of killing off beloved characters :(

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  15. Elle! How are you?! I wasn't a huge Lords maniac like some, but I have to say the last film is amazing. And I admire Joss's writerly hutzpah :)

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  16. I'm great thanks! Been a bit busy with work, study, and suchlike so haven't been on blogger for a while... I'm trying to work out how I'm going to catch up on all the missed posts! I think I might have to just follow on from here lol

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  17. No worries, Elle -- just great to see you here again (life does get crazy, doesn't it?)!

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  18. Elle! My fellow Browncoat!!! Shiny!!!

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  19. Hey Rigel! Let's go be Bad Guys! :) I *heart* Joss Whedon, and I like the TV show Castle - it's really cool to see all the Joss Whedon references made by Rick Castle... :)

    Aaron Sorkin - I think I fell in great respect for him when I saw "The American President" - two times on the same day, the language was so good. :)

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  20. Ok, I have something else to contribute, but it has nothing to do with this post. But Deb, I adore your husband for posting this and I can't wait to meet him TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

    "It's hard to explain to someone who has no clue. It's a daily struggle being in pain or feeling sick on the inside while you look fine on the outside. Please put this as your status for at least 1 hour if you or someone you know has an invisible illness (ALS, PTSD, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Diabetes, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, MS, ME, Arthritis, Cancer, Heart Disease, Epilepsy, Autism,M.D. etc.) Never judge what you don't understand."

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  21. I think Deb has a keeper with her husband. :)

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  22. Rigel! How did guess that you'd be a browncoat? :P you and Jo are my new best friends :D and there ain't nothing in the 'verse that can stop us ;)

    I love that post about invisible illnesses - it's something I can definitely relate to both with myself and friends and family.

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  23. Jo and Elle -

    <3 Big damn heroes!!!!!!!!! <3
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYeqDD96gLg

    (Also, I can kill you with my brain.)

    :D

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  24. By the way, my birthday is 12/31. Please, would y'all give me Nathan Fillion?

    Seriously.

    Captain Tightpants.

    Yes.

    Please.

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  25. I haven't seen The Social Network either. I'm one of those who loves to watch favorite movies over and over. I can recite several Doris Day movies, Auntie Mame, and Singing in the Rain. I adore the Lord of the Rings movies, composed by the amazing Howard Shore. If you want to know the absoulte beauty of his music, I recommend,The Return of the King, "Lighting of the Beacons" Listen to - 3:57 - 5:42 on this YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgJYNveHOYU The beauty peaks at 5:49! It will give you goosebumps!

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  26. Rigel you'll have to get in line - my birthday's the week after next and I'm calling dibs on Nathan - or Sean :P

    Thanks for the clip too :D Safe is one of my fave episodes - argh who am I kidding? they're all my fave episodes! Damn Fox network cancelling the show.

    Btw, I love Castle too. I'm waiting eagerly for them to start airing season 4 over here in NZ. In the meantime I'm waiting for my order of Castle season 1-3 dvds and the serenity comics to arrive on my doorstep. Shiny!

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  27. You can have Sean. He's gay so he's no use to me. :)

    I'll take Nathan. :D

    Have you ever seen Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog? :D *mwahahahahahahahahaha*

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  28. Elle -

    Happy Early Birthday.

    :44 - :56
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQpZieUR2qQ

    AND....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DASWgSiCz4E

    You're welcome. ;)

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  29. lol I was waiting for that - ok, no Sean, just Simon :P

    No I haven't seen Dr Horrible yet... I'm hoping that'll be a birthday present... or I'll have to wait till my bank account recovers after Christmas to get that from Amazon. As I say, I'm a real newbie to the Joss Whedonverse ;)

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  30. Heh. We cross posted. Waiting for Elle to notice the naked Nathan in 3..2..

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  31. Elle -

    Start here for Dr. Horrible.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apEZpYnN_1g

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  32. lol great vids
    "Yep, that went well" ;)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g55A2wUJMTU&feature=related 7:00-8:00

    Besides, Sean seems like he'd be one of those awesome gay best friends lol but for other intents and purpose, I agree: Nathan is the pick :P

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  33. oh and Alan would be good friendship type company too - *sniffs* poor Wash :'(

    oops, sorry Deb, Barb and everyone, I've hijacked your blog with my geeky browncoat fangirlness.

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  34. Ooops, got the peak time wrong on my last post. It's 4:49 that is most awesome.

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  35. Molly, sorry I missed your post earlier so I've only just listened - you're right, the music is gorgeous. LoTR is definitely on my list of movies to watch, the sooner the better :)

    Rigel, I forgot to say thank you for the early birthday wish - same to you and thanks for the 'presents' lol if only we could get the real thing! also thanks for the Dr Horrible vid - I'm already hooked :P up to Act 3 already.

    Ok signing out now :D

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  36. sings ~*~*~The keys to a shiny new Australia...~*~*~

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  37. Just finished Dr Horrible's sing-along blog... ugh why can't Joss not kill people?

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  38. I couldn't get to the blog last night, but it looks like you kids had fun ;) ! Love it!!

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  39. Elle:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgu4VWNNz4g

    <3

    NPH's reaction cracks me up to no end.

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  40. lol that's hilarious!

    Thanks Rigel

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