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Knock Your Oscars Party Out of the Park

Camilla Salem — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:32:55 PST

This year root for your favorite film by hosting an Oscars party in its honor. So many wonderful movies came out in 2011, and they happen to make excellent themes for parties.

If you're hoping Moneyball takes home the Academy Award, serve up elegant versions of ballpark eats. From pigs in a blanket to homemade Cracker Jack, this spread promises to be not only festive but also deliciously comforting. Read on for our suggestions.

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

How to Throw a Moneyball-Themed Oscar Party

Shannon Vestal — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:30:21 PST

It may not be baseball season quite yet, but you can get that feeling if you throw an Oscar viewing party and let best picture nominee Moneyball be your inspiration. The film might even make for a better theme than Midnight in Paris or The Artist, depending on your crowd. Here's how to score a home run at your Oscar gathering (and don't forget to fill out a ballot for a chance to win an iPad.)

How to decorate: Bring out baseballs, bats, gloves, and any other sports memorabilia you may have. String up streamers in green and yellow (the Oakland A's colors), and nod to the movie's financial theme by decorating with fake dollar bills. If you really want to tie in the film, get a life-size Brad Pitt cutout (which wouldn't be a bad thing to have around, anyway).
How to dress: Wear the shirt of your baseball team of choice, but to really mirror the film, rock Oakland A's gear, or at least their colors.
What to serve: Traditional ballpark fare like hot dogs, beer, cotton candy, and peanuts in the shell, and if you're feeling ambitious, here are some dressed-up ideas for baseball snack favorites. Bake cookies or cake pops and frost them to look like baseballs.

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:05:00 PST

Moneyball

Brad Pitt takes on the role of Oakland A's manager Billy Beane in this big-screen adaptation of Michael Lewis's book by the same name. The film follows Beane as he uses unorthodox methods in an attempt to put together a winning 2002 team on a small budget. The film is a delight, thanks to an all-star cast and a smart script by Aaron Sorkin. Pitt turns in a charismatic performance, and Jonah Hill really shines as the straight-laced whiz kid who inspires Beane to look at baseball stats in a new light. DVD extras include bloopers, deleted scenes, and featurettes (including commentary from the real Billy Beane and some MLB players).

95%

What's Your Number?

Anna Faris leads this romantic comedy as a woman who decides to track down her former lovers when a magazine article suggests she's had too many sexual partners to ever settle down. Chris Evans plays her charming, womanizing neighbor who helps her with her quest. The film is chock-full of rom-com clichés, but Faris and Evans make a cute onscreen pair, and there are tons of fun celebrity cameos. The DVD includes some deleted scenes.

24%

One more new release when you

Killer Elite

Jason Statham stars as a former British special ops agent who is pulled back into action when his mentor (Robert De Niro) is taken prisoner by a band of assassins. His hunt to take down their leader (Clive Owen) takes him on a dangerous chase around the world. Bonus features include a bunch of deleted scenes.

25%

Brad Pitt Heads Home From Vegas For a Night of Moneyball Talk

Allie Merriam — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:37:26 PST

Brad Pitt linked up with some of his Moneyball buddies last night in LA. Along with director Bennett Miller and costar Jonah Hill, Brad hosted a screening and Q & A at Sony Pictures Studios. The baseball picture has already earned award season accolades for the cast, including Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for both Brad and Jonah. The Golden Globes showered praise, too, bestowing nods for best drama, best screenplay, best actor for Brad, and best supporting actor for Jonah.

The night of movie talk came after a big weekend for Brad. He turned 48 on Sunday, and to celebrate, he and Angelina Jolie took their six kids to Vegas! The family was seen checking out Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour on Saturday evening. Brad's pal Tom Cruise spoke about their friendship and families last night during an interview on the Late Show. Tom told David Letterman that he thinks Brad's a great dad, saying, "[He's a] talented, terrific guy . . . He's always incredible with my kids and he couldn't wait to be a father. I think he's really happy with all those kids."

Brad Pitt Screens Moneyball as Angelina Jolie Does 60 Minutes

Allie Merriam — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:16:21 PST

Brad Pitt joined his Moneyball costar Jonah Hill in LA last night for a special screening of their film. It was a rare domestic viewing for Brad, who in recent weeks has taken the movie around the world, from the Tokyo International Film Festival to a short South Korean tour. Brad and Angelina are currently on the West Coast with their six kids, and he took the oldest four out for a special Thanksgiving weekend theater trip to see Hugo.

Angelina, meanwhile, is prepping for the release of In the Land of Blood and Honey. As part of her press efforts, she appeared on 60 Minutes last night and revealed a unique career ambition. Angelina once wanted to direct funerals, and is surprised that her career's taken the path of making movies instead. She said, "It sounds like this very strange, eccentric, dark thing to do, but in fact, I lost my grandfather and was very upset with his funeral . . . How somebody passes and how family deals with this passing and what death is should be addressed in a different way. If this whole acting thing didn't work out, that was going to be my path."

Brad Pitt Shows Up in Seoul For His Latest Moneyball Premiere

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:09:10 PST

Brad Pitt stepped out in all black at the Seoul premiere of Moneyball this evening after giving a press conference earlier in the day. The actor, who stopped to pose for pictures with fans and sign autographs just before the screening, arrived solo after bringing Angelina Jolie along for several of his recent red carpet appearances. She was by his side at the Tokyo debut of the film earlier this month. They brought all six of their kids along for the trip and the Jolie-Pitts visited Vietnam after wrapping up their stay in Japan. Their son Pax was born there and the family reportedly paid a visit to the orphanage where he once lived during their visit. Brad and Angelina spend much of their time traveling for their various work and philanthropic obligations, and Brad recently hinted that he might be interested in a more behind-the-scenes role in the movies - and more kids - in the coming years. Brad said he may quit acting at age 50 during a recent interview and also didn't rule out the possibility that he and Angie might expand their family.

Brad Pitt Clarifies His Quitting Comments and Says He Wants to Produce

Allie Merriam — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:21:35 PST

Brad Pitt gave a wave this morning at a Seoul press conference for his movie Moneyball. The actor arrived in South Korea yesterday for the latest leg of a promotional tour that also included a stop in Japan for the Tokyo International Forum for film. Between press appearances, Brad and Angelina Jolie brought their six children to visit son Pax's native Vietnam. One interview Brad gave to 60 Minutes caused a particular ripple since he announced plans to quit acting in three years. Today, Brad clarified those comments. Brad Pitt wants to produce, actually, and said, “I wasn’t putting an exact deadline on my expiration date [as an actor] but I just see it coming and I do have an interest in the producing side. . . I’m interested in a mixed bunch about complex stories that might have difficulty getting made in the current system or getting behind the talent they might be needing."

Brad Pitt May Quit Acting, and Says Happiness Is Overrated

Katie Henry — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:16:16 PST

Brad Pitt arrived at Seoul's Gimpo International Airport this morning and was greeted by a group of waiting fans. South Korea is the latest stop in Asia for Brad, after a Moneyball premiere in Japan and a personal family vacation. Brad, Angelina Jolie, and all six of their children traveled to Pax's home country, Vietnam, over the weekend to reportedly visit his former orphanage. The trip also allowed architectural buffs Brad and Angelina to visit the Con Dao Museum while the kids hung out at their hotel.

Brad's been sharing more about his personal life in the past two months while promoting the baseball film. Previously, he talked about "pretending" during his marriage to Jennifer Aniston and also spoke about his love for Angelina. In a new interview Brad revealed he may quit acting in three years. He went on to talk about his feelings, saying, "I think happiness is overrated, truthfully. I do. . . I think sometimes you're happy, sometimes you're not. There's too much pressure to be happy. I don't know. I don't really give a sh*t. I know I will be at times and I know I won't be at times. Satisfied, at peace, those would be more goals for myself."

Brad Pitt Goes Rugged to Wrap Up Moneyball Time in "Inspirational" Tokyo

Molly Goodson — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:50:20 PST

Brad Pitt made his final promotional appearance in Tokyo on behalf of Moneyball today. He was solo for the film's photocall this morning, and just a few hours later he and Angelina Jolie were spotted back at the airport with all six kids heading on to their next destination. The Jolie-Pitt family arrived in Japan earlier this week for Brad to debut Moneyball in the baseball-loving country. Angelina wore a sexy red dress to join Brad for the official premiere, though he was without his partner for today's event. While there, Brad talked about being "inspired" by the "tenacity" of the Japanese people in the wake of the devastating earthquake earlier this year.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Show Love at His Japanese Moneyball Premiere

Allie Merriam — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:30:40 PST

Brad Pitt was in premiere mode today for a screening of Moneyball during the Tokyo International Forum for film. Angelina was in a chic and simple, tight red dress to join Brad on the carpet, and the couple held hands before striking their poses for photographers. Brad was solo afterward, though, when he took the stage to address reporters before the screening and pose with some Japanese baseball players. Brad, Angelina, and their kids arrived in the country just yesterday following a Fall spent in Europe. The Jolie-Pitts moved from Malta to Scotland, England, and on to Hungary as Brad shot World War Z. Next up for Brad and Angelina will be her busy Winter promoting In the Land of Blood and Honey, and, perhaps, a jam-packed award season if either picks up nominations for their various film endeavors.