It looks like Moneyball, slated for a September release, has been doing the early screening rounds and most of what I've read so far looks quite positive. I would've loved to have seen the version that Soderbergh would have put together, but I'm also pretty excited about the version we're gonna get. 

The movie site Hollywood Elsewhere has posted some initial feedback (relatively spoiler-free, although there won't be too many plot surprises for A's fans anyway) from viewers who were at the early screenings here. As always with these screenings, there's still plenty of time for the filmmakers to adjust and edit scenes, music, etc. so these don't necessarily represent what the final film will look like but it should be close.

I like the comparison to David Fincher's Zodiac in these reviews. I love the methodical nature of that film,  its obsession with details and it's subdued overall style and production design. I think that'll serve Moneyball well, much better than Blind Side-type schmaltz or overly dramatic Hollywood hijinks. One reviewer wrote: ""Moneyball may well be the first sports film not seen through the prism of a romance a la Bull Durham, a character drama a la The Blind Side, a tragedy a laBrian's Song, or a comedy a la Major League. Rather, it is the first of its kind: a sports film seen through the prism of sports."

I read some other speculation online that Moneyball could even build up the kind of critical steam that The Social Network did last year (having Sorkin involved will certainly help). I'm not sure if it'll pull in the kind of money that Social Network did, or generate the awards buzz that it did, but you can't deny that Social Network had another story that sounded a lot like "There's no way that'll work as a movie" and ended up being a very solid film.

I'm excited to see how the film will ultimately turn out, and hope that the only string of A's victories we see this September aren't on the silver screen!

Not sure if anybody has seen this yet, but there's an article in the Chronicle on the intro music that players select for their walk to the plate or mound. There's some entertaining stuff on Giambi and his possible music selections, and some other bits and bobs. What struck my interest the most is an opprotunity for fans to choose what Brad Ziegler's walk-on music will be. Apparently on the official A's site there will be a contest where fans can help Ziggy select his song. Haven't seen it yet on the official site, but keep an eye out. The song will be played for Ziggy's appearances as of May 4th onwards.

Batter up? Cue the hit parade.

On a side note, what do people think about each player having their own personalized walk-on music? The article mentions baseball "purists" who prefer either the standard organ music fills or no music at all. I'm up in the air on the issue, but I love the idea that a batter can throw a pitcher off by playing The Carpenters as they walk on.