Rating: Summary: Worth a watch. (One watch only) Review: A fleeting moment in the passing of film history. Too overshadowed by the greatness of the book. While most people remember Return of the King , Lost in Translation, and Mystic River being the best of 2003, Seabiscuit will only be held as a sentimental sports movie (like Rocky except without the uplifting end that wasn't a happy ending). It has it's merits but is very mediocre considering the artistic triumphs of this year. If you thought Forrest Gump was the movie of the century, didn't get a minute of Pulp Fiction, or thought the love story in Titanic was a real portrait of romantic love then I would recommend this. But if you tolerate movies with subtitles, thinks that subtleness is not a bad thing, and hate being emotionally spoonfed, then I would recommend you stay far away from this. 3-Stars for the effort and the fact that I was entertained for most of it.
Rating: Summary: Must see! Review: I thought this movie would be boring and hokey, but it was incredible! I highly recommend this movie for a date night or if you want to watch a high quality flick with excellent acting and a well written story. The story is pretty incredible and might bring a tear to your eye.
Rating: Summary: Hokey-Jockey Fun... Review: You have to check the box to make sure you're not in another Disney-esque Remember the Titans or Miracle escapism here. The movie has a great story, but plays it out with an exceedingly overbearing soundtrack. Subtle, this film is not. Yet, you feel your heart swell as the characters pull at you. In a movie where most of the sets are barns and race tracks, you have to be able to count on your actors. There are pluses and minuses there.David McCullough does almost as much voice-over narration as he did in Ken Burn's Civil War. Toby McGuire, donning red hair rather than jumpsuit, is perfect in that sometimes you like him, sometimes he bugs you. Chris McCarron as Charley Kurtsinger pulls away quickly and puts the heart into this film. He never seems to steal a scene outright, but his small smile and dark stare make him very memorable. Finally, William H. Macy is great (once again) as Tick Tock McGlaughlin. The significance of radio is actually communicated by Macy's character to the viewers without (gasp) McCullough having to tell you that radio was very significant. Jeff Bridges is good, but he seems to be drawing a lot more from his Tucker: The Man and His Dream days. That was a good movie, but then again it was about him. Here we talking about a horse, and he can complicate scenes by almost upstaging his four-legged friend. Chris Cooper seems to play right up and beyond the stereotype of the old man trainer. His wit and wisdom are never convincing maybe because Jeff Bridges seems to dominate every scene they share. Cooper looks as if he is waiting for all the other actors to get done before he starts performing. I hear that Elizabeth Banks was in this movie, but if you can follow anything about her character or find yourself rooting alongside, good luck. She's a historical necessity for the film to be authentic and not much else. If you want Black Beauty Redux, you're going to be disappointed. If you want Remember the Titans, you're going to miss the obnoxious camaraderie between characters. But, if you're looking for a good story and a few interesting, complex characters then enjoy!
Rating: Summary: Very Awesome Review: This movie is a must see for anyone who is a FAN of Tobey McGuire. Jeff Bridges is outstanding as well. Just a must see wonderful movie!
Rating: Summary: A Feel Good Film Review: How delightful that a "small" film like this one would be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. The movie gives us a vivid impression of America in the 30's, harsh and yet full of hope. The racing scenes are terrific and the acting superb. The showing I attneded at a local theatre had the audience cheering and applauding. I think this is a "keeper."
Rating: Summary: Loved the racing scenes but... Review: ...I thought Jeff Bridges' performance had more than a whiff of ham about it. I would give this film 3 1/2 stars if Amazon had that kind of system; I did enjoy it and I thought it was basically well-written & performed. The racing scenes were absolutely superb. I enjoyed the performances of Toby McGuire & Gary Stevens, and Chris Cooper was also flawless. I thought the film began somewhat awkwardly but it righted itself within the next ten minutes.
Rating: Summary: Please.... it's OK to just enjoy a movie, isn't it? Review: I love reading the reviews bashing Seabiscuit. A sign of times when you can't enjoy a great story about an underdog with no cynacism or modern day histrionics. I loved it, I cheered for Seabiscuit. I bet you will too....
Rating: Summary: Seabiscuit is wonderful - buy the DVD Review: Seabiscuit was an under-advertised movie that surprised me in how good it was. It starts off slow telling a lot of backstory, and the main character doesn't appear nearly soon enough, but if you overlook those problems it's a wonderful and literally beautiful film. I loved the horse and wished we could have seen more of it and even more races. The races were breathtaking. Yes, it's a feel-good movie but a deep one, not superficial, and a genuinely good story. I don't know why, but I rented this DVD and watched it four times and then could barely part with it, so I ended up buying it. The horse and characters are endearing. The races, even if you aren't into horse racing, are filmed so great you feel you are in them, riding in them or close by in the stands. The stars of this ensemble cast were perfectly cast and did a fine job. Tobey Maguire was nearly unrecognizable as a skinny little red-haired jockey, but he did a terrific job. Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper were fantastic as well and perfect for their parts. This DVD also comes with some great extra features. I'd say buy it now,- you won't regret it a bit. It's a movie that will stay in your heart a long time, and will be thought of years later as one of the best of 2003.
Rating: Summary: Seabiscuit=Hardtack Review: Sea Biscut: Main Entry: sea biscuit Function: noun : HARDTACK 1 According to A certain dictionary. Seabiscuit is very overrated. Not just a reatarded name, wow, a piece of maggoty bread races in Tijuana, who cares if a horse won a race in Mexico? Even if people do, there are simply too many plots and are not potrayed well. I was expecting Oscar Material but it came out of the stables as lame as a hamstrung horse.
Rating: Summary: Not really a movie, but that's not the worst of it Review: I hope this doesn't signal Jeff Bridge's ride into the sunset. There is surprisingly little dialog in this movie - mostly just history-channel style narration between TV-commercial quality moments of action. The cinematogrophy is excellent on the track, it's way too artifical off it. Better rented than owned.
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