Rating: 
Summary: airbiscuit
Review: At best, Seabiscuit is a mediocre movie. It's really baffling that it could receive a best picture nomination during such a good movie year. Even Cold Mountain, which teetered towards being too typically "Hollywood" seemed a better choice. And, I really had expected this to be a good movie. It's based on a good story and has an outstanding cast, and horse films usually allow for some powerful effects (think of The Black Stallion). The third person narration was just a signal of an uninteresting directing style and emotional spoon-feeding. 5/10
Rating: 
Summary: A hoofbeat version of the film, "Hoosiers"
Review: Terrific movie! It takes a little while to really get into the film because director Gary Ross takes his time introducing and setting the characters played by Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, and Tobey Maguire. Half an hour into the film though, the viewer will be totally immersed. The documentary-style that Ross uses throughout the film gives the plot a true historical feel. The narration by author David McCullough is splendid, by the way!Most definitely a feel-good movie, "Seabiscuit" will have a majority of viewers teary-eyed by the film's conclusion. By now most of the country is aware of the plotline, so I won't waste any time rehashing it for the readers of this review. Suffice it to say, that like most films of this nature ---"man (beast) gets knocked down, dusts off, and becomes better because of it..."--- the average viewer will come away with some warm and fuzzy feelings. "Seabiscuit" is no different. Jeff Bridges is outstanding in that understated way of acting that he does so well. William Macy is an "over-the-top" radio man who captures the excitement that people of that era felt when they got a chance to see Seabiscuit live or hear of the horse's exploits via the airwaves. The cinematography is outstanding and Randy Newman's score is a wonderful part of the excellence of this film. Highly recommended for those who enjoy the "Hoosiers" and "Rudy"-type movies.
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit--a classic study in teamwork
Review: This will not certainly be a 1,000 word endorsement, but i can honestly say it is one of the best movies i have seen. I think it will go down as a classic.
I have been told that the New England Patriot's all watched this film. It certainly proved what can happen when people beleive in something and work as a team to prove it.
THIS WAS CERTAINLY THE CASE FOR SEABISCUIT AND THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
PLEASE GET THIS FILM---YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
Rating:
Summary: Has the whole world gone mad?
Review: This movie was nominated for best picture? The worst choice ever. Even when they nominate terrible movies (like English Patient), they are at least oscar material.
But nominate such a run-of-the-mill, unoriginal, and only mildely entertaining movie? The movie was ok, Jeff Bridges was very good. Maguire was like he usualy is, and Chris Cooper is nothing amazing. I can't believe Williams H. Macy was even in the running in the globes for such a jokey role, which requires no actign at all. And he wasn't even nominated for The cooler, his best performance ever. And why the hell is Steven Soderberg doing commentary on this movie?
Rating:
Summary: It Sort of Grew On Me
Review: I don't like "feel good" movies. I don't like horses. I'd heard this was a good film, but was uninterested. I wouldn't have watched it, had it not been for my wife, who does like "feel good" movies. So, like a good husband, I popped the DVD into the machine and then started playing with my palm pilot while the film booted up . . . By the end of the film I was sitting on the edge of my seat and involved with the story line. The film actually touched me emotionally. Granted, the next time through won't have the same effect because I know what is going to happen. Still, I am impressed.
Rating: 
Summary: i dont liek horses
Review: Unlike the thousands of people out there that love horses, i do not. And i dislike how this movie portray riding horses to be good. Why the f do we ride horses still, i'm sure they don't liek it. I mean, i don't liek horses but i'm not sadistic enough to torture them by riding on their backs. These s0-called people to "love" horses and ride them are insane. the only reason why i dont liek horses is because of a bad experience in which someone could have helped me or a horse, and the person helped the horse, leaving me out in the cold.
Rating: 
Summary: Actually, Four and One-Half Stars
Review: It would be a disservice to Seabiscuit to damn it with faint praise by suggesting that it is among the best of "feel good films." In fact, it is. After seeing it again recently, however, I thought less of it than I did when I first saw it. Why? Because (one man's opinion) it manipulates the viewer's emotions rather than allowing the compelling drama of the featured underdogs (owner, jockey, trainer, and horse) to attract, engage, and sustain interest in their collaboration. Most of those who see this film already know that, in 1938, "the Runt" defeated War Admiral in their long-delayed confrontation in the Pimlico Special. Therefore, authentic drama develops during the explanation of HOW that was accomplished. Director Gary Ross wrote the screenplay based on Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling biography. He examines preparations for that great victory (in effect a match race) with meticulous care. Credit John Schwartzman with superb cinematography. As for the acting, it is consistently outstanding, notably the performances by Cooper (Tom Smith), Macy ("Tick Tock" McGlaughlin), and Stevens (George Woolf). Some have objected to liberties taken with certain facts concerning Seabiscuit and (especially) Red Pollard. I could not care less. This is a well-made, highly entertaining film. I just wish Ross and his associates hadn't tried so hard to conscript my emotional involvement. Given the inherent appeal of this story, I would have been an eager volunteer. The special DVD features include a commentary by Ross and Steven Soderbergh, "Seabiscuit: Racing Through History," "Bringing the Legend to Life: The Making of Seabiscuit, and "Anatomy of a Movie Moment: From Script to Screen"
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Movie with Morals and an Inspiring Story
Review: For those of us that are tired of today's "crank-em-out" movie industry that has become the classless standard, Seabiscuit is a breath of fresh air. I'd venture to say that Seabiscuit was one of the most underrated movies of 2003 with limited release in theaters in its opening week and overshadowed by Pirates of the Caribbean. However, as time progressed, Seabiscuit gained speed and soon hit screens nationwide. The whole story is based within the Boom and Depression eras of United States history- three men, each struggling for happiness in their lives, come together and put their last hopes in one another- and one hapless racehorse. Beautiful scenery, an inspiring story of second chances, and excellent acting make this movie a real winner. You'll laugh, you'll probably cry, and you'll definitely not be wasting your money on a formulaic film that Hollywood likes to give us these days.
Rating:
Summary: A little cheesy, nonetheless heartwarming and entertaining
Review: Occasionally, I'll return to a movie that I used to love when I was a kid (or just a few years ago) and wonder how I ever failed to notice how damn cheesey the thing was. One of my all-time faves remains An Affair To Remember, but I still have to grit my teeth through a few scenes of prissy dialogue and schmaltzy execution. Gone With the Wind verges on camp sometimes, but I can't pull the smile that stretches from ear to ear off of my face. That's somewhat how I felt when I finally caught the much-hyped Best Picture-nominee Seabiscuit tonight, and I find myself pleasantly surprised by it all. If you've seen the trailer, you know the jist: three men with various disappointments in their lives come together and collectively make the little racehorse that could, Seabiscuit, a national treasure. Well, I guess it's not necessary to see the trailer either - it's firmly based on a true story that was immortalized in Laura Hillenbrand's runaway bestseller of the same name. Director Gary Ross deserves credit for making a movie that always remains enjoyable, occasionally becomes unbearably suspensful (those racing scenes!), but ever so often becomes a little too treacly for its own good. The movie is pretty sound except for some of Ross's awkwardly written dialogue that comes off as heavy-handed and corny. A few times, I expected Chris Cooper's character to look into the camera and say in that gentle voice, "If you watch this next double-take I do, you'll see a metaphoric connection my character makes between Red Pollard and Seabiscuit. Pretty damn clever, ain't it?" Jeff Bridges rich-but-haunted Howard likes to say things that sound like they came from the signature of someone's e-mail account. And then there's Tobey Maguire's Red Pollard that quotes Shakespeare and makes us all feel smart for putting two and two together. You'll roll your eyes, guaranteed, but you also won't be able to shake the warm, triumphant tone of Seabiscuit that ultimately wins out. And that's how it all levels out. Seabiscuit is, overall, a kind of movie that you think you might have seen made in 1950 - it has the charm, nostalgia, and simple progression that is never challenging but always engaging. I really liked Seabiscuit, and that sounds like a dumb, non-movie-critic-ey thing to say. But that form of affection is what the movie evokes - sweet, beautifully shot, and one that will have you up and cheering for that climactic race. You'll probably have it all predicted and maybe even say some lines before they happen, but the two hours and twenty minutes will fly and you won't even remember digging your hand into that popcorn. We critics and avid filmgoers often tout difficult, disturbing works like 21 Grams and Elephant (neither of which I truly loved) and pooh-pooh on mass-audience fare like Seabiscuit. Yeah, Seabiscuit didn't get me thinking about the nature of violence in America or the metaphysical notions of the afterlife, but it got me thinking about horses, races, and good photography. I hardly consider Seabiscuit one of the five best of the year (as the Academy has) nor do I think it's a masterpiece, but I do consider it a welcome change and even somewhat of a fantastic film. GRADE: B+
Rating:
Summary: As Big and as Heartwarming as Movies Get
Review: They simply don't make them like this anymore. Studios simply do not cough up $80 million on a horse race movie with little or no CGI or an ensemble cast that may (operative word "may") appeal to young audiences. But kudos to Universal for taking a chance on writer/director Gary Ross' adaption of Laura Hillenbrand's novel "Seabiscuit," the story of a hardluck horse who found his way to greatness. To get him there, he needed the help of three emotionally bruised or distant men. One is C.S. Howard (Jeff Bridges) the founder of Buick, his owner, who lost his marriage and his son in a short time frame. Red Pollard (Tobey McGuire) is his jockey. Left by his family who wanted him to have a better life, Red is too big for a joackey and too blind to ride. Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) is the Biscuits' taciturn and eccentric trainer, but one who has an almost mystical understanding of what makes horses tick. When these three come together, they start winning, and healing each other. Writer/Director Gary Ross avoids corniness and cliche by making these stories seem genuine instead of contrived, and he gets a lot of help from his cast, who do the story justice. Chris Cooper is engaging as he hits all of Tom Smith's quirks and labored speech, Tobey McGuire gives perhaps his most heartfelt performance yet as the ailing jockey and Jeff Bridges is fantastic as the billionaire who found himself again after his divorce and his son's death. And the sanctuary these men find is the racetrack, where editor William Goldenberg and cinematographer Ed Schwartzbaum are superb, planting you right in the middle of the hectic races. And as perhaps the most entertaining part of this grand production is WIlliam H. Macy as the legendary race track commentator Tick Tock McGlocklin. Macy nails all of the glock's busy and inventive wordplay and rapid-fire delivery, making him as fun as anything else in this fine film.
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