Rating: Summary: a little disappointed Review: Having already read the book I was really looking forward to watching the movie. I was disappointed at how much different the movie was from the book. I was glad I read the book because I was sure that the movie would have caused a lot of confusion especially in the beginning while it was trying to introduce all the characters at once. I felt that it left a lot of important details out. I still enjoyed watching the book come to life. I just wish it would have included more of the detailed races which made the book so exciting for me.
Rating: Summary: One More Time - It's a True Story... Review: For those whose gray matter has not yet absorbed this vitally important fact - Seabiscuit is a true story. The characters and horse are real and actually, in the book, there is alot more that happens than the movie shows. Seabiscuit did have a stall mate named Pumpkin and dogs too. This is simply a big, beautiful, well-acted, feel-good film that makes you feel a range of emotions. Imagine living during the depression and getting inspiration and hope from a beaten-down horse who everyone pegged as a loser and the three men whose lives were changed forever because of him. If you're the type who sees the dark cloud behind every silver lining, you won't like it. For those who are not afraid to laugh, cry and cheer, you'll love it. This film was a labor of love and it shows. Treat yourself and your senses.
Rating: Summary: Not very exciting or acurate Review: Toby McGuire was not impressive in this movie. As far as I can remember, the acting was okay, but Toby just doesn't fit the charector of a jockey. I am a huge lover of horses and at first couldn't wait to see it, but when I did I was dissapointed. Not only was it relatively dull and boring, but my cousin and I started laughing out loud when we saw two horses being put in a stall together. Anyone who knows horses would know this is absolutely disasterous. This just goes to show that the movie was innacurate and made by someone who doesn't know equines. There is nothing outstanding about this movie, don't waste your time.
Rating: Summary: A Wonderful 'Feel Good' Movie Review: Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges) had a plan for success - open a bicycle shop in a nice town and watch the money come rolling in. Unfortunately, Charles didn't do so well at selling bikes, but he found that he had a gift for selling the new automobiles. Before long, he was a very wealthy man, even after the stock market crashed, plunging most people into poverty during the Great Depression. Charles kept selling cars and doting on his only child, a son that was his whole world. When his son died in a freak car accident, Charles locked up all of his cars, endured a messy divorce, and headed down to Mexico, where he met a young woman who made him start living again. She convinced him that horses were still needed and loved in society and before Charles knew it, he was in the horse racing business with a small horse that had never won a race before...Seabiscuit. Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire) grew up with a natural affinity for horses and a love for the literature that his father taught. His was a tight-knit, loving family that was torn apart during the Great Depression. When Red's father discovered that his son could make money with horses, he gave him up to a wealthy man so that he could have a chance at a decent life. Red never saw his family again. As he grew older, Red struggled to keep his weight down so that he could jockey, but after a series of failures, he got involved in boxing and drinking, leaving him down on his luck and penniless in Mexico, where a friend introduced him to Charles... Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) was a master horseman who excelled at training any and every horse that ever crossed his path, but his ways of horse training were viewed as obsolete and too time consuming. He was homeless, living off the land in Mexico, when someone recommended him to Charles and Charles hired him. Now all of the major players were in place and they were trying to do the impossible - get a horse that was too small, who had been bred for defeat, who was ridden by a jockey that was too big who couldn't see to beat one of the most famous racehorses of all time... I thoroughly enjoyed this film and felt that it was very inspirational. It is true that the director stayed a little too focused on portraying the story in the way that Hilldebrand's book told it, but it was very well done nonetheless. The pacing is a little bit off as the director takes the time to fill in background information about the Great Depression and each of the major characters, but that also made every victory all the more poignant and meaningful (it is also a very tricky way of getting people who claim that they hate history to learn something while watching a movie!). The cinematography was gorgeous, the score was lush and beautiful, the characters were very ably cast and the story is extremely inspiring. If you are looking for a lovely drama that has a good moral and is well made, look no further than Seabiscuit.
Rating: Summary: Man's Best Friend Could Be A Horse Review: This movie was a surprise to me,not because I don't like movies about horses, BLACK BEAUTY, NATIONAL VELVET I loved those also. The thing about this movie is, it really was not about a horse in itself. To me, it was about courage, heartbreak, love and loyality. All those things that make you human. Make you search deep within yourself and say I DON'T CARE how high the mountain is I am going to clim it. That horse had a SOUL and he gave a piece of it to the people who loved him and needed him. Great story.
Rating: Summary: A decent, but overhyped movie Review: I'm not sure what all the hype is about, but I'd bet it being generated by the movie's publisher in order to get an oscar. This movie is good, but not great. Being based on real life events, you would think there would be more character developement and focus, but the story jumps around haphazardly and interesting sub-plots are never followed up. A nice movie overall, a bit predictable and not the "heartwarming event" it's made out to be, unless you personally lived in that era.
Rating: Summary: Read the book Review: I read Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit" and absolutely loved it, surprisingly enough. I thought they would have a hard time making it into a movie, and I was right. The magic of Seabiscuit loses something in the screen adaptation. The filmmakers tried to explain the setting that allowed millions of people to become fascinated by a horse. To do this they use short black and white spots and narrate some historical lessons. I felt this made the film quite choppy. The audience could have been given some more credit; it is quite clear why America was rooting for Seabiscuit. The race scenes were excellent. Thrilling and suspenseful, which is difficult to muster when you know how the story goes. These parts of the movie make it worth it. As for this movie being nominated for Best Picture, I don't see that. "In America" and "21 Grams" are much better films. But I digress. If you have read the book, you might be a bit disappointed with the film. If you have not, you will most likely find it enjoyable.
Rating: Summary: The Hope of America Review: Who couldn't love a story about the underdog emerging on top? Seabiscuit is a delightful tale sure to warm every heart (I can't believe I just said that!) Both beautiful and inspirational ,this well crafted tale of a downtrodden jockey and a worthless (So you think!) horse, is sure to engage anyone. A finely written story, exceptional acting, and superb cinematography prove that this film is a major contender for the Hall of Fame. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to everyone.
Rating: Summary: My Opinion Has Changed--Great Film! Review: This is definately one of the best film of 2003. Along with its outstanding directing, technical and acting achievements, it also saved the summer from more-of-them-than-needed duds (that were meant to be blockbusters). Seabiscuit is back in top form lifing America's spirits! I think most know the story. But for those who don't, it's about a "horse that's too small, a horse that's too big and and trainer that's too old," as Jeff Bridges states clearly in the picture. It's not only about the horse himself and how it prevails over hardship after harship winning race after race. But it's also about the three men (played by Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper and Tobey McGuire) and how their own lives are changed by the tiny little animal. One of the best things about the film is its cinematography. I have never in my life seen a better filmed race in the movies. Every detail is caught perfectly. And you even get to hear the conversations and see the fights between the jockies. Wonderful! Gary Ross (Pleasentville) brings us another gem with his Oscar-worthy direction. He never missed a note. And finally, each and ever actor did great. But most notable is Chris Cooper playing the horse's trainer. He certainly has the most interesting role. Although you might see many moments in the film as long-winded, boring or cheesy, one cannot ignore its importance and how well it was made. I apologize for the briefness of my review, but I simply wanted to let people know that this film is a wonder and that it should be required viewing for the entire human race, or at least the American population.
Rating: Summary: So much better than I expected. Review: I got this DVD because my family was wanting to see the movie. I am not interested much in Horse Racing and the story of Seabiscuit just didn't grab me. I am so glad we got the movie. This is wonderful. It's a tad on the sappy side as far as the actual story telling goes, but that doesn't interfere at all with the movie at all. The performances by all characters is superb and the photograph is awesome. The director has some very interesting style when it comes to explaining plot lines just with the camera. Very nicely done. I have always been a Jeff Bridges fan and he comes through like always. The same can be said of all the actors. I have to say that all of my family were in agreement. The show was highly entertaining from start to finish.
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