Seabiscuit (Full Screen)
|
Our Price: $16.96 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.96 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Seabiscuit (Full Screen)
Movie Review: The Ultimate Feel-Good Movie And A Real Winner!
Summary: 4 Stars
Three men and a horse, all born with incredible talent and Heart, (with a capital "H"), and all hit by life's hard knocks, prove that indomitable spirit can overcome crippling odds. Real winners may just be losers in disguise, looking for the opportunity to overcome adversity and show their true colors.This actual story of the race horse Seabiscuit and his owner, trainer, and jockey is set against the background of the Great Depression. It is the ultimate feel-good movie. Film writer-director Gary Ross effectively portrays how the actual Seabiscuit and his saga had a galvanizing effect on America's "everyman," hit hard by hard times, as the down-and-out racehorse became the hopeful parable for their lives. Many of the film's scenes are juxtaposed with black and white still shots taken during the depression era, beautifully illustrating the period, and the tone of the characters. The use of a narrator also lends an air of documentary authenticity to many of the newsreel-like sequences.
The cast is excellent. Toby Maguire shines, as usual, in his role as the bruised but not beaten jockey "Red" Pollard. Tom Smith is wonderful as Seabiscuit's enigmatic horse trainer. Mr. Smith's lines may be few but he lends an extraordinary presence to the role and the movie. Wealthy and successful businessman Charles Howard, played by Jeff Bridges, is a man with vision who pulled himself up by his bootstraps only to be thrown by personal tragedy. He bought a loosing horse on the word of a down-and-out trainer and hired a half blind jockey to race him. These characters become inextricably bound as, together, they undergo the journey of a lifetime. William H. Macy, as the fast talkin' radio tipster, and his blonde female sidekick, are show stealers.
Seabiscuit somehow manages to avoid lapses into corniness, and against all odds, an equestrian film about an undersized, bad-tempered horse goes for the money and competes successfully with some of the years best films. Highly recommended!
JANA
Movie Review: Fast Track, Poor Finish
Summary: 4 Stars
Beautiful to both watch and listen to, as David McCullough lends his perfectly pitched voice to set the film's tone. Jeff Bridges is wonderfully cast, excelling again as the larger-than-life character/battler. He also makes a good president in my opinion. But I was left with a few questions at the end of this story...
What happened to the white horse Chris Cooper saved and lived with on the outskirts of a Mexican town? Apart from this minor curiosity, Cooper nails yet another role.
Why did Jeff Bridges and Elizabeth Banks, Mr. and Mrs. Howard spend so much time around horses and barns, what was the fascination? It seems a bit unlikely that's all they did during the Depression, travel from NY to California by train and pursue a single, seemingly ridiculous long shot. Convenient, but this plot line needed to be explored a bit more for my personal interest.
And lastly, and maybe more egregiously, Tobey Maguire plays a convincing down on his luck loser (though his best jockey of the day was less believable and a bit rushed) but why did the film end with his voice over? Come to think of it what happened to David McCullough in the second half of the film? His sign off would have left me far more satisfied.
These little distractions only slightly handicapped a winning movie.
md
www.bootism.com
Movie Review: You don't throw away a whole life just 'cause he's banged up a little.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very delightful film that is suitable for the whole family. True story of course, and very well told. Jeff Bridges, Tobey Maguire and Chris Cooper give shining performances. The story covers a lot of ground and therefore can get a little hard to understand at times, especially the beginning of the film. Once the groundwork has been laid, it gets pretty easy and will hold your attention all the way through. I personally had a little difficulty with the beginning. Once "Seabiscuit" comes into the movie, everything begins to click. Extroidinary acting by Maguire and even more so the young man who plays a very young Red Pollard before Maguire takes over the role. Very good cinematography, lush landscape, great sound technology. The DVD offers some good extras as well. A great film about second chances. I highly recommend it.Movie Review: What a ride!
Summary: 4 Stars
Seabiscuit does not disappoint. It is much more than just a story about horse racing. Seabiscuit explores a full range of human (and animal) conflicts, dreams, loss, hope and victory. The characters all experience trials and restoration. Some of the acting and set that is era-related seems staged and too made up, but the story and the main characters carry the day.I was moved emotionally by the triumph of the horse, the jockey, the trainer and the owner. This is definitely a feel-good movie, because it gives you every reason to feel good about the events in it, plus since it is based on a true story, it is totally realistic and believable--nothing in it is too good to be true--it is good and true.
I think you will really enjoy it.
Movie Review: AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME...
Summary: 4 Stars
Im surprized that so many are ripping this film. I found it very enjoyable. I guess you know the story, a beaten down horse comes to life at the races to sybolize new hope and new life for a depression ridden America. Toby McQuire(Spiderman) is a down and out jocky that fullfills his destiny. I liked the cast and the acting. Some great shots of various race tracks and beautiful horses. Some shots were "fudged" somewhat but it come across o.k.
They real fact here is the moral of the movie. Not to give up and keep trying. As the little hourse streaks to the finish you may find yourself tearing up a little... wishing for a simpler time when trust,kindness and faith were not dirty words.