Seabiscuit
Yup, we've got our first Oscar contender of the year here.
"Seabiscuit" is so irresistible, such a metaphor for modern America, that it may well ride all the way into the winner's circle. Now, I'll still be strongly in the Tolkien camp hoping Peter Jackson takes it all this year (and advance word on "Return of The King" suggests such hopes are still very plausible), but my heart won't be broken too badly if "Seabiscuit" beats ROTK. The movie plays on the heartstrings beautifully and has the script and the characters to back it up.
Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper are all inspired as the trio that believe enough to take a broken-down horse to victory and their backgrounds and motivations are explored effectively. All three will make the lists of potential Best Actor candidates. William H. Macy is a hoot as a race track radio announcer with a fondness for pithy patter and sound effects.
Funny, because, as others have said, the movie basically comes down to "Rocky with horses" and we all know where the story is going, how it must end. Still, you care about the characters, you feel the suspense of the races and its inspiring to see how Seabiscuit's story impacts on America during the Depression. I've never been much of a horse person (John says I'm about the only girl he's ever met who didn't go through a horse phase as a kid :)), but "Seabiscuit" makes me want to read the book the movie is based on, makes me want to learn more about the history of Seabiscuit and his times.
Deb was saying the other day in her journal that it seems a lean summer for movies and that action-adventure flicks seem to be bombarding us all out of the theatres. I agree, and though I did like a few of the action flicks this summer (X2, Pirates of the Caribbean), I recommend "Seabiscuit" as an antidote. Gentle, character-driven, and inspirational, it is a welcome change of pace.
I was happy with the trailers before the movie, too. "Matchstick Men", "Peter Pan" and "Master and Commander" all look promising. "Peter Pan" was a favorite book of mine as a kid, so my fingers are crossed they are making a good movie here, faithful to the dark edge of the book.
Exercise log: 3 miles hiking in Greenwood Conservation Area yesterday (taking me to 285.5 miles) and 25 minutes of weights. I hope to repeat both the walking and the weights later today.
"Seabiscuit" is so irresistible, such a metaphor for modern America, that it may well ride all the way into the winner's circle. Now, I'll still be strongly in the Tolkien camp hoping Peter Jackson takes it all this year (and advance word on "Return of The King" suggests such hopes are still very plausible), but my heart won't be broken too badly if "Seabiscuit" beats ROTK. The movie plays on the heartstrings beautifully and has the script and the characters to back it up.
Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper are all inspired as the trio that believe enough to take a broken-down horse to victory and their backgrounds and motivations are explored effectively. All three will make the lists of potential Best Actor candidates. William H. Macy is a hoot as a race track radio announcer with a fondness for pithy patter and sound effects.
Funny, because, as others have said, the movie basically comes down to "Rocky with horses" and we all know where the story is going, how it must end. Still, you care about the characters, you feel the suspense of the races and its inspiring to see how Seabiscuit's story impacts on America during the Depression. I've never been much of a horse person (John says I'm about the only girl he's ever met who didn't go through a horse phase as a kid :)), but "Seabiscuit" makes me want to read the book the movie is based on, makes me want to learn more about the history of Seabiscuit and his times.
Deb was saying the other day in her journal that it seems a lean summer for movies and that action-adventure flicks seem to be bombarding us all out of the theatres. I agree, and though I did like a few of the action flicks this summer (X2, Pirates of the Caribbean), I recommend "Seabiscuit" as an antidote. Gentle, character-driven, and inspirational, it is a welcome change of pace.
I was happy with the trailers before the movie, too. "Matchstick Men", "Peter Pan" and "Master and Commander" all look promising. "Peter Pan" was a favorite book of mine as a kid, so my fingers are crossed they are making a good movie here, faithful to the dark edge of the book.
Exercise log: 3 miles hiking in Greenwood Conservation Area yesterday (taking me to 285.5 miles) and 25 minutes of weights. I hope to repeat both the walking and the weights later today.