Pretty good film. Nice period piece with strong characterization and a story of cooperation as much as competition.
I was surprised when during the race with War Admiral, several people starting spontaneously clapping. There was a lot of applause at the end of the film too. And there was a wide range of ages in the audience.
Until the recent book came out, I had not known Seabiscuit was a West Coast horse and ran primarily at Santa Anita. I used to play the ponies there when I was young with my uncles. Still looks the same, with the San Gabriels in the background. I won money on Affirmed there before he won the Triple Crown.
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I agree with Reep. Its a good story and well made film.
But its also kind of a snoozer if you aren't interested in horses. My wife made me go see it with her. She used the ole "I've seen all of your movies, now we go see one of mine" arguments on me.
I rank Seabiscuit up there with Castaway as one of the best movies I've seen, that I never want to see again.
-------------------- Something Filthy!
From: NOVA by way of NOIN | Registered: Jul 2003
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Seabiscuit (why is there a "u" in "biscuit"? anyway...): I thought it was a pretty good movie, very well acted but just as sentimental as I was afraid it would be. I'm an easy audience for well done sentiment (I even fell for Spielberg's "Always"), but it hit almost all the "right" chords right when it was supposed to.
I didn't feel that Chris Cooper's horse trainer character was fleshed out at all - he was the grisled old anachronism who liked horses and the outdoors more than the modern era, but he never became more than a symbol for age-old wisdom vs. Bridges "man of the future".
The film itself played the subtext and historical significance for all it was worth -- *hammering* home the notion that most people in the country suffering from the Depression were just like Seabiscuit (and the three main guys) -- damaged, but posessed of a never say die american attitude and just needed a second chance.
Betty Brant from Spider-Man is here as Jeff Bridges' wife and she's got good screen presence, but her character is paper thin considering how much she's onscreen (usually standing next to Bridges and reacting to stuff).
But I still liked the movie well enough for its heart and very skilled execution.
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Not a bad movie, but nothing all that special either, I'm afraid. I haven't read the comic, so I'm writing this based solely as an action movie on its own merits.
Sean Connery always looks odd with a hairpiece (lord knows why they keep putting one on him when everyone knows he's bald -- and looks better that way), but either way he gives his usually good rough and tumble performance as Alan Quartermain. Peta Wilson's also very good as vampiress Mina Harker, especially in the scene where she looses her composure when feeding.
The story doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but I can accept a contrived plot that's used to hang action sequences and character conflict if done well enough. It's done well, but some of the stuff that happens here requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief.
Another big part of this movie, the most successful part for me was the whole "Dirty Dozen" aspect to it -- the characters are all outsiders in some way and don't necessarily get along. I liked what they did with the various characters and their powers. The Jekyll / Hyde transformation was well done as was the Hyde CGI. I also liked the Invisible Man / floating grease paint effect, but didn't really buy it when his entire head was covered (just cheaper that way I guess).
No real major gripes -- just a matter of execution and story I guess. It was good, but not that exciting.
Minor gripes -- Mina Harker the vampire is shown in daylight. What's that about? And I'm not sure, but was she using a mirror (compact) at one point? I could have misrememberd that. Also, at the end, the Invisible Man is wearing a coat and hat, but no shoes? He's outdoors and there's no immediate danger -- he can put on some shoes. (I was also expecting him to show up at the end wrapped in bandages because of his injuries and as an homage to the past, but it didn't happen -- I thought that would've been cool)
[ August 01, 2003, 09:26 PM: Message edited by: DrakeB3003 ]
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:Originally posted by DrakeB3003: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Minor gripes -- Mina Harker the vampire is shown in daylight. What's that about?
I think some mythos relate that powerful vampires may walk about during the daytime but they lose almost all of their supernatural powers -such as in "Bram Stokers Dracula". Was she in direct sunlight?
quote:Originally posted by Sonnie Boy: Saw Terminator 3 last night.... it's alright I guess.
Hehe -- that was pretty much my reaction. T3 didn't really bring anything new to the table -- whether it be a new twist to the temporal knot they're involved in or the new Terminator fem-bot, the updates just seemed like a variation on a theme rather than take the next big leap to give us something thrilling. I also thought the character development and performances of the two humans was sorely lacking (Linda Hamilton was sorely missed -- why didn't they just use her twin sister? ). Unlike the other two Terminator movies, I can't imagine wanting to watch this over and over.
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:Originally posted by the boy with UltraPowers: i think i'm gonna go and see The Hulk today !!!
i'll let you know what i think .....
I'll wait to share my thoughts on the Green Goliath (and I have several). I'd be curious to read your review first.
Btw, what comic book movie in the works are you all most looking forward to? Right now for me it's Hellboy! (second is Iron Man cuz he's always been a favorite)
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:Originally posted by the boy with UltraPowers: i think i'm gonna go and see The Hulk today !!!
i'll let you know what i think .....
I'll wait to share my thoughts on the Green Goliath (and I have several). I'd be curious to read your review first.
Btw, what comic book movie in the works are you all most looking forward to? Right now for me it's Hellboy! (second is Iron Man cuz he's always been a favorite)
i didn't get round to seeing THE HULK today !!!
i'll probably go on Wednesday, now ....
Matthew.
From: Manchester United Kingdom | Registered: Jul 2003
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). Unlike the other two Terminator movies, I can't imagine wanting to watch this over and over.
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