 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
Mates,I haven't yet seen "Seabiscuit", but I met the director Scott Ross at a 4th of July party and was amazed by his intense enthusiasm for the story- as well as his obsession with details that contribute to the period atmosphere. If the movie has 1/10th of Ross' personal energy it must be a hard gallop!
This made me think of the long-time genre of the horse story and how these movies have been such a strong American metaphor for striving for achievement, recognition, and money (money, money, and money) through seizing opportunity (i.e. luck), hard work and most importantly- competition. Did I mention the money?
Americans seem to only be comforted in hard times by seeing people winning against odds. "Star Lad won Grandpa! We can keep the farm!" The story of Seabiscuit is particularily powerful in this way as it took place in the '30s Depression and demonstrates: No matter how bleak the outlook, there is hope through horses! At least the triumphs in horse movies are not the triumphs of having killed all the opponents in nasty ways.
Movies that show individuals winning big will always do well when the general poplulus feels they are losing.
Cheers,
Bambi B
- not on a horse since 1976
Follow Ups:
Not on a pony since sixth birthday.
I saw it this weekend and overall enjoyed it very much. And, for me, much like the horse it succeeds in spite of a few strikes against it.For example, I found the opening way too choppy, jumping back and forth. I know that some reviewers have stated that the movie "takes a while to get going," but for me it was off and runing from the start, and in a way that seemed forced and rushed.
Characterization was surprisingly shallow in some cases, and what came through was more because of how I felt about the actor rather than how the part was written: case in point is the part of Jeff Bridges' second wife. There were an awful lot of cutaways to her, and a lot of "deep looks", but almost zero dialogue of any import or heft.
I didn't find the racing scenes all that amazing. It has been done before--and better IMO, especially in The Black Stallion. Worst of all, it was painfully obvious in most of the close close-ups that the actors were astride mechanical horse replicas; the pumping of the horse's neck was way too regular.
Best Picture? I don't think so, but certainly a whole lot better than 90% of the other dreck that's released these days.
John K.
A FEEL GOOD movie that is well done and helps to revisit a hard period in American history. The photography is great, especially some of the race scenes that put you right among the horses.
Saw a matinee this afternoon, and the audience burst into spontaneous applause at several key moments. It's marred by several "Hollywoodish" gimmicky moments, one in particular being conversations between jockeys during the actual races (anyone who's ever seen thoroughbred horses race knows it requires every last bit of strength, focus and concentration to ride these animals, conversation would be impossible, and impossible to hear over the thundering hooves). But there is great, beautifully nuanced acting in the film, particularly by the underrated Chris Cooper and Jeff Bridges. A terrific comic bit role for the always great William Macy, too.It's getting quite the Oscar buzz, and why not? It's a better film than the last 3 best picture winners, IMO.
"A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them".
-P. J. O'Rourke
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
