Saw Seabiscuit today and have to say....

[PinkTiger]

go see it! It is wonderful! Loved it.
I'm sure it will be nominated for many awards. Jeff Bridges was very good in the role as Charles Howard, and Tobey McGuire was awesome Chris Cooper and Elizabeth somebody (sorry-- not good at names) also in it.
The film was so well done, we felt like we were at the racetrack. The audience was going wild, yelling "Seabiscuit! Seabiscuit! Come on, Seabiscuit!" during the races.

[MissMarple]

1. Thanks for the great review!

Now I'm torn..read the book, or see the movie..read the book or see the movie? I'm having a MONK moment here. There has to be a way to do both. Hmm...? Arghhh...

[madmax]

4. LOL

I have catch myself having many Monk moments. ;)

I saw a documentary the other day about Seabiscuit, narrated by the jockey's daughter. It was very good.

[PinkTiger]

6. Actually, the first thing I did after the movie was

go to Barnes and Noble across the street and buy the book. Paperback, $11 or so.

Now I plan to read it, If I could just get off DU!!!!!

[jumptheshadow]

15. Read the book first!

Miss Marple, definitely read the book first. The movie is good but the book is great. The author, Laura Hillenbrand, wrote it while living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, using the Internet, the phone and people in the racing industry to help do her research.

The cinematography in the film is gorgeous, the racing scenes are exciting, the story is inspirational and the acting by Chris Cooper is wonderful.

And to answer somebody else's question, for the most part people in racing liked the film, although they nitpicked about details, like the emphasis certain races were given in the film and the lack of mention of other races. At one point, I understand, there was a shot of a racetrack with a statue of Seabiscuit displayed prominently in the background.

[jumptheshadow]

16. Wrong

I meant to say see the movie first, that way your expectations won't be raised by how good the book is. Sorry...

[alfredo]

2. I will have to see it.

It was filmed in my town. You see a lot of Keeneland race course in the movie. I don't know how the horse people react to it, it may be interesting to hear their reaction.

[TheBigGuy]

13. It was filmed in Lex?

really?

I might go see it. Im not into sports movies or horseracing, but I do like Toby McGuire & Jeff Bridges, so it might be worth seeing for the acting...

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. I love it when I go to the show and it's filled up-as long as idiot kids

aren't kicking the back of my seat,see previous post- and everybody is really into the movie. It makes the experience so much more. We have seen Pirates of the Carib twice, and the time the theater was filled was great...

Thanks for the review, it looked good from the previews.

[Dover]

5. Sounds like a good one to see with a big audience. There aren't many

movies I've been to that get that kind of audience response/participation. I guess this is not one I'll wait to rent.

We all love a grassroots (literally!) underdog with guts. Sounds like this could be instructive for gaging the mood of the public politically as well.

Go Kucinich! Go!

[PinkTiger]

7. Yes. I thought of the political implications.

It definitely speaks to Democrats, as underdogs right now, for the next election.
I think it is a wonderful sign.
It was uplifting and I needed it.

[deek]

8. Kucinich cards available

that parallel Seabiscuit

[Ashes]

9. I'm sure it's good but

heard a review on NPR to the effect that it wouldn't grab the average fan of horse racing, and would tank after its initial few days.

[Semi_subversive]

10. I saw the trailers

when I took my daughter to see Legally Blonde 2. I've been a Jeff Bridges fan since Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. Can't wait to see it (at a cheapo matinee of course).

[Lorien]

11. I can't wait!

I'm seeing it on monday, and your review just makes monday seem further away, lol! :-)

I saw the "Seabiscuit" special on PBS's "American Expirience" last year, and all the while was thinking "This would make a great movie! Why has nobody done it before?" Now they have, and from all accounts they've done it well.

[PDittie]

12. I enjoyed the film, but...

...it did not meet my lofty expectations after reading Laura Hillenbrand's marvelous book.

And it will probably be a multiple Oscar winner (Picture, Director, Bridges or Maguire Best Actor).

If you read it, you know what I mean; if you haven't, go do so.

Best book (together with Palast's Best Democracy Money Can Buy) I have read this year.

[molly]

14. WOW!!!! Everyone here who has given up hope

should go see Seabiscuit. We just got back - my husband read the book and saw a documentary. The audience applauded when the movie ended.

[Skittles]

17. I saw the Seabiscuit special on A&E this afternoon

He certainly was a special horse. My favorite quirk - he demanded to be left to sleep as much as he wanted. And he slept a LOT !!!