Seabiscuit

[Easy Mac]

Saw this last night, not too bad. I was not really looking forward to it, but it was better than I thought it would be. The horse racing scenes were well done, but the story was occasionally a bit jumpy, especially at the beginning when they try to tell each persons (and horses) back story.

Tobey Maguire was at his best when it comes to annoying the hell out of me. They awkwardness worked for Spiderman, but I think he overplayed it a bit in this movie. Chris Cooper had some moving scenes, a pretty good job. I think the real standouts were all the horses. They were probably the best actors of the bunch. They just conveyed a sense of emotion that I didn't feel any of the actors were doing.

The movie is pretty boring for the first hour to an hour and a half, since its nothing but back story. Sometimes it tried hard to say "Give me an Oscar." Other times, it did a great job of showing the emotion of the moment. It moves at a plodding place. That being said, if you're looking forward to the movie, I think you'll like it. I don't know it was truly Oscar worthy or movie of the year, but considering whats out there so far, its the best of the bunch in terms of story and acting (aside from Maguire). I think its probably 4th or 5th in my movies for the summer (others I enjoyed more), but I think QS and the other horse racing afficianados will have fun.

I give it a 7 out of 10.

Oh, and I also saw Tomb Raider 2 and Spy Kids (I have a lot of time to kill after the last movies start, I got out around 3). Tomb Raider had some decent action moments, but I would have had more fun in a vasectomy. Jolie has a nice body, but I can't stare at her face that long without wanting to throw up. Stupid plot and bad acting make this one a throw away. 2.5 out of 10. And I've always been scared of 3D movies since I saw the Michael Jackson one at Disneyland (that thing freaked the hell out of me). I guess its just like the other 2 SK movies, but in 3D. I didn't like it, but if you have kids go see it. Its more of a novelty because of the 3D, but whatever. Just don't leave the glasses on the floor, I've got to sweep tat shit up. 4.0 out of 10 due to 3D.

[MrBug708]

Did you ever read the book? Or did you go in knowing very little about the story line other then what you heard in reviews and such?

[Fritz]

Spy Kids 3D had a book first?

[Easy Mac]

No never read the Seabiscuit book. Probably never would have cared about seeing it if I didn't get to see it free the night before (as is the case with most movies).

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Fritz
Spy Kids 3D had a book first?

Yes, written by Sylvester Stallone.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Yes, written by Sylvester Stallone.

He can write?

[Easy Mac]

so long as its no more than 4 letters.

[Grego]

I've been waiting to see Seabiscuit since reading the book a few months ago. Book was great, and I just know the movie won't measure up (when does it ever?).
I think they could have done a better job of casting the trainer, Tom Smith. He was painfully backward, and I can't picture Chris Cooper pulling that off; he seems too expressive to me. Maybe I'll think differently after seeing the movie. His character is the most compelling by far of the 4 anyway.
Hopefully I'll be suprised, and the movie will be as thrilling as the book.

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Fritz
He can write?

Almost as well as he can speak. And act.

[Easy Mac]

I thought Cooper did a good job. He was pretty subdued throughout the movie. I thought most of his acting was very subtle. It wasn't like Sean Penn in I Am Sam.

[Anrhydeddu]

I just read Ebert's review and my fears of the movie not meeting expectations are gone.

[MrBug708]

I read the original Seabiscuit book from the 60's and have always thought it was a good book. Havent read the latest book, but I'm gonna see the movie anyways. Seen the Seabiscuit statue. Looks like any other horse, but anyone whose been to Santa Anita knows about Seabiscuit

[Dr. Sak]

Originally posted by Fritz
He can write?

He did write the original Rocky.

[DeToxRox]

"He did write the original Rocky."

.. And Rocky 5.

[ISiddiqui]

And Rocky 6.... yikes.

[QuikSand]

Back to Seabiscuit... finally saw it tonight, and was very impressed. I thought the movie did justice to the story and to the book very well, and I had a lok fewer gripes with the casting than I had imagined I might (particularly Maguire).

Chris Cooper delivers another outstanding performance - he's not as outgoig here as his character demanded in Adaptation, but this guy is a serious major-league talent. I guess he just isn't cut from the cloth to be a typical hollywood leading man, but he's got a great talent... I could certainly see him as an outstanding villian in something down the road. (He may yet follow the Gary Oldman path for brilliant character acting)

As for the racing - I pretty much bought the whole thing. I thought their presentation and the obligatory compression worked well - I really have no major issues with the movie at all.

One more point - Gary Stevens, real-life jockey who played George Woolf (the "other" jockey) actually had a pretty significant role, and acquitted himself rather well, I'd think. I can't imagine that a true actor trying to fit the stature would have done as well there - good for him.

Very emotional, melodramatic, Hollywood-rich movie, but overall I thought it was very successful and effective. (And I'm frequently a tough critic)

[Easy Mac]

I saw it again tonight as well with my bro-in laws friends and his friends sister I knew from high school (man she got a little cubby, she was hot in high school, still cute, but not hot.)

Anyway, I liked it better on second viewing. I was also amazed at how well Gary Stevens did. If you didn't know he was a real jockey, you would have just thought he was a regular actor.

I think it was better on the second viewing, though the way they did the Seabiscuit/War Admiral race upset me a little more this time. I didn't like how they didn't show the first half, instead did the play-by-play and showed pictures of "every day Americans". I understand it was nostalgic and they wanted to show how important this horse was to America, but it felt like they beat the audience over the head a bit too much to build up Seabiscuit, and that scene really irked me.

Anyway, better the second time... and I still don't like Tobey Maguire. He's a poor man's Jake Gyllenwhatever.