Your Summer Task and Meydan City

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

barb — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:12:28 GMT

Adam, Thank you for the kind words. I am always glad to help out with my opinion. :) And I love to watch anything with horses. I forgot to mention National Velvet which is such a classic, with Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney, focusing on the grand national steeplechase. The sequel, International Velvet, is ok but it is focused on jumping.

I liked the Shirley Temple Seabiscuit movie but it is certainly not the true story of Seabiscuit. And the Tobey Maguire Seabiscuit seemed pretty watered down and not so concerned with facts but it was a good movie. The Seabiscuit "American Experience" dvd is really good but I like "The Lost Documentary" best. It was made in 1939 by C Howard. I remember the first time I saw it, when I saw the footage of Man O'War I just kept rewinding it to look at him (I had never seen video of MOW before, only photos), I was blown away by him even though it's only like 15 seconds. I wish someone would make a movie about him, or a good doc.

I seem to have rambled on again, lol. I suggest that if you haven't seen The Man from Snowy River and Return to Snowy River you get those right away, and if you have a wife or girlfriend she will like them too. I first saw them when they were new and I was very young so I may be a little bit biased, I have after all been in love with the Man from Snowy River since I was 12, lol. But I am sure you will enjoy them.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

aspradling — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:34:08 GMT

barb: I am also glad you stopped by. An amazingly insightful post and I am definitely going to have to check out some movies. The black and white films are great. I'll never forget when I ran across 12 Angry Men on AMC. Who knew a movie about a trial in the same scene and no real changes could keep my attention and be so well done for an hour and a half?!

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

barb — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:22:06 GMT

I just came across this on the "bump" blog but am glad I did. I have almost all of the dvd's on Adam's list and would recommend them all. I do not have Champions or The Horse Whisperer tho I have seen both...

Champions was good, HW not so much (I was completely distracted by the main horse being played by a different horse in every scene). The docs about jockeys are all good (Laffit: All about Winning, Saddles and Silks, Thunder and Reins) And everyone already seems to know how good On the Muscle is, lol.

A couple that aren't on the list are Lost in the Fog a doc about H Aleo and the Fog, very touching. And A Cup of Courage: The Jockey's Story, a good look at what it takes to be a jockey.

As for movies...Phar Lap is the best racing movie I've seen. The Black Stallion movies are magificent and for awesome horses as the central plot the Snowy River movies are the tops! Noone has mentioned Hidalgo, that was a good movie about a horse race across the desert and as an interesting side note the star of the movie (Viggo Mortenson) fell in love with the horse playing Hidalgo and purchased him and took him home after filming was done (of course he also fell in love with his equine co-star in Lord of the Rings and while he did not adopt him he has provided for his secure future. LOTR is also an excellent movie, or 3, with horses in it.).

I liked Dreamer, expecting a kids movie and I like Dakota F alot. I was not so thrilled with Racing Stripes, but I still get a laugh out of the idea of it...a zebra who dreams of racing against thoroughbreds, that's cute! Another one that hasn't been mentioned is Shergar, starring Mickey Rourke and Ian Holm, while it is "based on a true story" nobody actually knows what happened to Shergar so after his disappearance it is totally made up but still a good movie and an interesting "what if". I have also had success on e-bay buying "homemade" dvds of specific horses and/or races with TONS of historic footage.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Tiznowbaby — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:20:55 GMT

Without a doubt, "Champions" with John Hurt playing Bob Champion who rode Aldaniti to a Grand National win.

Also, I have "Shergar". Cheesy when it winds down to a rather fantastical ending (but much more palatable than watching a horse get shot).

"Casey's Shadow" is a childhood favorite I think most adults would enjoy.

Another cheesey movie but definitely a childhood favorite: Anyone remember Disney's "The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit"? A good 1/3 of it takes places at the Washington D.C. International Horse Show.

Very much want to see 1960 documentary "The Horse with the Flying Tail" (which won an academy award). Gives the story of Nautical, an appendix type palomino that started as a cow horse and eventually helped the U.S. team win gold in the Pan American games.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Karen — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:14:03 GMT

I recommend "Riding High" starring Bing Cosby as a racehorse trainer. Bing owned racehorses and even opened Del Mar, and his rapport with horses shows. This is an oldie from 1950 that I recently discovered and really enjoyed. Frank Capra is the director, so it is quite well done. Netflix has it.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Karen — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:32:27 GMT

Merrywriter: Redattore is standing in California (Northern Hemisphere)/Brazil (Southern Hemisphere). His offspring are doing very well in Brazil. Lots more info about him: www.harrisfarms.com/.../index.htm

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:02:51 GMT

Horswld:

I plan to see "Ladyhawke" soon. I love Friesians and always look forward to seeing the Friesian featured in the Parade of Breeds show at the Kentucky Horse Park.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Horswld — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:05:04 GMT

Has anyone seen the movie "Man and Boy" staring Bill Cosby? I actually really enjoyed this movie. It's pretty touching.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Horswld — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:56:21 GMT

Soldier Course,

I remember that part in "Sense and Sensibility". It touched my heart.

I really enjoyed "Ruffian". But do I think that it was in the same league as a movie such as "Phar Lap", no, not at all. Not many "horse" movies are. When I watch "Ruffian" or "Phar Lap" I always skip the part where the horses die. Watching the whole movie once is enough for me. I just watch and enjoy all of the race scenes now.

I also like watching movies that have alot of horses in them to judge if the people that made the movies pay enough attention to put the right breeds or types of horses in the right places. I am stickler about that! One movie that does this to a T is the movie "The Thirteenth Warrior" staring Antonio Bandaras. Anyone that loves horses would appreciate the effort they took in making sure that the right breed or type of horse was matched with the right character of people. For instance, Antonio's character, the movies namesake, is fondly refered to as ,Arabian, or Little Brother because his new found friends, the Northmen, can't pronounce his name. His horse is a very fine white Arab that the Northmen refer to as a dog because, compared to their giant, draft-type, war horses, he is too small to bring to war. This is later dismissed in the movie because of the Arab's great courage. Also, the bad guys of the movie, refered to as the "Eaters of the Dead" ride Fjord horses and Icelantic ponies. This is so because these tribes people came from farther north than anyone else. You should watch this movie if you haven't already. It has a great storyline. Also, the scenes with the Arab horse are priceless. But I must warn you that the movie is very violent so be prepared to turn your head if you must.

Another movie that introduced me to one of the most beautiful horses in the world is the movie "Ladyhawke" staring Michelle Phifer. This movie introduced me to the majestic Friesan horse that has become one of my alltime favorite breeds of horses. The movie also has an Andalusian that has one of the longest manes that I have ever seen on a horse. This is actually a pretty darn good movie.

If you haven't seen these two movies I hope that you do so soon. If your anything like me I beleive that you will enjoy them at least because of their "horse facter!"

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:21:58 GMT

This is not a horse movie, but I love the scene in the 1995 movie "Sense and Sensibility" where Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson)says goodbye to her beloved horse at Norland, her father's home.

The Dashwood women have to leave Norland after the father's death because of the English laws of inheritance during the Regency Period. They move to a cousin's cottage on the coast. Elinor could not take the horse with her because the Dashwood women could not afford to keep him.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:00:56 GMT

Horswld:

I have the Ruffian movie DVD. I was not impressed with the movie, but the footage of Ruffian's races after the movie is invaluable. I tell everyone to buy the DVD for that reason.

I wonder if any movie could do justice to Ruffian's story? She was just so very special. The same is true of course about Secretariat. I hope Hollywood doesn't miss the mark with the movie about him. Hate to say this, but after "Seabiscuit" I am expecting Secretariat's movie to be a disappointment. Hope I am wrong.

I had a hard time finding the DVD "Something To Talk About". Finally I saw it by chance one day at the grocery store, of all places, for $4.99!

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Horswld — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:42:25 GMT

Soldier Course,

I remember Ron Leibman in "Norma Rae" but I never watched "Kaz". Though it was hard to watch, I also loved the scenes where Phar Lap was being trained on the sand dunes. Boy, he was some horse!

I also loved "Something to Talk About". I watch it everytime I see it coming on. I agree with you on everything that you said about the movie. It's a new classic for me!

Another great movie like "Phar Lap" is the movie "Ruffian" that was just put out a couple of years ago. (I can't believe I didn't mention that one before, because Ruffian is one of my alltime favorite horses!) The movie is done really well plus the bonus features on the DVD include all of Ruffian's races, highlights and interviews. I highly recommend that you find this movie to buy and keep.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:46:52 GMT

"Something To Talk About" reminded me of the movie "Once Around", because both movies had such warm family depictions. Turns out they both had the same director, Lasse Hallstrom.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

hmb0725 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:13:48 GMT

The original Black Beauty was alright... I enjoyed the Seabiscuit doc. and 2003 movie (event though the movie was "Hollywood" flawed, as previously mentioned) (Sorry, just wasn't too thrilled about the Shirley Temple version lol)

All the talk about about On the Muscle makes me want to go check it out!!! Sounds really good.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:23:32 GMT

Here's another horse movie to review:

"Something To Talk About", with Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, Kyra Sedgwick, Robert Duvall, Gena Rowlands

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The characters seemed like real people, warts and all. It presented a warm Southern family without resorting to the usual Hollywood "grits and gravy" treatment.

The interactions between the two sisters (Julia and Kyra) were wonderful. I enjoyed Julia's role as stable manager for her father's farm, and how well she handled the trainer and other employees, bringing out the best in them.

The marital rift was believable, as was the way it was resolved. I liked that the reconciliation had an implied condition, yet left plenty of room for the dignity of both Julia and Dennis.

The only flaw is this movie was the "food poisoning" gimmick, way too silly and out of character for Julia's role. It was so out of place.

I thought the young daughter "Doodlebug" was great, not sappy or irritating. She was determined to ride that big horse, and boy did she. She loved her father and grandfather so much, and wanted them to be proud of her courage.

The other marital rift, between Gena Rowlands and Robert Duvall, ran its course in such a funny, heartwarming way.

Everybody had to go round the bend for a while to find out what love means. So much like life ...

This movie was filmed in and near Savannah, and also in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, my home.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:17:45 GMT

Horswld:

"Phar Lap" is an excellent movie, but so sad, especially now that we know that Phar Lap was poisoned in this country.

Ron Leibman plays Phar Lap's owner. I've always liked this actor. Remember his short-lived 1970s TV series "Kaz"? He also played in the movie "Norma Rae" with Sally Field. He was Reuben, the union organizer.

In "Phar Lap" the scenes where the horse trained on the sand dunes were magnificent, but again, hard to watch. A few years ago, my cat Jacob was treated for lymphosarcoma by a veterinary specialist, who had worked for Allen Jerkens before she went to vet school. She told me how they exercised the horses by running them in the sand on the beaches of Long Island. She said it was very good conditioning.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Paula Higgins — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:03:00 GMT

Seabiscuit the PBS DVD is very good. Seabiscuit the movie is missing Seabiscuit. Sorry, it needed more horse and less people. I liked Dreamer as well. It's gearded to a younger audience but Kurt Russell never gives a bad performance, Dakota Fanning was credible and they actually had a lot of horse in it! I also loved the Secretariat movie-Life and Times. I couldn't bear to watch the Barbaro movie. I followed his progress from beginning to untimely end each day on the U.Penn site so I knew the story only too well. It broke my heart. I need to find On The Muscle.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Shiznik — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:15:56 GMT

"Let It Ride" is still the best horse racing themed comedy ever made. Dreyfus is hilarious and there are people at every track I have ever been too just like the ones in the movie. Great characters!

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Horswld — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:48:41 GMT

Another great horse racing movie is "Phar Lap" with Phar Lap's groom being played by Tom Burlinson who played in "The Man From Snowy River" and "Return to Snowy River" both of which have racing undertones to them. The footage in those two movies are beautiful and second to none. There is one stunt where he jumps over and runs down a cliff chasing the brumby herd. That is my favorite scene in a movie ever! I highly, highly recommend all of these movies!

Also there is a horse movie called "Sylvester" about a semi-wild, big, gray horse trained to become a three-day event horse. The story is great. The two little brothers in the movie are so delightful and sweet! In one scene Sylvester gets spooked, throws his rider, and tries to run off down the road. A pickup truck swerves to a stop in his path and instead of stopping himself, the horse jumps clear over the bed of the truck! That's where the idea comes in to make him into a jumper. But one of my favorite parts is watching the Appaloosa that runs him down. He runs faster than any horse that I have ever seen run in a movie! For real!

I highly recommend this movie also. You'll even get to see this horse dance in the moonlight! Good Stuff!

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:15:32 GMT

Don't you hate those incorrect details? Like spelling, for instance. In my previous comment, it's "diminutive", not "diminuative". Funny though, neither spelling looks right to me.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:16:51 GMT

Here's my review of the movie "Seabiscuit" (Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, etc. movie)

I think Hank Goldberg summed up my feelings about this movie pretty well: needed a little more Clippity in its Clop.

The movie was 10-15 minutes too long. I found myself getting restless at the end.

My biggest criticism is that there was no moment of emotional connection with the horse, early enough to make the connection meaningful for the viewer. For me the connection came very late, when the injured Seabiscuit stepped off the van at Ridgewood where Red Pollard was waiting.

Some of the incorrect details distracted me, for instance, Tom Smith's calling War Admiral an 18-hand "monster". What??? War Admiral was diminuative.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:58:27 GMT

Adam:

I am thrilled with your review of "On The Muscle". Loved the six stars.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

Soldier Course — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:46:04 GMT

I enjoyed both "Dreamer" and "Racing Stripes", but my expectations were in line with the fact that these movies were targeted to young audiences.

I thought the performances in "Dreamer" were stronger than the plot. Dakota Fanning was a wonderful "old soul". The scene with her at the filly's stall door offering the cherry Popsicle was lovely. The strained relationship between Kris K. and Kurt Russell was played convincingly, as was its warm and welcome resolution. I was glad that the Breeders' Cup was featured, even if certain details about its operations were wrong. At least the audience was introduced to this great event in racing and took home something to learn more about.

I thought "Racing Stripes" was great fun. It had good lessons about fortitude and bullying. I enjoyed it as much as I did "Babe".

Both of these movies presented three memorable fathers - strong, steady, and compassionate.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

merrywriter — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:47:09 GMT

Saw 'On The Muscle' last night. It was wonderful as I love The Tin Man so it was fun watching him 'come up.' What ever happened to Reddatero (sic)?

We see how people LOVE these horses and I couldn't have helped but think of Eight Belles and how devastated that whole barn must have been. The Mandella barn cries when their horses win.

The thing I took away is how positive everyone is. And how laid back - especially Mandella. Guess no one can be a nervous Nelly around high strung thoroughbreds since they will pick it up. Alex Solis and Mike Smith showed they are no prima-donnas. either - if you ride a horse, you work with the horse.

The movie showed what a nice culture the whole racing industry is. I better understand what goes on to get a horse to the track and the myriad of people involved.

re: Your Summer Task and Meydan City

aspradling — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:44:36 GMT

I watched Kentucky Derby's greatest moments over the weekend...review appended at the end of this blog.