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Desertrose
Desertrose's stats
- Review count3
- Helpfulness votes0
- First reviewDecember 29, 2008
- Last reviewOctober 16, 2010
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
Desertrose's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
Excellent movie for everyone!
PostedOctober 16, 2010
Desertrose
from Phoenix AZ
Kudos to Disney for continuing to make movies the whole family can enjoy. I grew up reading about Secretariat and I remember watching the races on television with my family. The movie brought all of that excitement back and mixed it in with the story of the family behind Secretariat.
The pure joy the horses feel when racing is conveyed very well. I loved the walks down the tunnel, the sound of the horse's hooves, and the scenes showing the horse going into the racing stall. The jockey holding a bit of the horse's mane. The courage it takes to be a jockey riding a thousand plus pounds of a thoroughbred animal.
The "feel" of the time in which the story is told was great. I loved seeing all the cars and the homes, the clothes. Well done. I loved Diane Lane's performance, and John Malkovich made me smile again and again. I loved Nelson Ellis' portrayal of Eddie and his love for his charge.
All in all, the scenery, the thundering hooves, the thrill of racing...everything comes together beautifully in this movie. I will be buying the DVD when it comes out so I can watch it again and again. The movie is as special as "Seabiscuit". And the horse just as spectacular!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Great Cinematography!
PostedAugust 15, 2010
Desertrose
from Phoenix AZ
I read and loved the book. And I was excited when I learned it would be a movie. However, as much as I love Julia Roberts, the script did not allow her to develop her character as much as would have been possible. She seemingly teleported from place to place to place effortlessly, and though this was distracting, it also made the movie somewhat disconnected.
The only relationship that was really explored a little was that between Felipe and herself. Both Stephen and David were pretty sketchily developed. And her Italian tutor was just a sidenote instead of a developed character. Of course, I am comparing the book to the movie which is unwise but I really was disappointed with the character development.
The cinematography was lovely and added to the overall "feel" of the movie. All of the acting was credible although I wanted more from Julia. I do not fault her, I fault the scripting. The music was as eclectic as the story and fitted in quite well. I particularly liked Javier Bardem as Felipe, and Christina Hakim as Wayan, and thoroughly enjoyed Hadi Subiyanto as Ketut.
Overall, my expectations were pretty high for this movie, and I was disappointed. I would, however, recommend it to friends and family. It is a good movie, not a great one. It could have been so much better with just a little more time, even another 20 minutes would have helped. It was not all THAT long.
All in all, the movie was enjoyable and a nice way to spend a very hot afternoon in Phoenix.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Amazing Photography
PostedDecember 29, 2008
Desertrose
from Phoenix AZ
Spectacular scenery, good acting and a
believable storyline combine to create a
wonderful movie experience. The movie is
long, yes, however it does draw you in so the time is not a factor here. A bit slow to get going but it does pick up the pace quickly and keeps your interest all the way through. It is a movie I would see again, if for no other reason than to see the incredible photography..
believable storyline combine to create a
wonderful movie experience. The movie is
long, yes, however it does draw you in so the time is not a factor here. A bit slow to get going but it does pick up the pace quickly and keeps your interest all the way through. It is a movie I would see again, if for no other reason than to see the incredible photography..
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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