Is Seabiscuit a good blind buy?

[starryeyes]

I was just wondering if Seabiscuit was a good blind buy? I read the review on dvdfile and the movie sounds great but I've been stung a few times and I want to avoid that. Opinions anyone?

[elwood731]

Depends, as does any movie. It is a pretty mainstream feel-good movie, so I can't imagine most people not liking it. The question is how much will you like it? I think it's one of the better films of the year.

[Phreak]

As always, it depends on your taste in movies. Personally, I was pretty underwhelmed by it. I wouldn't want to own it myself as I don't think its a movie that stands up to repeat viewings.

[Marq]

I definitely recommend reading movie reviews and DVD reviews before committing to buying a movie you've never seen before. It certainly helps me gauge whether it'll match my tastes, etc.

[BookCase3]

Read the book. Skip the movie.

[Meloosh]

If you like those kind of "inspirational, based on a true story" bio-pics that Hollywood loves to churn out, than I'm sure you will enjoy it. Otherwise, you will not. The previews seem like a good indicaton of the film's content.

[moviezzz]

Once again, join Netflix and rent it. Then decide if you want to buy it.

I thought it was a great movie, but not one I would watch more than once.

[aedavela]

If you liked Rocky, you'll like Seabiscuit. It's Rocky with a horse.

[darthbenbo]

Originally Posted by aedavela

If you liked Rocky, you'll like Seabiscuit. It's Rocky with a horse.

You mean the horse fights with Mr. T at the climax of the film? This I've got to see.

[Monterey Jack]

Saw it in the theater, thought it was pleasant, nicely photograped, well-acted...and yet I have no desire to ever watch it again. Probably worth a rental only, as I can't imagine it having much replay value aside for history buffs and people who like movies that "celebrate the human spirit".

[SeanL]

Originally Posted by starryeyes

I've been stung a few times and I want to avoid that. Opinions anyone?

I think that answers your question right there....to avoid being stung, rent it. Get it tonight, and if you really like it, you still have time to cash in on the release week prices on it.

[limacharliewhiskey]

I rented it last weekend and really enjoyed it. I thought the cast with Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and Chris Cooper was perfect, and it was nice to see a bigger role for on-the-rise actress Elizabeth Banks.

I might have enjoyed the movie a bit more than others, as I have a casual side interest in horce racing, but overall, it's one of those feel-good movies that has historical accuracy. What makes the story better than most is that the movie explains the time period (the Great Depression in the 1930s after the stock market crash of 1929) in which it happens and how/why the phenomenon occurred.

The commentary track with director Gary Ross, along with Steven Soderbergh, was a bonus treat that was fun to listen to. I really seem to enjoy commentary tracks with Soderbergh, who did it as a friend of the director. I don't think Soderbergh was a producer or anything for the film.

Having said all that, I could only recommend it as a buy for those who are fans of the actors, a fan of horse-racing, a fan of that period in US history, or a fan of movies where the underdog wins. Otherwise, rent it first. That's what I did.

[Scourge]

I love this movie. Last time I checked, being positive wasn't a bad thing. Seems like today people act as though you should only enjoy something that is either quirky or dark or both. This movie is neither. It's an exceptionally well directed, acted, scripted and photographed movie that is a "feel good" movie that is also quite true to the actual story.

Something I don't think people appreciate about Seabiscuit today is that at the time, he was the hope of a nation, ... something to empower the spirit of the downtrodden. 40 million people tuned in to the Match Race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. That's the equivalent per capita of about 175 million people today. We don't experience phenomena like this.

If you can let your guard down long enough to appreciate something that is not cynical nor flippantly ironic in any way, you may very well enjoy Seabiscuit.

[jdawg1327]

Good movie but if your really interested check out the PBS special instead

[Ravenous]

Originally Posted by BookCase3

Read the book. Skip the movie.

Buy the DVD, it comes with the book for free!

P.S. I got it blind today as well .... for $13.89

[Oscar Antonio M]

I didn't want to see it when it first came out but I did see it anyway and was pleasently surprised.

While the movie is a bit slow, It is very entertaining. The perfomances, cinematography are all great, the movie is worth watching for William H. Macy's supporting perfomance alone. I consider it one of these year's top films.

The only problem i had with it was that it got a bit too sentimental towards the end also I dont think the "Ken Jones Documentay" narration and feel helped much. But still I highly recommend it.

[Dehrian]

Originally Posted by aedavela

If you liked Rocky, you'll like Seabiscuit. It's Rocky with a horse.

Actually, it's all of the Rocky movies with a horse.

You get Rocky gets a chance, Rocky loses yet it's a moral victory, Rocky gets another chance and wins, Rocky takes on the heavy weight no one else can beat, and then Rocky has to fight his way up for one last shot.

Still, it's a good movie, and I'd recommend it. I don't know if you'll want to rewatch it, so a rental may be in order, but I think most people would enjoy the film, so you'll probably like it.

[starryeyes]

Thanks for all the advice.

I was out with my brother at Future Shop last night and he ended up
picking it up as a blind buy. I was able to watch the movie
last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm on the fence whether I will buy it or not but maybe eventually.

[snipsnapsappy]

I am in the middle of the movie, (I rented it), and I have to say that John Scwartzman's cinematography is beautiful. He is obviously the cause of the beautiful images for Michael Bay's movies.

[Yoda]

I agree starryeyes,
I really enjoyed this film in the theaters but, I am still on the fence as to buying it. OR maybe its the fact that all my money has gone to christmas gifts and I have nothing left :P

[Willh51]

It's a nice story, and a pretty good movie. It is a little long and it might not be too much of a re-watch kind of movie. I'll add another "rental" to the pile.