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Seabiscuit reviewed at Movie Wave

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Author	Topic: Seabiscuit reviewed at Movie Wave

Southall Non-Standard Userer	This is one great film score. www.moviewave.net Cheers James
posted 07-27-2003 01:31 PM PT (US)

joan hue Standard Userer	Well, I put this under another Seabiscuit thread, but I’ll re-add it here. Didn’t anyone else see this movie? I purposefully avoided Tomb Raider Deux to see a movie that would at least involve some aspect of me. (brain, or heart, or blood..)And it is probably a lot less offensive that BB2. While the movie sports an attractive and uplifting theme during the races and some quiet, reflective themes, I wasn’t inspired enough by the music to want to purchase a score. I wanted more of a Rudy sound for this film, but perhaps the director felt that such music would be too emotionally manipulative. But hey, this is an emotional movie, and its point of view is manipulative. Just the reality of the story closed my throat about every 20 minutes. It goes for the heart the way true life tragedies and triumphs often do. I was most affected by the stories of the owner, trainer, and jockey. (And sometimes real life is emotionally manipulative.) No real story spoilers ahead, just an examination of the theme and type of movie. The movie was a delight. I like the point of view, slant, perspective or whatever you want to call the leaning of the narrative. The movie postulates that we are a bruised, battered, “loser” nation thanks to Great Depression. The three main male stars are equally wounded, almost grounded by pain, and the horse is similarly devastated. To see the interactions between the equine and human microcosms heal personal wounds and the tattered psyche of a nation is a marvel to watch. How shocking it was to WALLOW in gorgeous photography, excellent acting, a linear and a coherent narrative, and insightful dialogue uninterrupted every two minutes by car chases, a billion bullets that never hit anything, and slow motion karate chops. Okay, there were a few horse races which were executed with almost a rough yet eloquent poetry. My only complaint is the movie doesn’t trust that the audience would connect the dots and understand the parallels, so it is rather heavy handed in its thematic thrusts.
posted 07-27-2003 07:37 PM PT (US)

Shaun Rutherford Standard Userer	The film was great (especially Schwartzman's photography!), the score was shockingly average. James, I'm also shocked that you didn't point out Seabiscuit's strong debt to (groan) Horner's Legends Of The Fall, which was so obviously used in the temp tracks. A real shame, as Newman is fine without such handicaps. I'd like to hear about these "reported" disputes, too. Shaun
posted 07-27-2003 09:31 PM PT (US)

Michel Standard Userer	Yes, I saw the movie and of course loved it. It was very emotional (if this had been fictional, I would have considered it manipulative, but this was a true story!) and definitely worthy of Oscar noms. I bought the CD last Tuesday. I was disappointed with the score, but the more I listen to it, the more I like it. It's not a great score, but I can't change that so I'll just enjoy it for what it is. I did hear a few cues in the movie that I liked, but they were missing from the CD and would have been welcome additions. I love how they used Moby's song "Everloving" from his CD "Play" when Seabiscuit was passing horses for a win about halfway through the movie. I wasn't expecting that but it worked great! Joan, you should definitely read this fascinating and extremely well-written book. The movie left out some amazing stuff that the book covered. Red Pollard actually had TWO "career-ending" injuries from racing accidents that he overcame to ride Seabiscuit again. I wish the movie could have been 20 or 30 minutes longer! I hope the DVD will have some decent deleted scenes. In the meantime, I'm going to see the movie again and re-read the book. Michel Seabiscuit * / ***
posted 07-27-2003 10:50 PM PT (US)

joan hue Standard Userer	Thanks for the book recommend, Michel. I was thinking about getting it because I wanted to know what happened AFTER the end of the movie.
posted 07-27-2003 11:08 PM PT (US)

Southall Non-Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Shaun Rutherford: The film was great (especially Schwartzman's photography!), the score was shockingly average. James, I'm also shocked that you didn't point out Seabiscuit's strong debt to (groan) Horner's Legends Of The Fall, which was so obviously used in the temp tracks. A real shame, as Newman is fine without such handicaps. I'd like to hear about these "reported" disputes, too. Shaun Interesting... these don't appear to be on the CD. I've not seen the movie yet. I had several friends at the recording sessions and the "reported" disputes are that Newman was being told to stick closer to the temp track (which made me very surprised that the album didn't sound much like anything else - to me). I wonder whether the album represents his original vision and not the more temp-track friendly version the director wanted? Pure speculation on my part...
posted 07-27-2003 11:47 PM PT (US)

HAL 2000 Standard Userer	If Newman's score is a disappointment then that's too bad. I was really hoping Seabiscuit would give Newman a chance to further express his warm, sepia-toned Americana style like his wonderful score for The Natural.
posted 07-28-2003 12:08 PM PT (US)

Southall Non-Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by HAL 2000: If Newman's score is a disappointment then that's too bad. I was really hoping Seabiscuit would give Newman a chance to further express his warm, sepia-toned Americana style like his wonderful score for The Natural. Oh, I think it's a lot better than The Natural...
posted 07-28-2003 01:25 PM PT (US)

HAL 2000 Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Southall: Oh, I think it's a lot better than The Natural...[/B] Well then what's the fuss? The Natural is a great score. I'm so there.
posted 07-28-2003 02:01 PM PT (US)

Shaun Rutherford Standard Userer	Hmmmm.....well, the music I'm talking about is played many, many times in the film, so I'm assuming it's the main theme. When I heard it on the Kodak commercials, I was hoping it was Newman's, but after hearing it in the film, it sounds just like Legends Of The Fall. It's effective enough, I suppose, but it's nowhere NEAR The Natural for sheer goosebump-inducing moments. This is just one man's opinion, Shaun
posted 07-28-2003 03:19 PM PT (US)

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