[The Wizard]

Notes from the film: Based on the Novel "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion" By William Nack, "Secretariat" chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery -- with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovic)-- manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

[The Wizard]

The whole time I was in the theater I kept seeing Sarah Palin on the screen......a brave woman facing the arrogance of others, and winning in the end.

[hampdenkid]

Well, now we know why the real reason the libs hate this film so much.

[ponygirl]

Just got back from seeing this movie. I used to ride/train Thoroughbred ex-racers, so this movie was right up my alley. I just loved it. Although, I must say, some of the horses used in those scenes were absolutely puny compared to the real Secretariat. He was a massive, muscular beast - 16.2 hands. There was a reason they called him Big Red! That one with the scrawny little neck that they showed loading into the Derby gate couldn't hold a candle to the real thing - he looked about 15 hands high. But still an excellent movie.

Diane Lane is still gorgeous. I had read last year that she retired from films, but here she is. Maybe this was her last movie? And I really enjoy John Malkovich... he was superb in that role.

A great family movie. The only cussing was in French.

[Canedawg]

Extra credit reading.

:)

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Have just seen this wonderful film. Anyone who loves freedom, individual choice, hard work, determination, focus, overcoming hardship, strong willed women and...a truly American success story will love and adore this film. The actors and acting is outstanding across the board. One of the great films of the year!!! All folks who love freedom, America and the individual should take the time to see this magnificent film!!!

[dforest]

Oh please. You are obsessed.

[FreedomGuru]

You see Palin in everything. Seek help.

[Chode]

[lone star annie]

I saw the movie Saturday and loved it! If we patronize uplifting films like this one maybe hollyweird will make more of them!

I loved Big Red. He was the greatest. This movie had nothing to do with politics and I am glad.

[Getready]

I would like to see the film, but from what I understand
they are making it an “underdog” versus the “bigs” kinda
film, but from my remembrances of Secretariat was that he
was a huge, powerful, beautiful horse who was usually the
favorite. My guess is that the owners had little to do
with the greatness of that horse. I would sure like to have
seen that horse...One thing I do remember, is a writer, saying
that when the horse would go past the crowd, the crowd would
“ooooh, and ahhh..” and the horse would get close to the crowd,
and pseudo-socialize with them....
Made him a real crowd pleaser...I do still want to see
the film...

I wonder if the opening comment is a missive from the
studio...no??? like in “creating buzz”.....hmmmmm...

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

[tanknetter]

I saw and liked the movie. It was definitely heavy-handed in some areas (overplayed some of the difficulties Penny experienced), but still enjoyable.

What bothered me were the trailers before the movie (the Valerie Plame movie and the 2008 financial meltdown movie), which amounted to pro-Democrat political adverts shown to a completely captive audience.

[spacejunkie01]

I saw this with my whole family, including a 10 & 11 year old. We all LOVED it!!! Fantastic!

Fred Thompson’s a good guy in it. alot of Bible references as well. And they refer to picketing the war as commie crap(?) and that Chile is socialist.

[cjshapi]

Great movie, beautifully filmed and I’d recommend it to everyone. But it sure played loose with the facts. I guess that’s what Disney does.

If anyone is looking for a great read, which includes much history of early racing families, pick up William Nack’s “Secretariat - the Making of a Champion”. He’s a wonderful writer and was there for every step of Red’s career.

[TSgt]

TSgt took the pregnant misses last night to see it and we absolutely loved it!