Search Results for: blog dreamer 2006

Glory Road (2006)

I’m going to state right from the beginning of this blog that I’m just slightly tired of all the movies that have been made about school teams that are in trouble, and then along comes a coach who tries something different, and the team makes it, and everyone is happy. That being said, and with the full disclosure that “Glory Road” is, indeed one of those films, I will proceed to also say that I did enjoy it more than most of those “other movies.” Josh Lucas, who always seems to play a background role or a sidekick up until … Continue reading →

Dreamer (2006)

I have a confession. I am sick to death of movies about this underdog sports team coming from behind to win or that injured animal rising above the limits of their physical strength to overcome the odds. The theme has just been done to death. So it was with a little bit of a sigh that I decided to watch “Dreamer.” I had one of those distinct “déjà vu but not in a good way” feelings. But you know what, I was pleasantly surprised. Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer. His father (Kris Kristofferson) was a trainer before … Continue reading →

Learning about Horses and Ponies

Yesterday I wrote about how shopping for a birthday present for a friend’s daughter made me realize how many types of horses there are. Growing up, our family had a horse for all of about five minutes. His name was Saberjolt and I was over the moon for him. But, thanks to my allergies, we had to give Saberjolt up. (At least that’s how family legend tells it. More than likely it was because we couldn’t afford him. I don’t remember ever coughing, sneezing or wheezing either during or after any Saberjolt outings.) However, I couldn’t tell you what kind … Continue reading →

Gracie (2007)

When I first picked up “Gracie,” I thought I was in for a feel-good family film about a girl who wanted to play soccer. What I ended up with was a deeply-involved drama about a family torn apart who struggled to pull things back together. I have to say, though, I wasn’t disappointed in the film, even though my expectations were so far off base. “Gracie” is loosely based on the lives of actors Andrew and Elisabeth Shue, who also have roles within the film. Gracie Bowen (Carly Schroeder) is the only daughter in a family of athletic boys, and … Continue reading →

The Derby Stallion (2005)

Tonja Walker, who I first saw as Alex Olanov on “One Life to Live,” produced this PG-rated family-oriented film and also starred as the mother. Patrick McCardle (Zac Ephron) has been playing baseball at his father’s behest, but hates it. He’s taken to skipping practice to go hang out with Houston Jones (Bill Cobbs) a former jockey and horse trainer, to talk about the animals and the sport of steeple chasing. When Patrick’s father (William R. Moses) asks him why he doesn’t come to practice, they have a bitter argument in which the father expresses his deep disappointment in the … Continue reading →

Secondhand Lions (2003)

“Secondhand Lions” is a delightful movie starring Haley Joel Osment as a young boy being raised by an irresponsible mother (Kyra Sedgwick). When his mother comes up with yet another get-ahead idea, this time a court reporting school in Ft. Worth, Walter is taken to live with two great-uncles he’s never met. Later, when he discovers that his mother never did enroll in that school, Walter feels abandoned and betrayed, but his uncles step in to take up the slack, in their own unique ways. Garth and Hub are unusual men, to say the least. They’re both getting on in … Continue reading →

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

Our hero for this animated adventure is a horse who tells us his story with a small amount of narrative but mostly through action. He was born on the prairie at the time of the Old West and grew up with a close-knit herd, but one day he is separated from the group and is captured by the Army. Their methods of harnessing and transporting are pretty cruel, and the horse is roughed up by the time he arrives at the stockade. When he is shown to Colonel , the man in charge, the Colonel decides that the horse should … Continue reading →

Freebies: TGI Fridays Appetizer & Popcorn at AMC Theatres

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Here are a few freebies you might want to use to treat the mother in your life, or another special someone! Today’s freebies make way for a whole day of fun–dinner and a movie! Enjoy! TGI Fridays FREE Appetizer TGI Fridays is a fun place for the whole family to eat. Did you know that the potato skin appetizer originated at TGI Fridays? All the other restaurants might mimic it, but they had the idea first. Speaking of appetizers… Enjoy one free appetizer valued up to $8 with a minimum food purchase of $15. Simply print this coupon and bring … Continue reading →