Here are a couple links I thought you guys would find interesting:
Talking about Oscar buzz:
http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/can-...rites/#respond I love that, to woo Diane Lane to play Penny, the director met her for lunch with a dozen red roses and told her he did it because that's what they give you when you win the Derby. Smooth.
The studio's testing for Secretariat is near the highest they've ever gotten. It really does sound like critics have decided the movie is this year's feel good story to get Oscar buzz. I have heard buzz for Diane Lane, and she's on several lists, so congratulations are in order for her.
Roger Ebert gives Secretariat 4 stars:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...IEWS/101009986 He's a friend of Bill Nack, the "suggestee"(?) of the film's tale, but he didn't have to give it that high a mark for a pal. Could've done 3 stars. He did 4 and meant it.
Now I realize there are issues that people have with points of the movie, but I really don't think the audience will care who was or wasn't at the birth of Secretariat. There may not have been a 'performance clause,' but hey, it creates drama. The heart size should've been mentioned because I really think the fans would've gotten that metaphorically even if they don't get the idea of heart/lung capacity making a difference. It sounds impressive. As Steve mentioned earlier this week on ATR (maybe with Davidowitz, I can't remember), Keeneland is a beautiful track. It's not Belmont, but it's cinematic in it's own right. Did NYRA not let them use actual Belmont? Was it too expensive? I have the distinct impression that Malkovich is playing Malkovich, not Lucian Laurin, but if he plays himself well, I can enjoy the movie anyway. I can't see it til Sunday as I'll be out of town, but I'm looking forward to it. Godspeed, Big Red.