Movie Review: Jockey

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A

One of the most moving and powerful stories about any type of athlete I have seen in a movie theater in a long time. 

Films about a washed-up athlete having to come to terms with being washed up is nothing new in the movie world, but few of them have moved me the way Jockey did. Much of this is due to the fact that it does not feel like those other movies in the slightest. This is a very quiet and somewhat slow-moving film, that feels like it is more concerned with having you spend time with these characters rather than focusing on any major plot points or sports related scenes. Throughout the film we see very little footage of any of the characters in an actaul horse race but spend most of the time with what they do when they are not racing. First time feature film director (as well as the film's co-writer) Clint Bentley (whose father was actually a jockey) sees the beauty and power in all the things most filmmakers would miss, making the most subtle and seemingly the most mundane moments the most touching and heartbreaking. Every moment of this film feels completely genuine and honest. However, all this would have been for nothing if the movie did not have a good lead. Luckily the film stars Clifton Collins Jr. For decades Collins has been playing supporting roles in many major films but has rarely had the chance to play the lead. With this film he fully proves this is a shame. His perfromance here is nothing short of amazing. Every second he is on screen he commands our attention and perfectly for this movie he does it in a truly subtle way. Behind this performance there is a deep humanity that resonates with the audience and makes this character feel completely real. Even during the scenes where his actions are less than admirable, we can clearly see the pain behind these actions making it impossible to stop caring for this guy.   

A must see. 

Movie Review: Spirit Untamed

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

While nowhere near as good as the first Spirit movie, this film is still quite charming and fun.

What makes this movie work is that it is pure wish fulfillment for both kids and horse lovers. I know that have often dreamed about simply taking off a horse for a huge adventure into dangerous place, yet unknown to me. Taming a wild horse and having him love me like one of his own herd (something that will be amplified for kids with the grown-ups not being able to do the same), just increases the wish fulfillment as does proving everyone who doesn't believe in you wrong. While this wish fulfillment will definitely speak to kids, it will also speak to those of us who remember what it was like to be a kid and the fantasies we had. This film is also is helped by a very likable and relatable lead character. While this movie is less than an hour and a half and is not slow moving by any means, it still gives us the time and all we need to connect with this character and see ourselves in her boots. Also while I do miss the beautiful hand drawn animation of the first Spirit movie, the horse animation is pretty darn good here. It may be exaggerated for cartoon-like effect but there is no doubt the animators studied and learned how horses interact with humans and there are some nice little acting touches that horse lovers (like myself) will notice. It is also nice to see such an pretentious movie tell a simple story simple. In a time with so many "big" movies, it is nice and charming to see a small one sometimes.

This movie certainly does have its share of faults though. Though our main character is very easy for us to relate to, much of the supporting characters are rather bland and one note. This is especially true of the villains, who are not only boring but never even as threatening as they should be. While this movie is full of jokes most of them fall flat and the very few that work raise only a smile. This film also has a story that is very familiar at times and it is hard not see where it is going at any time. 

This is definitely rather minor compared to the best of DreamWorks' animated out put, but there is a sweet and simple charm that works despite the faults.

Movie Review: Dream Horse

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent feel good movie. 

The main job of a feel good movie is obviously to make the viewer feel good and judged by this standard the film does a darn good job. Much of this is due to our main character. Thanks both to the script and Toni Collette's performance, the character is instantly likable. This is true even at the start of the film when she is bored of life. The transformation between her earlier bored self and her latter passionate about life self is incredibly well done. It does not happen instantaneously. Instead we see her gradually come further out of her shell as she becomes more and more attached to the horse. The first time we see a big smile on her face, we are overcome with joy because the movie has fully earned even this seemingly small moment. Of course it has long been said that you can't have happiness without sadness. This movie knows and understands that saying. Along with the moments of great joy, we also have moments that are not so joyful. In the end we connect with these characters more because we have felt both joy and sadness with them. However this of course does not mean the filmmakers ever forget what kind of movie this is and I definitely had a big smile on my face through much of this film.  

The humor in this movie can be a bit hit or miss. There are moments were it is very funny and other times when the jokes fall a little flat. Still the funny jokes make up for the misses. 

This movie has two real problems though. The first of these is that the horse simply has too many owners, to make them all well rounded characters in the length of a less than two hour movie. Therefore some of them are very well defined, while others come off as stereotypes of movie characters. There is also the fact that we have seen this movie too many times to not know what is going to happen in any given scene. 

All in all if you want to go to the movies and put a smile on your face when you are there, this film will do a darn good job of that.  

Donate to a Worthy Cause. Help a Horse Help Kids

Ok this post is an advertisement for something that has nothing to do with film. Still it is something very important to me and I hope important to you as well. Ride to Fly is an incredible organization that does much good (I don't only say that because I volunteer there). Ride to Fly offers therapeutic horseback riding for those with disabilities. To see what this has accomplished and what is has been capable of doing with those you have ridden here is incredible For an excellent video on Ride to Fly click here.

No what we are trying to do at ride to fly is to purchase a beautiful horse named Big Bird (pictured above) to help give our students an incredible experience. That does take money though and any of you who are willing to donate it would be greatly appreciated. To donate click here. If you know anybody who would like to donate let them know as well.

Thank you and God Bless.

Update: We raised the money and were able to get him. I’m so excited to work with him. Thank you and God bless you all.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Willie Nelson's Title Track for "Ride Me Back Home"

Friday, June 21 Willie Nelson will be releasing his new studio album, Ride Me Back Home. Until then though Willie is letting us have a sneak peak by giving us the title song to that album. This song was written by Sonny Throcknorton. Sonny lives next door to Willie's Luck studio and wrote this song about Willie's horses. 


-Michael J. Ruhland