Secretariat (Liked It)--I really enjoy underdog sports movies. I've watch many of them. Miracle, The Rookie, Seabiscuit, Cinderella Man, and now Secretariat. I love these type of stories, because if they weren't true they would be just cheesy. But they are true (as true as a movie can be), and I love them.
This movie is no different. It's tried and true material. Underdog overcomes great obstacles to triumph in the end, but the people in this story are endearing and the relationship that Secretariat has with his owner is fun to watch.
Secretariat was an amazing horse, the last one to win the Triple Crown, and it's worth the 2 hours you'll spend watching this movie.
I don't know much about horses. I've only been on a horse twice in my life and that was just walking around a barn yard, but I know they are beautiful animals and that someone can develop great love for a horse. Secretariat is that kind of story. A housewife decides to risk it all for a horse she loves and the horse delivers.
The movie keeps your interest even though you already know how it ends. Diane Lane does a good job as does John Malkovich (in an unusual role for him). I liked it, would watch it again, and am recommending it.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Yeah, I clearly need to watch more stuff. . . but I've been reading!
American Experience: Triangle Fire (Loved It)--OK, I LOVE history. I almost majored in history, but I wanted something more practical, so I majored in Microbiology & minored in Chemistry. But, history became a hobby. I love to read about it, watch documentaries, historical films, just about anything to learn about the past. This documentary from PBS's series American Experience is one of my favorites.
If you don't know about the Triangle Fire, it occurred on March 25, 1911 in Manhattan off of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. I've been there, I've seen this building where a fire claimed 146 lives. I don't know how I first became familiar with the fire, but the story has been an interest of mine for years. With the centennial of this tragic event, there has been more interest and so more coverage. This fire helped to change America. It lead to child labor laws, workman's comp, workplace safety, and other advances that we now take for granted.
This documentary spells it out in 53 short minutes, but they pack a punch. I am also reading a book on this event, David von Drehle's, "Triangle: The Fire That Changed America". The author was one of the consultants on the documentary. It's a sad and tragic story, but one that should not be forgotten. It was the worst workplace disaster in New York history until 9/11 and was the 4th worst event of this type in the history of the nation at the time. Young Jewish and Italian immigrants (123 of them women), some as young as 14 had to burn before people would take notice and help with workplace safety and justice for the working class people. It occurred during the Gilded Age which is one of my favorite time periods, the huge immigration from Europe, the staggering poverty eclipsed by unbelievable wealth and the old not having caught up with the technology. Issues that in some ways we are dealing with in today's world. And if we don't remember the past, we are doomed to repeat it. This story is largely forgotten and it needs to be remembered.
Watch this story. It's hard to watch but so worth it. There are parts of the story that show amazing bravery and heartbreaking loss, but I highly recommend it. It can be streamed on Netflix and it can be DVR'd if you look for it.
If you don't know about the Triangle Fire, it occurred on March 25, 1911 in Manhattan off of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. I've been there, I've seen this building where a fire claimed 146 lives. I don't know how I first became familiar with the fire, but the story has been an interest of mine for years. With the centennial of this tragic event, there has been more interest and so more coverage. This fire helped to change America. It lead to child labor laws, workman's comp, workplace safety, and other advances that we now take for granted.
This documentary spells it out in 53 short minutes, but they pack a punch. I am also reading a book on this event, David von Drehle's, "Triangle: The Fire That Changed America". The author was one of the consultants on the documentary. It's a sad and tragic story, but one that should not be forgotten. It was the worst workplace disaster in New York history until 9/11 and was the 4th worst event of this type in the history of the nation at the time. Young Jewish and Italian immigrants (123 of them women), some as young as 14 had to burn before people would take notice and help with workplace safety and justice for the working class people. It occurred during the Gilded Age which is one of my favorite time periods, the huge immigration from Europe, the staggering poverty eclipsed by unbelievable wealth and the old not having caught up with the technology. Issues that in some ways we are dealing with in today's world. And if we don't remember the past, we are doomed to repeat it. This story is largely forgotten and it needs to be remembered.
Watch this story. It's hard to watch but so worth it. There are parts of the story that show amazing bravery and heartbreaking loss, but I highly recommend it. It can be streamed on Netflix and it can be DVR'd if you look for it.
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