Disney Movies has a new release, Secretariat which opens October 8 but I saw an advance screening during BlogHer10. I was invited to the screening and a reception where Mark Ciardi, the co-producer attended. I remember a bit about Secretariat, the Triple Crown winner, because of my father who was a sports fan. I was excited to see what the movie was about and to take part in a Disney event.
Secretariat is a family movie. It held the attention of the young children who attended as well as the adults, even those of us who didn’t know anything about Secretariat, the race horse and Triple Crown Winner (my friends who accompanied me). I felt as if I were right there racing with Secretariat and although I knew the endings, I was enthralled watching the races.
I loved that the movie focused on more than just the story of Secretariat, but the story of Penny Chenery, who took over her father’s stable and then became the owner of the horse who would make history. I got to know the characters well, including Penny’s family and the horse trainer, Lucien Luarin, who added a touch of comedy to the movie.
After the movie, I had a chance to talk with Mark Ciardi, who was articulate and excited to answer my questions about the movie. He probably answered the same questions by the other bloggers in attendance, but he did so with grace and a lovely smile. I learned that Penny Chenery appears in a scene, viewed the movie with her children and gave it a thumbs up. Mark, who produced other sports related movies including The Rookie and Invincible, said that Secretariat tells the story of Penny Chenery and he worked hard to get it right. I agree that he did.
I was invited by Walt Disney Movies to the screening and the reception of Secretariat and received a swag bag. I was not required to write a post, but enjoyed the movie and wanted to share it with my readers.
So glad I had the chance to meet you after the screening….I have to agree (LOVED the movie).
Thanks for the invite!!
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I love Disney, I loved Secretariat yeah I’m old:) really looking forward to seeing the movie after your review:)
It was nice to meet you too, Debra. I can’t wait to see it again when it comes out with my family.
@geekbabe, I’m old too and remember the excitement over Secretariat. I know that you’ll love this movie. Look out for a more detailed review and a giveaway closer to when the movie is released.
Twitter: valmg
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I love Disney movies and had been wondering if this one would be good and not seem boring. I’ll have to check it out now that I know it holds your interest. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m excited to see this movie. I’m a huge fan of horse racing (and John Malkovich).
Twitter: blm03
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The movie sounds pretty cool. Thanks for letting us know that young kids enjoyed it. I always wonder if movies will hold my kids attention and most reviews don’t include that info (unless they have little ones)
Oh how I would have loved to have been there with you. I was so sad when I got the e-vite that I wasn’t going to be at BlogHer. My kids really want to see this movie and well, I admit it, so do I.
Annie Y recently posted..Reasons I will ALWAYS be a Packer Fan
I am so sorry to have missed this it sounds like you all had so much fun! I can’t wait until the movie comes out my tween is anxious to see it because she likes horses I am anxious to see it for the story.
How fun!! I got an invite, but just couldn’t find the time to go with the million other things going on at BlogHer! That’s awesome you got to meet them afterwards–I can’t wait to see the movie! Thanks for sharing
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I’m so jealous! I so wanted to go to BlogHer this year and was really upset when I got the invite to attend the screening and knew I couldn’t go. Sounds like you had a great time. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie myself, it’s nice to know my grandson will probably enjoy it as well. I think I would probably have been in awe meeting the co-producer and would have been all tongue tied asking questions lol!
Kimberly
Very cool! I wasn’t able to go due to the craziness of BlogHer, but it sounds like a fun time. That’s great that Mark was so willing and interested to talk to you about the movie too, that really makes for a full experience!
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I heard great things about the movie! Jealous of you and the screening!! That must have been super fun!
Love that the real lady approves the movie. I always feel sad when I read reports that the people portrayed in the movie are not happy with the whole thing.
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@valmg I know you’ll love this movie. It’s exciting and it has a great plot too.
Corrin, John Malkovich plays the horse trainer and had me laughing. He’s still a wonderful actor.
I asked the director about children enjoying this movie, Lisa, since I had seen the little ones in the theater. He said that at other screenings small children stayed and watched the entire movie.
Annie, I wish you were there! Can’t wait to hear what you think when you see the movie.
Jennifer, tweens and anyone who likes horses will like this movie. They do show some of the training scenes that can be a bit rough, but the love they show Secretariat is so real and touching.
Emily, it was tough to decide what to do during BlogHer, but I wouldn’t miss a Disney advance screening for anything! Glad you’ll go see the movie.
Twitter: Adriennevh
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I am so sad that I couldn’t attend this! I fell in LOVE with Secretariat as a kid, some of my best memories of time spent with my grandparents focus around those races. I can’t wait until it comes out in the theaters!
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I had to calm myself down before I could talk to Mark Ciardi, but he made it easy to ask him questions and chat, Kimberly.
GREAT movie! Excited to get out to the theater and see it again once it opens! Mark Ciardi was interesting to talk to and hear details about ‘behind the scenes’ – and you were a real pro talking to him Connie!
You picked a great topic for this post and you wrote about it well. I have seen a couple of other web sites with similar content but no 1 has done a better job than you on writing about it.
great information, guys I’m a fan of disney. love it
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