The new movie called "War Horse" is a celebration of that bond which gets severely tested, but ultimately can never be broken.
The story begins when a farmer spends too much money to buy Joey. Such a fine horse is out-of-place in his fields, but the relationship between his son and the new arrival is a testament to the truth of the old saying, "there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a person."
That is until World War I interrupts their relationship.
The horse goes from England to France first and the young man soon follows, but the two remain separated.
Too much time is spent here on a subplot with too little impact, but once the action returns to the front the film regains its footing and rarely has the madness of war been better depicted.
Director Stephen Spielberg has made an old-fashioned epic that's too long and lacking in the magic which made the stage play such a favorite of mine, but there's enough bang for your buck to call "War Horse" worthwhile holiday entertainment.
We Bought A Zoo
Animals of a different sort are at the heart of a new feel-good movie.
"We Bought A Zoo" is what a widower played by Matt Damon tells his family.
Their new place comes complete with a zookeeper played by Scarlett Johansson. They are great together.
What could've been too cutesy is instead thoroughly entertaining.
Sneak previews of "We Bought a Zoo" have earned high marks from moviegoers. The decision to show the movie in advance was made to build enthusiasm for the comedy because let's face it the concept doesn't sound too promising, even though it's actually based on a real story.
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