Okay, who else has seen "Whale Rider"?

[Missy Vixen]

We just finished it about an hour ago. Absolutely haunting. Gorgeous cinematography.

The young lady that is the lead actress deserved her Best Actress nod as well. She's tremendous.

What did you all think? (BTW, this is NOT "just a kid's movie".)

Julie

[La_Serpiente]

1. great

I thought it was both funny and superb. I have the book, but I still have to finish it.

The young girl sure is courageous. In the book, (well, should I spoil it?)

[murielm99]

2. Don't spoil it.

I have seen the movie, and I loved it. Usually, I try to read a book first. I am a snob. I think it is illiterate to see the movie and not read the book.

Thanks for reminding me to get the book.

[pacifictiger]

3. I loved it

Having grown up in rural NZ it reminded me of home - aside from the mythological aspects, some of the scenes were pretty authentic.

[ET Awful]

4. EXCELLENT movie.

I liked it so much I bought it the DVD :).

[vi5]

5. Awesome movie....Anyone seen Once Were Warriors?

It's a movie from about 10 years ago, also from New Zealand and also about Maori culture and how it relates to the modern world. A bit more bleak though.

But Whale Rider was a phenomenal, uplifting film.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. Just a BIT more bleak?

"Once Were Warriors" is one of the most emotionally wrenching movies I've seen in years.

[MaineDem]

17. I saw "Warriors"

Very dark but very interesting in the depiction of the Maori.

I'm madly in love with NZ and anything Kiwi so now I have to see "Whale Rider."

[peacefreak]

6. Breathtaking!

Anyone who hasn't seen it, should. The one I just watched & recommend is "Rabbit Proof Fence". Let's hear it for Girl Power!

[PrestoChango]

7. Beautiful!

I LOVED that film!

LOVED it!

[Maddy McCall]

9. Julie, oh...my...god. Your sig line...

when did Babs say that? This war??? That infuriates me!

[Missy Vixen]

12. My sig line and Barbara Bush's comment

>when did Babs say that? This war??? That infuriates me!<

She said it only a few months ago in response to an interviewer that asked her if she watched the war coverage.

It's nice to know that Bar has such compassion for other mothers who have buried their sons and daughters since this nightmare started...

Julie

[CreamyGoodness]

10. I saw it

I watched it. It was pretty good but not great, so I'm a bit puzzled by all the ooh and ahh-ing over it. Maybe it just didn't resonate with me for some reason.

[tigereye]

11. it was beautiful and unsentimental too

I really liked the extras on the DVD where they talked about how they built the canoes...

[Selwynn]

14. Whats wrong with being sentimental? :)

[Az]

13. Great little movie

Its on our must own list.

[TEXASYANKEE]

15. Loved it.

But really, by the end of the movie her Grandfather had really worn out my patience!

[retread]

16. Twice and counting. What a sweet movie!!!

*

[geniph]

18. When we saw it in the theatre,

I turned to my husband and said, "I wish I had a daughter, just so I could take her to see that movie." It's that powerful. Both of us wanted to turn around and go right back in and see it again.

I asked for (and received) it for xmas. We watched the DVD and found it had lost none of its power and beauty, and the DVD extras were fascinating.

We *were* a little terrified to see the Gaels and the Maoris have been interbreeding (look at the names on the credits - lots of names like Duncan Pahiki or Rawiri Cameron). Two of the most warlike people in history have combined? RUN AWAY! (Just kidding! Both John and I are Gaels - he Scots and I Irish.)

Keisha Castle-Hughes did an outstanding job. So did Rawiri Paratene (her Grandfather) and Vicky Haughton (her Grandmother). I'm very anxious to read the book.