Equitainment Newsletter - 17 June 2011 | ||||||
17 Jun 2011 In This NewsletterSECRETARIAT MOVIE RELEASE DATESAfter all this time, I finally have a release date for the new Secretariat movie, which is to be the 10th August 2011. It will be available in both Blu-ray and DVD and has been scheduled to fit in with the spring racing carnival.Secretariat was the first racehorse in 25 years to win America's very prestigious Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is a series of three flat races for three-year-olds run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. If the same horse wins all three races he also wins" The Triple Crown", but obviously it's a very tough call and doesn't happen often. It was such a shame that the movie didn't ever make it to the cinemas here in Australia, but we can now watch it in the comfort of our own lounge rooms. On the up-side, at least it's not so embarrassing when you're caught crying your eyes out at home as it is when you're at the pictures! SECRETARIAT BY WILLIAM NACK is also a terrific book for adult readers if you're interested in finding out more about Secretariat and the Triple Crown, or there is a stunning coffee table book of Secretariats' home and life called SECRETARIAT'S MEADOW. For children and teenagers THE BIG RED HORSE by LAWRENCE SCANLAN is also a great choice. If you want to make sure you're one of the first to receive your copy pre-order it now, and I will post it out the moment I receive them. SECRETARIAT ON DVD SECRETARIAT ON BLU RAY WAR HORSE TRIUMPHS AT THE TONY AWARDSThe London West End Theatre production of WAR HORSE has just won an incredible five Tony Awards including the award for Best Play, triumphing in every category for which it was nominated. THE STAGE PRODUCTION IS HEADING TO AUSTRALIA!In case you haven't already heard about it, it's a play based on the divine children's book by Michael Morpurgo and stars giant life-size horse puppets. Already more than a million people have seen the play in London and with plans for the show to head to America, Canada, Australia and maybe even Japan, it's sure to become a world wide phenomenon. The movie version of the book is currently in production and is set for cinema release in Australia on 26th December 2011. I can't wait to see it, but quite possibly will have my eyes shut for a lot of it. It's being directed by Steven Spielburg and, given his love of gory movies such as SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or JAWS, it's going to be very interesting to see how he handles the horrific trench warfare of the First World War. It wonder iF it will be mild enough to be released under the family oriented DISNEY label, or will need the more adult DREAMWORKS or TOUCHSTONE branding together with a higher viewer rating? Please do grab a copy of the beautiful book by Micheal Morpurgo before you see the movie. Like all Michael's books it's an absolute gem, and although it was written for children there is plenty for adults to take from it as well. There was also a lesser known sequel written called FARM BOY, but it is for a slightly younger audience. WAR HORSE Children's Book $14.95 WAR HORSE Audio CD $24.95 FARM BOY Children's Book $12.95 THE MAKING OF WAR HORSE DVD $24.95 If you are interested in the trials and tribulations of the millions of horses and all animals that were sacrificed in war, there are a few other good reads as well. A terrific Australian novel, TAG by BARRY HEARD is a fascinating read on Aussies heading out on 'their grand adventure". The hero starts out in country Australia, does a stint in Gallipoli and ends up in the trench's of France trying to coax the many army horses and mules to drag artillery and hospital wagons into the shelling and horror of the front line. It is a really interesting historical read. ANIMALS IN WAR by our all-time favourite author JILLY COOPER is also another great read. It's not for the faint-hearted but is packed full of information on all the furred, feathered and flippered animals used in war. You can also buy it on audio CD to keep you company on those long car trips to horse shows. And of course, I have as many books on our own Australian Lighthorse as I can find. There are too many to list here but do have a look on the website or send me an email and I'll send you a list of recommendations for the age-group you're looking for. BOOKS BY SARA GRUENFor all those people who have been to the movies recently to see the lovely film WATER FOR ELEPHANTS starring REECE WITHERSPOON and ROBERT PATTINSON, you might be interested to know that the book's author also has two horsy novels. NEW ADVENTURES OF BLACK BEAUTY DVDThere is good news and bad news regarding the elusive Australian version of THE BLACK BEAUTY tv series.This is a show I have been looking for, for ages and the good news is, it's finally available to buy. The bad news is, it's only available in the American NTSC format, so you will need an all-region player if you want to watch it. Set in the late 1800's, Bella a young Australian orphan is shipwrecked on the Australian coastline with a magnificent black horse. She finds shelter with a country doctor and his family as she struggles to recover from amnesia. The cover of the DVD says it's Season 2, but it's most certainly a misprint and just put on there to confuse the blazes out of us all. As far as I know there was only one season of this show (I would have liked more) and this set contains all 26, half hour episodes. It was made in the early 1990's and I remember watching it every Saturday morning on Channel 7 before the days of Saturday Disney. It's a great family adventure and one I'm sure you'll enjoy. Just be sure you check your player is an all-region, all-format player before you order a copy as I don't want anyone to be disappointed if it won't play properly. NEW ADVENTURE OF BLACK BEAUTY DVD - AUSTRALIAN TV SERIES NTSC FORMAT - ALL REGION PLAYER REQUIRED!NEW SERIES BY BABETTE COLEOne of my all-time children's authors (and an author I avidly collect myself) is BABETTE COLE who has recently released a new books series for young readers. "THE A CIRCUIT" Book SeriesThis new book series for young adults has been out for about a week now and it's already proving to be a big success.Set in a professional showjumping yard in the USA, it's something like THE OC meets GOSSIP GIRL. This is the first book in a series that I'm sure many readers of all ages are going to fall in love with. The co-author GEORGINA BLOOMBERG is the younger daughter of New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and a very accomplished and well-known rider in America. You can tell by the authenticity of the characters, that she really does know the ins and outs of the show world, and how amateurs, professionals, juniors and shooting-stars all interact in the horsy community. Although it's set in America, it could be anywhere in the world. There are certainly characters I can recognise from the show world here in Australia, and I'm sure the same can be said for all other equestrian countries in the world. Mum's ... this is also a good one for you to read before passing it on to the rest of the family. I'm sure you'll love it and will be anxiously waiting for the next book, just like I am. THE A CIRCUIT $16.95 | ||||||
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