There was a time when writing film previews for the Cleveland International Film Festival was a delight. The anticipation of foreign movies arriving for review was akin to being a kid in a candy store, especially when films about baseball, horses, or horse racing were in the mix. The process involved selecting movies, watching them, crafting reviews, and sending them off for publication before the festival commenced.
Two decades ago, a horse film from Norway called Zafir caught the attention, with its massive equine star dubbed “The Dinosaur.” The joy of injecting humor into reviews was unmatched, with quirky anecdotes adding flavor to the previews. However, the landscape of cinema and media has evolved significantly in the past 20 years.
The traditional movie experience has transformed, with theaters dwindling in number, DVDs becoming relics, and the demise of print magazines that once housed such reviews. The digital era has revolutionized how films are made, distributed, and consumed, reshaping the roles of editors, writers, and reviewers. The quaint practice of mailing DVDs back and forth seems archaic in today’s instant-access world.
The seismic shift in the film industry is evident, with online platforms and algorithms dictating viewing preferences and recommendations. The role of a movie reviewer has metamorphosed into a digitally-driven landscape where information is abundant, and decisions are made swiftly based on crowdsourced opinions and online trailers.
Fast forward to 2025, where the movie landscape continues to evolve. Enter “Ride Above,” a harness racing film set against the picturesque backdrop of the Normandy Coast in France. Based on a children’s book, the movie seamlessly weaves the beauty of trotting horses into its narrative, offering a visual treat for harness racing enthusiasts.
As a ‘Movie Alert Person’ (MAP), the task is no longer about critiquing films but rather alerting audiences to noteworthy productions and facilitating access. In the case of “Ride Above,” a simple online search led to Angel Films, a family-friendly streaming service offering an array of movies for a nominal fee. The interactive platform allows viewers to engage with content and enjoy a personalized viewing experience.
The MAP role eliminates the need for traditional reviews and ratings, empowering viewers to make their own informed choices. By providing a gentle nudge towards compelling films like “Ride Above,” the focus shifts from critique to discovery, placing the viewer in the driver’s seat of their cinematic journey.
As the film industry continues to adapt to digital advancements, the essence of storytelling remains timeless. “Ride Above” serves as a testament to the enduring allure of harness racing on the silver screen, blending cinematic artistry with the thrill of equestrian sports in a captivating tale that transcends boundaries and generations.
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