Arena dos Sonhos

I was lucky enough to attend a screening with my 2 daughters and wife in Arkansas. I can tell you from a dad's perspective this movie is a winner in all aspects. It had my wife in tears, my kids mesmerized, and me impressed. I normally walk in with very little expectations from a children's film, but this movie delivered. There is an amazing heart breaking scene between Ida and her mom that I still can't forget. There are several different story lines playing out throughout the movie so there is something for everybody. It also has good lessons for kids, Ida sort of becomes a strong young women at the end, while still remaining a kid.

Delivers on the promise of being a family movie! After feeling duped by Hollywood for what seems like forever, this really did appeal to and was enjoyed by my whole family. Appreciated relationship between older and younger generations - scenes with James Cromwell and Bailee Madison are truly fantastic. Can't recall any recent films that convey this type of relationship in such an endearing way. Would like to see more films with them as co-stars, I think this film discovered a perfect match. Well rounded cast, and thought Alicia Witt's performance as the mom was sincere and liked that her character was not candy coated as so many moms are usually portrayed. Saw the film with my daughters and their cousin who is a middle-school boy. Wasn't sure what he would think, as it seemed like it may be geared toward girls, but he had tears in his eyes! No big explosions or special effects to get in the way, just a wholehearted, enjoyable, family film. Looking forward to seeing it again.

I have waited forever to see this movie. Seen a preview and knew it was something I wanted to see. Unfortunately I don't believe it ever made it into our local theater so as soon as it was on DVD I rented it and after watching it and loving it I will be going out to buy it not only for my house but for my moms as well. It is great family entertainment. Very real emotions and I cried and laughed and loved it. The cast is the best around they did a stand up job. I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. You don't have to be a horse lover to love this, but I am and that was just a perk. I hope to see this cast together in the future, hopefully more movies like this will be made.

This is a terrific film, full of heart without being sappy, with believable characters and a wonderful story. It's a shame a film like this doesn't get widespread theatrical distribution anymore. I would have died to have a film like this to take my daughter to when she was of the right age (8-15). This one captures the imagination without an avalanche of sound and fury, topical jokes or plain silliness. But the biggest testament is that I saw this with an audience of youngsters, and they watched with great concentration, quietly, engrossed in the story. I'm not sure I've ever witnessed this before. It reminded me of my own childhood favorites, My Friend Flicka, Fury, and the live-action films Disney doesn't make anymore. James Cromwell and Frankie Faison are a couple of solid actors, and here they are together, with an ensemble of incredible young actresses playing a troupe of trick-riders on the rodeo circuit. Take your kids to see it if at all possible. If not, find the DVD--it's worth seeking out.

I took my 12-year-old daughter and her five friends as a birthday treat at a theater in Omaha. Well, now they all want to be trick riders, which is pretty cute. Fun to watch them stand on a hay bale doing the hippodrome. The movie really affected us. I could tell that it's not a real high budget film, but the emotions that it portrays are so powerful. And the performances are very genuine and believable. My girls love Bailee Madison and they all thought this was her best performance so far in her career. As a father it is a great film for fathers and daughters to watch together because that is basically what it is about. We highly recommend the film. And what's really nice is that it's appropriate for everyone in the family.