Customer Reviews

8 Seconds

5 star:		(128)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When this movie first came out, I did not know who Lane Frost was. After I saw it, however, I wish I would have known him. This film may come off as sort of sugary sweet to some, but adultery, drinking, fighting and cussing don't seem so sugary to me. Mr. Frost had faults. He was human. But he prevailed where others have failed. That is what make him a hero and Luke Perry's portrayal of Mr. Frost exemplifies that.

This movie suffers from a few inaccuracies, but those inaccuracies help move this film along at a pace that non-rodeo people can enjoy. The acting is fine, and that's really Luke Perry on some of those bulls. You've got to give the guy a nod for that.

The soundtrack is also very influential on the look and feel of this movie. "Once In Awhile" by Billy Dean is the pinnacle performance in this movie, and if you're eyes don't well up when you hear it, you've got no heart inside.

This is a decent family movie, although some younger kids probably shouldn't be exposed to some of the language and the adultery. It should be noted, however, that these things are key in making this a real story.

This is a solid movie about a real man, full of heart and fault, yet still a hero to us all.

Lane Frost, was a bullrider that loved what he did day in and day out and that was RODEO. He had to overcome many different problems throughout his short career. In this movie it isn't all about one man who rode bulls for a living. 8 Seconds shows how much rodeo is to all of the Cowboys in rodeo. This movie showed me that Lane Frost was a man that had his ups and his downs throughout his short career as a pro bull rider. It showed me that rodeo is a way of life that is so unpredictable that you never know when your last ride is going to be and it showed me that there is more to rodeo than just getting on a horse, bull, or bronc. Rodeo is a way of life and it can bring people together and build those close relationships that you never want to lose and it can also take away the ones you love. I would have to say this is one of my most favorite movie because it showed me that you need to hang on to the things that last and never ever give up no matter what the coarse looks like ahead of you.

No, this isn't standard Hollywood-esque fare; No, this isn't a penetrating psycho-analysis of one man's life or of an extreme sport; No, this isn't even great film-making. But so what. One thing this film does do is to reveal a North American Western culture tenaciously clinging to life in a world that constantly mocks and denigrates it. Lane Frost was, (and still is), one of the best representatives of this culture. This was the world I grew up in here in South Texas, where honesty and a person's word meant something; where ideas of family and faith were REAL and not just political agendas for republicans and fundamentalist fanatics. Yes, there is a dark side to this culture, (I also grew up surrounded by racism and bigotry and religious nonsense), but ALL human societies have their positives and negatives. I for one have grown tired of seeing Texans and other people of the West constantly depicted in film and literature as know-nothing yokels. 8 SECONDS is a welcome reprieve from the usual way westerners are treated, along with TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL and TENDER MERCIES. And Lane Frost certainly deserves the tribute this movie gives him. How long the culture of the North American West will be able to survive the relentless cynical New York-L.A.-Perrier drinking-Vegan-Politically Correct but Intellectually Bankrupt Weltanschaung Machine is hard to say. But for an hour or two it was nice to relax and remember what is good about that culture and to bask in the glow of one our culture's greatest heroes.

I am a 16 year old female who is so touched by the story of the BEST BULL RIDER, Lane Frost. This story touched my heart so much, I had tears in my eyes. I have watched it so many times and still cry. Lane is the bravest man I know. He has so much courage and will always be in my heart. Luke Perry did a great job in the movie, he deserves alot of credit. To Lane Frost's family, all my prayers to you, you were the luckiest family to have Lane be your son. Best of Luck!! I love you! Love Angela D. from Arkansas END

I got the chance to meet Lane at the Pendleton (Oregon) Roundup the year before he was killed at Cheyenne. I really don't think they could have gotten anyone better to portray him. I saw the movie in the theater probably 10 times , got the book , and own the movie now. My oldest son was named after Lane. I rodeod professionally from 1994 up to 2000 (started out as a bullrider , and then switched over to a Bullfighter), and I'm here to say , I don't know of one single person that that movie hasn't affected in one way or another. Lane touched alot of people's lives , both in and out of the arena. He had a way with kids , and was an ambassador to the sport. This story reaches out and lets you know if you are human or not. If it touches you in a certain way , you'll know. People still make quotes from the movie to this day , and everyone I know that has seen it , has either watched it more than 4 or 5 times , or just bought it. If you haven't seen it. Watch it. If you haven't read the book , read it. Believe me , you will NOT be dissapointed. And ALWAYS , hold on to the things that last.

This movie is amazing. Luke Perry does a great job playing rodeo great, Lane Frost. The movie follows the true story of Lane Frost, and although parts of this movie were created by Hollywood (there was no Martin Hudson, Kellie wasn't there in the end, Cody didn't write poems, etc.) it is still a great movie.

Luke Perry plays Lane Frost, Luke does a great job portraying Lane. Lane's parents, Clyde and Elsie, attended throughout the filming of the movie. As did Lane's best friend, Tuff Hedeman. Tuff could sometimes be heard speaking to Luke and saying "Lane wouldn't do it that way", so Luke would stop what he was doing, and start all over, doing it until he got it right.

If you overlook the few "Hollywood" moments, this is a great movie. It is without a doubt my favorite movie, and I hope it will be yours too. It's a great movie for rodeo fans of all ages, and even if you're not a fan of rodeo, you will be a fan of Lane's by the time this movie is over!

Long before the PBR became a household word, there were world champion bull riders Lane Frost and Tuff Hedeman. Luke Perry and Stephen Baldwin bring these characters to life.

Based on the true story of Lane Frost, this movie takes a few artistic licenses (adulterous affair, ect) but basically stays true to form. You can't help but like Lane and Tuff, and get caught up in the world of bull riding.

A few swear words and the aforementioned affair should be explained to young viewers before watching but otherwise the movie is ok for kids.

You don't want to miss this underrated, wonderfully acted, brilliantly directed, action packed movie called 8 Seconds. The fact that it's about rodeo bull riding only serves to "harness" the real reason the movie grabs you. It's the love story.....that's what gets you.....the love story! Yes the action shots are amazing, even if you never saw a rodeo or thought it was stupid or boring. Luke Perry is outstanding in the title role as the tough as nails (albeit diminutive) bronco busting cowboy Lane Frost. Despite his skinny lanky stature he makes an impressive showing in the title role. Matching him almost line for line is Steven Baldwin (the nice Baldwin) turning in a great job as Lane's wisecracking buddy. Also giving a great performance is Cynthia Geary.....just great as Lane's wife. Every live, every look, every moment she's on camera is so convincing I swear she must have married Luke Perry after the movie. She didn't? Well you could have fooled me! But the really out of this world credit goes to the director John Avildsen who just runs away with this one. Maybe his best work ever! I especially liked the scene where a young Rene Zellwegger knocks on the door playing a rodeo groupie. I expected to hear her say: "shut up, just shut up, you had me from hello". But that's another movie. You have to buy this. It's too good not to enjoy over and over. A modern day classic!

Once in a while a movie will come along that will strike a chord and touch the souls of even the hardest hearted viewers. "8 Seconds" is such a movie. It is a warts and all biopic of Lane Frost, a world champion cowboy who was tragically killed by a bull just a few months prior to his 26th birthday. Although it wasn't a box office hit and is slammed by most critics (who don't speak for the majority anyway) this film is a success. It doesn't canonise Frost, instead it portrays him the way he undoubtedly was - as a decent but flawed human being, who like the rest of us, wasn't perfect but had a good personality and a good heart. And be prepared to reach for the Kleenex during the closing moments and final credits of the film. You'll need them!

After being directed by Amazon's recommendation to "8 Seconds," and reading the reviews, I thought that this would be an enjoyable film and purchased it. I am not a big rodeo fan, but I do enjoy them once in a while; and I have been friends with several bull riders. While I enjoyed the film, I cannot say that it really helped me to know more about Lane Frost (portrayed by Luke Perry), his life, career, his relationships with other performers, or his marriage. Indeed, after watching the film, I found myself looking up more information about Lane Frost on the internet to help me make more sense out of the movie.

What I missed most in the film was the sense of Lane's apparent true love for both his wife and for bull riding. They are essentially implied; that is, the viewer must assume them or "look between the lines." This may, to a degree, be caused by the director's inability to do so without changing the rating of the film; (but really is something that could have been done without changing the rating if they wanted to do so). Also, several of the best songs, in my opinion, were wasted on the credits rather than integrated into the film. If you are a big fan of bull riding or extreme sports, I am sure you will enjoy "8 Seconds," but if you are looking for a good biopic, this film falls flat.

On the other hand, I found the cinematography to be outstanding, and while both Luke Perry and Cynthia Geary (who plays Kellie Frost, Lane's wife) give believable performances, the "chemistry" between them was just not there, as far as I am concerned. Moreover, I feel that the pace of the film was too fast regarding key events and themes, preferring to spend more "film" time on the actual "bull riding." I do not think that "8 Seconds" has too many bull riding scenes--indeed I think it would have helped to have had more scenes of Lane's "bad" rides--but rather that "8 Seconds" needs more depth to the other scenes. I guess, in the final analysis, what I am saying is that the film was edited to be only 105 minutes, when it should have been longer. Hence, I feel, in the end, that "8 Seconds" is a good movie, but not quite as good as other reviewers have rated it.

Please Note: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.