Critics largely dismissed this 1978 movie despite the fact that it was directed by a serious filmmaker, Bryan Forbes (The L-Shaped Room, King Rat). A sequel to National Velvet, the film stars Nanette Newman as the grown-up Velvet (played by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1944 film), and Tatum O'Neal as her niece. O'Neal's character decides to become an Olympic-caliber horsewoman herself, and the prestardom Anthony Hopkins plays the no-nonsense trainer who helps her get there. No dull shadow of its famous predecessor, International Velvet is an exciting film in its own right, with a distinct tone and personality (Hopkins has a lot to do with this), and some very nimble work by Forbes behind the camera. This is more than just a movie for the kids. --Tom Keogh

Black beauty

A spectacular adaptation of the Anna Sewell novel, this is faithful to the source material but creates a life of its own on the screen. Told from the point of view of the horse, it recalls a time and a place that could be both beautiful and cruel. Black Beauty faced both hardship and kindness as he passed through the hands of many owners throughout his life. Some are generous, but the agonies endured by the title character may be too harsh for small children. Unfortunately, director Caroline Thompson did not resurrect her magical touch a few years later with another animal tale, Buddy. --Rochelle O'Gorman

The story of Seabiscuit

The movie stars Shirley Temple in one of her last films as a an adult actress, a nurse with bitter feelings about racing due to the death of a brother in the sport. She's pleasant enough, nicely photographed in technicolor and sporting an Irish brogue. Barry Fitzgerald provides a few amusing moments and Lon McCallister is on hand as a jockey who falls for Shirley--but tedium sets in early on and it never quite manages to pick up any steam for what is supposed to be a rousing finish. I caught this one on Turner Classic Movies when they had a tribute to Shirley's birthday and was impressed by her charm and assurance in a basically sub-standard role. Too bad the script didn't provide her and the others with more challenging material. It's a passable film and according to Shirley, did well enough at the box-office at time of release--probably due to her personal popularity