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December 16, 1998 Phoenix, Arizona Hello from Phoenix, By chance do you know when the movie will be released? Phil
December 15, 1998 On Video? I LOG MANY HOURS ON THE NET TRYING TO FIND WHERE I CAN SEE "WITHOUT LIMITS" ON THE BIG SCREEN. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN GOING TO BE RELEASED ON VIDEO? TIME MAGAZINE CALLED IT ONE THE YEAR'S BEST MOVIE. IF ANYONE WANTS TO GET A GOOD MOVIE ON PRE THEN RENT "FIRE ON THE TRACK: THE STEVE PRE STORY" IF YOU FIND ANYTHING ABOUT PRE PLEASE EMAIL AT CORTHIER@USA.NET CHRISTIAN
December 13, 1998 A small town I live in a small town and I am very disappointed that I have gotten to see Without Limits. When will it be released on video?
December 11, 1998 Amy Jo Johnson Can you give me the character name of the role Amy Jo Johnson played in "Without Limits"? She used to be the Pink Power Ranger and is now on Felicity.
December 09, 1998 On Video? All I want to know is when Without Limits is to make it the video stores. Simple question but no one else knows the answer. If you know, please tell me. Will
December 08, 1998 Washington Steve-- I really like your page on the movie 'Without Limits' I am a distance runner in WA and am being recruited by Oregon right now. I was assigned a report on movies for a class I'm taking, I chose to analyze the Pre movies since I love running and have always seen Oregon as an ideal place to run. I would be very appreciative of any extra information about your movie that I could receive it would really help me with my paper. Your site has already been a great help. Thanks for your time, Anna
December 07, 1998 Cleveland, Ohio WITHOUT LIMITS WILL PLAY AT THE CLEVELAND CINEMATHEQUE 600 SEAT THEATER. THIS IS AN ART MOVIE HOUSE LOCATED WITHIN THE CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART BUILDING. THE ADDRESS IS 11141 EAST BLVD. IT WILL SHOW ON JAN 7 AT 8:40 AND JAN 8 AT 7:30 IT WILL SHOW AT YOUR LOCAL ART THEATER. CALL THEM FOR SHOW TIMES. IT WILL THEN COME OUT IN VIDEO. YOU CAN CALL WARNER BROS. AT 818-954-6293 FOR INFORMATION. TELL THEM YOU WANT TO SEE WITHOUT LIMITS, THEY THINK THAT THERE IS LITTLE INTREST IN THE FILM AND THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE NOT DONE A MAJOR RELEASE. Paul
December 4, 1998 Columbus, Ohio We were wondering if it was going to show in Columbus, Ohio or be realeased on video soon? Thanks.
December 03, 1998 Hi! My name is Stacia Carney and I've just been perusing your site. It's great to be able to see actual pictures of Pre spliced with the actors from the film, "Without Limits." I just saw the movie this weekend and realy enjoyed it. My husband and I are also looking forward to learning more about Pre and all of his accomplishments. So, again, thank you for providing pictures and commentary about Pre. Sincerely, Stacia P.S. I'm also a copy editor, and noticed there are some typos, etc., on your site. If you would like any assistance, I'd be happy to help!
November 21, 1998 Columbus, Ohio I came across the "Pre" site. Good job Steve! It's very well done, and rather than chastising you for shamless "self-promotion", I can only say -- "What a great Nike commercial!" By the way, will this movie EVER be released in Ohio? I was in NY on business about 2 months ago and saw a trailer on TV for the sneak preview opening that coming weekend. We STILL haven't seen it here. How is the movie doing?
November 17, 1998 Chicago, Illinois I saw "Without Limits" about 2 weeks ago. Thought it was great. I live in Chicago and it was only showing at 2 theaters in the whole area. I was one of about 20 people in the theater as well. By any chance do you know where I can get an old issue of the Sports Illustrated with Pre on the front of it? Let me know if you do. Thanks much. Sarah
November 15, 1998 Milwaukee, Wisconsin I am amazed, confused, and most of all - disappointed. I had heard talk that with Tom Cruise's involvement, Without Limits was going to be well publicized and that the release date was continually postponed to allow it to be shown at a favorable time of year, without having to battle the blockbuster summer and holiday movies. Well, last week it finally showed up in the Milwaukee, WI area with absolutely zero fanfare. I only noticed it because I have been religiously combing the movie schedules every Friday in hopes that it will be playing. I had family commitments that first weekend, and as I anxiously anticipated heading out to see it the following Friday, to my complete dismay I found it nowhere in the entire metro area! So, it played in Milwaukee for less than one week, with ZERO advertising. I don't know what the movie moguls are thinking about - I don't know how you could possibly expect any kind of audience at all under these circumstances. Perhaps attendance has been so horrible elsewhere that they have decided to cut their losses and move it to video, I don't know. I do know that I have been anxiously awaiting the appearance of Without Limits for a few years now, and I am very upset at not being able to see it on the "big screen". I am also disappointed that there was talk about how this version was really going to be promoted and presented to the general movie audience - not just the distance running crowd. Well, I guess that's Hollywood for you. All that notwithstanding, all I can say is "Go Pre"! Mike PS - great web site! You know, for me as a high school runner in the early '70s, a bit of the thrill of running died on May 30, 1975 - it just hasn't been quite the same since.
November 15, 1998 Las Vegas, Nevada Hi, I'm a 23 year old dancer in Las Vegas. God only knows why some people, myself included, are so interested and intrigued with stories like these, (part of it being the fact that's it's true, I'm sure) but this web page was probably the most incredible one I've seen ... and I've been checking out a few on Steve Prefontaine recently. I ran track for awhile in school, but I had never really heard of Pre until a few months ago. It was the cool sounding name alone in a promotion for the very aesthetically pleasing Jared Leto's new flick that caught my eye and made me curious to research. I looked up a few pages on the internet, read some things, saw some real life pics, saw the flick Prefontaine, and found myself really kind of pissed off that this man had to die. After seeing a brilliant Without Limits a few days ago, my heart was absolutely breaking. Found myself a bit upset that I wasn't around when this guy was. The underdog determination, the speed. What a beautiful man. I really wanted to view some real life footage of some of his races but they didn't supply much in the movie, and I wouldn't begin to know where to look for literature like that. (Would you? Whoever's reading this?) Anyway, great page, and thanx for taking time to read this.
November 08, 1998 Coos Bay, Oregon I'm a Marshfield grad class of '80. My father was one of Marshfield's track coaches while Steve was there (not a distance coach) and I wanted to know if "Without Limits" would be shown in Coos Bay. There are a lot of Marshfield track coaches (current and former) that still live in the area. I know my father would be interested. Also, on your Pre - High School site, that is Phil Pursian with Pre in the photo. Linda
November 08, 1998 Twin Falls, Idaho Is it coming to Idaho? When will it be released on tape? Drew
November 06, 1998 Toledo, Ohio I was wondering when it should be coming, the movie Without Limits, to Toledo. Because it was never out over here, in Ohio. Or if you don't know when it will be coming on tape. If you any information please email me back Billy
November 04, 1998 Atlanta "Without Limits" opened in Atlanta in one theatre on Friday October 30. The paper ran the Boston Globe review, but there was no other ad support. Saw it on Sunday night-probably 12-13 of us in the theatre. I absolutely loved the picture and thought it worth the long wait. I don't think I can say anything that hasn't been said already .... Thanks for the excellent web site; you've really done a stellar job! Michelle
November 04, 1998 Mississippi Steve, I'm from Mississippi and want to see this movie, Without Limits, but haven't heard a thing about when it's coming out or anything. Is it already out on video or delayed in coming out for the theaters? I hoped you could inform me of what is going on. Thanks! Tommy
November 04, 1998 I saw the movie on Halloween and I must say move over Chariots of Fire, as the best running movie. The part that moved me most is the part about the Olympics. Being a front runner myself, for the same reasons as Pre, I was thrilled that the movie portrated him as the man who made the race, as he very well did. I am eagerly awaiting the release onto video, do you know how long after
November 02, 1998 Indianapolis "Without Limits" finally arrived in Indianapolis! I saw it Sunday afternoon, 11/1/98, along with a crowd of about 75 others. I found it to be an excellent movie, far more compelling than "Prefontaine". The running scenes were well done, though I continue to enjoy the actual footage of Munich (as contained in "Fire on the Track") the most. I had forgotten that Pre ran 13:22 in the Olympic Trials, only to come back with 13:27 in the Games. As soon as the movie is released on video I will add it to my library. Experiencing the movie has cemented my desire to visit Eugene this spring. Thanks for the excellent web site and your contributions to the movie.
November 01, 1998 Houston Steve, I cannot wait to see the movie. It is at two theaters here in Houston, now. I will be seeing it some time in the next few weeks. Does it come across as sad or what???!! thanks for the reviews...............runner Tom
October 31, 1998 Dear Steve, I loved the film and am thrilled to see so much information on Pre on the internet. Your web site is fantastic. I saw Pre run twice and was completely captivated by him. I'm trying to get a copy of the documentary, "Fire on the Track," but the web site on which to order it is apparently not working. Do you have any ideas on how I could purchase a copy? My daughter and son-in-law are grad students at the U of O, and when I have visited them, I have be so impressed with Pre's presence in Eugene. It's hard to comprehend that he has been gone for almost a quarter of a century. Do you know how I can acquire a copy of Mary's manuscript? Thank you so much for your wonderful information about the unforgettable Steve Prefontaine. Joanne
October 29, 1998 Denver & Jacksonville, Florida I saw the movie last week when I was in Denver. It is the best running moviethat I have ever seen, even better than On the Edge. It is not playing yet where I live in Jacksonville, FL. Your web site is very good. Great photos and stories.
October 29, 1998 Minnesota Mr Bence, Greetings from St Louis Park, MN. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the time I have enjoyed on your website about Pre and the Oregon Track program. I went to see Without Limits last Friday night and enjoyed it so much I went to see it again on Saturday afternoon. I haven't been inspired by a movie like that in a long time. I was lucky enough to run CC and track for 4 years at Hamline University in St Paul. My coach Paul Schmaedeke often talked about Pre and some of the other great collegiate runners of the 1970's. He ran for Hamline from 1973 to 1977. I regret not having learned more about Pre because I feel I would have been more competitive and enjoyed my experience even more than I did. That being said, I know would not have made it through school if I hadn't been able to run on the team because it helped me achieve a balance in my life. I have always looked at running as challenging myself and testing my physical limits - it puts a lot of things in perspective. I don't want to blubber on and on - I just want to give you an idea of how much the movie and the story touched me. A couple of questions - What are some other sources of info on Pre or American distance running history? Web Sites? Books? Etc?Who are some American runners to watch out for? Steve Holman is a few years younger than me and ran for Richfield High School in the Twin Cities. I am a few years older than him and remember guys would try to get out fast and try to bury him but he would always catch them. I have heard him mentioned as a medal hopeful in the next olympics. Are there any others? Any chance the US will ever catch up with the Kenyans? Thanks again and thanks for taking the time to read my message. Good luck and good running! Brian
October 28, 1998 Detroit I would also like to know when Without-Limits is going to be released in the Detroit area. I've been searching the papers everyday thinking it might come out. If you could give me any information as to who I should contact to find this info. Also as to when this book would come out. Thanks for the inspiration. Greg
October 27, 1998 New York & Dallas I saw "Without Limits" (in New York) on 10/1 in what may have been a big city early release. There weren't many people in the audience, but it was an early evening show on a Thursday. After it opened in Dallas, I asked several of my running friends what they thought. Their comments were similar to mine, in that there was a bit too much schmaltz and fiction (you may recall that Pre had cut his foot on an exposed bolt at a swimming pool, not while rassling with some Iowa gymnast in a cheap motel). We were in agreement that the race scenes, especially the Munich 5000, were excellent. Billy Crudup (now that's a name that comes trippingly off the tongue!) was almost eerie in the way he captured Pre's running style, especially that little head tilt that Pre would do. The press has been generally positive. For some reason, most of the articles that I've read explain how "Without Limits" is a better movie than "Pre" and that Donald Sutherland was great, without going much into why such a movie ought to have been made in the first place. The gist of what I got was that the critics were writing about a movie made by Robert Towne and so had to come up with something positive to say about a subject and person that they don't really understand or care about. Anyway, it's been good to correspond with you. I'm glad that even after all these years there are so many people who rememeber Pre for being such a special person. Even my thirteen year-old son (who has just started running) is interested in learning more about him. I found out that the video "Fire On The Track" is still available, so I'll order it for him. I hope that Pre's story will be an inspiration for him like it was for me. So long for now. Jeff
October 26, 1998 San Diego Steve, I saw the movie and loved it, though have to admit the theatre here on opening day in San Diego was empty. The tough thing about writing a drama about a sports figure is finding the conflict that will move the story forward and make it interesting in a way more universal to those viewers who aren't particularly interested in running. Pre won races, ran ahead of the pack, earned a reputation larger than life for his confidence on and off the track, and brought track and field out of relative obscurity to the cover pages of slick magazines. That he did it all with hell's abandon and style and such seeming lack of fear is the story for everybody, the thing that continues to draw us to him. He was an original. The movie captured all of this as well as could be. I thought Crudup (pronounced CROOD-UP) was excellent. Liked, too, that little Kenny Moore cameo at the party, where Mary promptly dumps him for Pre and his long jaw gets longer--all in about 3 seconds. Pre was caught in the sport at both a good and bad time. Bad, in that money was an issue. Good, in that the caliber of American middle and long distance runners and the general enthusiasm for the sport was high. Today, high school records 25 years old still stand and American middle and long distance runners are nowhere in the Olympic final. Bravo to all those who worked to make this inspiring story available to all. Chris
October 26, 1998 "Chicagoland-area" Steve, Terrific website!! I applaud your efforts. I have heard so much about the new Prefontaine movie: how good it is, it's so much better than the last, however, I have not heard jacksquat about when it will appear in movie theaters across the nation. I live in the Chicagoland area. I would appreciate it if you could write me back with some listings, or post the dates on the website. Thank you for your attention and I hope to hear from you. Dave
October 25, 1998 Hollywood After seeing the movie "Without Limits," I of course went to the internet for more info. Your site is a wonderful tribute to a man who could bear pain and run faster than I ever could, though I would have liked the chance. In fact, I didn't discover running until 1974, so I missed the whole show. How did it feel to watch the movie since it was also about a part of your life? Thanks again for taking the trouble to do your site. Try to get Pre's former girl friend to let you put up more of her story. With best wishes, Bob
Steve, I was wondering if you knew when Without Limits will hit theaters nationwide? I am a cross country runner and an admirer of Steve Prefontaine. Thanks
The Pre movie Without Limits is incredible, I got a sneak preview of it at a camp in summer '97. I think that your Pre pages are the greatest things I have ever seen!!! I think it is great that someone puts in the time to show that Pre was one of the greatest and most inspirational athletes to ever live. I consider myself to be one of Pres biggest fans!!!! My aol screen name is Pre72@aol.com, just to show my admiration for the man who changed track and field and the whole sports world through fighting for the rights of amateur athletes and through helping getting Nike going. Anytime you get any new info of Pre related things I'd appreciate it if you'd send it my way. Sincerely, Graham
They can make 10 movies and I would never get enough
I HAVE JUST RECEIVED CONFIRMATION FROM DALLAS!!!!!!! I have just received confirmation from the Warner Brothers Office in Dallas, FROM Mr. Ron Mcfee that WITHOUT LIMITS, the Tom Cruise/Robert Towne production about Steve Prefontaine starring Billy Cruddup and Donald Sutherland ..... WILL BE COMING TO TULSA!!!!!!! The Night Before the Tulsa Run, and the State Meet at ORU!!! Let's ALL GO TO THE EARLY BIRD SHOWS!!! (So we can get sleep for the big Runs!!!) :o) SPECIFICS: AMC SOUTHROADS Theatre in Tulsa October the 30th, 1998 No Confirmation, but it could run for Four Weeks.... Let's Make Tulsa the Winning Market!!! :o) GGGGGooooooooo TUUUUULLLLLLSSSAAA!!!!! :O) With Thanks, Karla
Can you tell me when the movie, "Without Limits," will come out in Texas?? Thanks a lot
Is Without Limits out? I havent seen any theaters that have had it. Or is it out on video? Please email back. Brady
I watched the movie last night, and being a 3-miler myself, it was very touching. I think it's great that you have a web page about "Pre." I think it is so awesome that you were able to be so close to "Pre." I'm glad I got a chance to take a look at your web page. Thank you, James Here is my cross country web page address if you would like to see how I am doing with my running. http://members.aol.com/neting4fun/crosscountry.html
Can you tell me when Without Limits will be released in Detroit.
Would you know when WITHOUT LIMITS movie about Steve Prefontaine will be released? I saw it was premiering in about 3 cities a few weeks ago but never saw anything about it again? I am in Washington DC area. If you don't know, would you know whom I could contact to find out? Thank you Jackie
Hi, I just checked the new movie listings for the week and "Without Limits" is not in Columbus yet. I'll let you know when it gets here, especially when I go to see it.
Enjoyed the movie very much. I was a big Pre fan in the 70's. Also a former runner- Russ
I saw the movie Sat 10/10/98. It was awesome. It should be required viewing for teenagers. Adults too.
Do you have any info on when Without Limits will be opening in the rest of the country? thanks. erik
Do you happen to know why I can't seem to find the movie anywhere around here? I was looking forward to seeing it this weekend as I had heard it was being released widely on October 9th. However, I can't seem to find any theaters showing it here (Ann Arbor, MI) or closeby. Have they changed the opening date again? Any information would be appreciated. The "Without Limits" homepage says nothing about opening day. You've really done a good job with your site, particularly your page on Pre's performance in the 1972 Olympics. Keep up the good work! George
Hi, Could you give me any information about when the movie might possibly becoming out, or at least a clue. I have seen previews for it on T.V. and the suspense is killing me. And Congratulations on your glory days as well. It sounds like you were one hell of a runner yourself. It must have been an honor knowing Pre! It's also an honor writing you! If you can find a moment can you please respond with some information? I am a runner at Mansfield University Pennsylvania. I just spent 2 hours reading about Pre. I am only a sophmore this year, and have won 3 out of five races, had a runner up and a 5th place. I have really been hooked on "PRE FEVER" for the past year. He is a true inspiration to me. "PRE" is just another word for "GOD" too me. Everytime I hear his name I get coldchills. Last year I would try to run with his guts, and failed severly to perform at my best. (Last year as a freshman I ran a PR in the 25 minutes) This year we ran a course that is somewhat hard for runners to even break 28 minutes. I really felt I was going to win this race, so one more time I was going to try and run a Pre kind of race. I took out the first mile in a 4:46, and it was all up hill from there. Eventually my 100 meter lead boiled down to some kid taking my lead only 2 and a half miles into the race. He had about a 10 meter lead on me with 200meters to go. I reminded myself of the Pre way of running. I took off with about 200 meters to go, and won by 10 seconds. Though I wasn't to happy with my time, it was probably the most satisfying victory that I have had. Finally I had a taste of what it must have felt like for pre and the end of the race. He ran with BALLS! "GO PRE" Thank you very much!! Todd,
Saw it last nite and was mostly impressed. Got a little impatient during the protracted love scenes, although the motel room scence was pretty funny. Wouldn't it have been nice to have seen a bit on the '74 (?) NCAA cross country duel with Nick Rose, for example. The way it ended confused me,though. I was under the impression that the time period being shown was 1973, and I knew what singlet Pre wore during his last race. I guess Towne needed the drama of the Pre-Shorter match-up in '74 instead of the more mundane '75 race. When I saw that MG on the screen, I knew the movie was about over. I was fortunate enough to have met Pre in January, 1974. I was running in the daytime high school section of the CYO Invitational at the University of Maryland (that night in the 2-mile, Dick Buerkle "stopped" Pre, much to our dismay). Pre came out to the track in the afternoon to scope it out. A couple of teammates & I got up the nerve to go talk to him, and he was just as nice and as gracious as could be. Our school photographer took a picture of us standing and talking, & I still have it. It's a treasured memento. Hard to believe it's been almost 25 years since that day. I was a freshman at the University of Tennessee in May, 1975. I sat down in the student center theater to catch a movie and started reading the local paper while I waited for the show to start. When I read about Pre, I almost threw up. I just couldn't believe it. I'll even admit that I cried a little bit (& I still choked up some last nite during the scenes with Pre's People). You're probably getting a lot of rambling e-mail like this lately. I appreciate your providing an outlet for those of us out there that knew Pre, met him or just admired him as an athlete. By God, he could run! Thanks, Jeff
Steve, I have seen both the pre movies and loved them, ever since I saw the
first movie, pre became my idol and inspiration. I plan to be the
next prefontaine, I want to be one of the greatest distance runners
in the world ... I didn't really start running until last year, my sophmore
year in highschool. I am currently 15 and in eleventh grade at Montclair
High School in NJ. I try
Jorge
My wife and I saw the film last night and both of us enjoyed it very much. She noted that it was a pleasure to see something with some substance to it for a change. We both, as did another lady sitting in front of us who we did not know where very much reminded of Academy Award winner "Chariots of Fire" from a few years back. Both were very enjoyable films. Though I was a track fan for many years, I was not that familiar with Prefontaine. I went to track meets when I was in my 20's. U.S.C had great track teams in those days. A small local Los Angeles college, coached by ex-SC track man Payton Jordan, Occidental College, was prominent in those days. Jordan later went on to coach at Stanford. The S.C. - Occidental meets were always exciting, particularly when they were held at Oxy's home field. Separate races were run for Freshmen in those days, so there was a lot of action. Another big thing in those days was the Coliseum relays. I went with my brother-in-law one year when it was held at night. The big race was the 100 meters. Mel Patton the S.C. sprinter was favored. Lloyd La Beach of Jamaica was also in the field as were several other top sprinters. I believe Patton won the race in a close finish in spectacular time. After examining the track prior to perhaps submitting a world record, it was determined that the race had been just under 99 yards, the officials, I assume AAU had used the 100 yard dash starting line and 100 meter finish line as the race distance. I certainly would recommend the film to anyone, and in fact did recommend it to my brother-in-law who was a high school quarter miler in Idaho. One final note, "Personal Best," a film starring Murial Hemingway as a track star was I believe also filmed at the University of Oregon. This was another entertaining track film.
The movie "Without Limits" was a really great movie. However, I believe that the writers and directors could have focused more than just Steven Prefontaine's conflict with Bill Bowerman. I know that Pre and Bowerman butted heads alot on Pre's technique in running, but it seemed like most of the movie the writers just wanted to focus on the fact that Pre spent most of the time being tenacious in fighting off the advice of his coach Bowerman. While the writers / producer / directors were right in portraying Pre as a pugnacious but brilliant athlete that went by what his heart told him to do, I wish I could have seen more of the human side of Pre. All in all, though, it was a great movie and I highly reccomend it to other people.
WITHOUT LIMITS ROCKED ... I saw it in New York city, and now it's coming to my town... fellow Pre fan
Steve: I just saw Without Limits last night in Los Angeles. While I was impressed with the overall film, a glaring mistake jumped out at me. The actor playing Frank Shorter didn't have a moustace. Was this on purpose or just an ommission? Other than that I thought the movie was great. Robert Towne really made me feel like I was on the track racing with Pre. Donald Sutherland was great as Bowerman. And Billy Crudup really had the look of Pre. Overall I would give it four stars out of four. Chris
It was an incredible movie. I especially like the race scene at Munich. I knew he got 4th, but the way it was put together put me on the edge of my seat. I kept thinking he could win it.
I'm not embarrassed to say there were times in the movie, races I know
of, where I wanted to
This is the stuff that Nike was founded on. Bowerman's eulogy on Pre at the end was particulary moving. The dichotomy between Bowerman and Pre worked really well - and found closure and resolve in Bowerman's eulogy. Overall, this is a powerful movie.
Even though it was the 3rd time I had seen the movie there were still parts that I think I missed the first two times. My son is running for his middle school track team and really enjoyed the movie. He had a lot of questions about Pre and his career on the way home.
Dear Mr. Bence, My wife and I just got back from a sneak preview of Without Limits. This movie felt like a homecoming for me. I remember the stories of Pre from my coach at the time. We were in awe. Running is the one thing I have always done well and the only thing that has come fairly easy to me. It is and always will be the one constant in my life as it probalby is for you and was for Pre. Thank you for this movie and the input you had to make it feel so real.
Hello! Great website!! I worked on "Without Limits" as a office production assistant in Los Angeles. What a great movie! Amazing cast. Wonderful crew. Saw it this opening weekend for the third time. Pre seemed like he was an amazing person. It feels like I know him through this movie. Wish I could've known him, just a little bit. Thanks for your website!
Robert Towne wrote the film that's no. 1 on my top film list of all time: "Chinatown."
[DejaNews, Jeff Johnson, 9/24/98] The much-hyped "Without Limits" (producer: TOM CRUISE!; director/writer: ROBERT TOWNE!) is the second movie tale in the last 12 months about famed American college and '72 Olympic, 3-mile runner Steve Prefontaine whose life was cut short by his death in a one-car accident in 1975. Featuring a strong lead performance from Billy Crudup as Pre and Monica Potter doing a wicked Julia Roberts impersonation as the deeply religous love interest Mary Marcxx, this film takes about an hour before it goes anywhere. If you always thought that Pre's story contained a lot of question marks, don't expect "Without Limits" to answer them. Thank goodness for good acting and an above-average soundtrack.
Hey Steve, I just got back from San Diego. The screening of Without Limits was the highlight of the trip for me and that is saying a lot because we spent a very active 10 days over on the coast. Here's a rundown because I know you are interested: The audience was very involved with the movie. There was laughter at all the right spots and intense quiet and other emotions where appropriate throughout the movie (although I didn't see any sniffles at the end). Only one group left and I'm sure that was schedule related. There wasn't a lot of up and down or restless behavior. People lingered just after the movie. Long enough to thank the two people present from Warner Bros. I only talked to 3 people after the show and the most common word I heard was "excellent". I saw the movie with my wife and two daughters. This is what they had to say: Amy (age 9) - She's a runner and has seen the movie Prefontaine 15 times. She gave it a 6.5 or a 7. She thought the movie didn't tell people just how good of a runner he was (i.e she liked seeing all the newspaper clippings in the other movie). She wanted to see more of the younger Prefontaine for obvious reasons. Tara (age 14) - Tara is a typical American teenage (non-runner) who goes to the theater 3 times a month and watches another 3 video rentals a month. She liked it a lot and gave is a solid 7. She would recommend it her teenage girlfriends. She is a non-runner and only saw the "other movie" once. My wife Diane (a non-runner) also like the movie although she doubts it will get any academy awards. She would recommend the movie to her best friend. Diane has enjoyed seeing the entire "Trilogy" (Fire on the Track, Prefontaine and Without Limits). Each movie has provided her a different perspective. She thought Sutherland's preformance was very good. And lastly here are my comments: I want to see the movie another 2 times in a theater setting. Then I'll rent it and I plan to buy it when it becomes available on video cassette. I thought the movie got off to a great start but faded a little. I loved the humor and appreciated the dramatic scenes unfolded as the story progressed. These are a few of the scenes I really enjoyed: The mailbox shots (my favorite),
Things I thought were a little weak: The Olympic drama (the British commentary didn't work for me) and I thought Viren's greatness wasn't protrayed adequately. Diddo the hostage situation. I thought the other movie (Prefontaine) outperformed here. The post restoration party ..... I had a hard time believing this sequence of events and I doubt it was a true representation of the final evening (Shorter, the shower scene and the conversations with Mary). This appeared pretty patched together and forced. A mix of fiction and truth? It sure didn't flow together. You are a lot person to talk on this but as an outsider if seemed forced to try and pull Mary into the ending. I just didn't buy it and it felt really ackward to me for some reason. The memorial service. Sutherland gave a good speech but that was it. I thought it needed a little more breadth. I had higher hopes for the sound track. It was OK but it could have been a bigger part of the movie....I thought. I gave "Without Limits" a 7 and I plan on seeing it at least 10 more times. I'm sure these first impression opinions will change the more I see the movie and can soak up the scenes one by one. Seeing the movie was very significant for me and my family. We all greatly appreciated the effort of Warner Bros. and any else who played a role. I won't easily forget these nice people and I hope the movie enjoys a good run.
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