Customer Reviews
Biopic Without Much Biography, But Exciting Entertainment 
2008-09-06
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.
Love the Rodeo! 
2008-09-02
If you've never been to a real, live rodeo, you may not appreciate it but the storyline is cute and the action realistic.
Amazing stuff.......... 
2008-07-19
I love this movie!
"8 Seconds" is a classic!
Luke Perry puts on his best performance ever as Lane Frost! Stephen Baldwin nails his role too, as legendary bull rider Tuff Hedeman!
One of my favorites, not just for cowboys!!
Highly recommended if you havent seen this film!!!
Great movie=one you won't want to miss! 2007-04-11
This movie is great. Some of the details are inaccurate to the real life story of Lane Frost. I don't know how many times I've seen this movie-probably more than 10.
Lane Frost Rides Again.... 2007-03-14
Luke Perry is excellent in this Bio-Pic of Rodeo great, Lane Frost. This is a great film. Stephen Baldwin is a laugh riot as Bull Riding Champion, "Tuff" Heddamen. This is a really well put together film. I really liked it. Nobody can deliver a "feel good" movie like John G. Avildsen (Karate Kid, Rocky)....and this is no exception. You really get a sense of who Lane Frost was, and what the "Rodeo Life" is really like. It will make you laugh, it will make you mad, and it will make you cry. This is a great film that is definetely worth the price of admission. So, saddle up and get ready for a great ride !!! 4 Stars.
Best Little Film You Never Heard Of 2007-03-03
True story of rodeo legend Lane Frost, a bull-riding champion born to ride. Starring Luke Perry, Stephen Baldwin and Cynthia Geary. Directed by John G. Avildsen
Brought Back Good Memories 2007-01-20
I went down the road many a night heading to the next rodeo listening to most of these songs. Lane was an exceptional person he had a good heart, Lanes theme says it all.
great story for both men and women, young and old 2007-01-19
this is an absolutely wonderful movie. its got something for everyone. i love it for the great rodeo scenes and all that revolves around being a cowboy and rodeo life. my girlfriend loved it for the love story. absolutely brilliant movie, great story.
Relationships and rodeo make quite a combination in this film 2006-12-11
I bought '8 Seconds' expecting to see a movie filled with rodeo action and rodeo life. I got an adequate helping of that, but I also got a whole lot more of something I didn't expect: an interesting movie about a man's relationships with the most important people in his life.
It's interesting to see how Lane Frost was driven to become a champion because he looked up to his father, who had also been a champion rodeo cowboy. The problem for Frost was that his father was never happy with anything less than perfect and, even as great as Lane was, he still wasn't perfect enough. Without his father's approval or encouragement, the championships took on a much lesser meaning than they should have had for Lane Frost, and throughout the film we see how tortured he is by the idea that his father isn't proud of him. After Lane's death, his father laments the fact that he can't remember ever telling Lane that he loved him. The movie makes a powerful statement about the affect that fathers have on their sons.
We also see the effect that long absences have on a marriage as both Lane and his wife, Kellie, become involved in adulterous affairs. Thankfully, the movie makers spare us the graphic details (i.e. no gratuitous sex scenes) and focus on the impact that their actions have on their consciences and their interactions with each other. Through it all, even through the adulterous one-night stands, it's obvious that Lane loved Kellie. The movie accurately portrays a man who tried to be good but who was flawed, which makes it realistic and far better than the idealized portraits of celebrities that movies often provide.
Lastly, we also see Lane's friendships with Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert. Obviously this is where the rodeo action comes in, but we also see how they bonded as friends, in spite of being competitors, through many long hours on the road, sharing beds in fleabag motels, and riding in every rodeo they could enter. Hedeman's ride for Frost at the end of the movie is a touching tribute to his fallen friend.
None of the relationships get the in-depth treatment that is sometimes seen in films about parent and child, husband and wife, or best friends, but each of them is developed enough that we genuinely feel like we've come to know something about Lane Frost and the people who were close to him. Oh, and that rodeo action, it's actually pretty good, too.
Due to the profanity (to me, always unnecessary and unfortunate), bar scenes, and adultery (mentioned but not shown - I give credit to the filmmakers for this), this one is not recommended for youngsters. For the adult crowd, it's a good one though, even if you're not a rodeo fan.
no title 2006-03-23
This director also did "Rocky" and "The Karate Kid". A small, enjoyable film about a real-life bronco bull rider named Lane Frost who became a world champion in his early 20s. Cynthia Geary, who plays his wife, sure looks like she is Jessica Lange's daughter. The resemblance is remarkable. And the intense scenes of bull riding. Why on earth would any man want to do that for a living? The film really showed the bone-jarring that goes on, and the very real danger once a man is off. Lane Frost was killed before he had a chance to live. Somehow, just to be the best at bronco bull riding, while providing entertainment for the crowds, does not seem a worthy endeavor to lose your life over. The actor who played Lane's dad, James Rebhorn, has been around awhile, and is very good. In fact, he later starred in the wonderful "Babe". But Geary is not so very good. She has all of Jessica Lange's woodenness without the intensity inside. The music was good, country, and so was Stephen Baldwin.
