Moondance Alexander (2007)

Casting by Rhonda Fisecki

Moondance (Kay Panabaker), a misfit at her school, anticipates another lonely summer. She unexpectedly finds an escaped horse named Checkers and returns him to his rightful owner, Dante (Don Johnson). Undeterred by Dante's gruff manner, she asks him for a job at the stable. While riding Checkers, she discovers he has a talent for jumping, and she convinces Dante to coach them for a prestigious competition. -WWW

Initial release: October 2007

Director: Michael Damian

Initial DVD release: 29 April 2008

Screenplay: Janeen Damian

Production company: Motion Picture Corporation of America

MICHAEL DAMIAN, WRITER AND DIRECTOR OF “MOONDANCE ALEXANDER”, HOPES TO SEE MORE FAMILY FILMS

Another horse and rider story that caught my attention is this true story about a misfit girl called Moondance Alexander(Kay Panabaker) and her Pinto called Checkers.

Moondance Alexander is a comedy-drama film directed by Michael Damian and written by Janeen Damian. The film was released in North America in October, 2007. The story is shot on location in Okotoks, High River and Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is based on actual events from the life of Janeen Damian. It stars former Summerland (TV series) co-stars Kay Panabaker as Moondance Alexander and Lori Loughlin as Gelsey Alexander. The movie co-stars Don Johnson and Olympic-skating silver medalist Sasha Cohen. -Wikipedia

The movie also stars the author's dad and the director's father-in-law, James Best.

Honestly, I don't know about Janeen Best-Damian's childhood, so I am guessing that she changed the names and situations to protect the innocent and the not-so-innocent.

Since James Best is very much alive during the shooting a showing of the movie, then I guess Leland Alexander was fictionalised too.

Her relationship with her father was one of the favourite parts of the people who watched this ahead of me and I cried buckets each time she visited his grave.  I wonder how they, the ones who watched this ahead of me, would feel if they would find out that part was fictionalised.

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Sasha Cohen(NOT Sacha Baron Cohen), the famous ice skater, appears here as a snotty champion equestrienne and I must say that she played her role quite well.  She's quite impressive and very versatile. The critics think her character wasn't given much buildup and they felt that it was a pity that was the case.

Lori Loughlin and Don Johnson parts in this film are very vital.  Lori plays Moondance's mother and Don plays Moondance's trainer.  

The poster kind of suggests that there would be something going between them, but that's too predictable. ;-)

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Of Girls and Horses🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴

Janeen's love for horses, her talent as a writer, the love of her husband and other factors, including advice from friends, made this movie possible.

Sadly, it did not do great at the tills, but it does have some awards.

The movie is a DIXIE FILM FESTIVAL 2007 winner for Best Picture and Best Actress and  people loved it, except perhaps HorseChannel.com and some others.

 I think I better end this blog entry now.

Thanks for your time.