The Big Year: first impression (new clips!)

by Greg Neise on September 28, 2011

Two new clips from the movie, The Big Year have found their way to You Tube.

In the first, we see a bit more of “the fallout” scene. I like this. Jack Black has to explain why he’s flying to Texas NOW, and gets it just right…and it’s kinda funny:

In the next clip, we see part of the opening of the movie. They get John Cleese to narrate the origins of the big year contest. Brilliant!

Very well done, except for one rather glaring detail: Sandy Komito’s record to beat is 748 species.

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Tagged as: big year, the big year

R H

That 748 number you mention was the result of the year the movie is (more or less) about. Komito had (from what I can find) 721 in 1987. Where the clip seems to differ from history was that as of the year in question Komito’s 721 number (apparently, from what I could find on-line without working too hard) still stood; the 732 is what looks to be fictional.

http://www.nabirding.com Greg Neise

Kamito’s number are:

1987: 726
1998: 748

Are you saying that the movie is supposed to take place in 1988 (or thereabouts)?

John

This is a bit off topic, but I recently learned the “original” reported totals for his big years were 721 and 745. Some birds were subsequently added (due to some birds being first N.A. records, or something like that), hence you’ll hear both 721/745 and 726/748 for his total. Perhaps Mr. Komito himself will talk about this soon.

But that doesn’t get around the fact that “they” used his second highest total as the record year. Don’t know why they couldn’t credit Sandy with 745 and then have Owen Wilson’s character own the record with, say, 749.

Ron

I think Sandy’s record in 1998 was 745, with four submitted. Three were approved, thus 748. Right Sandy?

Also, who’s Bostick? I thought it was Levantin was the third birder?
C O Carver

I think for the purpose of the movie the 1998 chase that resulted in 748 birds never happened. This way the fictional Bostick could beat the 1987 record of 726 in 2003. The movie can then feature 3 birders competing for a big year in a current, fictional timeline.
J. Padilla

For those who don’t know, the movie is fiction “inspired” by the book, that way they don’t have to give royalties to the real characters, and they make the story up as they please. The movie is not about birding or birds. It is about crazy, funny people who happen to be birders, so let’s not over analyze it from our birding perspective. J. Padilla
Stevebrauning

J and C O are right: IT’S A MOVIE!!!! As birders our chief interest is that it’s well done and funny, so that birding can get a boost.
Warbler7

I agree. It’s a movie. Enjoy it. Don’t be so hung up on the details. Enjoy it like we enjoy birding. Life is not perfect, one should not expect the movie to be. More people might become birders, might not, too. No harm, no foul. I can’t wait to see it because the world could use a little laughter don’t ya’ think? K-MAC
http://www.nabirding.com Greg Neise

Agree with all…and of course, the movie is fiction inspired by true events. As for Mr. Komito speaking about his Big Year for himself, he and I just finished a nearly two hour interview…segments will be posted here at NAB very soon.
Ron

For those in Southern California on Oct. 19th, Sandy will present a program at the Pasadena Audubon Society meeting that evening. Check out http://www.PasadenaAudubon.org for info.