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The Messenger – DVD Review
Woody Harrelson is a human litmus test for what the ravages of war can do to an individual.
The Messenger is a movie that defies a conventional critique as the movie unspools in a manner that feels more real than it does made up, more visceral than it does imagined. While Kevin Bacon’s turn in Taking Chance was a heartfelt swan song to one human’s life who died for his country, The Messenger is grittier in its portrayal of a man tasked with delivering the news no family member wants to get about their fallen soldier.
It’s grittier and more immediate thanks to the liberating decisions made by first time director Oren Moverman. The camera seems to always be bobbing, moving, trying to angle for a better position with which to see men like Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster, who finally gets a role that feels like it was written to play to his talents, navigate a world where there is no more war to fight. It’s the adjustment where the movie excels. There have been too many films to directly or indirectly address the battle that wages on between us and our supposed enemies but not one like this which addresses the human toll that costs many men and women their sanity.
The movie challenges you to assess which would be worse, fighting in a war and killing those you hate or ringing the doorbell of a stranger and killing those who you don’t even know with just a few words, and rewards you with surprises that make this so much more than just a movie about getting back into the swing of normal day-to-day living. Foster, whose behavior might seem strange, opting to don sunglasses in the middle of the night, or Harrelson, who can outdo Gary Busey in his prime for sheer scenery chewing, are a wild pair that completely satisfy as case studies for the silent deaths these men have to endure long after bullets have stopped slicing past their helmets.
The editing, for those that care about these sorts of things, allow scenes to breathe in a way that helps front load the emotional impact for what’s happening on the screen. For instance, when the duo is relaying the news of a soldier’s death to the father of the service member, played by Steve Buscemi, the scene is just allowed to play out in a way that not only felt organic but heightened the devastating impact the moment had on both characters. It’s but one of many moments that Moverman earns as a director looking to create a connection rather than making a moment to exploit. By the time Samantha Morton enters the film, as a woman who learns of her husband’s death through Foster, you are ready to crumble under the weight for what Moverman has already established. We get and understand the impact and you fully buy into the story that unravels between these people.
The Messenger is a film that not only deserves your time but, I would assert, deserves your attention and heart. It’s a movie that shows you what the ravages of war can do a man but it also shows you how that man can be put back together if all the elements are present; sometimes they are and sometimes they are not and it’s the latter ones that are completely devastating.
About the movie:
Co-written by Oren Moverman and Alessandro Camon, THE MESSENGER is a powerful and tender story about a returned war hero making his first steps toward a normal life.
In his first leading role, Foster stars as Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army officer who has just returned home from a tour in Iraq and is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Partnered with fellow officer Tony Stone (Harrelson) to bear the bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will faces the challenge of completing his mission while seeking to find comfort and healing back on the home front. When he finds himself drawn to Olivia (Morton), to whom he has just delivered the news of her husband’s death, Will’s emotional detachment begins to dissolve and the film reveals itself as a surprising, humorous, moving and very human portrait of grief, friendship and survival.
Featuring tour-de-force performances from Foster, Harrelson and Morton, and a brilliant directorial debut by Moverman, THE MESSENGER brings us into the inner lives of these outwardly steely heroes to reveal their fragility with compassion and dignity.
Pulling John- DVD Review
Let’s just get this right out of the way: I was sold that Over The Top was the probably the best movie to come out in the winter of 1987.
There was something about the allure of Sylvester Stallone, still riding on the fame that made him the most bankable action star of the 80’s, in a role that was for all intents and purposes family friendly. That said, this documentary about guys who really do want to reach each other half-way but not necessarily across the sky, Pumping John is one entertaining film.
The movie deals with one man who has reigned for 25 years, a quarter of a century, as the all-time grand champion of this sport. And make no mistake, as you see these men train and internalize the nature of what they do, this is a sport. There are fans of this man and his legacy and you would half-think that the oddballs that the film showcases as wanting to dethrone the patriarch of the sport would be somehow a goof or funny. While there are some unintended moments that are humorous there is a real heart in this movie and I cannot believe it took this long to discover this independent gem.
About the movie:
A TOP 10 MUST SEE FILM FROM SXSW AND WINNER OF 10 INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE AWARDS, THIS IS THE SWEAT-DRENCHED STORY OF A CHAMPION’S GLORY IN AN UNSUNG, OFFBEAT SPORT — ARM WRESTLING
A living legend in a sport he helped popularize, John Brzenk has enjoyed a 25 year run as the undefeated arm wrestling champion of the world. Yet, at the age of 40, he’s consumed by one question: should he retire on top or succumb to the inevitable: a loss to a new champion. PULLING JOHN, the rousing and universal story of a champion’s glory in an unsung sport, debuts this May on DVD in an extras-loaded version…only from IndiePix.
In the vein of dramatic, championship-caliber docs, Bigger, Faster, Stronger and King of Kong, PULLING JOHN is a feature-length verite shot over four years which follows Brzenk, the legendary armwrestler, who works as an airline mechanic by day and now must decide whether to leave the sport he was raised on. Taking a journey to the far corners of the world where men define themselves by trying to beat the undisputed champ, the film visits with 23 year old Alexy Voevoda from Sochi , Russia and Charlestown, West Virginia ’s 26 year old Travis Bagent, colorful characters who have been raised on the legend of Brzenk. And, in a philosophical and thrilling ride through human nature, PULLING JOHN culminates at the Zloty Tur Championship in Warsaw , where Bagent and Voevoda have the chance of their life — to dethrone the conflicted champion.
About PULLING JOHN, San Diego City Beat says, “once you’ve watched it, you’ll be shocked that you’ve never heard of John Brzenk†and, Spout.com says “you will find yourself screaming out loud!â€Â Don’t miss out on this thrilling film, which IndiePix is presenting in widescreen with Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; also featured are bonuses including commentary from director Vassiliki Khonsari and Brzenk, a Pulling John graphic comic, over 50 minutes of additional scenes and more!
Yesterday Was A Lie – DVD Review
Yes, when you read a description that uses the words avant-garde 99% of the time you should run in the other direction. Most likely what you’ll get is a movie that is so into itself it negates the possibility of anyone else liking it.
Not here, though, as this movie is a genuine treat that both entices and rewards on multiple levels. It feels like a noir thriller that ought to exist somewhere in the 30’s or 40’s with its mimimalist set design, cinematography and music choices. The story revolves around a hard nosed female detective on a case that, while it would be useless to try and compress into a neat paragraph, blends the scientific with the very mundane aspects of filmmaking that have long since been tossed aside.
While not steampunk by any means, the movie still feels like a hybrid of the very old and the very modern. Director/writer James Kerwin blends some fantastic elements that deal with the nature of space and time with a fun take on the old gumshoe who just can’t say no to the sauce.
Again, looking at the film’s description you would be hard pressed to want to check out a movie that seems like a blend of too many genres but I can assure you that it’s worth watching simply for Kipleigh Brown’s portrayal as the weather beaten detective Hoyle and for Chase Masterson of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fame. These two together make seeking this movie out entitrely worth it. Kerwin, as well, deserves much love and respect for crafting a story that not only  works as a noir throwback but it also succeeds in bending your mind’s eye as it challenges your expectations of a film dealing with the subject matter it does. Such a wonderful outing for a filmmaker that finally does take a risk in a landscape of directors who play it safe.
About the movie:
Combining “stunning black-and-white cinematography, a sultry jazz score and a refreshingly high-minded script,†YESTERDAY WAS A LIE is a groundbreaking new metaphysical noir thriller from writer/director James Kerwin. Exploring mind-twisting modern sci-fi themes including the nature of time, reality and human consciousness, this acclaimed independent feature and U.S. theatrical release has received over a dozen film festival Best Feature awards and virtually unanimous critical praise. This April, sci-fi fans everywhere will rejoice as YESTERDAY WAS A LIE, the latest feature from genre-favorite stars Chase Masterson and Peter Mayhew, makes its eagerly anticipated DVD debut for $24.98 SRP – only from E1 Entertainment.
In YESTERDAY WAS A LIE, Kipleigh Brown “exudes Bacall[2]†as Hoyle, a girl with a sharp mind and a weakness for bourbon who finds herself on the trail of a reclusive genius (John Newton). But her work takes a series of unforeseen twists as events around her grow increasingly fragmented, disconnected and surreal. With a sexy lounge singer (Chase Masterson) and a loyal partner (Mik Scriba, The Last Seduction) as her only allies, Hoyle is plunged into a dark world of intrigue and earth-shattering cosmological secrets. Haunted by an ever-present shadow (Peter Mayhew) whom she is destined to face, Hoyle discovers that the most powerful force in the universe — the power to bend reality, the power to know the truth — lies within the depths of the human heart.  The film also stars Nathan Mobley, Warren Davis, Megan Henning, Jennifer Slimko and famed radio personality Robert Siegel.
Named one of the year’s “Ten Best Films on the Festival Circuit†by Film Threat, YESTERDAY WAS A LIE opened theatrically late in 2009 to rave theatrical reviews after successful screenings in over 50 festivals on four continents. The film has won numerous accolades including Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography at Visionfest and was an Official Selection at the Barbados International Film Festival and the St. Louis International Film Festival, among others.
Presented in 16×9 with 5.1 Surround Sound, the YESTERDAY WAS A LIE DVD features English SDH Subtitles and is supplemented by an amazing array of bonus features. Extras include a feature-length audio commentary by James Kerwin, Kipleigh Brown and Chase Masterson as well as multiple making-of featurettes, interviews with the cast and crew as well as a production stills photo gallery. Produced by Helicon Arts Cooperative, the film is rated PG by the MPAA for language, some violent content and smoking.
YESTERDAY WAS A LIE will also be available for digital streaming in 720 HD on iTunes and Netflix. For more information about the film, visit www.yesterdaywasalie.com.
Giggle, Giggle, Quack and Runaway Ralph – DVD Review
So…I sat my four year-old and six year-old in front of the television to watch the latest from Scholastic Storybook Treasures in order to get an accurate bead of whether anyone else in their cohort class would find this fun or at least mildly entertaining.
I took this as an opportunity to see whether they would enjoy the experience of reading along with a movie. Honestly, it’s one of the things which I thought would be a primer for their eventual exposure to foreign films which, as a cineaste, I hoped they would enjoy as much as I do.
I’ll tell you what, it sure beats having to sit through an insufferable little twit named Caillou or a troubled chimp known as Curious George.
Giggle, Giggle, Quack is a collection of stories read by Abagail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), Alexander Gould (the voice of Finding Nemo and regular on Weeds), and Country/Western star Randy Travis is a solid choice for any parent out there looking to buy a DVD that you’ll at least be able to sit through and not count the minutes go by. Runaway Ralph, penned by the Ernest Hemmingway of kids fiction, Beverly Cleary, was just as entertaining to both kids as the two discs offered both long form and short form entertainment.
While Giggle, with it’s collection of five different stories on the disc, obviously appeals to the shorter attention spans of kids who just want brevity over substance you cannot go wrong. The stories are fun, are animated well and honestly do offer a literacy component should you decide that reading is somehow fundamental to nurturing a well-balanced kid. Runaway Ralph, as I could have suspected, appealed more to the six year-old as she’s learning to appreciate longer stories and is eagerly consuming works where she can read aloud. Now, for all her enthusiasm I think she’s just reading and not genuinely comprehending everything I at least appreciated that this movie sparked an action something other than drooling complicity as the television does all the entertaining.
As it is with a lot of kids, the collection of stories hold up to repeat viewings, and more repeat viewings, and even more repeat viewings, just fine. As the unwitting recipient of a multiple view marathon I can attest that after showing my kids the read along function they could not watch it without having it on.
The fact of the matter is that there is a dearth of good entertainment for kids out there and there really is only so much artistic growth that a show like Yo Gabba Gabba can engender. It’s nice to know that, for at least a little while, these two discs kept my kids attention.
About Giggle, Giggle, Quack:
Spring into spring with Scholastic Storybook Treasures™, as they release a new collection of colorfully animated stories adapted from tales by best-selling author Doreen Cronin. Featuring everyone’s favorite personified animals, GIGGLE, GIGGLE, QUACK … AND MORE STORIES BY DOREEN CRONIN includes adaptations of many of the author’s best-loved books and celebrity narration by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), Alexander Gould (Weeds) and Grammy® Award-winning singer Randy Travis. The DVD, which supports reading comprehension, vocabulary and problem solving, will be available in stores and at newkideo.com on March 30th for $14.95SRP.
The title story is the hilarious sequel to “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Typeâ€. This time, Farmer Brown’s animals pull their old tricks on Farmer Brown’s brother, Bob. Duck instigates the action, ordering pizza with anchovies for the hens and renting “The Sound of Moosic†for the cows. The lively animation and witty ploys of the animals will keep kids laughing, as will Randy Travis’ warm and humorous style of narration. Adapted from Cronin’s story and Betsy Lewin’s illustrations Weston Woods Studios original production captured an Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video and Notable Video selection by the American Library Association.
GIGGLE, GIGGLE, QUACK … AND MORE STORIES BY DOREEN CRONIN also includes four additional stories, animated from the original storybook illustrations of Betsy Lewin and Harry Bliss: “Dooby Dooby Mooâ€, “Duck for President†and the best-selling “Diary of a Worm†and “Diary of a Fly.†As an exclusive bonus, the DVD also includes an interview with illustrator Harry Bliss and Spanish versions of “Giggle, Giggle, Quack†and “Duck for President.â€
Perfect for early readers, ages 3 to 8, the DVD features an enhanced read-along function and NEW Talk about the Story questions to enhance early literacy skills. Children will also have the opportunity to hone their bilingual skills with the two of Spanish adaptations, which also includes the enhanced read-along where they words are highlighted as they are read.
The SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES series hails from the vaults of Weston Woods Studios, world-renowned for their careful film and video adaptations of best-selling children’s storybooks. Librarians and teachers around the country have long been using these very same productions, created by Weston Woods Studios with authors and illustrators, to enhance their students’ pre-reading experiences. Founded more than 50 years ago, and now a division of Scholastic, Weston Woods continues to produce top-notch video storytelling. SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES collects and presents these productions for the home marketplace and has, since its launch in 2003, become a top award-winning home video franchise for children.
About Runaway Ralph:
Beverly Cleary’s beloved and rascally character Ralph S. Mouse comes to life in live action DVD based on a best-selling children’s book, RUNAWAY RALPH, The latest in the acclaimed Scholastic Storybook Treasures™ collection, this newly remastered edition of RUNAWAY RALPH supports reading comprehension, vocabulary and problem solving, and will be available in stores and at newkideo.com on April 27 for $14.95SRP.
RUNAWAY RALPH is the third installment of Cleary’s classic tales building on the adventure and excitement of THE MOUSE ANDTHE MOTORCYCLE and RALPH S. MOUSE (both available on DVD from Scholastic Storybook Treasures). Ralph is tired of living at the quaint and quiet Mountain View Inn and dealing with his annoying relatives. He longs for “a life of speed and danger and excitement.†He certainly gets his wish when he sets off on his mouse-sized motorcycle and meets a series of fur-raising adventures. After some run-ins with the resident cat at the Happy Acres Summer Camp, Ralph befriends a young boy named Garfield and helps him through a difficult decision. In this fantastic tale of friendship and growing up, Ralph learns that the wild is not necessarily better than home, even with all its problems, The original film production won an Emmy nomination and awards from the American Library Association and the Columbus Film Festival.
Perfect for early readers, ages 3 to 8, the DVD features an enhanced read-along function and Talk about the Story questions to enhance early literacy skills. The DVD also includes the bonus story Commander Toad in Space (based on the book by Jane Yolen).
The SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES series hails from the vaults of Weston Woods Studios, world-renowned for their careful film and video adaptations of best-selling children’s storybooks. Librarians and teachers around the country have long been using these very same productions, created by Weston Woods Studios with authors and illustrators, to enhance their students’ pre-reading experiences. Founded more than 50 years ago, and now a division of Scholastic, Weston Woods continues to produce top-notch video storytelling. SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES collects and presents these productions for the home marketplace and has, since its launch in 2003, become a top award-winning home video franchise for children.
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