Soldier's Girl

Synopsis: This powerful drama tells the true story of a young soldier, Pfc. Barry Winchell (Troy Garity), who meets and falls for a beautiful transgendered performer (Lee Pace) while on a drunken outing with fellow soldiers. But the relationship is frowned upon by the other soldiers and eventually leads to Barry's brutal death at the hands of his homophobic roommate. Garity and Pace were both nominated for Independent Spirit Awards for their performances.



Okay, so you know I love true stories...and I'm a sucker for love stories...I'm a girl. It comes with the territory. This has all the elements of a solid, real, and well done indie film. Along the vein of Boys Don't Cry, it make this part of reality within our society that is so shameful and sad. It's full of hope, and honesty, and ultimately a heavy despair...Most importantly, I felt a sincere anxiousness for these two to love each other and hoped that they would live happily ever after...(Wow...amazing performances from each actor!)

Watch it and learn from it...and then watch the Special Features. Theres an interview with the real Calpernia Addams.

Barry Winchell

The Prestige

Synopsis: A mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy -- full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences. From the time that they first met as young magicians on the rise, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden were competitors. However, their friendly competition evolves into a bitter rivalry making them fierce enemies-for-life and consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone around them. Set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-century London.



I really liked this much more than I thought I would...And not only because Christian Bale is in it. (OMG...though...seriously. He is one of my favorite actors I think...after Gary Oldman of course.) Both men prove to be extremely versatile and completely believeable.

The film jumps around a lot, and you really have to pay attention to what's going on if you want to get the most out of it. At some point I had to turn the subtitles on too, because I couldn't understand or hear some of the dialogue. Regardless though, it was well done I thought.

The only thing that was a smidge disappointing was that about half way through the film, we were able to guess how it would end (kind of). Eh, I guess that's okay...if you don't mind that sorta thing.

:)

Enjoy!

After Innocence

Synopsis: With the emergence of DNA evidence, the justice system is seeing a wave of reversed criminal convictions. But what happens to those who are set free, sometimes decades after being imprisoned for a crime they didn't commit? Jessica Sanders takes a close look at some of these people in this gripping documentary that's both a harsh criticism of the current judicial system and a touching look at those profoundly affected by it.


It's scary to watch something like this and then take a step out of your home. Although I don't think that it was completely Sanders intention to instill fear from of the viewers (although I do believe that there was some intent), I do think that she wanted us to feel the outrage that I clearly did feel. It's a scary thing to think that there are so many people wrongfully accused of such horrible crimes and spending years, decades even for merely having the same skin color, hair color, or even general height or weight of the real criminal.

We are not safe. I hate that our system failed so many, and the scariest part is that I really didn't even know about it until I watched this documentary.

Please watch it.

blades of glory

Synopsis: In 2002, two rival Olympic ice skaters were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. Presently, however, they've found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team.



This isn't something I would normally watch in the theater but what else can I do to try to keep my son entertained?

Although, I have enjoyed several of Ferrell's other many many over-the-top and ridiculous movies I can honestly say that this is one of my least favorites. That said, I do think though that guys will still find it entertaining and it's very mindless and had its moments where I did surprise myself by laughing out loud.

It's really too bad that Heder will never get as great as a role as he did in Napolean Dynamite.
That really showcased his amazing talent as an actor. I haven't seen him in anything else since except for some kind of car commercial...and this role was super disappointing for me to watch him in.

Oh, and it's safe to take the kids to watch...(I mean teenagers).

Chasing Freedom

Synopsis: New York attorney Libby (Juliette Lewis) is a go-getter who won't let anyone stand in the way of her success. When she accepts a pro bono case involving Meena, a young Afghan dissident seeking asylum in the United States after years of oppression under the Taliban, Libby finds her corporate dreams replaced by a growing sense of idealism. All Meena wants is freedom, and Libby is her only chance at getting a taste of it. But can Libby deliver?

I totally am so proud of myself when I find films like this...Totally obscure, random, but really good.

I've always appreciated Lewis, but when I first read this I was doubtful of her ability to pull off a character that wasn't retarded, a murderer, or a drug addict. C'mon...admit it...she plays those roles pretty damn convincingly.

Anyway, it's half way solid attempt at Lewis breaking out of her shell, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it.

Check it out...it's worth a watch.

Chasing Freedom

Local Boys

Synopsis: This drama set in southern California follows brothers Skeet (Jeremy Sumpter) and Randy (Eric Christian Olsen), who find a common bond in surfing when Randy gives his younger brother a surfboard for his birthday. As Skeet attempts to learn the ins and outs of surfing, Randy gets a girlfriend, and the two brothers drift apart. Will their love for surfing be enough to reunite them in the end? Mark Harmon also stars as surf legend Jim Wesley.

It's not the deespest, most entertaining dvd's you can ever watch...but it's sweet, simple and has some entertaining surfing shots.

I grew up near a beach and nearly every guy I knew was a surfer...I don't remember any asshole surfers, although I'm sure there were many...

Anyway, if you are into surfer movies than I suggest this would be a good way to kill an hour and a half of your dateless night.

Also, very safe to watch with your kids.

Enjoy!

Bridge to Terabithia

Synopsis: An 11-year-old boy has his life changed forever when he befriends the class outsider, a girl. Together they create the world of Terabithia, an imaginary kingdom filled with giants, trolls and other magical beings.




I so needed this. A friend and I chatted online trying to figure out what movie to watch to help me stay busy and distracted enough from wanting to smoke. (Can you tell I'm struggling with this yet?)

He suggested Bridge to Terabithiaafter asking me if I'd read the book yet. (I hadn't). "This will be perfect!" I thought after he asked if I felt like a good kleenex movie...although I never heard that exact phrase used before I knew what he meant. Maybe it's a PNW phrase...or a filmmaker thing that they are saying now-a-days, but I wouldn't have the foggiest, since I'm so out of the scene now.

Boy, he wasn't kidding. They should have handed out kleenex as you walked into the theater. (Great product placement idea...you heard it here first!) My poor sleeves were all wet and stretched out from wiping my tears. It was so emotionally draining that I thought "Wow, a cigarette would really be so relaxing about now."

Okay, seriously...Although there were a lot of kids in the theater I didn't really feel like it was appropriate for young children. I wouldn't receommend anyone under 10 years old for sure. I was bawling my head off as well as the folks around me, kids included. If you need a good cry...go watch it. It's totally so worth it. But, it doesn't have to watched on the big screen. If you can wait for DVD then do so, BUT you MUST watch it.

Anne Frank: The Whole Story

Synopsis: Anne Frank's acclaimed diary, kept while in hiding in Amsterdam during World War II, enjoys the highest readership of any book ever printed (except the Bible). This filmed version fills in gaps omitted when her father (the only family member to survive the Nazi holocaust) submitted the work for publication. The story follows Anne to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where she died just days before liberation.



I'm ashamed to admit I have never read this story. I wonder why...It seems like it something we should have learned about in school. Although I do vaguely recall hearing about it...I was probably too young to appreciate it anyway. It was so interesting that as soon as the DVD ended I jumped online and ordered the book.

(Damn...I can really use a cigarette right now!)

It's a very long DVD. Over 3 hours, but if you have the time and even if you do know about her story I still recommend that you watch it. It's one of those things that reminds you to be grateful for what you have and to be thankful for being alive.

Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi

Synopsis: Dennis Hopper narrates Cesario Montano's documentary on the roller-coaster life of skater legend Christian Hosoi. Earning the awe of his peers in the mid-1980s, Hosoi then hit rock bottom with crystal meth use and imprisonment for drug trafficking. He found redemption in Christianity and now strives to be a positive influence. Interviews with skaters such as Tony Hawk, Jason Lee and Tony Alva, and never-before-seen home videos, are included.



It's a little weird to watch someone I used to know for a second in a whole DVD about his life and how great he was. The DVD was very well done...They kept some of the best skating shots (non - Christian Hosoi) in the Special Features which you should defintely watch anyway...especially if you are into skate boarding, which I am NOT, but was still very very good. I highly recommend this DVD. It doesn't only follow his life as a skate boarder but also about his addiction to meth, his stint in prison, and what he's been doing since he got out of prison.

Wow, and I thought I lived a colorful life...

Enjoy!