Tuesday, 1 March 2011

The Wildest Dream DVD

We all have a dream; it’s something we think is impossible but we hold close to our hearts, all the same.  Some of the best films are those that portray this idea with a main character who defies all odds to reach an ultimate goal.  There is something incredibly refreshing about the idea of dreams being accomplished, and something inspiring about them being attempted at all.  The Wildest Dream seeks to follow this notion by unfolding the story of a man who went missing when trying to climb Mount Everest.



The Wildest Dream is directed by Anthony Geffen, who was praised for his previous documentary film projects.  It introduces a man named George Mallory who attempted to climb Mount Everest in 1924, and then went missing.  His body wasn't found until 1999, when it was discovered by a mountain climber named Conrad Anker.  Upon finding the body and researching the man, Anker was intrigued by Mallory's history, and seeks to recreate his journey by following his climbing path.  Upon hiring Leo Houlding, famous for his climbing history, they began on a journey in the hopes of answering some questions about this man who attempted to follow his dream.

One goal of the film is to explore the mystery surrounding Mallory's death.  Another is to discover whether or not he actually made it to the peak of the mountain before dying.  Did he actually achieve his wildest dream, or did he not quite make it far enough?  The Wildest Dream also takes a deeper look into the life of this man who appeared to be torn between two passions.  As the film unfolds we find he is a man who is deeply in love with his wife, and is troubled by the thought of leaving her.  At the same time, the mountain calls to
him and he cannot ignore it.  It is an enticing documentary that features never before seen photos and video footage from Anker's expedition.

The Wildest Dream was released to limited theaters across the nation on August 6, 2010, by National Geographic Entertainment.  It runs around one and a half hours, and is rated PG.  This film will be released onto DVD on March 15, 2011, and will also be released onto Blu-Ray disc.  While this is a documentary film, it includes big names in the movie industry as their list of narrators include Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson, and Natasha Richardson.

Abi Motala

Monday, 28 February 2011

The Tourist DVD

Released into theaters on December 10, 2010, The Tourist stars eye-candy Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.  Directed by Florian Henckel Von Dommersmarck, the film also features Timothy Dalton, Rufus Sewell, and Steven Berkoff.  The DVD will be distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and made available to the public nationwide on March 22nd, 2011.  It is classified as an adventure-thriller, wrought with drama and violence.  It is actually a remake of the French film entitled “Anthony Zimmer,” which was released in 2005.



Before its release, critics weren't sure what to expect from The Tourist.  Many thought that it would leave members of the Academy blown away, leaving both stars up for an Oscar.  Others brushed it off as an excuse for two big names to work together, while also getting the opportunity to travel to some far away places.  The results after the release seemed equally mixed.

The Tourist is an absolutely delightful film which is full of action, humour, and twists to entertain without being ridiculous.

The plot of The Tourist follows Elise, played by Jolie, who is a mysterious woman of the world.  She somehow finds herself caught up in the path of a thief who betrayed another shady character.  When on a train she meets Depp’s character, Frank, who is a plain math teacher from the Midwest.  Frank, who was only supposed to be on vacation, also becomes tangled up in this web of thievery and deceit.  The course of action that follows brings a story full of chases, thugs, and close misses.  The uncredited star of the film is the cinematography, done by John Seale, and praised by many as providing the perfect backdrop for a story of romance and suspense.  The soundtrack has also been given praise.

The Tourist is Von Dommersmarck's first English film, as he is originally a German director.  This may be the reason that many find the dialogue in the film awkward at times, and poorly timed.  Timing is everything in the presentation of a script, and in this one something is a bit off.  Others praise the traditional feel of the film, claiming that it pays tribute to romantic thrillers from the 50s and 60s.  The sets and locations of the film are impressive, carrying a hint of old Europe that makes the ladies gush.

The Tourist contains some lines that are hilariously well written and great acting.  Johnny Depp is superb! Johnny Depp wonderfully plays a hero that any normal person can relate to.In those scenes where there are no words said and all the acting and emotions are through the expressions and movements. The moment when Angelina's character breaks her professional façade she is presenting when Johnny's character asks her if she could ever love him is both comical and beautiful.

The Tourist has a charming old fashioned feel to it, and there are no sex scenes to lower the tone for a change.  When Angelina Jolie silently messages him under her breath at the climax of the film, it is such a beautiful, sweet, romantic moment.

The DVD of The Tourist will feature a widescreen version of the film, as well as subtitle and dubbing capabilities.  Additional features, such as a full commentary of the film, featurettes, and additional footage relevant to the filming and content matter of the film are also available.  The film runs at 103 minutes with full titles.

Abi Motala  

Sunday, 27 February 2011

The Next Three Days DVD

The Next Three Days was released around the nation on November 19th, 2010, to over 2,500 theaters.  Directed by Paul Haggis, the film stars legendary Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, and Olivia Wilde.  It also features Jonathan Tucker and Lennie James.  Distributed by Lionsgate Films, The Next Three Days is a dramatic thriller, remade from a French film with the title “Pour elle”, or For Her.



The story of The Next Three Days follows a married couple, Lara and John Brennan, played by Banks and Crowe, respectively.  Lara finds herself convicted of a murder, and her status as guilty or innocent remains unclear.  What is clear is that she is not happy in jail, and has been sentenced to 20 years.  Upon hearing this tragic news, she attempts suicide, worrying John and motivating him to come up with a plan to get her out of jail. He decides to break her out himself, which leads him to Neeson's character, an ex-con from Brooklyn
who is supposed to be an expert on breaking out of jail.  John learns what he needs to know to break his wife out of prison and flee the area, so the plot then becomes an ethical dilemma.  Can he really do it?  Only one thing is clear; John believes that his wife is innocent, and he wants her out of jail.  We come to find that he is willing to give it a try when we follow him on a journey of preparation, involving learning how to pick locks and mapping an escape route.

While The Next Three Days is a story about fighting against impossible odds, it's also a love story.  Banks’ performance is praised, as her ability to transition between a professional businesswoman and a woman linked to murder is quite believable.  Crowe’s character has been accused of being one dimensional, which is more a fault of the writing than any acting choices.

The Next Three Days DVD, also distributed by Lionsgate, will be released on March 8th, 2011.  It will feature a widescreen version of the film, as well as Spanish and English subtitles.  Closed captioning is available for the hearing impaired.  The Next Three Days runs at approximately two hours and has been rated PG-13 for violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements.  The DVD release will
include some special features, including a full commentary and behind the scenes look at the making and production of the film.

Abi Motala 

Saturday, 26 February 2011

No One Knows About Persian Cats

No One Knows About Persian Cats is a film that, well, no one really knows about.  Distributed by IFC Films, the movie was released to only two theaters nationwide on April 16th, 2010.  Directed by Bahman Ghobadi, this film isn't quite a documentary, but the cast members are playing themselves in real life scenarios that follow true stories.  The plot follows a pair of underground musicians in Tehran by the names of Negar (Negar Shaghaghi) and Ashkan (Ashkan Koshanejad), trying to play music in Iran where most forms of pop music have been banned by the government.




As mentioned above, No One Knows About Persian Cats is set in the underground music world of Tehran, Iran.  In this region, it is against the law to record, perform, or in any way make rock and roll music.  It is also considered a sin by their culture for women to sing, or even to hear a woman singing.  Negar, one of the stars of the film, is a young woman who wishes to perform with her band without fear or mocking.  Throughout the movie the couple in questions struggles to find a way out of the country so they can make it to a concert in London, England.  While watching, the audience gets to see secret band practices at underground rehearsal spaces and rappers practicing with joy on the top of skyscrapers that haven't finished construction.

Due to the controversial nature of the film it has drawn a lot of independent appraisal, even bringing in an award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.  No One Knows About Persian Cats was shot in the time span of only 17 days, as the entire production was illegal and unknown to the Iranian government.  Shot on the run without a government permit, the shooting of this project caused two of the crewmembers to be arrested on
two separate occasions.  Luckily for Ghobadi, the film was never confiscated or destroyed by Iranian officials.

No One Knows About Persian Cats is available on DVD starting on March 15th, 2011, this film offers a unique look at a never before explored world of music.  The director, Ghobadi, and his wife wrote the script, but the locations used in the film are real, as are the performances.  The main characters are playing themselves in this engaging look at a true story of oppression, dreams, struggle, and rebellion.  The soundtrack features tracks from Coldplay and Usher, as well as from the genre that is being depicted through the film.  No One Knows About Persian Cats DVD features subtitles in English.

Abi Motala 

Thursday, 24 February 2011

Made in Dagenham DVD

Made in Dagenham is a very British film about a very British story, released to limited theaters across the country on November 19th, 2010.  Directed by Simon Curtis, this film stars Saily Hawkins, Imelda Staunton, Rosamund Pike, Geraldine James, Bob Hoskins, and Miranda Richardson.  It was distributed by Sony Picture Classics, runs just under two hours, and is rated R for adult language and sexual themes. 


Made In Dagenham recreates some of the real-life events surrounding the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham assembly plant. Unsurprisingly, the plot focuses on the strike held in 1968 at the Ford Dagenham car factory.  It is based on a true story, 850 women walked out to protest the sexual harassment and discrimination they were facing at work.  Of course, a few liberties are taken with the exact history surrounding the story, but the central theme is the tale of a group of women who walked out in search of equal pay for their work.



Made in Dagenham opens on a large group of women who have gathered to discuss an upcoming vote.  They plan to demand a pay raise because they have been unfairly treated by their bosses, and deemed unworthy of higher pay.  As the story unfolds further, we find our lead character is Rita O'Grady, played by Hawkins, who takes the lead in the fight for rights in the workplace.  Her performance has been received well, especially the scenes in which she faces harsh truths with charm, or a funny look that pleases audiences.

Made in Dagenham has been compared to British favorites, such as the Full Monty.  It is set up to be a classic because of the enduring characters portrayed by the cast.  The subject matter is also touching and enticing, engaging the audience with an exciting subject that is still relative to modern society.  Made in Dagenham did receive some criticism for its portrayal of an important historical character.  This blunder tends to be forgiven, however, as the charm of the story outweighs its educational value.  The film doesn't
seek to be preachy or lecture its audience about women's rights, but it does present a very interesting story about the struggle for equality and rights in the 60s.

Made in Dagenham has also been compared to Billy Elliot because of its presentation of a working class struggle to overcome diversity.  And though the film is a drama, for the most part it does so with a smile.  It may not be the most honest portrayal, but it is endearing and relevant, all the same.  Made in Dagenham will be released on DVD on March 29, 2011 to limited retailers.  Special features, such as commentary, will be included on the disc.  Fans of popular British productions will find this a must see film, as will activists and film buffs.

Abi Motala

Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Love and Other Drugs DVD

Love and Other Drugs was distributed to theaters by 20th Century Fox on November 24, 2010.  The DVD will be released on March 1st, 2011.  This film stars young favorites, Jake Gyllenhaal as "Jamie" and Anne Hathaway as "Maggie" who is an alluring free spirit who won't let anyone--or anything--tie her down.  Of course, she meets her match in Jamie, whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales.

"A great rom-com pairing" **** Sunday Mirror

Love and Other Drugs also sports an impressive supporting cast that includes Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, Josh Gad, and Gabriel Macht.  Love and Other Drugs is rated R for sexual themes, nudity, language, and drug portrayal, and the playing time runs just under two hours.  It is based loosely on the memoirs of Jamie Ready, who wrote about working for a pharmaceutical company at the start of the Viagra boom. While Love and Other Drugs is classified as a drama, the subject matter has many comedic elements that give it a dual effect.




"Smart, sexy and buckets of charm" **** Daily Express

In Love and Other Drugs, Gyllenhaal stars as Jamie, a pharmaceutical salesman who sells prescription drugs to doctors offices.  When out on a sales call he runs into Maggie, played by Hathaway, and is instantly interested in pursuing her.  They enter into a casual, sexual relationship and the scenes that follow are what give this title its R rating.  One commentator noted that director, Ed Zwick, just barely stayed above the line toying between sexy and gross.  Hathaway's character turns out to have Parkinson's Disease, a brain disorder that can lead to tremors and trouble with movement.  Jamie, being a pharmaceutical salesman, just so happens to have access to a lot of medication.

"Truly addictive romance" ***** Now

As the story unfolds, we see that this movie has multiple faces.  While it begins as a comedic tale of youth and romance, it unwinds into a melodrama about disease.  Love and Other Drugs is criticised for its attempt to present a serious topic in such a disorganized way.  Many audience members wished Zwick had focused more on the dramatic elements of the story, rather than spending so much time on the build up of the sexual relationship.

Love and Other Drugs is definitely not recommended for children, and contains a lot of nudity and sexual content.  It ends up trying to preserve a message about the world of medicine and how it affects those who are involved in it.  There is a lot of emotion presented in this film, but some complain that it left them with a feeling of insincerity.  Fans of Gyllenhaal should enjoy his charming portrayal of a young businessman, getting caught up in the excitement of success. Likewise, loyal Hathaway followers will see a different side to the budding actress.

Abi Motala

Tuesday, 22 February 2011

Jackass 3D DVD

The men of the Jackass team have proven time and again that the word can be associated with successful people, as their productions continueto bring in the big bucks. The Jackass TV series, starring Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Ryan Dunn, Preston Lacy and Christ Pontius,has been shocking, appalling, and entertaining audiences for years with their crazy stunts and indestructible behavior. This is not the firstJackass movie to be released, but it is the first that offers 3D viewing, for an even more personal experience.

So, once again, Johnny Knoxville and his team gather together and dream up new ways to have you squirming in your seats.



The Jackass 3D DVD will be released on March 8th, 2011, available at DVD retailers nationwide. The premise of the film is similar to all pastJackass productions, in that it is one attempt after another to live up to the title. Jackass 3D features a lot of scenes where a cast memberis performing a stunt that requires enduring some sort of pain or torture. Often times they will abuse their bodies in some creative way, laughing the whole way through.

There's electricity in the air when they tie dental floss from a Lamborghini to a tooth as they perform unlicensed medical surgery onone of their own. And if you miss a moment because you were covering your eyes, no worries - there are plenty of slow-motion recapsto fill you in on the horribly wonderful gags that you missed.In addition to the normal antics and exploits, Jackass 3D features a varietyof clips to mix up the vibe of the film. Those viewers with weaker stomachs may enjoy the candid camera, blooperesque shorts that are
dispersed through the film.

The Jackass pranksters are at it again in this third outing. So, you can look forward to the usual pranks and gags being played on cast members.

The 3D graphics in Jackass 3D are inconsistent. While some portions of the film were shot with 3D specific film, other portions were convertedinto 3D later. The difference is noticeable; so much so that most of the time you would rather it were a 2D picture. There are a few moments,however, where the positive impact of the third dimension is undeniable, forcing the audience into an even more up close and personal viewing
of what goes on in front of the Jackass cameras.

It is hard to review a movie such as Jackass 3D at this stage. The truth is, if you haven't heard of the Jackass franchise yet, it's probablynot your thing. Those who have been loyal followers of this crazy gang of tricksters are well aware of what they can offer, and what they canexpect from a 3D version of typical production. One great thing about Jackass, though, is that you can jump in anytime because there's noreal plot. Loyal fans, however, will argue that an understanding of the cast brings a heightened viewing experience.

Abi Motala