Tsotsi DVD Review

Tsotsi was a film adapted from an award winning novel by Athol Fugard. It was directed by Gavin Hood. It follows the story of a young criminal named Tsotsi(Presley Chweneyagae), who accidently becomes the caretaker for a young newborn. This forces him to face some traumatic events from his past, and causes him to question his criminal actions.
The performances in this film were strong, and the plot felt very gritty and real.


There are moments that are drenched with hopelessness and despair, where all that is important is survival, and then there are moments that transcend the grim circumstances and you are reminded once again of all the possibility contained in the human spirit.
I highly suggest this film, especially if you enjoyed similar films such as "City of God".
I give this film a 9 out of 10!
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Zack and Miri Reviewed

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is the new film by written and directed by Kevin Smith.
I know, I know, this is not exactly a "Movie you've never heard of", but every once in a while it doesn't hurt to deviate from the norm.
Seth Rogan stars as Zack, and Elizabeth Banks star as Miri, two platonic roommates who decide to make a porno in order to pay their bills.

Originally the part of Miri was written for Rosario Dawson, but she turned it down to play a role in the action flick Eagle Eye.
Zack and Miri also stars Jason Ewes, Traci Lords(real life porn star), Justin Long, and Katie Morgan(another real life porn star).
Although I found the film funny, I didn't find it hilarious. I do not really view that as a negative, though. It was extremely enjoyable. I grew to really care about Zack and Miri, I cheered for them, grieved for them, and became frustrated with them....In fact, I would say it is Kevin Smith's most touching film since Chasing Amy. Probably his best film since Chasing Amy. Don't get me wrong...it does have it's laugh-out-loud moments....especially after the credits roll. In that sequence(featuring Justin Long), it was obvious that his co-star could not keep from cracking up in the take....and that just adds to the humor of the scene. Stay for the credits.
The theatrical version has been highly edited. I can only hope that when the unrated version hits dvd, it doesn't ruin the story by adding too much. Still, I trust Kevin Smith, and I look forward to his next creation.
I give this movie an 8 out of 10!
Rent Kevin Smith's Film "Chasing Amy" on Netflix today!!!

The Tsunami Diaries

"The Tsunami Diaries" follows director Timmy Turner, a well known surfer, as he enlists the help of friends and strangers in an effort to bring disaster relief to lesser known parts of Indonesia. At first, I questioned his motives....was it all done for a movie? Was it just a gimmic in the disguise of a humanitarian quest? My final answer.....no. When you see the impacted lives not only do you feel sympathy and relief that these people are getting help, but you also feel the weight of all those that could not be on screen, that were never helped in anyway. It was a massive disaster, that will continue to claim victims for years to come. Timmy did what he could, and I think the film itself shows what a single person CAN do if they only refuse to let the thoughts "who am I, what can I possibly do." to dominate their minds. Their are times where technically I wish they'd edited a few seens differently...but that is such a minor complaint. The documentary is only about 49 minutes long but you will feel overwhelmed as the screen darkens. You will also feel a bit more comfortable in your own circumstances, realizing how good your life is and how fortunate you truly are. I applaud Timmy Turner for doing the impossible and bringing much needed help to those who need it. I have to give this 8 out of 10.
Rent this movie now through netflix!!!!

"Shrooms"

Tonight I watched "Shrooms".
(No Spoilers)

The movie had potential, and with the right imagination could have been horrifically entertaining. Unfortunately, it falls into a bad "Deliverance" movie with an ending I saw coming from early on. It succeeded only in annoying me. It threw dozens of cliches in a blender, mixed it all into a bad, non-engaging script, and slashed our expectations into a bloody mess of disappointment.

I'd rather watch "The Ruins" again. That was a much better film with a more realistic, less contrived plot. It haunted me for days.

Tomorrow I will think of "Shrooms" and try to remember what it was about, then come to realize I just let it steal another precious moment from my life.
Not all veggies are good for ya, including this one!
I give this movie 2 out of five stars.

Please go to www.thesecondwomb.com or www.johnvardell.com for more info on John Vardell, his writing, and his music.

Into the Wild

I recently watched "Into the Wild," and was deeply moved by it, it's been spinning around my head ever since.
What is powerful enough to hurt us most, is also what can save us.
Sometimes escape takes the appearance of a great hideaway, a place we can move from all the things which have hurt us, all the "lies" we've been told. The only escape is acceptance, and learning to let go, and realizing the most dangerous lies are the ones we tell ourselves. If we are willing to live, to know love, we must be willing to hurt, be willing to experience loss. You cannot know what it means to feel comfortable at a comfortable temperature, until you've experienced excessive cold or heat. As we grow we have to do our best to learn which individuals to let in, which ones to disregard, and we must let ourselves off the hook when we are placed in situations(or put ourselves in situations) which result in us being betrayed.
Bleed. Learn. Love. But never run, or we will spend our lives running, and always running to the wrong thing, this leaves us even more empty, and sometimes, dead.
Please visit http://www.thesecondwomb.com/ and http://www.johnvardell.com/ to learn more about his writing and music. Thanks for visiting!