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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I'm Still Here Dvd Review

I'm Still Here is a powerful documentary directed by Lauren Lazin. It features numerous well known stars such as Elijah Wood, Zach Braff, Amber Tamblin, Kate Hudson, and many more as they read the real diaries of young adolescents who suffered the horrors of Nazi Occupation in WWII. While being read, we are shown numerous video clips and pictures all meant to bring the viewers into the lives of those who wrote and experienced one of the greatest atrocities of the last 100 years.


We've all heard of Anne Frank, but this documentary focuses on those whose voices haven't been heard, those tormented, brave souls who faced the worst and wrote about their struggle.
It is only 48 minutes in length, but it will not easily be forgotten. If you are really sensitive, this may not be for you...however...if you do see this...you will understand how lucky you are to be alive now, and to not fear the things they feared.
My only complaint is the music which was done by Moby. There are several scenes where the music doesn't fit and takes away from the impact. I'm a huge fan of Moby, so it's not personal. In fact there are moments where the music is amazing and does fit....it's just that most of the time it doesn't work at all.
This is an important film to see if you can stomach it. I give it 9 out of 10.

Rent it on Netflix today!

Hell Ride Dvd Review

Hell Ride is a tribute to Biker Films directed by Larry Bishop. It stars Michael Madsen, Dennis Hopper, Vinnie Jones, David Carradine, and Eric Balfour. It tells the story of the Victors bike gang as they set out for revenge against their rivals the "six six six'rs".
It starts out promising enough, with a very stylized opening and music that oozes coolness.


Unfortunately, there's not really that much action in this film. There's a lot of scenes where they're riding down the highway with cool music in the background, looking tough and ready...
but very little violence takes place. After watching this film I wondered.....what did I just watch? What were they doing all that time when nothing was going on?
The women in the film are breathtaking and are probably the strongest positive element of the film.
The Dialogue is the worst element of the film, often repeating words like "fire" or "business" in a single conversation until you are both irritated and bored. It's an obvious attempt to be clever, but it just doesn't work.
The performances were strong by all, but the story and dialogue didn't do any of these actors justice.
I give this film a 5 out of 10

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!!!!

Sex and Fury

Sex and Fury is an Asian Cinema "cult classic". It's part of "The Pinky Violence DVD Collection"
and stars Legendary actress Reiko Ike and Christina Lindberg(Most famous for playing "One Eye" in the fantastic film "Thriller: A Cruel Picture".
Reiko Ike plays a woman determined to get revenge on those who killed her father.
I popped this Dvd in the player, with child-like giddiness...expecting something that would absolutely thrill me, especially since it's been stated as being on of the movies that helped inspire Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill". I was a bit dissapointed, however. My main complaint comes in the sword play, which, except for the one exception where a character fights naked, falls flat on every other level. The choreography was unbelievable and uninteresting, and the plot let me down completely. I was unhappy how some of the characters were handled including Christina Linberg's character and her love interest. I felt all the actresses talents were a bit wasted...and the cinematography could and should have been brilliant, but also seemed to lack inspiration, as if the director Norifumi Suzuki was worried more about a pressing schedule than giving the film any true substance.
It's worth seeing, if only to see Christina Lindberg in another film. It's a shame it wasn't worthy of her, or Reiko Ike.

Available on 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.