'Is Anybody Listening?' DVD Review

Paula J. Caplan is a Psychologist and author who had a father who was a Captain of an all black battery that fought in the Battle is the Bulge. She grew up listening to all the stories of that famous battle. What she also heard were the stories of the men coming home and trying to settle into a world that actually didn’t exist for them anymore. As she grew up and acquired her degrees she also met and listened to hundreds of other people who also went through the same bewildered outlook of life.

You see when a person joins the military and has to fight in a battle or war they are changed forever. These people are human but then they fight and afterward try to be the same person they were before but when they talk now people believe they are mentally ill. When in reality they are simply people who have fought in a war and survived the best way they could. Most Americans don’t have the knowledge of fighting in a war and for the most part most Americans are military illiterate. Caplan learned early on what these proud Americans needed and has fought to help them. She set Listen to a Veteran a national non-profit organization that simply listens respectfully to what a veteran has to say. Instead of isolation they are able to bring them into the fold of humanity again.

This story is a documentary/drama that brings home the message of love and heart full thanks to the men and women who have served in the military during times of war. Caplan has even interviewed vets like 96 year old Isaac Pope who served with her father in the Battle of the Bulge. The quality of the DVD is excellent. The sights and sounds are superb. This is a must for every American whether you have served or not. It will give you an insight into a hell that some people are not able to come back from but desperately need our help. Don’t pass this one up and add it to that personal library.

'Winter Flies' DVD Review

Fourteen year old Mara (Tomáš Mrvík) is a very rebellious young lad. His younger friend Hedus (Jan František Uher) is a positive, pudgy young boy who simply just wants to hang out with Mara. The boys decide they want to go off on a road trip. So they steal an Audi and they drive off into the frozen wastelands of the Czech Republic. The two have a great time on the road and even pick up a young female hitchhiker (Eliska Krenkova). Like most young boys this is a trip of a lifetime. You never really find out just why the boys went on the road trip. You have your suspicions but you never really learn the truth. Eventually the boys do get pulled over and taken into custody by some local police.

This is truly where the fun begins for you find out how they acquired a dog and a hitchhiker. You learn how sexually stimulating it was to have the young lady in the car as they traveled the Czech roads. The police officer who is grilling Mara or actually listening to his stories is not very sympathetic maybe because he wanted to do something crazy like this when he was a young boy.
Czech Director Olmo Omerzu does a wonderful job with this coming of age story with our two young men. The film made it to being nominated as an Oscar nomination for Best International Film In 2019.

Film Movement is bringing this enjoyable film to DVD for us on February 11th, 2020. The quality of the DVD is fantastic and the sights and sounds are excellent. You really do get the feeling as if you are right there in the backseat driving down the Czech countryside. You will want to pick this one up and put it that personal library of yours for it is a joy to watch. You may want to pick this one up and give it to that special someone as a gift. You will watch it over and over so sit back and enjoy.

'High Strung: Free Dance' Blu-Ray Review

Zander Raines (Thomas Doherty) is a wonderful up and coming Choreographer. . He is working on a new  Broadway show that could be the hit of the season. Raines goes out on a limb and casts a dancer by the name of Barlow (Juliet Doherty). Raines also gives a young innovative pianist named Charlie (Harry Jarvis).  Barlow is a looker and Charlie as well as Raines both notice it right away.

This threesome of sorts makes for some interesting scenes in the movie. Barlow has the looks and can dance but when it comes to her mother Oksana (Jane Seymour) she simply has an attitude. It might just be that Oksana was a dancer and as a mom might be just be a little overbearing. She does mean well but Barlow has a mind of her own and fights back when she can.
Charlie on the other hand was a delivery driver who simply is a very talented and innovative pianist.

As I said earlier Charlie notices Barlow right away and you can see the chemistry early on. Unfortunately Raines has it bad for his lead dancer and lets it be known. Barlow simply plays them both and enjoys the attention.

The music and the dancing are pretty incredible. Those of you who enjoy dance then this film is for you. If you care for chemistry between young actors then this film is for you. Those who enjoy both dance and chemistry then your in luck because you are going to be tinkled pink with this film.

GVN Releasing is bringing this film to Blu-Ray on February 4th, 2020. The quality of the Blu-Ray is excellent. The sights and sounds are superb and the show is wonderful. This is one those films that you will want to pick up and put in your personal library. It would also make a great gift for that special person. Once you have this film in your possession you will be watching it over and over. So watch the rivalry and romance and see where the love falls. Enjoy.

'Jay And Silent Bob Reboot' Blu-Ray Review

Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) are outside the Quick Stop where they spend much of their time. The guys are selling marijuana and they are arrested for selling the pot. When they get to court they are acquitted unfortunately the two sign away their names to their lawyer. Soon afterward they find out that  a remake of 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' is about to be done. The two guys want to put a stop to it but they must get to California and attend the Chronic Con in Hollywood.

The guys hole up in Chicago as they make their way cross country. Jay meets up with a former lover named Justice (Shannon Elizabeth).  Well she is now a meteorologist and has a daughter named Millennium Faulken (Harley Quinn Smith). What’s funny is Jay is the father. Justice takes off and Millie forces Jay and Silent Bob to take her and a friend to California. Jay is drugged by Milly and they end up in New Orleans. Milly has more friends in New Orleans and once again does Jay and Silent Bob. The guys get left and must find the van and the group. When found the group has been kidnapped by the Ku Klux Klan. Jay and Silent Bob must get them away from the Klan and get back on the road.

Lionsgate has brought this film to Blu-Ray and shows us that there is still a stoner audience out there to enjoy it. The quality of the Blu-Ray is excellent and the sights and sounds are superb. This is the type of movie that for some can bring back memories of ones youth and for others can open their eyes to things that they might not be aware of. Either way it’s enjoyable for a good laugh. This is a wonderful addition to your personal library and would make a great gift to that special person.

'I Got You Babe : The Best Of Sonny & Cher' DVD Review

Salvatore Bono “Sonny” and Cherilyn Sarkisian “Cher” would come together in the 1960’s and the music the produced was sensational. The popularity of the two along with the love between the two grew by leaps and bounds. The pair were singing in nightclubs in 1970 and in the audience one night was Fred Silverman head of CBS entertainment. He watched the show and loved how Sonny and Cher sounded but also loved how they mixed in between songs. He thought what a great variety show these two could put together. On August 1st, 1971 'The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour' premiered. It started as a Summer replacement and soon had millions of followers it would run from 1971-1974.

Each week audiences would tune in just to see what Cher was wearing. Most of the time people would tune in just to see how little Cher was wearing her outfits were very risqué. The comedy was hilarious and the music was fabulous. To this day it is still one of the best shows ever to play TV.
Bob Mackie designed the costumes Cher would wear. Guest stars would include the Supremes, Chuck Berry, the Righteous Brothers, Dinah Shore, and Jim Nabors. Along with Dick Clark, Jerry Lewis, Carroll O’Connor, Art Carney and many more would entertain us each week.

TimeLife is bringing this wonderful show to DVD on February 11, 2020. The quality of this 5-disc Collector’s set is fantastic. The sights and sounds are superb. This will make a beautiful addition to that personal library and you will watch this over and over. You could also pick this one up and make it a wonderful gift for that special person. Either way you can’t lose. So take a step back in time and watch a wonderful show that had millions of fans tuning in every Wednesday night to laugh and sing thanks to Sonny and Cher.

'The Merger' DVD Review

Our story is about a former Australian footballer who has turned in what you could call a social justice campaigner. Troy Carrington (Damian Callinan) has returned home to Bodgy Creek and is talked into coaching the town’s football team. Bodgy Creek is in the middle of a drought. The local mill where many worked has been shut down and the football team is very sad to say the least. Now all this started when Troy struck a friendship with Neil (Rafferty Grierson) who has been having a bad time since the death of his father. Troy meets  Eli’s mom Angie (Kate Mulvany) and the two hit it off. Angie happens to be in charge of a refugee support center that is near Bodgy Creek. Troy goes to visit the center and happens to see some it’s residents playing football. Troy and Angie then have a plan to possibly incorporate the refugee’s onto the team and possibly save it.

Troy needs this as since his return home he was living a sort of hermit type of existence. When he became the coach everyone thought that this would bring him around. When faced with the fact that none of the residents of Bodgy Creek were really any good at football Troy retreated back into himself, but with the refugees he saw a chance to turn things around. Not only would he be doing better but he could help the refugees become more acclimated to their surroundings and could bring the town out of its slump.

Unfortunately, Troy has problems with Neil’s grandfather and Club President Bull (John Howard) and with a ‘star’ player of the club named Carpet Burn (Angus McLaren) who don’t like the idea of the refugees becoming part of the team. The comedy is wonderful and the storyline is excellent. IndiePix brings this gem to DVD on January 28th, 2020. The quality of the DVD is fantastic and the sights and sounds are superb. This will be an excellent addition to that personal library and you will watch it over and over.

'Moving Parts' DVD Review

The United Nations reports that when it comes to human trafficking 71% are usually women and young girls. The U N also reports that profits from human trafficking earns around $150 billion a year. These figures are shameful and it needs to be stopped.

Our story is about a young Chinese National Zhenzhen (Valerie Tian) who after her father passed hires a smuggler to take her out of country. Her destination is the Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. You see her brother Wei works construction in the area. Wei is able to get her job working at a restaurant but it’s very menial. Unfortunately, the smuggler wants more money and Zhenzhen is forced into a very compromising situation. A woman by the name of Evelyn (Kandyse McClure) steps one to help sort of. Evelyn runs an art gallery but leaves little to the imagination if get my drift. You must understand Zhenzhen was working in the dark rooms above the restaurant where men would have their way with the young girl. So in essence what’s really the difference.
This movie blends much together about right and wrong. It shows us what is taking place possibly right next door to where we live in every country on this planet. When all is said and done it can rip your heart right out of your body.

Director Emilie Upczak does a wonderful job with this film and as it is her first feature film congratulations all around. She has done a beautiful job. IndiePix Films rings this wonderful film to DVD on January 21st, 2020. The quality of the DVD is fantastic and the sights and sounds are superb. This will be a wonderful addition to your personal library. It would also be a great gift to that special someone. So don’t waste any time and pick this one up as soon as you can.