The Oscars are just around the corner and Universal's "Dallas Buyers Club" has been nominated for two best acting awards and for best picture of 2013. The storyline is based on a real Texas cowboy, Ron Woodroof, who when told he has less than a month to live, defies his medical advice and sets out to search the web for better ways to cure himself or at least prolong his life expectancy with non-approved techniques. This eventually leads to big trouble with local doctors and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
The Oscars are just around the corner and Universal's "Dallas Buyers Club" has been nominated for two best acting awards and for best picture of 2013. The storyline is based on a real Texas cowboy, Ron Woodroof, who when told he has less than a month to live, defies his medical advice and sets out to search the web for better ways to cure himself or at least prolong his life expectancy with non-approved techniques. This eventually leads to big trouble with local doctors and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Woodroof, a very flawed man who drinks, smokes and delights in unprotected sex anytime and anywhere, refuses to accept his HIV diagnosis. Like the low-brow guys he cavorts with, Ron is a rabid homophone and his friends reaction to his diagnosis only adds to his pain and horror as he desperately tries to cope and survive.
"Dallas Buyers Club," directed by Jean-Marc Vallee ("The Young Victoria") is beautifully acted by McConaughey, who lost so much weight for the role he looks almost skeletal. His gaunt appearance adds credibility to his pitch-perfect performance, but one can only hope that the drastic weight loss won't lead to severe health problems in the future.
For example Tom Hanks lost a significant amount of weight for his performance in "Castaway," which may have led to his becoming diabetic.
Jared Leto also gives a remarkable performance as the preoperative transsexual who joins forces with Woodroof to seek a better way to treat AIDS patients. Their relationship develops throughout the film as the gruff rodeo rider finds compassion for a man he would never have spoken to prior to his illness.
Less successful is the way the storyline is developed. Set in the mid 1980s, the film overly demonizes the FDA and the Dallas doctors of the time. Jennifer Garner is a compassionate young doctor trying to help her friend Rayon (Leto) by placing him in a drug study being conducted at her hospital.
Unfortunately her medical superior is presented as a bully who joins forces with the FDA to prevent Woodroof from seeking alternate drugs and treatment…
What really clicks in the film is the eventual chemistry that develops between McComaughy and Leto, as the homophobic Texan discovers and shows compassion for his gay associate in the Dallas Buyer's Club, an organization that makes new drugs and techniques available to HIV patients.
Bonus features include deleted scenes and a feature entitled, "A Look Inside Dallas Buyers Club." From Universal, rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexual conduct, nudity and drug use.
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“Wadjda,” from Sony Pictures Classics, tells the story of a 10-year-old girl named Wadjda, who is determined to have a bicycle of her own. That sounds like an easy dream to fulfill, but not for this feisty young Saudi Arabian youngster living in a country dominated by men who practice and enforce strict Muslim rules.
Even her loving and doting mother is against the plan because in their society riding a bicycle could damage a young girl’s virtue. (Dr. Oz, tell them it isn’t so!)
“Wadjda” is the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia. Even more amazing is the fact that it was written and directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker. “Wadjda” also marks Saudi Arabia’s first submission for Oscar consideration in the Foreign Language Category. The film didn’t get a 2014 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film, but being entered in the 2014 race is still a major achievement for this Middle Eastern nation.
Waad Mohammed stars as Wadjda, a popular Saudi television personalit. Reem Abdullah, in her first feature film role, plays Wadjda’s sympathetic but cautious mother.
“Wadjda,” a simple tale about a determined child who stops at nothing for her dream of owning a bicycle, takes Western viewers behind closed doors, revealing what life is like when the veil is removed. There is obvious love between Wadjda’s parents, but we soon sense a tension in their relationship caused by the fact their only child is a daughter, not a son.
We also see that there are definite rules young girls and women must adhere to: never go out without a headscarf, never be alone with a man who is not your husband, and never ride a bicycle lest you damage your virginity. While this sounds rather grim, there are comedic moments as well.
It is obvious that Wadjda’s father loves her and she has also captured the playful heart of the young neighbor boy who sometimes lets her ride his bicycle when no one is looking. But Wadja wants a bike of her own so she can race her friend–and win.
The clever Wadjda secretly forges a plan to make money for her coveted bike. She also tells the kindly owner of the bicycle shop that he must not sell “her” bike till she can pay for it herself. Will he comply?
One way she seeks to earn the needed cash is by winning a contest sponsored by her all girls school. To win she must be able to quote and sing key verses from the Koran and answer historical questions about their holy book. This process is often humorous and reveals even further the determined character of this endearing, beautiful ten-year-old who will capture your heart.
Special features on the Combo Pack include a commentary with Writer/Director Haifaa Al Mansour, a making-of featurette and a director’s Q & A with Al Mansour.
“Wadja,” an independent Spirit and BAFTA Award Nominee, arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack Feb. 11. The Film has a running time of 98 minutes and is rated PG for thematic elements, brief mild language and smoking. It is Arabic with English subtitles.
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Now available on DVD: "Space Voyages," a compilation of four spectacular programs from the Smithsonian Channel that explores NASA's endeavors of yesterday, today and beyond.
Inception Media Group presents "White House Revealed," narrated by Martin Sheen. The DVD provides an intimate tour of the executive mansion and features exclusive interviews and rare archival footage. This is also from the Smithsonian Channel.
Also available on Blu-ray and DVD, "All Is Lost," starring Robert Redford in a riveting solo performance at sea.
