DVD PICKS: Strings of inspiration

MUSIC OF THE HEART
Directed by Wes Craven
Starring Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn, Gloria Estefan and Angela Bassett
Distributed by Speedy Videos

MUSIC Of The Heart, a 1999 film, is based on the inspiring work of American violinist and music teacher Roberta Guaspari, now aged 64, in Harlem, New York. Guaspari co-founded Opus 118, a music school.

This film also draws references  from the documentary Small Wonders (directed by Allan Miller), on Guaspari’s work in the schools.

The movie could have been a ponderous celluloid offering, but Wes Craven (of Nightmare on Elm Street fame) has given it a lighter touch. Instead of getting dirty in the East Harlem area Craven has given the area a gentler gloss — as seen from Guaspari’s perspective. In her eyes, ultimately it’s the children who matter.

The film opens with photographs in an album showing a happily married couple, seguing into the present-day. The story then begins with a newly-divorced violin teacher (with two young boys) who takes up the post of a part-time teacher at a East Harlem school.

She soon wins the inner-city students over with her passion, determination, no-nonsense attitude and honesty. When her classes are cut due to financial constraints, she gets help by giving a concert at Carnegie Hall. This is real-life, not Hollywood magic.

So, not only do her students get to perform at this prestigious venue — and don’t forget that they come from impoverished families — but some real classical violinists also step onto the stage — Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Mark O’Connor and Joshua Bell, among others, appear as themselves.

The aim of the concert was to keep the classical arts as part of the public school curriculum.

The lead role of Guaspari is superbly played by Oscar-winning Meryl Streep. Again, as in The Iron Lady and Julia & Julia, she has transformed herself into a violin teacher. A teacher who can quell an unruly student with one look, or her tone. Masterful acting!

The end credits reveal that Opus 118 still operates, run solely on donations, as are the violin classes too. And the violin teacher still works.

The DVD comes with English and Thai subtitles only. There are no extras in this offering.

If you like To Sir With Love, Mr Holland’s Opus, or just a fan of Streep, then this movie is tailor-made for you. Time to get inspired.

A JOYFUL NOISE
Directed and written by Todd Graff
Starring Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Jeremey Jordan and Courtney B. Vance
Distributed by Speedy Videos

THE ever-youthful and talented Dolly Parton has written a song on par with I Will Always Love You — and it premiered in this 2012 film. The song is called From Here To Moon And Back. You heard it here first! It is a beautiful ballad, and easily played on piano or guitar.

A Joyful Noise is about a small town choir out to win a national competition which it has not managed to do so far.

Throw in a God-fearing choir leader (Queen Latifah) and a sassy rich lady (Dolly Parton) and fireworks can happen. I like the cat fight at the restaurant because these two women get to spill truths about each other. Nice move by director-writer Todd Graff.

The DVD comes with English, Thai, complex Chinese, Korean, and Portuguese (Brazilian) subtitles. Special features include an inside look at the young talents who include Palmer and Jeremy Jordan, and the recording process of the songs by the two leading ladies.

Joyful Noise is a about faith and determination, but the execution is slow. I would just want to get the song, From Here To Moon And Back, on my iPod.

THE LAST REGION
Directed by Doug Lefler
Starring Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai and John Hannah
Distributed by Speedy Videos

ADAPTED from Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s best-selling historical adventure novel, The Last Legion is an entertaining watch. It’s got action, romance, historical facts, fantasy, and a good cast.

A period epic, the story is basically how the sword Excalibur landed in Britain and got stuck in a boulder.

It starts in 470 AD, just before the fall of the Roman Empire. The young Caesar-to-be, Romulus, is abducted by the Goths (Germanic troop). His parents are killed and the Goths rule Rome. Romulus gets much help from his magician-teacher, Ambrosinus (Sir Ben Kingsley), and the protection of Roman military commander Aurelius (Colin Firth).

Held on an island fort, the boy finds his father’s enchanted sword. Aided by a ragtag rebel group including the Middle-Eastern female warrior Mira (Aishwarya Rai), they go to Britannia to find the fabled Ninth (Dragon) Legion.

At Hadrian’s Wall (a bit of which still stands in England today), this Last Legion of Rome does its final hurrah against barbarians and some vengeful Goths.

That’s when Romulus blooms as a leader. “No more war,” he cries, and throws his enchanted sword into a lake.

This Roman boy is important to the King Arthur folklore because he is Arthur’s grandfather. And that sword, ES Calibre, becomes Excalibur.

It’s a simple story, and well-told, even from a historical view. The acting is good and the action scenes riveting. Rai does her fight scenes well, and her love scenes not so well. Hmmm, I would have bowled over to be wooed by Firth!

Kingsley, still recognisable as Gandhi, gives his magician role some finesse and ages believably at the end of this 2007 film. The end turns this tale into a prequel to all Arthurian stories.

Extra features include director Lefler talking about the history on which The Last Legion is based as well as deleted fight scenes.

A good watch for the family.

MUSIC OF THE HEART

A JOYFUL NOISE

THE LAST REGION

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