"MotherIndia: Life Through the Eeys of the Orphan" DVD Review

With over 31 million orphans in India, David Trotter and Shawn Scheinoha showed up hoping to find kids who would be willing to trust them enough to show them life through their eyes. Filmed over the course of two weeks in early 2012, Mother India gives a glimpse into the life of unaccompanied children as they seek to survive on a daily basis. While the film follows David and Shawn as they develop relationships with the entire group, in-depth interviews with seven of the kids provide insight into the magnitude of their individual pain and struggle. While other documentaries may focus on broad statistics, Mother India seeks to understand life through the eyes of the orphan…

I am so pleased to be able to tell you about this film.  Word Films offered me the chance to review this product for free in exchange for my honest review which is what I will share with you today.

I had no idea that there were 31 million abandoned and/or orphans in India.  I guess India seems to be a country that the U.S. doesn't talk about.  And there was something heart-wrenching about seeing these orphans tell their own story.  Make sure you have tissue handy--you'll need it.  I don't want to ruin the movie for you, but the approximately an hour you will spend watching this film can be life-changing.  It will remind you of how blessed we are in this country even in the middle of a recession.  I highly recommend this film, and so be sure to check it out on amazon!  In addition to this, be sure to check out Word Films on facebook and twitter.  And also check out the Mother India website for ways you can help the orphans!

I was sent a free product in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

Also, check out the current deal concerning this video.  If you buy the video on amazon, you can get two free books.  Read about the deal here.

This Day in History April 20, 1926

I always knew about the advent of sound in films due to the movie Singin' in the Rain.  What I did not know was today's fact.  On this date in 1926, Western Electric and Warner Brothers developed Vitaphone (pictured above), a new way to add sound to film.

As early as 1919 and 1920, Lee De Forest tried to develop ways of adding sound to film, but audio fidelity was not too good.  In addition to this, movie studios were just not overly interested.  Vitaphone was a process where sound was recorded on a disk, and then the sound was synched with the movie.  Don Juan  was the first film to use this technique.  There was no dialogue yet--just music and sound effects.  The first "talkie" picture happened the following year with The Jazz Singer.

I don't think today we take movie sound for granted.  We can't imagine a world where pictures did not have sound.  It's actually amazing to realize that the advent of sound in pictures is not even a hundred years old yet.  How far we have come in such a relatively short period of time.

More info:
http://jaxonfilmfest.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/on-this-day-in-movie-history-april-20-1926-vitaphone-gives-voice-to-film/
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/04/dayintech_0420
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/new-sound-process-for-films-announced
http://famousdaily.com/history/vitaphone-announced-adds-sound-to-film.html

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway (Ends 4/7) U.S.

We’re proud to announce The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey coming to Blu-ray & DVD March 19th 2013!

J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an amazing quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers.

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Be sure to check out the amazing app above.

Find out:

Are You 100% Hobbit Quiz! What has a tendency to be very brave, is around 4 ft. tall with sharp eyesight, little to no facial hair, and loves cake? If you thought we were talking about you, then you might be a Hobbit Indeed! Take the quiz to find out just how much of a Hobbit you are!

•           Creatures of Middle-earth! Hobbits, Elves and Dwarves are just a few of the magical creatures that call Middle-earth home. Check out vital stats and unique features about each one!

•           The Hobbit Handbook! Our Hobbit Handbook includes everything you need to throw the best viewing party in Middle-earth right at home!

•           Get Social! Tweet with the #TheHobbit hashtag and get excited about the premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey coming to Blu-ray & DVD March 19th 2013!

By the way, I'm 60% Hobbit--they say this is perfect!

This movie is a must-see film--I haven't even gotten a chance to see it yet, but I know it is something that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.  So enter now.  Giveaway is open to the U.S. only--no P.O. boxes.  This winner will receive The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-ray Combo Pack , and you must enter the rafflecopter below by 9 P.M. Pacific time on April 7.  Be sure to complete the mandatory entry for speedy prize redemption.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Warner Bros. is responsible for supplying the winner's prize.  I am working with them, but all opinions are 100 percent mine.  I have not been financially compensated for posting this giveaway.

This Day in History March 14, 1931

On this date in 1931, it was a historic moment for Indian cinema.  The first full-length talking film was released in India called Alma Ara.  It was based on a play and involved the story between a prince and a gypsy girl.  There were no soundproof stages, so most of the shooting was done at night so to avoid daytime noises.  There is a dispute as to whether the originals of the film were destroyed by a fire or not.

For more information:
http://www.angelfire.com/movies/madhuri/alamara.htm
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021594/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alam_Ara

This Day in History December 18, 1946

I would venture to say that Steven Spielberg is one of the most iconic film directors in history.

And on this date in 1946, he was born.  I did not realize that he was born Jewish, but I can certainly see it now.  I just never thought about it.  He began as an unpaid intern at Universal Studios in the 1960's.  Television was his first vehicle in 1969 with Night Gallery, and he even landed work on the first series of Columbo.  

His first film vehicle was Sugarland Express in 1974, but it did not fare well at the box office.  It was Jaws in 1975, that made him an international star.  And the rest is history.  You can see the tribute to him from 2009, and this does not even take into account Lincoln (that I have not seen but plan to).  I have not seen every film featured in the tribute, but I am familiar with most.  It is hard to say what my favorite is, but maybe I'll say Amistad for now.  This was a movie that is rated "R," and I was a little concerned about seeing it.  I checked it out of the library, and I was amazed.  There was honestly nothing "R-rated" about it.  I would put it at a PG-13 rating due to violence.  I spent a a lot of time crying during the film, and it was very hard to watch.  Of course, I loved E.T., The Color Purple, Back to the Future, War Horse, and many more.  I am not a fan of Jaws (I was horrified after watching this and hope to never see it again) War of the Worlds (I would have loved if they followed the book), nor Indiana Jones (too violent for me).  I kind of liked the idea behind Jurassic Park, but again, it was a little over the top for me.  There are many more I could list, and I would love to hear your thoughts!

For more information:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000229/bio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg_filmography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/steven-spielberg.html