Rating: 
Summary: boo, amazon reviewer
Review: This Amazon reviewer guy obviously has no clue about what this story is actually about, or why the film format is really groundbreaking for Native American film and DOES work, wonderfully. It really isn't a typical Hallmark film. He thinks the special effects are cheesy because he doesn't understand these stories that are being told... and missed the humor of a lot of it. It's not about "myths" in the way that White people see myths. It's about how story is life. THIS IS NOT A CHEESY HALLMARK MOVIE. It is really artfully done and is not a typical TV movie about why mainstream culture should loooove those Interesting and Spiritual Native Americans. I hope this film won't get labeled as a Nice Family Film About Myths. The only reason it's a TV movie by Hallmark is probably because this was the only way to fund such a high-budget Native film. What's too bad about that is that it won't get seen by the independent/art film crowd who might give it the awards that it deserves. Honestly, not to offend anyone, but I think that this film wasn't made for White people, it's really more for Native people who will understand its importance. It's kind of how there are a lot of important films about White people/white american culture FOR White people who share the culture of the characters that other people can watch and either misunderstand (due to lack of understanding of white american culture) or try to view it in its context and understand the white perspective. In the same way, this film needs to be seen in its own context, apart from the fact that it was shown on TV and laced with commercials aimed at mainstream America, or that its being sold as a Hallmark movie. A lot of these stories told by the Grandfather are becoming less and less told, and now are preserved for the younger generations in a way that still respects the 'oral tradition' that they come from. I hope that eventually the film will be treated more seriously, and that all those serious film critic-types will give it more attention and recognize all the creative and profound things that are going on in the structure and plot and cinematography.
Rating: 
Summary: Great production, tradeoff on space in the DVD
Review: This film is another winner in the Hallmark fantasy sfx flicks. The screenplay by John Fusco, (who was apparently adopted by the Lakota for Thunderheart and should thus be forgiven Hidalgo :-), is like taking a survey class in Native folklore. Written with humor, humanity, and respect for both the folklore and the realities of life on "the rez," Fusco manages to weave it all together into an engaging quest/road story. Visually, Barron's work is stunning for a television budget, giving each legend a distinct look, and the casting effort to make sure Natives (finally) play themselves pays off both visually and emotionally in the painstaking care for authenticity and representation of a sprawling and ancient culture. The DVD itself, however, is not without some tradeoffs. They've included extras: the most notable being a director's commentary track and a half-hour making of special, which given that the production itself was roughly 3hrs long, required them to increase compression. The data rate averages around the 4 mark--adequate for most of the film, but it does cause visible compression artifacts, particularly in the muted/documentary color tones used for the Tehan story. If you're a Superbit junkie, be prepared to grind your teeth. Compared to similar Hallmark discs, like "Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairy Tale," this one falls short on visual quality. But I think the tradeoff is worthwhile, given the high quality of the extras. The making-of special is (rightfully) more focused on Natives basking in the glow of being allowed to represent themselves in numbers and with dignity than in backstage anecdote. And the commentary by Barron is almost exclusively technical, but fascinating in the weath of lens and camera move detail. (I love that the through one window of the truck cabin panning across both occupants, and the out the other window shot is finally explained). Navigation is good, if not stellar, and there are no subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: Great for entire family
Review: This is an incredible movie! It's a great way to get kids interested in Indian folklore and revive adults' interest also. We watched the mini-series, loving every minute, and I remember screaming "NO!! You can't do that to us!" when it came to one night's end. I was, and still am, praying that they eventually will be able to make a regular series based on this. It would definitely be a great family-night activity!
BTW, I have always hated history and this movie kept me in awe.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Movie!
Review: This is probably the most amazing movie I have ever seen! Started watching it and just couldn't move from the TV the entire time! Powerful Native American Stories, Amazing effects and a glimpse into a culture we should all appreciate alot more. I recommend it 100%!!!
Rating:
Summary: dreamkeeper
Review: this movie really moved me and my roommate. of course i cried here and there but it was good. i myself is an indian, i never knew their would be so much interesting stories behind native american indians. but this moving is something else. i would recommend it to everyone
Rating:
Summary: hoka hey!
Review: This was one of the best films I've seen in a long time. Although the actors don't seem real comfortable with their lines in the first 5 minutes, that melts away fast. It was truly awesome to see stories I'd heard long time ago being played out so creatively. So many great characters and so much great humor (the white guy they pick up is hysterical..."no cream in my coffee, I'm a vegan") and beautiful storytelling that all centers on the truth that stories and life can't be separated and they're what keeps us alive. I missed the credits so I don't know who directed or was the d.p. but I loved their wonderfully creative use of film as an art form. The special effects weren't cheesy like they could've been but instead made things come alive even more... Everything was done so tastefully that you could cry one moment and laugh like crazy the next. And there are so many incredible shots. What I'm in awe of is whoever sunk that much money into making this film. It's a true gift for generations, keeping alive some of the best stories from the real America/Turtle Island and weaving all of into a deep and compelling story that can move anyone who listens. (and, we even get to see Tantoo Cardinal again prove that she really IS great as everybody's mom... you'll see lots of familiar faces, and not just from dances w/wolves!)
Rating:
Summary: Just when I thought it best to throw out the TV.
Review: We got up out of the middle of Pirates of the Caribbean to see the second half of this. I really didn't expect to see such a great production again on television, but, then again, I see from the other reviews that Hallmark had a hand in making this. From "Decoration Day" to "Dance with the White Dog" Hallmark makes memories for everyone and now they've given us "Dreamkeeper". I was glad to see many familiar faces in this film from my all-time favorite movie "Dances With Wolves". These actors' dedication to telling the story of their past should be given priority, I feel, over all the other races that have come to call America home if only because all of us "others" tread on the dust of these people as we move about in our daily lives. As time goes on we're being made aware of the huge cultural loss that we're experiencing as this race quickly disappears. I see my own Greek-German heritage slipping quickly away even as I try to help my wife teach our kids about her Hispanic heritage. The heat has been turned up under the melting pot and I'm afraid not much will remain in the next few decades to pass on.
Rating:
Summary: The first movie that has made me want to buy the DVD
Review: We have TiVo and have complete control over seeing the best of absolutely whatever we want on tv. Just happened to record this one, not really knowing anything about it. We were blown away...... even my husband who at times goes for mindless action etc. We had expected to watch just a little bit of it, but ended up viewing the whole thing in one sitting (& no ads due to tivo). We have never wanted to buy a dvd or video so that we could see something again, but this production has done it. We'll be buying copies as gifts too. The art direction was so well done, and the pace of the movie successfully convinces us the viewers of the change in world view and attitude that the grandson undergoes. The depictions of the stories were excellent, and the whole overall mood and tone of the production were very evocative. I like the way each story had its own filming style. (Anyone who did a bit of Tim Leary experimentation in the 60s will find some nostalgia in the visual qualities of the story about the woman who lived in the sky with the thunder god -- the best depictions of those effects we have ever seen.) Wonderfully imaginative production. I would love it if there were more of these to come in the future.
Rating:
Summary: this was a very great movie
Review: well i just wanted to say i really enjoyed this movie. i really enjoyed the stories they told. well i cant wait for it to come to dvd.
Rating:
Summary: A movie to watch over & over
Review: What can I say? This movie is incredible! My family recorded this when it ran as a two-nighter on ABC, and since we do not have cable, the recording was a bit grainy. Yet we have still watched it over and over. I am thrilled to see that it is finally available on DVD. This is quality movie-making at it's very best. You'll be spellbound from start to incredible finish. Cheers for Hallmark! Cheers for Dreamkeeper!
| 
