Sounder

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars isn't nearly enough.
Review: "Sounder" is a film of sublime beauty- one of the most powerful films for anyone to see. Even though the title made no immediate sense to me (it's the name of the family dog), the plot and script is choice and proves what I've always believed regarding most scripts: less is more. Films which feature close, reverent African-American families are still rare in the 21st century, and this was a *1972* release- which broke ground when it was nominated at that year's Academy Awards for lead actor (Paul Winfield), lead actress (Cicely Tyson), screenplay (Lonne Elder III), and best picture. Only director Martin Ritt was not nominated- which was a travesty, but the Academy is historically famous for bonehead decisions. At any rate, I was happy to see a film which shows family supporting each other- even in the event of the father's absence. (I won't say how or why that happens, but it's only temporary, and his return in the film- staged against a long stretch of open farm field, with Oscar spotlights on Tyson and Winfield- is a bewitching, almost magical, sequence in the film.) Everyone is a standout, including Kevin Hooks's pre-teen who needs to grow up overnight and to Carmen Matthews as the neighbor who supports and tries to help the family. Even more amazing is that this is a G-rated film; your whole family- black, white, or brown- will absolutely cherish it. Nice to have in any recording, it needs to be released to DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Huge Disappointment!
Review: 'Nathan' (Paul Winfield) steals food from a neighbor. Soon he's sent to jail for doing so. The family wish to visit him but, are not told where he is. A sympathetic white woman finds out for them and then, their son, David Lee, (Kevin Hooks) takes off walking to the prison where they believe 'Nathan' is being kept. When his hand is bloodied by one of the prison guards he wonders into a school house, an all black school house. (Full of bad little actors, if I might add that.) The teacher befriends him. Sending him back home with new books and the hope of coming back to live with her and attend school there.

When I saw this move in the store, I had never heard of it. When I read the synopsis, seen that it was nominated for four Academy Awards and had Cicely Tyson staring in it, I felt I had to see it. Boy, what a let down!

I think the story would have been better had there been a decent director. The acting is awful, (with exception to Mrs. Tyson,) The video quality and sound is terrible. There was one scene where I actually cried. Not because the movie was touching, but because of the horrible acting. It was dreadful and I knew I had wasted my money.

Maybe with a better director, a few more actors and actresses like Mrs. Tyson, and a bigger budget, 'Sounder' could have been a decent movie to watch/buy, but sadly, I found out too late it had none of these things.

Rating:
Summary: ...a beautiful film...
Review: ...just a small gem with beautiful performances from a stellar cast...

Rating:
Summary: Sounder VHS
Review: After reading Sounder with my students I decided to let them watch the movie. This movie is wonderfully done and my students loved seeing the book come to life. This is a great movie to add to your collection.

Rating:
Summary: Sounder VHS
Review: After reading Sounder with my students I decided to let them watch the movie. This movie is wonderfully done and my students loved seeing the book come to life. This is a great movie to add to your collection.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: I saw this film on sale for about $3 at West Coast Video and had to pick it up, even though I only saw a few minutes on TBS one morning. I usually don't watch G rated movies(as most of them are cartoons, which I don't care much for) but this is one hell of a movie. Like "Babe," it's one of those rare movies that can get its message across to adults without talking down to them.

I do have one bone to pick with this film: the graphic shooting of the dog. This was a bit extreme, especially for a G rated family-oriented picture. If a 24 year old finds that scene difficult, then it will surely scare the hell out of a tyke. (Incidentally, both "Babe" films, especially the sequel, had some very dark scenes.) Regardless, the shooting is extremeley relevant to the plot(cause Sounder helped them hunt).

I wish there were more films like this. I'm becoming real tired of shelling out $8 to see some lame sex comedy or special effects dominated action film.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: I saw this film on sale for about $3 at West Coast Video and had to pick it up, even though I only saw a few minutes on TBS one morning. I usually don't watch G rated movies(as most of them are cartoons, which I don't care much for) but this is one hell of a movie. Like "Babe," it's one of those rare movies that can get its message across to adults without talking down to them.

I do have one bone to pick with this film: the graphic shooting of the dog. This was a bit extreme, especially for a G rated family-oriented picture. If a 24 year old finds that scene difficult, then it will surely scare the hell out of a tyke. (Incidentally, both "Babe" films, especially the sequel, had some very dark scenes.) Regardless, the shooting is extremeley relevant to the plot(cause Sounder helped them hunt).

I wish there were more films like this. I'm becoming real tired of shelling out $8 to see some lame sex comedy or special effects dominated action film.

Rating:
Summary: A GIANT OF A MOVIE. REACHES DEEP INTO YOUR HEART.
Review: THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE MOVIE "SOUNDER" IS THAT (IF MEMORY SERVES) IT CAME OUT THE SAME YEAR AS "THE GODFATHER" AND CONSEQUENTLY DIDN'T GARNER DESERVED ACADEMY AWARDS FOR ACTOR, ACTRESS AND BEST PICTURE. A SIMPLE TALE, SIMPLY TOLD WITH GREAT HEART AND SOUL FOR THE FAMILY INVOLVED. TYSON AND WINFIELD MADE NAMES FOR THEMSELVES IN THIS MOVIE, THOUGH, PITY, WERE NOT REALLY REWARDED WITH GREAT SUBSEQUENT ROLES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TYSON'S "AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS JANE PITTMAN". A GREAT FAMILY FILM THAT WILL AFFECT MEMBERS OF ALL AGES. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Rating:
Summary: A GIANT OF A MOVIE. REACHES DEEP INTO YOUR HEART.
Review: THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE MOVIE "SOUNDER" IS THAT (IF MEMORY SERVES) IT CAME OUT THE SAME YEAR AS "THE GODFATHER" AND CONSEQUENTLY DIDN'T GARNER DESERVED ACADEMY AWARDS FOR ACTOR, ACTRESS AND BEST PICTURE. A SIMPLE TALE, SIMPLY TOLD WITH GREAT HEART AND SOUL FOR THE FAMILY INVOLVED. TYSON AND WINFIELD MADE NAMES FOR THEMSELVES IN THIS MOVIE, THOUGH, PITY, WERE NOT REALLY REWARDED WITH GREAT SUBSEQUENT ROLES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TYSON'S "AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS JANE PITTMAN". A GREAT FAMILY FILM THAT WILL AFFECT MEMBERS OF ALL AGES. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Rating:
Summary: a timeless film
Review: this film still has strong quality and values in times of need.Cicely Tyson does a wonderful job at holding her family together.this is one of the best family films ever.it captures pain,struggle,joy&love all at once.