departure

Departure
$13.98
Remember the kid with the floppy blonde hair that was the teen heart-throb of the moment a few years back with the release of Beautiful Soul? Yes, Jesse McCartney is back with his third album called Departure.

There's no doubt that the guy can sing but the album does nothing to prove that he'll have any longevity in today's music scene. The title is deceptive. There's no departure here - there's nothing on offer that can't be generated by every other act today, there's no departure from the flash in the pan appearance of his debut release and there's certainly no departure from blending in with what's currently getting airplay.

He does try his hardest though. He even tries some pop/hip-hop stylings with Rock You featuring Sean Garrett, who has written for everyone who is anyone and has produced more than a few of the tracks. It's a bit bland and it will disappear from your memory before the next song is half over. He does, however, do a better than expected version of Bleeding Love which was penned by himself and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic fame. His attempt has honesty that you can't find on any of the other tracks on the album. Sadly though, next to Leona Lewis, his version pales in comparison.

Overall, the album is full of the fluff and disposable radio fodder with nothing that will make you want to hit the back button. It's great background music if you're having a lazy afternoon with friends. It's simple, it doesn't require thought and if you have teenage sisters, it'll make a great gift - they'll swoon over it. My sisters love me now.

The Edge of the World
$29.99
The Edge of the World has outstanding cinematography and the acting is also very good. The plot moves along a bit too slow for my taste although as others have noted the scenery more than makes up for the way the film winds its way through the story line. The choreography was very well done and the quality of the print is pretty good except in a few places where it could use a little restoration.

The film begins on a Shetland island not too far from Scotland. We see a trio of explorers who come upon a tombstone at the edge of a very sharp cliff; and one of them tells the other two the story about the tombstone--and so much more. Thus the story is essentially a flashback; and this device works very well.

We first meet several principle characters: there are two family patriarchs, Peter Manson (John Laurie) and James Grey (Finlay Currie). They have a lot on their hands as the fishing and farming on the island of Hirta is slowly but surely dying. The larger fishing boats have been catching their fish; and the younger generation of the islanders is leaving to find a more prosperous way of life in Scotland or even elsewhere. There's quite a crisis when the islanders meet; and two of their sons, Robbie Manson (Eric Berry) and Andrew Grey (Niall MacGinnis) decide to settle the matter by running a race up a sharp cliff--without a safety rope. While Ruth Manson (Belle Chrystall) loves Andrew, she is also Robbie's twin sister; and she hates the idea of them running this race--she could lose both of them. However, Robbie and Andrew think that the race to the top of the cliff is the only way to settle the matter and reach a decision for all.

Unfortunately, Robbie dies when he falls off the cliff; but this doesn't settle the matter. Many islanders still want to stay although the outlook worsens when the peat begins to run out and their latest crop won't be good, either. Complications abound when Peter Manson finds out that his daughter Ruth is pregnant with an illegitimate child by Andrew. Andrew doesn't know Ruth is even pregnant; he himself has left Hirta to find work.

Will Andrew come back when he finds out that Ruth is pregnant with their child? What about Peter Manson--will he be embittered toward the Grey family after the tragic death of his son Robbie? How does Ruth feel about marrying Andrew after Robbie is killed in that race to the top of the cliff? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch and find out!

The DVD comes with a few nice features. We get a documentary entitled "Return to the Edge of the World" that runs roughly twenty-one minutes; and there's another excellent but unrelated featurette entitled "An Airman's Letter to His Mother" from the World War Two era.

The Edge of the World may not be the very best movie I ever watched; it moves too slowly for me although the cinematography is outstanding. Nevertheless, it's still quite a moving story about what life was really like for people in that part of the world at the time; and that's a big plus. I recommend this film for people interested in these themes and issues.

Departures: 2 Disc Collector's Edition (DVD)
$44.95
This was a great film to watch. It teaches about life and death in no way possible. The film even carries a bit of light comedy to balance the drama. In addition the score was absolutely rich and intoxicating. The special features were fun to watch and informed. Must own!

Departures (First Print) DVD Edition w/English Subtitles
$22.95
Departures (First Print) DVD Edition w/English Subtitles

This is a movie that you will not want to forget.It is so well put together in all respects that you will want to view it again immediately.The overall charm and humour of the film makes for a touching if at times sad experience.A credit to the modern movie industry.Wonderful, fascinating and honest I found "Departures" truly appealing.