Dreamkeeper

Product Description

A century old storyteller and his grandson, a troubled 17 year old boy embarks on a cross country journey toward self-discovery. Like Old Pete's wise tales themselves, Dreamkeeper is important and illuminating storytelling for the entire family.

System Requirements:

Colore/Approx: 180 Minutes

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

While it doesn't hold together as a three-hour TV drama, Dreamkeeper should prove enthralling to anyone interested in Native American myths and legends. A variety of tribal folklore provides the episodic thrust of this typical Hallmark production, which relies too heavily on digital effects--and the plodding direction of Hallmark regular Steve Barron--in telling the story of a resentful Lakota teenager (Eddie Spears) who reluctantly agrees to drive his wise old grandfather (August Schellenberg) from their South Dakota "rez" to an All-Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Along the way, the tradition-bound elder serves as tribal "dreamkeeper" for his initially resistant grandson, who gradually realizes that his grandfather's stories--visualized through effects-laden reenactments involving all manner of magic and mystery--are essential in preserving the fading cultures of the Lakota and the several other tribes whose folklore depends on unbroken generations of oral tradition. While some of the lavishly dramatized tales can stand alone as authentic Native American myth-making, Dreamkeeper lacks the overall structure that could've given the stories a cumulative magical impact. Still, it's an admirable attempt to introduce neglected cultures into the television mainstream. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Amazing film on so many levels.......2007-09-03

This film was a true find. I had not heard of it before, but I was so pleased to find Dreamkeeper. There have been so many eloquent reviews before me, so I will just add a few things.

This film will appeal to many people with varied interests:
Fantasy film audiences will enjoy the legends and well-done special effects, bringing to life stories that rival the great tales of ancient Europe or the Middle East.

Those who want to see a film that portrays native peoples in a positive, affirming way will enjoy this. Dreamkeeper tries to be honest about modern reality as well as giving the viewer an appreciation of past traditions and their relevance to today.

I love the bonus features that the DVD medium provides. I enjoyed the production featurette and the director's audio commentary track. I would have liked to have either a second audio commentary from the author, John Fusco, or have him included in the commentary track with the director. I wanted to know more about how Fusco felt about the story that he wrote and the film, actors, etc. This was a missed opportunity.

Also, a widescreen presentation (instead of full screen) would have been preferable, and subtitles. How about a new, director's cut version with some more goodies and deleted scenes?

Finally, I think this is a film that has a long future ahead of it, as it gets discovered by more people. Because it was a made-for-cable TV miniseries, it did not get those important reviews from the theatrical release film critics, or the festival circuit exposure. As a result, it will take longer for this enduring work to find its place in the film world.

breathtaken.......2007-08-26

This movie should be seen by everone it so real my kids wouldnt move intill it was over.as a native american myself this movie has it all.an the actors were wonderful thanks to them for there work an time in this movie.wadoo (thank you) manysmiles

Possibly great movie not accessible for some deaf people........2007-08-15

My family watched the movie (they can hear), but although this movie was advertized and the box indicated it was 'captioned', we tried for 90 minutes to make the captions display. When there is no 'subtitle' menu, often the captions cannot be accessed, and there is no way to tell why or how. I tried turning 'off' my captions on the TV, turning the TV captioning to 'CC2', etc. and I gave up. I paid for a movie that is not accessible to me, and this was a huge loss, as my grandson and his Mom are Navajo, and I planned to watch this movie with them.

Journey to Dreams.......2007-08-14

I bought this Hallmark movie based on reviews here at Amazon without ever seeing it. I want to thank you for pointing this one out to me. I have always enjoyed movies about Native Americans, but this one is a modern story with a link to the past way of storytelling. A grandfather talks a grandson into taking him to a All-Nations Powwow a long drive away. He tells his grandson traditional stories to pass the time. The stories that grandfather tells are brought to life with real actors, sets, and special effects. I thought it was all nicely done. I was impressed with how many stories from a variety of nations (tribes) they managed to tell. I highly recommed this DVD. It is a steal for under ten dollars.

Wonderful movie.......2007-08-13

After watching Chris Eyre's "Smoke Signals" and "Skins", "Dreamkeeper" was certainly different - but what a treat (especially Michael Greyeyes as the Thunder Spirit - LOL)!

I wish there were more movies out there that show that there is no such thing as "American Indian culture". American Indians have always been a diverse group of people with very different languages and traditions, scattered across a vast continent with very different habitats.

Although, naturally, "Dreamkeeper" can only scratch the surface of the many different Native American cultures, it manages to convey the message that these different cultures exist and that everybody can learn from other peoples' myths and stories - if they are willing to listen.

Average customer rating:

Makes you proud to be from this great country

Heroes of an American Town
Starring: Dan Traub
Director: Dan Traub
Manufacturer: Dreamkeeper Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KP7N78
Release Date: 2006-11-18

Product Description

In the documentary feature Heroes of an American Town, the stories of three heroes native to the small town of Tulare, California are explored. First is Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Mathias, who won the Gold medal in 1948 for the decathlon at the age of seventeen, winning again in 1958. The film features Mathias' last interview, which he did with director Dan Traub before his death in September of 2006. The film then tells the story of Four-Star General Maurice A. Preston, who in WWII commanded the 379th Bomb group, flying the B-17. In 1958 Preston flew a B-17 to his home of Tulare, CA, where it became a monument called the Preston s Pride. The film's third hero is highly decorated WWII Veteran Manuel Toledo , who started Tulare's AMVETS post 56 in 1948. Toledo built the Tulare post to become the largest in the USA. AMVETS 56 takes care of Tulare's B-17, which is still proudly displayed next to the 99 Freeway, on loan from the US Government. Heroes of an American Town features interviews with WWII veterans, and an original soundtrack written and performed by director Dan Traub and editor Mike Bedik.

Customer Reviews:

Makes you proud to be from this great country.......2007-02-14

It was so great to learn about heroes you can relate to. To most people, these are just ordinary folks but when you learn about their lives and acomplishements, you can't help but be proud to be from the same country. This documentary is greatly done and my only regret is that I would have like to see this movie before Bob Mathias, one of the heroes died of cancer.

Average customer rating:

You really must see this film!!

Dreamkeeper

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Customer Reviews:

You really must see this film!!.......2005-11-27

If you liked Smoke Signals, then chances are you will love this film! It is incredible. All the actors apart from one are Native, so it says in the making of the film. The stories are timeless. If you want to feel something stir inside of you... to feel a bit more understanding and connection, then, please, see this film. It was good from beginning to end. I have watched it so many times! I have had friends watch it. Often there are tears from the sheer beauty.

DVD:

DVD

DVD