A Man Called Otto - DVD from Sony Home Entertainment

Tom Hanks is one of favourite actors and Fredrick Backman is one of my favourite authors - and  I was really looking forward to viewing A Man Called Otto, based on Backman's book.

The DVD from Sony Home Entertainment is newly released. 

The character of Otto has suffered a great loss. His wife has passed away. She was the light of his life, and he can see no reason to keep on living. He’s busy planning how to end things when a new neighbour knocks on the door at just the right moment… 

Otto is the biggest curmudgeon you’ve ever met. There are rules to be followed, ways of doing things - the right way and idiot is one of his favourite words. Marisol and her boisterous family will change his life...

Tom Hanks is perfect for this role. His facial expressions, his body language, his dialogue and demeanor are perfect for the character of Otto. Mariana Treviño was also wonderful as Marisol. Upbeat, intuitive and determined. She just made me smile! The supporting cast was just as wonderful. Quirky, yet real. And every good tale needs an antagonist - this one is perfectly despicable.  

The movie is told in a now and then timeframe. We get glances and bits of young Otto and can better understand him. Have a tissue or two handy. But be ready to laugh also - there's humour throughout the film as well.

The setting is perfect - a closed private road that has a two sided street with the houses all facing each other. I liked how the 'now and then' of the setting was achieved. 

Often the concern with books going to screen is how true will the film stay to the original?  Personally, I'm not looking for an exact copy of a book. I am happy to discover how a film maker has taken inspiration from a novel and produced their vision. 

Family, loss, grief, joy, friendship and more are some of the themes running through the movie. Me? I really enjoyed this film! See for yourself - watch the official trailer of A Man Named Otto  here.

Don't forget to check out the extras. And here's a fun fact - Tom Hanks' son Truman plays young Otto.

Winner - VeggieTales Noah's Ark DVD

And the lucky winner of a DVD copy of Veggie Tales Noah's Ark, courtesy of Dreamworks Animation is:

Karin A!

Congratulations! I've contacted you for your mailing address. Please respond within 48 hours - after that time a new winner will be chosen. Keep your eye on the sidebar for other great giveaways!

Giveaway - VeggieTales - Noah's Ark DVD

Today, I have a giveaway for the younger person in your life, courtesy of Dreamworks Animation.

Carrots meet cubits as VeggieTales builds an ark filled with fun, adventure and important lessons about trusting God in NOAH’S ARK, its first Bible-themed production in more than four years.

Starring Wayne Brady and Jaci Velasquez, along with Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato and a whole crew of Veggies, NOAH’S ARK will be available March 3 on DVD and digital download.  Wayne Brady brings to life Noah’s son Shem, who first questions, then learns to embrace, his father’s direction from God. Christian singer, actress and radio host Jaci Velasquez co-stars as Shem’s wife, Sadie.

“Saying ‘yes’ to VeggieTales was a no-brainer – my daughter’s a fan and I love the music and messages,” says Brady, who performs seven original songs in NOAH’S ARK. “The best part is, Bob and Larry are down to earth and they never let the ‘I’m a global Veggie superstar’ thing go to their heads.”  Adds Velasquez: “Every parent searches for entertainment that’s both wholesome and imparts valuable life lessons, and with Noah’s Ark, VeggieTales serves up a delicious dish on both counts. The story, the music and the visuals are perfect for the entire family.”

 In NOAH’S ARK, Shem and Sadie return home from their honeymoon to find that Noah (played by Pa Grape) has begun, at God’s direction, to work on a massive ark, which his wife Naamah (played by Madame Blueberry) and sons Ham (played by Larry) and Japheth (played by Bob) are helping construct before the start of 40 days and 40 nights of rain.

But Shem doesn’t understand Noah’s unshakable faith in God, particularly when animals start arriving two-by-two – while the rain is nowhere to be seen. When the deluge does come, Shem begins to understand Noah’s determination to preserve humanity’s future … and the importance of trusting in God. NOAH’S ARK also features a brand-new “Silly Songs With Larry” segment, in which Larry dons a safari outfit as he goes on a quest for a gigantic, golden egg.

To learn more about NOAH’S ARK, and to pre-order the DVD, visit the official VeggieTales website at http://www.veggietales.com, or call the toll-free VeggieTales Hotline at (844) 2-VEGGIE (U.S. callers only).

Or....simply enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. 
Open to US and Canada. Ends March 14/15.

a Rafflecopter giveaway