I just saw it tonite.. it was good .. but nothing too special.. Certainly not memorable
Coupla faces looked familiar..

One was a Canadian Native American lady ..
I think.Played the Grandma.

I want to see it. Read the book. I am not sure if it is still playing here- if not I guess I need to wait for the rental. I heard that the young Maori actress who plays the lead is quite good.
There looks to be a few in the cast who have been on HTLJ and XWP.
The crew, however, is riddled with Renaissance Pic alum. Diana Rowan casted the movie & Grant Major, who did the Herc telemovies, is the production designer.

i'm still battling issues with this scroll version or i'd have posted a thread on the flim weeks ago...

i disagree, Brucy--i thought it was excellent. i think i'd like to read the book too, cuz the story is definitely the best part. but it was well-acted & beautifully shot, too. IMO. try to see it if you can lila997. i was so enthralled i forgot to look for familiar X:WP faces. but i did catch a guy wearing the exact Maori-print, blue bandana i gave Shawn for Christmas...

WHAT WOULD XENA DO?

are you sitting on the soap?

i thought it was quite good if a bit slow
Keisha Castle-Hughes (Paikea) did a great job


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stranger things have happened

I give this film high marks as well. The story is definitely not told in the MTV/Hollywood rapid fire method, but if you're used to the pace of foreign films I think you'll find this one moves along well enough.

If I was a member of the Academy, I'd nominate Keisha Castle-Hughes for an Oscar. The guy who played her uncle was good too.

Keisha beat out several experienced child actors for the part--this was her first acting job. pretty awesome for a rookie...

WHAT WOULD XENA DO?

are you sitting on the soap?

Yes Keisha Castle-Hughes was excellent in the part!
Very natural style & presence..
I would say she was the best part..
the story was Kind of 1 note cruelty to her ...

I guess being the doting daddy I am that part was a minus for me...

It didnt seem to serve any purpose in the story for everyone to be so 2 dimensional...
Either very suppportive or very oh-so NOT supportive of her.

I would recommend seeing it...
even if only cause its from New Zealand..

I just expected more .. considering how its been hyped as a Masterpiece...

I most admit, I have never heard of this movie. What is it about? What's the story? It looks intresting on the photos, though...

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Leader of The Valkyries

I'd like to see it. but I haven't had a chance. Don't think its out at the cinemas anymore, so i guess i have to wait till it comes on video/DVD.

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It was released on DVD in the U.S. last month.

And for Moonshade, who asked a while ago... from the official site a synopsis *WITH SOME GENERAL SPOILERS*:

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SYNOPSIS print
In a small New Zealand coastal village, Maori claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. In every generation for more than 1000 years, a male heir born to the Chief succeeds to the title.

The time is now. The Chief's eldest son, Porourangi, fathers twins - a boy and a girl. But the boy and his mother die in childbirth. The surviving girl is named Pai.

Grief-stricken, her father leaves her to be raised by her grandparents. Koro, her grandfather who is the Chief, refuses to acknowledge Pai as the inheritor of the tradition and claims she is of no use to him. But her grandmother, Flowers, sees more than a broken line, she sees a child in desperate need of love.

And Koro learns to love the child. When Pai's father, Porourangi, now a feted international artist, returns home after twelve years, Koro hopes everything is resolved and Porourangi will to accept destiny and become his successor.

But Porourangi has no intention of becoming Chief. He has moved away from his people both physically and emotionally. After a bitter argument with Koro he leaves, suggesting to Pai that she come with him. She starts the journey but quickly returns, claiming her grandfather needs her.

Koro is blinded by prejudice and even Flowers cannot convince him that Pai is the natural heir. The old Chief is convinced that the tribe's misfortunes began at Pai's birth and calls for his people to bring their 12-year-old boys to him for training.
He is certain that through a gruelling process of teaching the ancient chants, tribal lore and warrior techniques, the future leader of their tribe will be revealed to him.

Meanwhile, deep within the ocean, a massive herd of whales is responding, drawn towards Pai and their twin destinies.

When the whales become stranded on the beach, Koro is sure this signals an apocalyptic end to his tribe. Until one person prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the people. The Whale Rider.

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" Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying- 'I will try again tomorrow' "