"Actor: Sharon Nelson"

• Out Of The Blue | DVD | (04/03/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Part of the gritty, punk-inspired wave of US independent cinema of the early 1980s, Out of the Blue is a bleak, harrowing drama. Essentially the vision of actor and director Dennis Hopper, the film finds the man behind the sepia-tinged soul searching of Easy Rider at a far lower ebb, in terms of the tone of the film and his own character, Donny. The undoubted star of the movie, however, is Linda Manz, who plays the troubled 15-year-old CB, a troubled teenage girl on the brink of adulthood. Waiting for Donny to return from a jail sentence for manslaughter, CB is living with her drug-addicted mother and seeking solace in the Sex Pistols and Elvis Presley. The events that unfold on Donny's return are often unbearably grim (the final scenes are practically unwatchable) but produce a movie that is worthy of its hallowed status. Hopper in particular is an uncomfortable sight, made all the more unsettling by the knowledge that it is hard to tell where his character ends and he begins. It's hard work, but more than worth the effort. On the DVD: for its first release on DVD much effort has been made to give Out of the Blue the treatment it deserves. The enhanced visuals are excellent, focusing on Hopper's inspired direction. The audio soundtrack is available in Dolby Digital sound, particularly effective on the recurring use of Neil Young's fragile "Hey, Hey, My, My (Out of the Blue)", the song which gave the movie its title. Hopper's audio commentary is fascinating and reflects his dedication to the project, a film that he practically rewrote on set after stepping in to replace the original director. The movie's place in both Hopper's career and alongside works such as Repo Man and Driller Killer is also examined in an excellent 12-page booklet. --Phil Udell

• A Horse for Spring | DVD | (05/03/2018) from £7.79   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  College sophomore Riley Adams dreams of being a world class elite dancer, believing her success can be a platform to share her Christian faith. Being raised in a single parent home, she's replaced the absence of her mother with the illusion of control, by learning to drive toward success by giving 150% all the time.. Victory in regional competition has gained her a coveted shot at the nationals, but a horrific accident brings her dreams to a halt and her illusion of control to a standstill. For the first time in her life, no amount of effort can affect change - at least not fast enough for Riley, who still believes she can recover in time for nationals. Equine therapy may help Riley gain full mobility, and true to character, Riley throws herself headlong into the process (spurred along a bit by an attractive and charming therapist). Through the process Riley develops a bond with a beautiful horse named Grace, and rediscovers her drive to succeed. Just when it seems the old Riley is back, and her confidence in her own effort is returning, disaster strikes and it seems everything Riley is working for is will come to naught. Through a moving spiritual odyssey, Riley finally comes to understand that it's not about effort and control, but surrender, and sees that her real purpose in life will be discovered by seeing circumstances through His eyes. The point is driven home when a completely unexpected act of kindness comes from a most unexpected place. Healed By Grace is a charming and heart wrenching journey of faith that explores the place of surrender that clears the veil and allows Riley to see through God's eyes and discover His purpose for her life.