CD Giveaway - 33Miles, "One Life"
Ends Aug 4, 2010
The country-pop sound established in their eponymous debut is a mainstay for this album as well, and even adds a little more southern flavor.
CD Giveaway - Phil Wickham, "Cannons"
Ends Aug 3, 2010
With an opening shot that hits the sonic pinnacle, this collection of spiritual Brit pop/rock is heavily influenced by Keane, Travis, Coldplay, and U2.
Rating: Country: UK/Germany Release Date: April 27, 2007 Distributor: Anchor Bay Director: · Werner Herzog Cast: · Dieter Dengler Related Sites: ·IMDb
Grade: B+
In one of my earliest film reviews, I said that "Werner Herzog
is the most interesting filmmaker ever," and it reads a little bit like fanboyish hyperbole to me now. Yet my feelings on the
matter have not changed.
After obsessing over Herzog's Klaus Kinski films, I started to branch out towards his others. "Little Dieter Needs to Fly"
was the first Herzog documentary I tackled. Dieter Dengler was a pilot serving during the Vietnam War who got shot down over Laos
and was made a prisoner of war. Though tortured and starved, he managed to escape and survive through unbearable jungle
conditions and return home. Years later, Dengler returned to the jungle with Herzog to document his story.
"Dieter" might be Herzog's most straightforward documentary, lacking the extensive, cinematic poetry of say, "Fata Morgana"
or "Lessons in Darkness", but it is still quintessential Herzog. It features a man as exceptional as any of the characters
that Herzog created for his narrative films. The musical juxtapositions are unique, switching from Tuvan throatsinging to
the operatic Tristan & Isolde.
In addition to telling his story to the camera, Dengler re-enacts certain harrowing moments of his captivity. Herzog doesn't
always show his face (as he doesn't let us hear the death screams on tape in "Grizzly Man") but Dengler expresses that
reliving those moments was frightening. Occasionally, Dengler, who is normally straightforward in description, will say
something lyrical and profound. This is Herzog inserting himself into the picture. There's a certain amount of reality
Herzog likes to place into his features and a touch of fiction he likes to put into his docs in an attempt to reach what he
calls "the ecstatic truth."
Dieter Dengler after his rescue
I assume that this film is getting a re-issue to harbinger the release of "Rescue Dawn", the narrative film that casts
Christian Bale as Dieter Dengler (also to be directed by Herzog). In this new issuing, there is an update noting that Dengler passed away in 2001 and shows footage
of his funeral. It's a nice touch, though not as existential as Herzog's original last shot.
Dieter Dengler was a man obsessed with flying. In a way, he was punished for it, but survived to fly again. It is this kind
of obsession that Herzog is attracted to, and it fits right in with his oeuvre.
This DVD has no extras other than the usual excellent Anchor Bay production notes and Herzog bio. I would have liked to have
heard another one of Herzog's incredible commentaries, but there's none included.
