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Reviews6
ronnieleerocks's rating
I will never sing Silent Night the same way again. I have seen several Collective Development Inc. Productions and have been anticipating the release of their new Christmas movie, Silent Night in Algona, directed by Anthony Hornus. I pre-ordered, and it was here to enjoy promptly on the 1st. Why hasn't this story been told before? Why did we have to wait so long? Screenwriter, Actor, and Producer DJ Perry has done his research well and composed a true-life narrative from the 1940s that can still be experienced today at the County Fair Grounds in Algona, Iowa.
This side of war has never been told before, and it will quickly become your best Christmas movie of 2023. Prisoners of war, many of them were forced to fight in a conflict they wanted no part of. On 287 acres of good Iowa corn farmland, over 10,000 German POWs were processed between 1943 to 1946. Their internment at Camp Algona was not the same experience as for US prisoners of war held in their homeland of Germany. It is hard to know who your enemies are when the worst enemy is within.
Supporting parts like Harriett Heckler, played by Melissa Anschutz, and Provost Marshal Klein, played by Shane Hagedorn, draw you in and make the moment personal. We all have dealt with a Provost Klein. And veteran actor of my favorite CDI films Big Foot, UFO's and Jesus, Josh Perry always steals the scene. No matter how small the part, he gives a memorable performance.
So, if you are a Die Hard Christmas movie lover planning on sitting Home Alone with your family this Christmas Vacation, to complete this time, you need to include this "Season Stealer" and enjoy Silent Night in Algona.
Ronnie Lee Rocky Lake Recording Studio.
This side of war has never been told before, and it will quickly become your best Christmas movie of 2023. Prisoners of war, many of them were forced to fight in a conflict they wanted no part of. On 287 acres of good Iowa corn farmland, over 10,000 German POWs were processed between 1943 to 1946. Their internment at Camp Algona was not the same experience as for US prisoners of war held in their homeland of Germany. It is hard to know who your enemies are when the worst enemy is within.
Supporting parts like Harriett Heckler, played by Melissa Anschutz, and Provost Marshal Klein, played by Shane Hagedorn, draw you in and make the moment personal. We all have dealt with a Provost Klein. And veteran actor of my favorite CDI films Big Foot, UFO's and Jesus, Josh Perry always steals the scene. No matter how small the part, he gives a memorable performance.
So, if you are a Die Hard Christmas movie lover planning on sitting Home Alone with your family this Christmas Vacation, to complete this time, you need to include this "Season Stealer" and enjoy Silent Night in Algona.
Ronnie Lee Rocky Lake Recording Studio.
Let's have another SS, "Super Script," award for American actor, film producer, and screenwriter DJ Perry! Best Years Gone is one of the best of many great productions from Collective Development Inc. The film is a captivating true-to-life Michigan story.
As a native Michigander hay, the cinematography could have been shot out my front window, and the soundtrack could have been recorded in my backyard. This is pure Michigan! I can tell the season by listening to the birds on the soundtrack.
Best Years Gone brings you, the viewer, into the struggles of a dysfunctional family on shaky ground falling apart. The only support holding them up is the two A's, Adolescence and Alcoholism. No one wants to get a participation award for living with an alcoholic. Good luck.
Harold Gil Gilles, our hero, is very acutely played by DJ Perry; I had met such a person many times before I met Gil on the screen. Mr. Gilles has the effect of newly fallen snow suddenly covered with black ash from a trash fire. Everyone around him is drawn into the heat of his moment, and he has many. But out from the ashes of bad judgment, the blue Gil arises to his call to duty to defend his family no matter who's they may be.
You painfully watch as Gil Gilles, who knows "You can't get drunk on light beer," tries to take care of Syliva (Erika Hoveland) "The love of his life." All while holding a drink and defending his wisdom to all that will listen to his shouting. Gill puts his Big Foot in his mouth with all the class of a fart in a sleeping bag. This guy is no good, and he will prove it to you. But he is the best hero for this story.
Director, Co-Producer, Shane Hagedorn puts you in the front seat of a head-on crash between too much fun and the insanity behavior of alcoholism. He takes you inside the mind of this former racecar driver who has all the aspirations to race again. You hear the personal thoughts of Gil, narrated by DJ Perry, as he tries to figure out, "How did this all happen?" Shane plays Gil's cousin, drinking buddy, and fighting partner, Ike Gilles. Together, they will clear the bar.
Gil Gilles does have a personal relationship with God that he calls upon when circumstances force it necessary, but he bearly escapes. On the screen, Gil Gilles looks like he has been "Rode hard and put away wet." He is the in-your-face character that you will love to hate. You will get a Hood Sliding High of a contact buzz as you get close to DJ Perry's characterization of Gil Gilles.
While trying to take care of Siliva, who Gil says has "A few dents, minor scratches, runs well," he is in constant self-inflicted battles with her twin daughters, Julie and Peggy, played by Tessa and Zoie Dye. The insane behavior of alcoholism and the pressures brought upon the family is sadly portrayed by the twins, who are very protective of their mother. Gil may be their mother's friend but not a friend to the demon spawn twins. Gil is like a coiled snake when he has to deal with these two girls. It always strikes out but never hits anything.
We learn thru these clashes that young people today grow up faster than their elders did. And a problem drinker can stop drinking only when they have hit bottom and want to live again.
Bad things can become good when they are brought out into the light of truth. And Gil Gilles has a way of telling the truth that drives the twins beyond their boundary of restraint and better judgment. Relating to their frustration with Gil is a natural reaction most of us take.
Being personally familiar with the 30-day 12-step program and AA, I felt that Erika Hoveland, as Sylvia, was all too real going threw detox. Watching her degression as Gill enabled her drinking to the point of psychotic behavior was painful. At that moment, she stole the show.
One unforgettable character is Anthony Hornus, Co-Producer and as Sheriff Calvin "Greeny" Pierce. In a closeup, the lines on his face speak of authority and bring peace of mind as a father looks at his child. But without saying a word, his expressions leave no doubt about what he is capable of thinking and doing. I would not argue with this cop, but I would be glad to have him as a friend.
Co-Producer, Melissa Anschutz's character Mandy is the perfect opposite of someone from the Winter Wonderland of Michigan. She will tell you immediately that she is not from around here with her east-coast accent and salty temperament.
I have one more thing to say about Erika Hoveland's performance as Sylvia. She gets the "Valley of the dolls" award for her emotions that were so vividly portrayed on screen. If you have not personally experienced drug addiction either as an addict or as a friend or family member of one, Syliva gave you a true vision but a slight glimpse of what addiction has as its consequences.
Important message, we are all vulnerable. Families must sometimes fight to stay together; things can get better if you are willing to do what is necessary to make it happen.
But there may be new life from the ashes of the old as Gill and Silvia have to re-learn how to live without drinking. This will take the support of all friends and family for them to make it.
We all have past failures, which become more apparent in our memories when we witness someone else's. We all have left a wrench behind sometime in our life that has un-internally monkeyed up things for others. All of us have run off the playground at one time or another. Before the final flag is waved, will we be able to admit we were going in the wrong direction, turn our lives around and start over?
I highly recommend anyone struggling with addiction to enjoy this with the entire family. All will profit from watching this film. Make sure you watch "Behind the Scenes" on the DVD, and you will see that Collective Development Inc. Members are a family of talent mixed together with the right amount of inspiration and creation. So a special shout-out to all of them that were not mentioned here.
Alcoholism is a personal illness that affects the entire family, anyway you cut it, some of us don't have it to give, and some of us are like Gil Gilles and try to give more than we have. Wolf!
Ronnie Lee.
As a native Michigander hay, the cinematography could have been shot out my front window, and the soundtrack could have been recorded in my backyard. This is pure Michigan! I can tell the season by listening to the birds on the soundtrack.
Best Years Gone brings you, the viewer, into the struggles of a dysfunctional family on shaky ground falling apart. The only support holding them up is the two A's, Adolescence and Alcoholism. No one wants to get a participation award for living with an alcoholic. Good luck.
Harold Gil Gilles, our hero, is very acutely played by DJ Perry; I had met such a person many times before I met Gil on the screen. Mr. Gilles has the effect of newly fallen snow suddenly covered with black ash from a trash fire. Everyone around him is drawn into the heat of his moment, and he has many. But out from the ashes of bad judgment, the blue Gil arises to his call to duty to defend his family no matter who's they may be.
You painfully watch as Gil Gilles, who knows "You can't get drunk on light beer," tries to take care of Syliva (Erika Hoveland) "The love of his life." All while holding a drink and defending his wisdom to all that will listen to his shouting. Gill puts his Big Foot in his mouth with all the class of a fart in a sleeping bag. This guy is no good, and he will prove it to you. But he is the best hero for this story.
Director, Co-Producer, Shane Hagedorn puts you in the front seat of a head-on crash between too much fun and the insanity behavior of alcoholism. He takes you inside the mind of this former racecar driver who has all the aspirations to race again. You hear the personal thoughts of Gil, narrated by DJ Perry, as he tries to figure out, "How did this all happen?" Shane plays Gil's cousin, drinking buddy, and fighting partner, Ike Gilles. Together, they will clear the bar.
Gil Gilles does have a personal relationship with God that he calls upon when circumstances force it necessary, but he bearly escapes. On the screen, Gil Gilles looks like he has been "Rode hard and put away wet." He is the in-your-face character that you will love to hate. You will get a Hood Sliding High of a contact buzz as you get close to DJ Perry's characterization of Gil Gilles.
While trying to take care of Siliva, who Gil says has "A few dents, minor scratches, runs well," he is in constant self-inflicted battles with her twin daughters, Julie and Peggy, played by Tessa and Zoie Dye. The insane behavior of alcoholism and the pressures brought upon the family is sadly portrayed by the twins, who are very protective of their mother. Gil may be their mother's friend but not a friend to the demon spawn twins. Gil is like a coiled snake when he has to deal with these two girls. It always strikes out but never hits anything.
We learn thru these clashes that young people today grow up faster than their elders did. And a problem drinker can stop drinking only when they have hit bottom and want to live again.
Bad things can become good when they are brought out into the light of truth. And Gil Gilles has a way of telling the truth that drives the twins beyond their boundary of restraint and better judgment. Relating to their frustration with Gil is a natural reaction most of us take.
Being personally familiar with the 30-day 12-step program and AA, I felt that Erika Hoveland, as Sylvia, was all too real going threw detox. Watching her degression as Gill enabled her drinking to the point of psychotic behavior was painful. At that moment, she stole the show.
One unforgettable character is Anthony Hornus, Co-Producer and as Sheriff Calvin "Greeny" Pierce. In a closeup, the lines on his face speak of authority and bring peace of mind as a father looks at his child. But without saying a word, his expressions leave no doubt about what he is capable of thinking and doing. I would not argue with this cop, but I would be glad to have him as a friend.
Co-Producer, Melissa Anschutz's character Mandy is the perfect opposite of someone from the Winter Wonderland of Michigan. She will tell you immediately that she is not from around here with her east-coast accent and salty temperament.
I have one more thing to say about Erika Hoveland's performance as Sylvia. She gets the "Valley of the dolls" award for her emotions that were so vividly portrayed on screen. If you have not personally experienced drug addiction either as an addict or as a friend or family member of one, Syliva gave you a true vision but a slight glimpse of what addiction has as its consequences.
Important message, we are all vulnerable. Families must sometimes fight to stay together; things can get better if you are willing to do what is necessary to make it happen.
But there may be new life from the ashes of the old as Gill and Silvia have to re-learn how to live without drinking. This will take the support of all friends and family for them to make it.
We all have past failures, which become more apparent in our memories when we witness someone else's. We all have left a wrench behind sometime in our life that has un-internally monkeyed up things for others. All of us have run off the playground at one time or another. Before the final flag is waved, will we be able to admit we were going in the wrong direction, turn our lives around and start over?
I highly recommend anyone struggling with addiction to enjoy this with the entire family. All will profit from watching this film. Make sure you watch "Behind the Scenes" on the DVD, and you will see that Collective Development Inc. Members are a family of talent mixed together with the right amount of inspiration and creation. So a special shout-out to all of them that were not mentioned here.
Alcoholism is a personal illness that affects the entire family, anyway you cut it, some of us don't have it to give, and some of us are like Gil Gilles and try to give more than we have. Wolf!
Ronnie Lee.
Bigfoot, UFOs, and Jesus is a supernatural story about the roots of family, a real side-splitter, and a tear-jerker all the way from northern Michigan. This movie will have you laughing and in tears, as it ties your emotions on a string pulled by the director Jesse Law from the beginning to the surprise ending.
The storyline uses great Biblical parables to tell a family-centered story that has been much forgotten about forgiving one another. An entire lifetime can be nothing more than a terrible flashback memory left for us to remember or forget. Bigfoot, UFOs, and Jesus is about real people in a modern return of the prodigal son story supported by the beautiful Michigan countryside and by the original music and score.
The musical score, written by Dennis Therrian, speaks its own dialogue underlining the script with emotions that tear the viewer's eyes. Roanoke and The Cash Collective add that down-home flavor with their authentic American music that is a staple of country living. Both together stand alone as true works of art that sometimes blend unnoticeably under, around, and thru the script.
Believable flashbacks become personal memories as you are drawn into the story with more great writing by DJ Perry, author, and producer. He also plays the part of Niles Cass, a UFO journalist. As the writer, I'm sure he picked this part for himself because he gets to be the unintended victim of the actor that steals the show Josh "Ponceman" Perry. Josh plays the role of Chip, and his performance is genuinely heartwarming. Your feelings will flow from sadness to gladness and from joy to tears at his simple facial expressions that melt your heart like butter left out on the picnic table in the hot Michigan summer sun. I will watch this video again and again with my grandchildren just to see him perform.
The story tells a good thing is nothing unless you have someone to share it with, and it holds your attention and keeps you guessing. It reminds us we cannot change the past or control what people say, but we can pray about our future.
Love and a good story can transform anyone, and this film shows us we all need to be honest with each other, especially with our family, so that we can make happy day's memories together. Bigfoot, UFOs, and Jesus shows us it is never too late for us to chase our dreams so long as they are not a nightmare we could have avoided.
DJ Perry has a reputation as a movie producer who is not afraid to use a very different approach to talking about Jesus or telling a Bible story. Bigfoot, UFOs, and Jesus is another one of his great writings. His script reaches back in time and uses Bible verses to tell a very SWEET story with a real-life, fairy-tail happy ending.
Bigfoot, UFO', and Jesus is Sunday School ready, and it will not set on your shelf and collect dust. Watch it and see, and you will enjoy it as much as I have more than once. Oh, and remember, Bigfoot and Santa Claus have nothing in common. I give it 10* stars!
The storyline uses great Biblical parables to tell a family-centered story that has been much forgotten about forgiving one another. An entire lifetime can be nothing more than a terrible flashback memory left for us to remember or forget. Bigfoot, UFOs, and Jesus is about real people in a modern return of the prodigal son story supported by the beautiful Michigan countryside and by the original music and score.
The musical score, written by Dennis Therrian, speaks its own dialogue underlining the script with emotions that tear the viewer's eyes. Roanoke and The Cash Collective add that down-home flavor with their authentic American music that is a staple of country living. Both together stand alone as true works of art that sometimes blend unnoticeably under, around, and thru the script.
Believable flashbacks become personal memories as you are drawn into the story with more great writing by DJ Perry, author, and producer. He also plays the part of Niles Cass, a UFO journalist. As the writer, I'm sure he picked this part for himself because he gets to be the unintended victim of the actor that steals the show Josh "Ponceman" Perry. Josh plays the role of Chip, and his performance is genuinely heartwarming. Your feelings will flow from sadness to gladness and from joy to tears at his simple facial expressions that melt your heart like butter left out on the picnic table in the hot Michigan summer sun. I will watch this video again and again with my grandchildren just to see him perform.
The story tells a good thing is nothing unless you have someone to share it with, and it holds your attention and keeps you guessing. It reminds us we cannot change the past or control what people say, but we can pray about our future.
Love and a good story can transform anyone, and this film shows us we all need to be honest with each other, especially with our family, so that we can make happy day's memories together. Bigfoot, UFOs, and Jesus shows us it is never too late for us to chase our dreams so long as they are not a nightmare we could have avoided.
DJ Perry has a reputation as a movie producer who is not afraid to use a very different approach to talking about Jesus or telling a Bible story. Bigfoot, UFOs, and Jesus is another one of his great writings. His script reaches back in time and uses Bible verses to tell a very SWEET story with a real-life, fairy-tail happy ending.
Bigfoot, UFO', and Jesus is Sunday School ready, and it will not set on your shelf and collect dust. Watch it and see, and you will enjoy it as much as I have more than once. Oh, and remember, Bigfoot and Santa Claus have nothing in common. I give it 10* stars!