The Believer

Starring:Henry Bean, Garret Dillahunt, Jack Drummond (II), Kris Eivers, Glenn Fitzgerald, Joel Garland, Heather Goldenhersh, Ryan Gosling, Jacob Green, Ronald Guttman, Joshua Harto, Judah Lazarus, Sig Libowitz, James G. McCaffrey, A.D. Miles, Summer Phoenix, Elizabeth Reaser, Theresa Russell, Dean Strober, Billy Zane
Director: Henry Bean
Studio: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Dialectics Personified
What Do You Believe?
you have to be pretty naive...
take your son issac, who you love so very much
Extremely Powerful Look at Jewish Identity

The Believer
Starring: Henry Bean , Garret Dillahunt , Jack Drummond (II) , Kris Eivers , and Glenn Fitzgerald
Director: Henry Bean
Manufacturer: Palm Pictures / Umvd
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The United States of Leland
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ASIN: B00049QQJ6
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Customer Reviews:

Dialectics Personified.......2007-03-31

Like many of you reading this review (I'm guessing), I first heard/read about "The Believer" after seeing Ryan Gosling's outstanding, Oscar-nominated (and should have been -winning) performance in "Half Nelson" - because in reading more about that film, people often referred to this one as containing a performance by Gosling that's every bit as stellar. Well, I'm here to say that those people were quite correct in that assessment.

And interestingly (to me anyway), I also found many parallels and echoes of "Half Nelson" in this film, which is notable because "The Believer" was made five years previous. In "Half Nelson", teacher Dan Dunne (Gosling) tells his young students about the concept of dialectics: "It's two things that push against each other in opposite directions."

And in "The Believer," we see that concept amazingly personified by Gosling in the character of Daniel Balint. After all, what could be more disjointedly dichotomous than a young Jewish skinhead who wears a t-shirt with a giant swastika on the front? Also, Balint has a thoughtful but tremendously conflicted mind that seems to find peace in mindless violence. A study of opposites, indeed...

I must admit that going in to this movie I was worried that such an extreme polarity in the lead role would make the character (or even the movie itself) a bit sensationalistic at best and cartoonish at worst. Thankfully, the script by writer/director Henry Bean and Gosling's thoughtful acting choices prevent them from being either.

In fact, as I later learned in the DVD commentary, this character is actually based on a true person and a real historical event. And the film is largely shot with such documentary-styled realism (the director and cinematographer cited gritty French film La Promesse as a big influence), that in some ways it might have been a little too real for its own good: apparently, a prominent rabbi at one screening objected so vehemently to this film's scenes of desecration that some say it's the reason such a critically-lauded movie never got picked up for theatrical distribution.

That said, even if this movie had played in many theaters, I doubt it would have appealed to a very large audience - there are many visually, viscerally intense moments that will have you squirming uncomfortably in your seat. And the film is itself not without a few flaws.

Still, according to the director in a 16-minute interview extra on this DVD (included along with a terrific episode of the Sundance Channel's "Making of a Scene"), on the set making the film everybody was saying, "This is a star. We're seeing a star. And we're seeing him in that perfect moment before anybody else knows he's a star."

I heartily agree. And I highly recommend you see "The Believer" for that reason above all others - to both see Gosling before his star shone as brightly, and to see why it burns so brilliantly today.

What Do You Believe?.......2007-02-26

I first saw this film several years ago and I thought it was just ok. I found the plot to be somewhat far-fetched, and while even then I recognized Gosling's amazing performance, I just didn't fully comprehend the film. I just watched this film again-twice more actually-and it's significance really hit me this time. Watching the interview with director Henry Bean (in the Special Features section) along with reading some of the comments by Jewish reviewers really helped me in this regard. It seems that Daniel's struggle with self-hatred and rebellion against his religion is somewhat typical-although clearly taken to the extreme here-of many Jewish people. Taken in this context, Danny's "anti-semitism" is not exactly as it seems. Halfway through the film, it becomes clear that Danny still cherishes his religion, even if he simultaneously resents it. So rather than the ignorant Jew-hatred of his buddies, Danny's anti-semitism is more of a tormented personal rebellion against his religion, his people and God himself. Then there's Bean's concept of Danny being a "Rabbi in spite of himself." Admittedly, I don't fully understand this, but it definitely adds to the film's fascinating complexity. So while at first glance this is simply a story about a "Jewish Nazi" the film is much more complex than it seems, and that's what really makes this a great film. With that said, I'd like to point out that self-hatred is not something unique to Jews, or minorities for that matter. A previous reviewer compares Danny to Michael Jackson who bleached his skin in order to "fit-in with WASP society." Not only is this a ridiculous PC statement, but this reviewer has completely misjudged the film. Do you really think a gun-toting neo-nazi "fits-in" better in American society than a Jew? I think one of the reasons this film moved me so much was that I strongly identified with Daniel. Although I am not Jewish (I was born and raised a suburban, middle-class Irish-Catholic), I completely related with his tormented, self-denying, and self-destructive mentality. I too once hated who I was and where I came from and tried desperately to be someone I wasn't. So although 'The Believer' is the story of a confused, angry and hateful young man bent on destruction, I personally found it to be a heart-wrenching story of a lost soul trying to find his way. So for anyone who has ever struggled with their own identity and beliefs, or for anyone who wants to understand what a truly tormented soul looks like, please watch 'The Believer.'

you have to be pretty naive..........2007-01-25

I heard so many glowing reviews of this movie. From the usual suspects, of course. "Two thumbs up," "Provocative," etc. etc. This just reinforces my suspicion that "Movie Critic" is to "Career Choice" as "Basket Weaving 101" is to "College Credit."

The action line of this movie is so painfully absurd that I found it impossible to suspend disbelief, and difficult to continue watching. Almost every situation element of the story (neo-Nazi meetings, synagogue, sensitivity group, court trial, relationships, etc.) is so simplistically and unrealistically portrayed that the whole thing comes across like the assignment project of a film school freshman.

I was perplexed as to why so many people would think this movie is great. Then it came to me... There is a certain Progressive Thinking Elite that will rave about any movie that deals with "provocative subject matter." Especially if it happens to also reinforce a politically correct stereotype (in this case, the "self-hating Jew").

Sorry, people. No matter how "provocative" the hook might be, you still need to make a WATCHABLE movie.

take your son issac, who you love so very much.......2007-01-19

what'you do?
what did you do while the sargent was killing ya son?

i think the whole jewish people were scared by what happen on mt. moriah and we still live in terror

let's talk my friend
you remember what you said.
that issac actually died on mt moriah
and then reborn in the world to come

where ya going? dont ya know
there's nothing up there

Extremely Powerful Look at Jewish Identity.......2007-01-10

This film is based on a true story of a jewish young man searching for the truthe. He is extremely wise and is looking for answers about his jewish Identity. He begins his life in an orthodox Jewish enviornment and
finds himself in his early twenties identifying with Nazi skin heads.
He as a Jew hates the weak stereotype of the Jews that walked into Hitlers death showers and didn't fight back. By joining the American skinheads he is challenging his own jewish roots and rediscovers what is really important. I would highly recommend this film to high school teachers who deal with racial hatred. It would be a great way to open a disscusion in a classroom enviornment.

Average customer rating:

Great Legal Thriller!
i loved it
Best Legal Drama Out There
"A good fight is one y'win!"
Excellent drama with suprise ending

True Believer
Starring: James Woods , Robert Downey Jr. , Margaret Colin , Yuji Okumoto , and Kurtwood Smith
Director: Joseph Ruben
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000056WR2
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Amazon.com

Eddie Dodd (James Woods) is a former '60s radical lawyer who now spends his time cynically defending drug dealers for the big bucks. But an idealistic young protégé (Robert Downey Jr.) convinces him to take one case from the heart: a young Korean immigrant unjustly accused in a gang slaying. Woods (complete with add-on ponytail) fairly hums with energy once he gets cooking here. Playing the been-there-done-that mentor--not to mention legal gadfly--gives Woods plenty of opportunity to run off at the mouth with spicy one-liners and zingers. But it also allows him to do some real acting, capturing Eddie's denial and sense of disappointment in himself. Plus his vehicle is a not-too-shabby mystery by thrillmeister director Joseph Ruben (Sleeping with the Enemy). --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

Great Legal Thriller!.......2007-04-12

This movie is by far among the greatest legal thrillers I've seen, not only because the writing and directing are superb, but James Woods' acting performance is nothing short of spectacular. The variations he projects in his character expressions--with so many subtle nuances--make him 100% believable and fetching as that character. And when his sense of right is piqued, he explodes in the most compelling, absorbing, credible way--one which just pulls you another foot deeper into the story, kind of the way quicksand pulls you in: you just can't get out, nor do you want to.

In this story, the Woods character is fighting not only for an innocent man's life, a prisoner doing time, but even more important, he's fighting for his own life--his sense of self-respect, honor, and decency, none of which he feels in his earlier law practice while defending and acquitting sleazeballs whom he knows should be in prison instead wrecking society with their crimes.

I watched this movie a second time the night after I watched it the first time and got even more out of it. Buy it and keep it. It's far batter than most of the John Grisham legal thriller movies.

No question about it: James Woods is one of the most underrated actors today. He performed almost equally as well in "Indightment" the McMartin child abuse case.

I've omitted talking about the plot because you can obtain that from many of the below reviewers.

i loved it.......2007-03-20

it takes all kinds, as I noticed someone thought this was boring. Wow! Clever dialogue, sharp acting, scary violence, moving innocence trodden under the heel of official corruption and cynicism, if this is boring I have no idea what to suggest.

There are more good one liners in this movie than in a Fred Allen retrospective. At the very beginning the young idealistic apprentice lawyer who has come to work with the great Eddie Dodd, mistakes the pony tailed defense lawyer for the cocaine dealer he is defending! Boy is he embarrassed.

Later, when Dodd confronts the neo nazi brotherhood about whether they were behind his street attack, the guy with the rifle standing in the house decorated with swastikas says: "if we were behind it, you wouldn't be here now".

When the dirty cop points a gun at him, fires a round past his temple and sugests he back off, he slows briefly but says, scared but resolute, "sorry guys, can't do it, I've gotta be in court."

You may not enjoy it, but i am a cheapskate with over 100 copied vhs tapes from the tube, and I am about to plunk down hard cash to buy this one. Along with Witness, Fugitive, Don Juan de Marco, One Eyed Jacks, The Sting, True Lies, and a few others, this goes in my collection of movies to watch more than once.

The unappreciated reference above was to a scene where the mother of the innocent convict says: "We asked everywhere for a lawyer to help us, and everywhere they mentioned your name." Oh? says Eddie Dodd, genuinely flattered, "What did they say?". She replies, "They all say, you work cheap."

And the brilliant bad guy DA is one of the classic hateable guys in film, the more than cold father of the kid who shoots hiimself in "Dead Poets Society". i hope this is enough, not to persuade you, but to let you decide for yourself, whether to try it.

And I hope the bored guy above donates his copy to the library. It is at least 4 stars but i gave it 5 to balance off the absurd 1 star review just mentioned.

Best Legal Drama Out There.......2006-02-17

My wife had been fed up with all of the legal dramas I was maknig her watch. Being a third year law student she always netpicks the details. But the story in this fil overrides the legal fallacies, making True Believer a great drama that centers around a lawsuit.

"A good fight is one y'win!".......2005-04-07

James Woods is erstwhile civil liberties attorney Eddie Dodd, his idealism long since forsaken for 4th Amendment violation-under-every-bed cynicism, & Rbt. Downey, Jr., is his summer intern (well, autumn intern) Roger Barron. Woods character based loosely on Frisco criminal def. lawyer J. Tony Serra.

Dodd's conscience-bending guilt submits to Roger's yuppie charm, & the two pursue the mysteries of why a young Korean gang member is serving time for murder & now's offed a member of some supremacist cult in prison. Woods's Dodd is light years beyond over the top with this, but an excellent supporting cast (Downey, Jr., ["...so we can get off guilty little pricks!"], Margaret Colin, Miguel Hernandez, & "70s Show"'s Kurtwood Smith as a D.A. with a closet full of diced-up skeletons) & brisk dialog make him seem right @home there. To the paranoid, conspiracy-soaked veteran & witness to the original crime: "Cecil, are you what heroes are made of?" Cecil: "I did two tours in 'Nam."

If you can get past the new twist on the climactic courtroom scene & the veritable litany of continuity issues here, "True Believer" is one of the most watchable flicks I've seen---meaning, I can sit thru the whole thing without once hitting the pause button or pondering my full bladder.

The great scene in Eddie's kitchenette (with the de rigueur Chinese food) is especially instructive. When Downey, Jr.'s, Roger spouts armchair activist rhetoric ("We all think it's a good fight."), Woods's Dodd lets loose with a tirade against bleeding-heart do-goodism that would make Bill O'Reilly cringe.

Excellent drama with suprise ending.......2005-03-25

James Woods was great as a burned out "I'll give this job one more try" kind of character who risks his life to discover a deeply buried truth, "his client really is innocent" and his career as an attorney is reborn. Too bad James Woods doesn't get enough parts in Hollywood but I suspect the bottom line is he is not part of the "inner circle" (he's a Reublican).

Average customer rating:

Dialectics Personified
What Do You Believe?
you have to be pretty naive...
take your son issac, who you love so very much
Extremely Powerful Look at Jewish Identity

The Believer
Starring: Garret Dillahunt , Jack Drummond (II) , Kris Eivers , Glenn Fitzgerald , and Joel Garland
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The United States of Leland
Half Nelson
The Slaughter Rule
Stay
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ASIN: B00008AOSC
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Description

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and one of the most acclaimed independent films of recent years, The Believer is a daring and courageous portrayal of a young Jewish man living an impossible contradiction as a neo-Nazi. Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is an intense young man whose fierce intelligence and inexhaustible curiosity once made him a star pupil at his local Yeshiva. Now, at age twenty-two, he focuses this intensity on altogether more sinister aims; as a rising star in local neo-fascist circles, Danny spends his days attacking synagogues and fomenting hate among a devoted band of followers. Yet while working tirelessly to realize the destruction of his own people, Danny finds himself inexplicably drawn back to Judaism. This terrible inconsistency in the heart of Danny's soul - the yearning to study Torah and to attack Jews - and the avoidance of easy psychological explanations, make The Believer one of the year's most complex and provocative films.

Customer Reviews:

Dialectics Personified.......2007-03-31

What Do You Believe?.......2007-02-26

you have to be pretty naive..........2007-01-25

take your son issac, who you love so very much.......2007-01-19

Extremely Powerful Look at Jewish Identity.......2007-01-10

Women in Ministry Silenced or Set Free? 4 DVD Set

Average customer rating:

WOW. This Was Really Well-Done!

Women in Ministry Silenced or Set Free? 4 DVD Set

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry
Finally Feminist: A Pragmatic Christian Understanding of Gender (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology)
What Paul Really Said About Women: The Apostle's Liberating Views on Equality in Marriage, Leadership, and Love

Product Features:

- 4 DVDs in one compact package
- Multi-media production
- Clear and thought-provoking teaching on the hard passages of scripture concerning women in ministry
- Divided into 7 sections on 4 DVDs
- Each section suited for bible study groups or personal study

ASIN: B000FW4N60

Product Description

Does God have a law that silences women in the church? Would God forbid all Christian women from teaching men in the body of Christ? Some Pastors answer "yes" to these questions and they say that scripture supports these restrictive rules. The passages that they point to in order to teach these prohibitions are also the passages that have been the hardest to interpret throughout church history. These passages on the surface appear to contradict other clear bible passages that free women to serve without restrictions. Because of these apparent contradictions many Christians have ignored these hard passages and chosen to stick to only the scriptures which are much easier to understand. But is this right? Can we just ignore passages of scripture because we don't like them or because they are difficult to understand? This DVD presentation will deal with each of these hard passages of scripture on the women's issue in order to help us understand God's intended meaning. "Women in Ministry Silenced or Set Free?" is a 4 DVD set covering 7 sections suitable for bible study groups or personal study. This unique DVD set is fast-paced and visually entertaining. Each disputed scripture is dealt with thoroughly and decisively to bring the viewer to an understanding of scripture which connects all relevant scripture together without contradiction. The 7 sections in this DVD are: 1. Genesis 1-3 The Designer Knows best. 2. Genesis 3 Who is to Blame? 3. 1 Cor. 11 Headcoverings and Authority 4. 1 Tim. 2 Women, Deception and the First Created 5. 1 Tim. 14 The Elusive Law 6. 1 Tim. 3 Follow the Leader 7. Gal. 3:28 Equal to Serve

Customer Reviews:

WOW. This Was Really Well-Done! .......2006-11-15

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this, other than that I'm researching this subject personally. Honestly, I'm a visual person, and the cover didn't attract me, nor did the initial start up music (not my style) when I popped the first dvd in... But WOW!

WOW is exactly the right word, because this dvd series really wowed me, blew away my expectations and beyond.

First of all, it does not go off on extra-Biblical speculations, but really delves INTO the Scriptures (with an obvious DEEP respect for them).

Secondly, it's obvious that a lot of research and careful planning went into this series. I kept thinking throughout how well laid out it was. I never felt like I was wasting my time--it was always thorough, thought-provoking, respectful of all sides, and yet VERY very challenging.

The quotes by complementarian leaders and the the audio bites--wow... Breath-taking stuff. At times my jaw was just stuck hanging open in amazement.

I would recommend this dvd series to any on either side. If anything, it will help you see where pro-women-in-ministry people are coming from--that it's not always just a "liberal" thing, but that many evangelical/fundamental Christians are asking questions BASED on the Scriptures, not in spite of it. I am not sure if anyone could come away from this series not challenged in some way. It really was that well done.

The Empowered Believer Dvd: A Life of Strength & Authority! Pat Robertson

Average customer rating:

The Empowered Believer Dvd: A Life of Strength & Authority! Pat Robertson

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

The Empowered Believer Dvd: A Life of Strength & Authority! Pat Robertson, from the Foundations of the Faith Series, CBN. Description from back: You will discover how the Third Person of the Trinity works supernaturally in our lives to help us achieve a destiny of spiritual abundance and eternal significance. Discover timeless biblical keys that will build your faith and allow you to experience the fullness of a Spirit-led and Spirit-filled life.

60 Minutes - True Believer (September 24, 2006)

Average customer rating:

60 Minutes - True Believer (September 24, 2006)

Manufacturer: CBS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Description

Airdate: 09/24/06 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had her first brush with terrorism while still a young girl living in Birmingham, Alabama. Rice lost a friend when bigots bombed the 16th Baptist Church near her house, killing four little girls. Rice says growing up in the segregated south inspires her to work for democracy worldwide. To relax, Rice plays chamber music with friends in her Washington apartment, and she invites Katie Couric in to hear them practice.

Average customer rating:

Dialectics Personified
What Do You Believe?
you have to be pretty naive...
take your son issac, who you love so very much
Extremely Powerful Look at Jewish Identity

The Believer [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The United States of Leland
Half Nelson
The Slaughter Rule
Stay
Murder by Numbers (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000065UH7

Customer Reviews:

Dialectics Personified.......2007-03-31

What Do You Believe?.......2007-02-26

you have to be pretty naive..........2007-01-25

take your son issac, who you love so very much.......2007-01-19

Extremely Powerful Look at Jewish Identity.......2007-01-10

Once Dead - Return with a Vengeance (Rising) Live DVD

Average customer rating:

Not that good

Once Dead - Return with a Vengeance (Rising) Live DVD

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

This Limited Edition DVD features original Vengeance Rising Members, Doug Theime, Larry Farkas, Roger Dale Martin & Glen Mancaruso with Scott Water (Ultimatum) on vocals! Track Listing: 1. Warfare 2. White Throne 3. Mulligans Stew 4. Receive Him 5. Can't Get Out 6. Frontal Lobotomy 7. Fatal Delay 8. Into The Abyss 9. He Is God 10. Salvation 11. Burn 12. Beheaded 13. Human Sacrifice Bonus Material: - Once Dead (New Song) - Interviews - Credits - Photo Gallery - Blink (Ultimatum, Live)

Customer Reviews:

Not that good.......2006-10-10

I was excited to hear that the band was getting back to record a show. I finally tracked down the dvd and I wasn't too impressed with the sound. There were planety of mistakes, but that can be forgiven on the fact that teh group hadn't been together that long. I was wanting more from the singer. He didn't seem to have the vocals for the type of music. Its good to have for the die hard Vengenace fans though. The interview is pretty cool.

Average customer rating:

Great Legal Thriller!
i loved it
Best Legal Drama Out There
"A good fight is one y'win!"
Excellent drama with suprise ending

True Believer [Region 2]
Starring: James Woods , Robert Downey Jr. , Margaret Colin , Yuji Okumoto , and Kurtwood Smith
Director: Joseph Ruben
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Best Seller
Cop
Indictment - The McMartin Trial
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ASIN: B00005CDB3

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Great Legal Thriller!.......2007-04-12

i loved it.......2007-03-20

Best Legal Drama Out There.......2006-02-17

"A good fight is one y'win!".......2005-04-07

Excellent drama with suprise ending.......2005-03-25

Average customer rating:

The Security of the Believer

Manufacturer: Aaron C Ministries
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Belief, Christian Doctrine, Promise

ASIN: B000KU7V34

Product Description

Eternal security is the promise of God which guarantees that the gift of salvation, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 1:8-10. Once received, is forever and cannot be lost, "For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable, RSV."I believe that when the Word and the Spirit of God have regenerated a sinner, once he has received a new life by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and knows Jesus' blood sacrifice has washed away his sins, it is absolutely impossible that he should ever again be a lost soul.The Westminster Confession states, one will be eternally saved and cannot fall from grace. Romans asks the question,"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"and Romans provides the answer: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39.

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