Lovely
Jon Broxton | Thousand Oaks, CA | 04/18/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Based on the best-selling book by Jim Stovall, The Ultimate Gift is the story of man being forced to find out what life if all about. When his impossibly rich grandfather Red Stevens (James Garner) dies, selfish layabout Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) thinks he's in for the financial windfall of his life; however, Red ha other ideas. Before he can receive his inheritance, Jason must successfully complete twelve tasks - "gifts" - which Red devised in order for his ungrateful, distant grandson to experience the reality of life, each challenging Jason in an improbable way. Directed by Michael O. Saibel and with a quirky but impressive supporting cast that includes Abigail Breslin, Brian Dennehy and Lee Meriweather, The Ultimate Gift is one of those film music rarities: a feature film score from the massively talented Mark McKenzie. After a misleadingly dark opening, McKenzie's main theme kicks in, yet another one of those gloriously rich orchestral melodies which seem to his flow from his pen like water from a spring. If any one man can claim to be this generation's Georges Delerue, it's McKenzie; the sensitive string and piano writing which anchors the score is excellent. By the time the theme receives an emotional recapitulation in "Plane Wreckage", it has become the cornerstone of the score. By the time it gets to "Redemption", it is literally yanking at your heartstrings. Unexpectedly, McKenzie engages in some fun, energetic country-bluegrass music in "City Boy in Texas", vibrant collisions of harmonicas, fiddles and percussion, and gives a lively pop-culture edge to "Bum's Bench" and "Park Picnic". Elsewhere, he sets a South American mood with pan pipes and florid guitars in "Arrival in Ecuador" and "Childhood Letter", and even writes some powerful action music for "The Firing Squad". This is a quite lovely score from a man who writes lovely scores with consummate ease, and is recommended for anyone who knows, and likes, his style."
The Ultimate Gift
Donna Kichner | Nescopeck, PA, USA | 11/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Ultimate Gift is a movie for all ages. It is especially significant for children beyond @6 years of age. The extra features on the DVD video are very intriguing to me and hopefully to others.
Jim Stovall is the original author of the story. The story deals with the final reading of a grandfather's (James Garner) will. He gives practically nothing to those who most expect it. But to his grandson (Drew Fuller) , who doesn't expect anything, he has issued a list of things to do before he can land his ultimate gift. This is to be accompished under the watchful eye of his lawyer and others.
Believe it or not, Jason, the grandson, accepts the challenge. By accepting this, he opens up a whole string of tasks that eventually force the change from a self-centered young man to a more mature and honorable person.
Abigail Breslin aptly portrays a dying young girl in the movie.
Donna
Age 59
Nescopeck,PA
"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1