"To End All Wars" (2001) - David Cunningham

Every so often, a really great film slips into DVD status with little to no North American promotions, robbing people of some great movies. One such film- while playing in theatres worldwide, but going direct to DVD in North America, is David Cunningham's "To End All Wars". Starring Robert Carlyle, Kiefer Sutherland and Ciarán McMenamin, this filmed is based on the biography of Captain Ernest Gordon by the same name.

In a film about courage and forgiveness, is recounts the brutal treatment of World War II POW's held by the Japanese and forced to build a railway and bridge for the enemy (the infamous bridge over the River Kwai). With unrelenting cruelty, the captors attempt, with great success, to degrade their prisoners, turning them against each other. And yet, in the face of all of this, the power of selfless sacrifice, compassion and forgiveness begins to turn the impossible tide.

While this film may not have made it to North American mainstream theatres and has had limited popular exposure, it has made (and continues to make) a splash at Film Festivals and to the rental crowd that is beginning to discover the DVD. Check it out!

Ugg-ly Corporate America

As I have mentioned before, I am privileged to be married to a gorgeous Aussie girl. One of the many perks of an international marriage is having all sorts of great Australian products not always available here in North America. One such product that I am a die hard fan of is the amazingly comfortable ugg boots.

Ugg boots are sheepskin boots with the leather on the outside and the fleece on the inside, snug, work, sturdy and comfy. They have been gaining popularity over here with the endorsement of big name actors, musicians and, of course, the golden touch of Oprah Winfrey. They are an Aussie icon, a culture gift to the nations, a paragon of- ok, a little much, but they are really great.

Recently, however, an American corporation- Deckers Outdoor Corporation- bought out Ugg Holdings, an Aussie company. In a bold and down right nasty move, Decker now claims that they own the rights to the word "ugg" and are threatening to sue any and all Aussie companies or stores that use the "licenced" term.

Now, being unfamiliar with the ugg boot, let me clear this up a little- it would be like Ford trying to license the word "truck" and not letting any other car companies, dealers, etc. use it. Ugg is not a BRAND (like Kleenex or Band-Aid) it is a generic name referring to an object. In addition, it a linguistically and culturally recognized word (like tissue or bandage).

This is another really clear and brutal example of the arrogant and selfish actions of huge American Corporations. The matter isn't settled yet. People have tried and failed to license generic terms before, but it is going to take a fight. Lend a hand and write a letter or make a call to Deckers telling them what you think of this kind of business.

Any way you look at it, it is really Ugg-ly business.