Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-24 16:12:01

Poignant and heart-wrenching

I am the mother of a M to F daughter. I watched this film while my daughter was at college, and taped it for her to view. It is an amazing film. As a mother of a transgender/transsexual daughter it is upsetting to see there are still so many misconceptions about the community. Movies like Soldier's Girl, Southern Comfort and Normal, etc., will hopefully help others to see that people deserve to be who they really are inside. If people are allowed to be their true selves, what a happier, healthier world this will be.Thanks to the filmmakers and the stars. Thanks most of all to the real people who were part of this story, and who had the courage and conviction to let this film be made.

MLDinTN 2012-05-24 10:46:29

This movie really shows how some people can be so ignorant

(SPOILERS BEWARE)This movie was based on a true story that took place at Fort Campbell inKentucky. A young soldier, Barry) is introduced to a transexual night clubby some of his fellow mates. There he becomes infatuated with a man thatlooks like a woman. An affair ensues and others find out about it. Anignorant 17 year old soldier is encouraged to teach Barry a lesson. In afit of rage, he beets Barry's head in with a bat. That scene was veryviolent in the movie because it showed it all and what Barry looked likeafterwards. The transexual, Calpurnia, is once again faced with ignoranceand unacceptance that leads to tragedy in her/his life.There is a strong message behind this. Instead of racism, the person isdiscriminated against for being gay. A person certainly doesn't deservethere head bashed in for being that. And of course, the ranking officers inthis were no help with getting medical attention before Barry died andbasically tried to sweep it under the rug.FINAL VERDICT: OK for a TV movie. If it were about 20 minutes shorter, thestory would have flowed more smoothly. I recommend checking it out if youreally like true life stories. Otherwise, it is too long to watch just for acasual viewing.

nicole 2012-05-23 23:32:26

Kick - Ass movie

This movie and the actors both have alot of class. The story was great and the work of the main characters where very oscar-worthy! Watching this film hit home for some soldiers and I can say .. they're entitled to a personal life to, ya know! Thank You....

tuc32475 2012-05-23 08:54:59

Soldier's Girl

Soldier's Girl is a human drama film based on the true events of thelife of Barry Winchell who served as a private in the 101st AirborneDivision. He was killed by a fellow private Glover who beat him todeath which was said to be initiated by fellow soldier and roommateJustin Fisher. The event of his murder circulated around the time thathe began a relationship with a transgender performer Calpernia. The film follows the strong prejudice and discrimination towards sexualminorities in the military. The film signifies the presence of thepolicy "Don't Ask Don't Tell" that was told to be for the security ofhomosexuals but also became more of an important drive to practicehomophobia. The event covered by the film in itself has a very violentnature, it explores that homophobia doesn't stop as a prejudice, butextends its hand to violent discrimination. Through Winchell's soft and gentle personality, the film succeeds inpresenting the contrast between his very "standard male masculinity" ofhis exterior and his emotional side. His characteristics presents acertain warmth and loyalty as a person but also as a military private.This characteristic also helped establish the same mood to hisrelationship with Calpernia. The film portrays the relationship betweenthe two as if it was a natural and succeeds in the genuine chemistryand love that both have for each other. It does not give a technical orclear definition and explanation of what Winchell's sexuality is andthis enables the film to focus on their interaction as humans and lovefor each other that greatly contributes to their chemistry and depth oftheir relationship. Over all the film balances maintaining itscommitment to sending a political message but also the emotional aspectof the characters in the film.

2012-05-22 18:27:17

A sad but triumphant story

This true love story of Calpernia Adams and her boyfriend, is very moving. This movie clearly presents the discrimination,harrassments and consequences of being transgender in a small non-accepting town. Lee Pace provides a very convincing portrayal of Calpernia and Troy Garrity delivers very good as her boyfriend. In the end it shows Calpernia's resolution to move forward in life.

Rainbowboys22 2012-05-22 01:14:37

SPOILER BEST MOVIE BASED ON REAL LIFE EVER MADE !!!!

FIRST OFF REMEMBER PFC BARRY WINCHELL 1977-1999I Have Never Seen A Movie So Well Made .... I Cant Express The Pain Youwill feel for the actual people this happened to MS ADDAMS PFC Winchellandhis friends and familyThe love shared between two people should never be laughed upon In Thismovie it shows how the "Dont ask Dont tell" policy is bull**** and doesntworkI say this with pride s***** the armed forces policy on this issue iwish iwould have known about this happening well before I enlisted Because GODHIMSELF could not have made me enlist ......THANK YOU to SHOWTIME and Especially to MS. Addams and PFC Barry Winchelland his FAMILY without them speaking out the TRUTH would not have beentoldREST IN PEACE PFC BARRY WINCHELL 1977-1999 YOU WILL NEVER BEFORGOTTEN

punkdivette 2012-05-20 15:36:18

Don't miss it...

This is one of the best films I've seen in a LONG time. As much as Iloved"Boys Don't Cry," this film surpasses it. The astonishing performances ofLee Pace and Troy Garity immediately drew me into the love story. Itsurpassed any thought of sexuality and was all about attraction of thesoul.The director did not shrink from the sex or the violence - both arepresented honestly; the murder, rather graphically. Nothing issensationalized.If you love great film and acting, do NOT miss "Soldier's Girl."

susanna_uk 2012-05-20 11:00:20

Worth watching but says more about male sexual bigotry than transsexualism!

I was both pleased to have watched this real life story and also muchsaddened by it. The stereotypical prejudices of men are certainly given'full swing' here! Its worth a watch if your interested in issues ofprejudice, hate crime, and obviously transsexualism and how it impactsregarding both personal understanding and wider relationships and thestruggles and heartache that is caused by the congenital condition. Noteasy watching and the bloody scenes at the end are graphic enough toget the message across but does not go further and touch on theiremotional impact on her and her future life path. I'd personally likedto have seen a Soldiers Girl 2 continuing the story!

inluvwithjolie67 2012-05-20 04:00:37

Movie worth seeing

I remember a couple of months ago hearing the story of Barry Winchellon A&E. I was so hurt and disgusted by the fact that something likethis could happen and the person that did this awful thing was not putto death. So later when I heard about Soldier's Girl, I decided to rentit and check it out. I put it in and was entranced by this amazing lovestory. I was moved to tears, which is a difficult thing for me to do.The story was so loving and yet so tragic. Like Calpernia says in thebeginning of the movie, "I'm going to tell you a story, like all greatstories, it is a love story. And like all great love stories, it'stragic." The movie broke my heart and I was ashamed to know that mycountry let this happen and go unpunished in my opinion. Facing thehomophobia of society is tough for any person, I know this first hand.Barry Winchell was a resilient person to be able to take what he tookfrom others, and not let them stop him from falling in love. Best movieI've seen based on a true story in awhile. I would recommend seeing itto anyone.

2012-05-19 12:14:54

SOLDIER'S GIRL DVD

This review is from: Soldier's Girl (DVD) I LOVED THIS MOVIE THOUGH IT WAS VERY TRAGIC SPECIALLY CAUSE IT WAS BASED ON A TRUE STORY!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK OR SAY ABOUT THE PREJUDICE & THE DISCRIMINATION THAT THE MOVIE TOUCHES,BUT IT IS REAL EVERYWHERE YOU GO,& WE ALL GONNA FACE IT THE SAME WAY MY BOYFRIEND & I ARE FACING IT IN ORDER FOR HIM NOT BEING EXPELLED FROM THE ARMY RIGHT NOW. WE ARE VERY DISCREET THOUGH PEOPLE AROUND US SUSPECTS ABOUT IT, WHICH I LOVE.THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS I LOVE THE MOVIE TOO. THAT ME & MY GUY ARE GOING THROUGH IT CAUSE PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE HOMOSEXUALITY CAN BE FOUND IN THE ARMY OR ANY FEDERAL SERVICE!!BY THE AWAY...THERE ARE A BUNCH OF SELLERS HERE THAT SUPPOSEDLY ARE SELLING THIS DVD AS AUTHENTIC,WHEN IT'S NOT,YOU WANNA KNOW HOW I FOUND OUT THAT THE FIRST DVD I BOUGHT HERE WASN'T AUTHENTIC BUT A PROFESSIONAL RECORDED BOOTLEG? CAUSE THE DVD DOESN'T HAVE A MENU,IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE MOVIE & EVEN IF YOU PRESS THE MENU BUTTOM ON YOUR REMOTE CONTROL IT WON'T LET YOU,& DOESN'T HAVE ANY OF THE FEATURE BONUSES,& IT DOESN'T HAVE SUBTITLES OR DUAL LANGUAGE,THE ORIGINAL AUTHENTIC DVD TAKES YOU FIRST TO THE MAIN MENU,AS ANY STUDIO AUTHENTIC DVD DOES,& YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE FEATURE BONUSES,HAVE SUBTITLES & DUAL LANGUAGE.THE DVD I BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM AMAZON IS AUTHENTIC WITH EVERYTHING THAT THE BACK COVER SAYS IT HAS IT'S TRULY AVAILABLE,IT COST ME A LITTLE MORE, BUT SOMETIMES SAVING MONEY IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY & TIME. SO BUY THIS DVD DIRECTL FROM AMAZON,YOU WON'T REGRET IT IF YOU WANNA KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS STORY.NO OFFENSE TO YOU ALL SELLERS!!BUYERS...I HOPE YOU FIND THIS REVIEW HELPFULL!

2012-05-17 20:26:57

Great Find

This review is from: Soldier's Girl (DVD) The Dvd arrived on time and in great condition. It was a good buying experience and no hassles. I do recommend buying from this person and the documentary was good as well.Soldier's Girl

2012-05-17 03:42:26

An intriguing subject to follow!

When I first saw this DVD I had no idea it featured a ransgendered male and was transfixed by it as the 'story' unfolded. It was not a film of coersion - more of a deep loving friendship which turned to love for one another

bkoganbing 2012-05-16 12:40:57

Barry Winchell 1977-1999 RIP

The cause of equality and justice got another martyr in 2003 with thebeating death of Barry Winchell, a young private from Kansas who wasassaulted, with a baseball bat by another young private while Winchellwas sleeping. in his company. The case galvanized a thorough review ofthe Armed Services 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy implemented by thesame president who put in the policy in the first place, Bill Clinton.Right now recruiting needs for an unpopular war may have more to dowith reversing that policy than young Barry Winchell, a kid who onlywanted to serve his country.It was only in the previous two century that human sexuality itselfbegan to be researched and understood from a non-religious point ofview. And it was only in the last half of the last century that thosewho deviated from the binary norm of male/female heterosexism began todemand their just due in society.Barry Winchell is played beautifully here by Troy Gerity and probablyin another part of the army could have served his time as quietly andwell as his lover Calpurnia Adams, a pre-operative transgenderentertainer who in fact was a veteran from the army medical corps. Gaysand Lesbians have been doing military service since the Battle ofThermopylae and before that. But in the west had to do it on the Q.T.We were considered bad for morale.In fact I've known gay veterans from every war this country has engagedin since World War II. Barry Winchell unfortunately chose to be part ofthe 101st Airbourne Division, a battle tested regiment, but with allthe macho tradition that goes with it.Some Pentagon brass would have been mortified had they seen people whowear the famous Screaming Eagle patch on their uniforms gettingserviced by men in drag at a gay club in Nashville. Or in the armyparlance, a place frequented by sexual deviants. When Shawn Hatosybrought Barry Winchell to that club and he met Calpurnia who would bethe love of his short life, he was also having some serious sexualissues himself in a society that told him what he felt was the worstthing in the world.Gerity, Hatosy who was the agent provocateur in Winchell's death andLee Pace who played Calpurnia all deliver fine realistic performances.But the performance that touched me most was that of Phillip Eddollswho played the recruit who did the deed, responding to Hatosy'sprodding. This poor individual is a product of some carefully taughtfear that to be thought of as gay in society was the worst thing thatcould happen to you. In society in general, let alone the 101stAirborne Division. Even after he does the deed he can't comprehend whathas happened. Eddolls will move you deeply.The Winchell case reminded me very much of the famous racial bias casewhere a black kid named Yusuf Hawkins was stabbed to death inBensonhurst in Brooklyn back in the Eighties. Yusuf lived in the area,a very Italian area that to this day is not friendly to other races,not even to other white ethnics for that matter. He was stabbed todeath by a young kid named Joey Fama who was part of a gang of aboutfifteen young men who were yelling and screaming racial epithets. LikeEddolls character, Fama responded to the prodding and actually did thedeed, but the others in the mob held their share of guilt.This is a wonderful film about another GLBT martyr, a list that growslonger and sadder each year. It includes people like James Zappalorti,Julio Rivera, Henry Marquez people whose surviving families I got toknow after their deaths from my former job with New York State CrimeVictims Board. But this review is dedicated to another man who served his country inthe Army like Barry Winchell. Paul Pastorella was a clerk typist in thearmy posted to the Presidio in San Francisco. Paul met the love of hislife, a dancer named Kim Sherwood while stationed there and they were adevoted couple. Paul was also a bias attack victim that I first met inLutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn when he was stabbed after he leftthe army. Both Paul and Kim are dead now, but their lives on earth weretotally spent in devotion to each other.To Paul, To Kim, To Barry, RIP.

2012-05-15 18:55:32

Wonderfully Done And Truthful

I found it a wonderfully refreshing to see gender issuse in the forfront. And know that things like that really do happen. Calpernia's Story is something that needed to be told. I am glad a moving like this was finally done.

2012-05-12 06:09:41

Soldier's Girl

The movie started out slow. The charters played there parts every well. I also liked the music that was played during the movie. It was tromatic off and on threw out the movie. It was a excellent movie!

2012-05-11 18:40:21

Heart-Wrenchingly True Story

This is one of the few movies that has ever been able to make me cry. And by cry I mean bawl my eyes out.The story follows young Barry Winchell (Troy Garity Barbershop (Special Edition)), a soldier in the army, who goes with his new friends to a transgender nightclub. There he meets Calpernia Adams (Lee Pace Pushing Daisies - The Complete First Season), a performer not quite finished with the transformation from a man into a woman. Against all odds, Winchell ends up falling for Calpernia, to the disgust of Winchell's roommate (Shawn Hatosy Southland: The Complete First Season (Uncensored)) and another young fellow soldier. To them, Winchell's love isn't directed toward a woman, but a man. The two homophobics decide to take matters into their own hands, with horrific results that would shake the lives of everyone involved.I had read what actually happened in real life, before I saw this movie, so I definitely knew what to expect. It is an awful ending (emotional-wise) and the knowledge that the story line didn't come from some writer's imagination, but actually happened, just made it even worse. The whole time I was thinking, "I can't believe that someone would actually do this. What is wrong with people?" Even knowing that it is an extremely sad ending, overall is was an amazing movie. Lee Pace did such a good job playing Calpernia that at times I forgot that Caplernia wasn't played by a woman. Definitely a must see movie.

2012-05-09 07:55:06

Awesome Movie Junk DVD Production

I originally saw this movie on Showtime and loved it. So of course when I found a palce that actually carried the DVD I was excited to purchase it. I recieved it only to find there was no menu and NONE of the special features that are advertised on the back cover of the DVD case were there. I was EXTREMELY dissapointed, I returned it and got a replacement and THAT DVD didn't have them either!! I was appalled.

2012-05-09 04:59:52

Soldier's Girl

I rented this DVD and couldn't stop watching it. I think most people will miss the point of this movie...and that is the power of love. I don't think it has anything to do with gay or straight...just love between two people. I think Barry saw so much in Calpernia as a beautiful person, that he just wanted to share in that. The music selected for this movie was injected in the scenes so subtlely and yet so purposefully. I will have Annie Lennox's "Cold" running through my mind forever.The actors in this movie were superb! This movie will haunt me for a long time.

2012-05-08 04:50:14

Pure love has no bounds

Exquisite in it's own right. This was your classic portrayal of a closeted "Bunk" mate acting out his transgressions thus sealing the demise of the main character. It proves to show that love has no boundaries and what lengths people would go to preserve that boundless love. A very compelling melodrama that makes me wish I was the one getting swept off of my feet.This is a MUST SEE and MUST BUY!

2012-05-07 18:37:10

GREAT!!

This review is from: Soldier's Girl (DVD) I love this movie and have not seen it in some time, I decided to finally buy it and what I got was a great movie from a great source. Thank you, I would buy from them again.