Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Dirt! The Movie review and giveaway

I received an advance copy of Dirt! The Movie a few weeks ago and sat down recently with the kids to watch it and see what they had to say about one of our favorite things, dirt. For me, I love dirt because I get a huge kick out of growing food in it and, for my kids, they love dirt because there's so much fun to have with it.

Review
This documentary about the value of our topsoil, its necessity for life and how precious and valuable it is, started off a tad slow and I figured I was in for the long haul. Narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis, it picked up quickly and I was impressed by how much they were able to cover. The content ranged from the disappearing topsoil due to industrial farming practices, to climate change and desertification of farmland to death from warfare over arable land.

In between, they livened up the discussion by using an animated character my kids called "dirt guy", who they couldn't wait to pop up again (in actuality his name is "Digby"). By the end of the movie, I was extremely impressed by all that they covered and really ended up loving it. Which is hard to do. But, then again, it was hitting all my buttons.

I would love to have portions of this movie screened at my kids' school. I know they are working on an educational version of the film, which would be necessary as they really would need to cut the sections showing the death resulting from desertification and warfare as I'm sure some parents would complain. I think it's reasonable, but some kids are very sensitive to that sort of thing.

Otherwise, it really appeals to both adults and kids and is extremely educational. My kids actually were commenting on how they now understand better all the things I'm always telling them about the value of food and how lucky they are. Sometimes the visual message is much more effective than a verbal one. Anyway, I'm going to out on a limb here and say that everyone should watch this film. It's that important.

Giveaway
If you are interested in seeing this movie, I'm hosting a giveaway for a copy of the DVD and a tote bag. So, if you would like to enter the giveaway, add your name to the comments of this post! You have until April 6th (the release date) at midnight PST to enter.

Here's the trailer to whet your appetite! At the very least, watch this :)



Small print: I have in no way been compensated for this review, save for the copy of the DVD for viewing. The opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the producers of this film.

68 comments:

Judy T said...

OH, oh, i LOVE DIRT! I used to have a bumper sticker that said "don't treat your soil like dirt"
Judy

Surviving and thriving on pennies said...

Count me in!!! One day I will win one of your contest.

brenna said...

I would love to win! I can't wait to see it anyway...

Anna said...

I would love to win, and to share with the local library! I am a recent transplant (pun of course intended), but I have already learned how much BI (Bainbridge Island) is proud of and protective of its fertile soil!

Mommy C said...

I would love to win a copy of this documentary!

Robj98168 said...

Dirt is one of my favorite things- except when it gets in my fingernails... but still like dirt

Unknown said...

Sign me up! I'd love to see this film!

Nonie said...

I would love this! Thanks for hosting the give-away :)

LatigoLiz said...

Sign me up! :)

Sparkless said...

I'd love to see this movie. Put my name in the hat.

Kim said...

sweet! I've totally been wanting to see this. Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

Put my name in the hat please! Mine would be donated to the library too, especially as they can't get a lot of US based indies over here.

Cath in Sydney

Tara said...

This looks like a great movie! I can't wait for it to come out (or maybe win a copy, myself...)

Beckie said...

Sign me up please! Can't wait to see this.

The SimplePoppy said...

Please put my name down - our family would love this!

Bucky said...

I'm in. I'm often dirty.

Heather said...

This looks like a great movie! Count me in!

Sandy507 said...

I'd love to see this movie - thanks!

Brad K. said...

Yes, please, I would like to see this movie.

Heather said...

I'm in, I want to see this movie!

Tigerlily said...

Would love to see it,if open to Canadian residents.

owlfan said...

Sounds like a good movie. I would love to show it to my kids.

Bullwinkle said...

Excellent dirt on Dirt! I'm in.

ChrisD said...

Please put my name in, too! Thanks reminding me about this movie. Hope Netflix will offer it.

Trish said...

Wow. Even the trailer is powerful! I'd love a copy of this DVD.

Unknown said...

I would love to see the movie!

Billie said...

This sounds interesting and I could watch it with my kids!

Kate said...

I'd love to see this too. Please count me in. After I've seen it and shared it with any friends/family who want to watch it, I'd give it to the library if I win. And another tote bag is always welcome. Thanks for the chance to win.

megan said...

It is such a good movie! I was lucky enough to get to see it a few months ago and I would love to be able to show it to the rest of my family.

BigHappyFamily said...

Me, Please!

Camila Faria said...

Oh, I would love to win that! Count me in!

Camila Faria
naomemandeflores@gmail.com

Miranda said...

Me, me, me! I'd love to see that and share it with my whole world!

Michelle said...

I'd love to see this! I'm a total dirt loving tree hugger - and my children are on board, too. I do hope that an educational version of this becomes available - are you able to give the producers/distributors that feedback?

Anonymous said...

I'm in! Sounds like a great giveaway! Debbie C in MA

cpcable said...

I've been anxiously awaiting this movie's release! Can't wait to see it!

cathy said...

What a great giveaway! I'm totally intrigued by this movie.

Farmer's Daughter said...

AHHHHHHHHHHH! I want that movie to show in my unit on soils!!! That bag is so cute, too, and I think it would be perfect for my little boy :)

Veronica said...

This sounds interesting, I'd love to see it!

Always Learning said...

I am thrilled that these informative movies keep coming out. I could add it to my copy of Food Inc.; another GREAT film!

DK said...

Dirt is pretty spectacular. And I like the idea Anna said about sharing it with the public library.

Anonymous said...

i love dirt. Just took a enviormental geology course and learned about topsoil.

dc said...

just came in from spreading around my compost aka homemade dirt and I see a giveaway for the movie Dirt! Yes, please count me in for the giveaway.

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

We love these kinds of films. Add a little environment and a little messy... and let's just say I'm really crossing my fingers for this one. Thanks!
Katie

Marie said...

My grandmother was very anti-dirt. "Don't be tracking dirt in the house."
My mom - the exact opposite. "Don't worry it's good clean dirt."
I am a clean dirt fan!

Sarah said...

I would love to see this movie AND I would show it to all my fellow community gardeners.

Robb & Nancy said...

I would love a copy of this movie to show to groups here in our town (in the central valley of CA)

ashlee said...

I would seriously love a copy!

Rain23 said...

Mmmm... there is nothing nicer than fresh dirt after an April rain. Smells like green.

Stephanie said...

oh, I think my son would LOVE this

Anonymous said...

Count me in - I'm so looking forward to seeing this film! And hoping to get my first fruits and veggies of the season planted this week - sure hope this weird hail/snow/cold front thing leaves the Seattle area soon!

Leslie Richman said...

I would love to watch this movie!

City Girl said...

I'd love to win a copy!

Winifred said...

New reader :) I wandered over here from Angry Chicken. I'm particularly interested in your blog because I am moving to Seattle in just a few months and am a little worried about keeping my semi-rural, semi-hippie lifestyle going in the middle of Seattle. Eep!

Winifred Kehl

TheNormalMiddle said...

enter me enter me!!! I love Dirt!

Mel said...

ME ME ME! I love dirt.

Ryan said...

Sounds like just the scoop for our family!

Kim said...

I would love this movie, and would use it in my classroom. I teach AP Environmental Science to a bunch of suburban kids who have no real relationship to dirt and its importance to our lives. (And even if I don't win, it's been worth it to learn about another resource I can use in my classroom.)

Super Angie said...

Sounds fascinating! I would definitely enjoy seeing it.

Anonymous said...

I love worms so naturally dirt goes with them. Count me in!

Tammy Lorraine
mamalovey13@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win a copy. It's so hard to get it in stores here and buying online is too expensive because of the exchange rate.

Penny Basket said...

I'd love to win a copy. It's so hard to get it in stores here and buying online is too expensive because of the exchange rate.

rdare2 said...

Me too, me too! If I win, I'll share with our Sustainable Burien group.

Dona said...

Just discovered your blog this morning and am really looking forward to keeping up with you!

Jenell said...

Hopefully my memory serves me, but I think David Suzuki (in Sacred Balance) said that it takes 300 years for the Earth to develop an inch of topsoil. Whatever the timeframe was, it floored me...how much we take dirt for granted. Thanks for posting this giveaway, Deanna. I'd love to see the movie!

Gigi said...

Sign me up...I'd love to see this film!

Steph said...

Sign me up as well, please! I've been reading all over your blog and love it!! Besides, I finally got my DH to watch documentaries with me, and this one looks excellent!

Delora said...

I'd love to win this. Thanks!

Wendy and Warren said...

Count me in! This movie sounds very interesting! I love documentaries and can't wait to watch this one!