With the DVD release of "Our Very Own" scheduled in just a few weeks, a major trade publication is giving the film a rave review and is urging video retailers to promote it.

"Our Very Own" was conceived by Shelbyville native Cameron Watson and is a semi-autobiographic tale set here in 1978. The movie is to be released on DVD July 3.

Video Business Magazine, which covers the entertainment industry for retailers and vendors, gave the film a favorable review this week and is telling retailers that "this American Graffiti for a new generation will move with proper promotion."

Briefly reviewing the plot, the industry trade said "this highly detailed and wonderfully acted ensemble drama is really about personal growth and the pursuit of happiness, not unlike American Graffiti."

"It has a healthy budget and solid direction by veteran TV actor Cameron Watson (who also wrote the tasty script, which is seasoned with a hint of Tennessee Williams)."

The article also said the cast does "justice to the solid script" and that the DVD "deserves prominent placement and talking up."

The movie stars Jason Ritter, Hilarie Burton, Autumn Reeser and four-time Emmy Award winner Allison Janney.

Watson told the T-G Thursday that Disney/Buena Vista are doing a very wide and major release of the DVD "which is amazing for us all."

"They feel that it will do well in the more rural regions and we are pushing the press hard in those areas."

But "unfortunately" there are not going to be any extra features on the release due to the way Disney/Buena Vista has structured the release of certain Miramax films. However, Disney is considering ways to use the extra footage as promotional material and for the press, he said.

The writer/director/producer had also just gotten an advance copy of the DVD box cover art, which he called "very elegant and eye catching." He added that Shelbyville is mentioned on the back cover of the DVD.

"We are in the best hands we could ever be in ... I mean it's Walt Disney Studios folks!"

Watson said he has been working closely with the Disney Publicity Department and stated the executive in charge of the release "truly loves our film and is giving it extra special attention."

Work is progressing on all aspects of press promotion, Watson said and he stated he was doing a lot of interviews "as are several of our stars."

Watson was on the flight with star Allison Janney during the taping for "Ellen on a Plane" episode of the Ellen Degeneres Show. Degeneres taped an episode live on a chartered Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York City with Janney as was guest star.

"She (Janney) promoted the DVD on camera with Ellen and they both held up a copy of the DVD box. That type of publicity is invaluable," Watson said. The episode will re-air the week of the release, he added.

"I have always felt that we were going to be a sleeper hit and from what is being said so far in the press, I think we are," Watson said, referring to the Video Business magazine review.

Disney will also throwing the cast "a splashy red carpet" DVD release party on July 19 at the luxurious Loew's Hotel on the beach in Santa Monica. Watson said the event is in conjunction with a charity called Modest Needs that he has worked with before, "so it will also be a benefit event as well."

The film was bought by Miramax Films last November and was broadcast on STARZ in December. No changes have been made to the movie since it was shown in Shelbyville in 2005. GADA Films is also working with Spotlight Pictures, the foreign sales company handling worldwide sales of the film for theatrical, TV, and DVD.

Shelbyville audiences were treated to a Hollywood-style premiere in August of 2005 with several screenings held for local residents. The world premiere was held at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June of 2005.

Watson also passed along a message from star Janney, who said she was "so excited about the DVD release because now the rest of the world will get to see not only our wonderful film, but also how special Shelbyville, TN really is.

"That Shelbyville charm and spirit is all over this movie!"