Film critic Roger Ebert has been out of the limelight for so long (aside from updates on his cancer treatment) that it’s almost a surprise to see his words on any box art. Somehow The Kite Runner managed to snag high praise from the Chicago Sun-Times critic, making me want to instantly pick up a copy of the DVD and see what wonders lie there.

The movie came out on DVD this week and Paramount is holding a sweepstakes to give out ten copies of the movie signed by the original book’s author Khaled Hosseini. Oh, and a pesky little $1000 prize is in there too.

All you have to do to enter is head over to www.kiterunnermovie.com/sweepstakes/ and fill out a form to enter. It’s probably one of the easiest sweepstakes to enter that we’ve reported on here. Be sure to head over before April 8th, when the sweepstakes ends and the winners are chosen.

Here’s the plot synopsis for the movie from the official press release:

Spanning several decades and set against the backdrop of first the Soviet invasion and then the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir and Hassan, two boys who form an unlikely friendship in Kabul. But Amir’s failure to defend Hassan against a brutal attack leads to crushing guilt and the boys’ ultimate separation. Forced to flee Kabul ahead of Soviet troops, Amir and his father escape to the United States to pursue a new life, but years later the adult Amir is presented with an opportunity to “be good again” and come to the aid of his long lost friend’s son. A life-affirming story of courage and forgiveness, The Kite Runner is a film that powerfully combines gripping suspense with universal themes to transcend time and place and touch the hearts of viewers everywhere.