Video

Fiction

This massive collection (over 20 hours of feature content) includes some of the finest made-for-TV fiction and nonfiction adventure films shown on A&E Networks since 1999. All were previously released on DVD or in DVD sets and are still available separately. Collection pricing reflects considerable savings and includes all the extras (e.g., A&E Biography series parallels, actor or director interviews, and "making of" featurettes) of the individual programs.

The Hornblower episodes, based on the C.S. Forester novels and originally made for British TV, comprise set one (first season on A&E) of Horatio Hornblower, winner of the 1999 Emmy for Best TV Miniseries. Ioan Gruffudd is a young Hornblower rising from Royal Navy midshipman to lieutenant during the Napoleonic Wars. Longitude stars Michael Gambon as the clockmaker who created a timepiece accurate enough to allow 18th-century navigators to plot ships' positions at sea and Jeremy Irons as a 20th-century scientist obsessed with preserving those clocks. Napoleon, a lavish production made for French TV, is based on Max Gallo's multivolume biography. Its superb cast includes Christian Clavier as Napoleon, with Isabella Rossellini, Gérard Depardieu, and John Malkovich. The Lost Battalion, nominated for two Emmys, stars Rick Schroder as Maj. Charles Whittlesey, whose battalion was cut off from Allied troops and surrounded by German forces during World War I. Shackleton, with Kenneth Branagh in the title role, tells the incredible story of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated 1914 expedition to the South Pole. It won two 2002 Emmys, including one for Best Cinematography. Though Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor spotlights an excellent cast (e.g., Aidan Quinn and Kelsey Grammer), it suffers by comparison to the other titles, perhaps because the story of Arnold's treason is so familiar.

The package should have great appeal to general viewers, but note the programs feature aspects of graphic violence, war wounds or related trauma, or the ravages of frostbite and disease. Libraries may wish to repackage the DVDs into smaller circulation units owing to the overall length of the features.—Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH

These two exceptional programs will stimulate viewers' creative juices. Sharyn Pak turns scrapbooking into an art form with six differently themed projects, each building on the skills already taught and adding new techniques. A downloadable PDF file provides lists of tools and materials. This program lives up to the high standards established in Pak's Mosaic Basics (LJ 2/1/08).

In Art Unscripted, Carol Duvall, a familiar face to HGTV watchers, hosts a retreat where seven artists not only teach their own crafts but also take a "creative journey" and learn to master their colleagues' art forms. Each then incorporates the media mix into a single project. The artistry includes paper sculpture with Michael Jacobs, polymer clay with Judy Belcher, and stamping with Judi Watanabe. The results are amazing! The lessons make good use of close-ups, and the artists are first-rate teachers. Take note that the program subtly promotes the artists' DVDs and uses specific brand-name products. Both DVDs are excellent for crafters and those interested in the creative process.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA

As college athletics continue to be more about generating revenue and less about student athletes, a single losing season usually results in the termination of a coaching staff. Things are different at the California Institute of Technology, where the basketball program continues its 245 conference game losing streak that dates back to 1985. Offering a mix of Caltech sports and school history, Quantum Hoops documents the final week of the 2006 season as the Beavers look to stop the bleeding, even bringing the final game into overtime. The dedication of this team to continue playing simply for pleasure puts the professionalism of all college sports into perspective. The Caltech basketball team finally won one game during the 2007 season. Highly recommended for sports fans and as a reminder to students that playing sports is not about fame and fortune but about fun. [Extras include a featurette on Caltech's women's team, director commentary, and remarks by the head coach.]—Michael LaMagna, Cabrini Coll. Lib., Radnor, PA

This poignant (but never maudlin) Spanish-language documentary proves that baseball is much more than just a game to many aspiring major leaguers. For the three young Dominican Republic ballplayers showcased here, who clearly represent the hopes and dreams of thousands of others, baseball is their ticket out of poverty. All three speak candidly and allow viewers access to their impoverished homes and dangerous, sometimes violent lifestyles. One affable young slugger aspires to help his destitute family financially and play alongside the players in his baseball card collection; a talented teenage hurler doggedly trains and attends major league tryouts, hoping for that big break; and one young man clings to faint hopes of returning to professional baseball after being expelled for lying about his age. Their intertwining stories, by turns heartbreaking and inspiring, offer unforgettable insight into what it means to be a young athlete with big dreams and an indomitable spirit. A powerful and important film; highly recommended for baseball fans of all ages. [Extras include a director interview and one with Minnesota Twin Carlos Gomez.]—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Tillie Olsen (1913–2007) was a writer, a labor organizer, and an activist, among seemingly countless other social justice and creative monikers. The daughter of Jewish Russian immigrants who participated in the 1905 revolution, she was encouraged to be aware of class differences and the problems of working people. Olsen is best known for her powerful writings, with her most familiar work a volume of short stories, Tell Me a Riddle (1962). This film features readings and interviews with Olsen about her work and life as a single working mother in San Francisco, where she lived most of her life, but the most moving footage is of labor and feminist marches. Director Hershey interviews Olsen's two daughters about their mother's influences on them and on national social activism. Luminaries like Alice Walker also share their stories. The quality of the DVD is technically solid, but the film seems to drag a bit near the end. Still, this would be welcome viewing for those interested in creative writing, social history, or women's studies.—Lisa N. Johnston, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VA

This first in a proposed series explains the impact money currently has on viewers' lives, and/or will have on their future. With interviews from participants ranging from ages eight to 28, the film demonstrates money mistakes made by children and parents, potential hopes involving the acquisition and use of money, and goal-setting that makes for a secure financial environment. Animation, upbeat music, and the repetition of financial concepts such as supply and demand all increase the appeal of the message. The DVD includes a practice swap meet, money tips with in-depth explanations, four major things to do with money, and definitions of financial terms. Solid audio and video quality, and eye-catching graphic design; worthwhile for financial novices of all ages.—Marianne Eimer, SUNY at Fredonia Lib.

Both police and demonstrators rioted at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The government rounded up a motley group of prominent radicals, charged them with conspiracy, and put them on trial, unwittingly giving them another forum in which to air their grievances. Worse, Judge Julius Hoffman, a humorless septuagenarian, was horribly ill equipped to deal with the likes of Abbie Hoffman, a dark genius whose purpose was to expose the government as illegitimate. The trial dissolved into chaos at several points. Defendant Bobby Seale, cofounder of the Black Panther Party, was gagged and chained to his chair before his trial was split off, making the Chicago Eight the Chicago Seven. (The Chicago 10 includes the defense lawyers, who served sentences for contempt.) Director Morgan intersperses documentary footage with reconstructed courtroom transcripts rendered as cartoons, with actors Hank Azaria, Dylan Baker, Mark Ruffalo, and Nick Nolte, among others, lending their voices to the aptly captured bedlam. An excellent reconstruction of a largely lost incident of U.S. history; for long-lost hippies and history fans.—John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.

NPR's Mara Liasson and a host of experts explore the history and impact of U.S. antitrust laws. Lawyers, economists, journalists, and law professors explain how the laws evolved, how they are enforced, and the implications for consumers and businesses. Recent high-profile cases involving Microsoft, Archer Daniels Midland, and Mylan Pharmaceuticals illustrate the behaviors that trigger antitrust investigations, how the government pursues the violators, and what the consequences are. The filmmakers use period images, undercover footage from investigations, and interview clips to good effect to enliven the lessons. Extras include Spanish and Chinese subtitles and additional educational commentary. Recommended for general audiences and college students.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach, PLLC, Rochester, NY

The "Kennedy Films Collection" comprises three historic cinéma vérité productions previously released by esteemed filmmaker Drew. Primary, from 1960, covers JFK and Hubert Humphrey as they stump in Wisconsin; Crisis (1963) shows the synergy between brothers John and Robert as they fight racial segregation at the University of Alabama; and Faces of November (1964) illuminates the people who came to Washington to mourn a fallen President. While it's hard to imagine students today having the patience to be a "fly on the wall" for these sometimes slow interactions between Kennedy and those around him, they are well worth the view. Especially enticing to both students of film and politics is the DVD extra of Drew and fellow filmmakers narrating the footage with 20/20 hindsight.—Debbie Rzepczynski, Lake Cty. P.L., Merrillville, IN

Susan and Patti are 9/11 widows with a desire to help themselves out of the role of victim by helping others. They embark on a mission to aid other widows, specifically Afghan women left alone and destitute after decades of war. Beyond Belief is about the women's pain of losing their husbands at the World Trade Center, how they handle their children, their need to move beyond the murders, and their passion to turn something horrific into something positive in the country in which the terrorists planned the attack. They fundraise and eventually go to Afghanistan and connect the women who have directly benefited from that money. Extras include an interview with producer/director Murphy, whose film of quiet impact is moving and inspirational yet down to earth. Recommended for collections needing a bump in women's studies. [Current events in Afghanistan regarding the status of women will make this film even more relevant.—Ed.]—Ellen Druda, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY

EZY Cooking puts forth several vegetarian recipes aimed at providing immune defense against obesity, the flu, and colds. The recipes incorporate items like ginger, green leafy vegetables, sea vegetables, and whole grains. These commonsense meals don't take a ton of time and offer cleansing alternatives to animal-based diets. The film, although reminiscent of a home video, is clear and easy to follow, with no major hiccups. The hosts are easy to understand and obviously fabulous practitioners of the healthful way of life that they espouse. The 36-minute program also includes a bonus section of guided yoga-like exercises that are evocative of Pilates and incorporate mindful breathing practice. More information can be found at www.ezygoodhealth.com. Recommended for those who want to jumpstart a cleansing diet or just change their eating habits.—Claire A. Moitra, MLS, Morgantown, WV

This exceptionally well-made documentary offers vivid portraits of adults, children, and parents living with or caring for others on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Director Grinta takes us into the lives of people who are remarkable both for what they can and cannot accomplish. He showcases adolescents who excel at their studies but can't easily play with others. He also introduces a 24-year-old bass player with ASD whose skills allow him to teach others, and a 29-year-old who works with ASD children and speaks to school groups as a peer counselor. These articulate adults explain what growing up with ASD truly means. Having their voices juxtaposed against the problems facing current students and parents provides a powerful image of both the issues and the possibilities of autism. Strongly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with disability collections. (For more info, go to www.onthespectrummovie.com.)—Corey Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Lib., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Conversations about the cosmos and the quantum universe among people like Robert Thurman, Gary Schwartz, Stanley Krippner, and Roger Nelson, director of the Global Consciousness Project, illuminate science as the logical analysis of the universe, relying primarily on one authority (valid means of knowledge), namely direct perception. Direct perception includes any of the five senses. Our ancient knowledge of the Scriptures recognizes different valid means of knowledge (authorities). However, they are all based on perception alone. For example, inference is a perception—you see smoke coming from a building, you infer that there must be a fire based on past observations that smoke always accompanies fire. The producers try to illustrate through these discussions that today's spirituality may be tomorrow's science and that the quantum theory is beginning to prove itself. Left between these extremes are people who are both scientific and religious and confused about whether a bridge can ever cross the divide. The Voice tries to find common ground between two fundamentally different ways of thinking about the world. Recommended for informed laypersons and general viewers.—LaRoi Lawton, Library & Learning Resources, Bronx Community Coll., CUNY