Video Reviews, April 1, 2011
Apr 1, 2011FICTION
The Guilty. 2 discs. color. 201 min. Colin Gregg, ITV Studios, by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornmedia.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781598285260. $39.99. F/MYSTERY
An attractive young woman goes to work for a prominent barrister. After an evening of celebration and inebriation, he accompanies her to her apartment and rapes her. He thinks of this affair as a drunken indiscretion; she does not. Meanwhile, a young man just released from prison sets out to find his biological father and ends up making a deal with horrific results. So begins the British psychological drama The Guilty, with Michael Kitchen handing in a fabulous performance as the supercilious barrister. The two stories intertwine and intersect, bringing the characters’ lives together effectively and producing a highly suspenseful and provocative program. Originally broadcast on British television in the early 1990s, The Guilty is exciting, intense, and entertaining. Highly recommended.—Julia Stump, Voorheesville P.L., NY
Two Streets and Adela. color. 27+ min. Eve A. Ma, dist. by Palomino Prods., 510-234-4003; www.palominopro.com. 2010. DVD $12. F
Producer/director Ma describes her film as “experimental narrative.” The trailer (www.twostreetsandadela.com) gives the misleading impression that the film celebrates the self-employed and the many lovely places in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, the city where it was shot. Adela is a dress designer and seamstress who lives and works at the intersection of two alley-like streets. Ma says that you can see a person’s whole life by watching her for one day, and that’s pretty much what happens here: Adela gets out of bed, does her work, eats at a café, walks her dog, meets with a customer who buys a flamenco dress, celebrates the sale with some dancing of her own, and goes to bed. We don’t see the beautiful city, although we do view a lot of the alley and the folks who frequent it. This project might be of interest to film students, but it will be of limited value to others.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA
Zorro: The Complete Series. 15 discs in 5-vol. boxed set. color. 33¾+ hrs. New World Television, Zorro Prods., dist. by A&E Television Networks c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781422901380. $99.95. F/TV
With his black cape, eye mask, and signature rapier-inflicted mark, Zorro has been a popular cultural icon for nearly 100 years. In this adaptation of a familiar tale, Duncan Regehr stars as the mild-mannered Don Diego de la Vega and his swashbuckling alter ego. Originally televised on the Family Channel from 1990 to 1993, the 88-episode series, which was filmed in Spain, depicts a mythical 19th-century outpost in southern California populated by corrupt or lazy officials, chivalrous gentlemen, pretty señoritas, simple but honest peasants, and other stock characters. Recommended by the National Education Association at the time of its airing, this family-friendly fare is formulaic and predictable. A bonus disc contains The Mark of Zorro, a full-length version of the 1920 silent film with Douglas Fairbanks in the title role, along with the pilot to this series and various theatrical trailers. Of potential interest to fans of the original series or those who follow the different iterations of the man called Zorro. [The Disney series starring Guy Williams, which ran from 1957 to 1959, is also available in numerous editions, for those truly nostalgic.—Ed.]—Linda Frederiksen, Washington State Univ. Lib., Vancouver
ARTS & HUMANITIES
A Film About Anna Akhmatova. color & b/w. 103 min. In Russian w/English subtitles. Helga Landauer & Anatoly Naiman, dist. by Cinema Purgatorio, 646-789-4119; www.cinemapurgatorio.com. 2010. DVD $150. Public performance. LIT
Russian modernist poet Anna Akhmatova (1889–1966) persevered through Stalinist censorship and a series of personal tragedies to become an acclaimed literary figure. Friend and fellow poet Naiman narrates this nonlinear profile, sharing a series of intimate, unrelated anecdotes that reveal only a little about Akhmatova’s private life and anti-Communist views and almost nothing about her struggles with censorship and political persecution (her poem cycle Requiem [1935–40] addressed the horrors of Stalinism). There is some interesting footage portraying the harsh realities of daily life during the Lenin-Stalin reign, and the overall presentation is artful. Unfortunately, this slow-paced, sombre, and flimsy film could have been so much more. Viewers will come away knowing little new about the poet’s life and work. There are no bonus features; more information at akhmatovafilm.com. Recommended only for fans and students of Russian literature; this major poet deserves a more substantial portrait.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Words of Advice: William S. Burroughs on the Road. color & b/w. 74+ min. Lars Movin & Steen Møller Rasmussen, dist. by Microcinema, 415-447-9750; www.microcinema.com. 2010. DVD UPC 880198095893. $24.95. LIT
Recently uncovered footage of William S. Burroughs’s 1983 reading tour of Europe is the jumping-off point for this exploration of the life and career of one of the most influential and controversial American authors of the 20th century. Best known for his seminal novel Naked Lunch (1959), Burroughs (1914–97) published widely in various genres while also dabbling in music and film. An impressive group of scholars (among them Burroughs’s literary executor James Grauerholz, poet John Giorno, and professors Jennie Skerl and Ann Douglas) offer insight into Burroughs’s work, focusing on his late-period books, such as Cities of the Red Night (1981), while friends share reminiscences that reveal the private side of this popular literary figure and cult hero. The film employs archival footage and photos to provide an overview of all the stages of Burroughs’s life, but it sidesteps some seedy and murky details, such as the early deaths of his wife and son, while celebrating his talents, eccentricities, and literary contributions. Although neither objective nor comprehensive, Words of Advice features a wealth of memorable footage, including an awkward interview with a quirky journalist and, of course, the public readings. Burroughs aficionados will appreciate the extras, e.g., an almost-complete reading and two short tribute films. The balanced mix of never-before-seen footage and talking-head interviews will appeal to both curious newcomers and well-informed fans.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
A Poet’s Guide to Britain. color. 175 min. Rupert Edwards, Prospect Cymru Wales Ltd., dist. by Kultur, 732-229-2342; www.kultur.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780769789378. $24.99. POETRY
In this overly earnest exploration of the impact of location, geography, and local culture on great literature, poet Owen Sheers hosts six 30-minute programs analyzing the works of poets inspired by the British landscape. An enthusiastic host clearly in awe of his subjects, Sheers, who also authored the programs, presents the works of William Wordsworth, Matthew Arnold, Louis MacNeice, Lynette Roberts, Sylvia Plath, and George Mackay Brown. Though not all of the poets are British, all were heavily influenced by a specific British locale. Sheers has some interesting and enlightening things to say about the poets’ backgrounds and work, but too much time is spent watching him ruminate on poetry while soaking up the natural beauty of the beaches, mountains, and other picturesque vistas. There is some discussion between Sheers and critics, scholars, and students, along with archival audio and video footage of the poets themselves, but though accessible and visually appealing, the film would have benefited from more tangible content and less artsy padding. Mildly recommended to lay viewers interested in either these particular poets or in watching Sheers strolling around Britain; scholars will find this merely an entertaining trifle.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
The Abbott and Costello Show: Who’s on First? b/w. 156+ min. TCA Television Corp., dist. by Entertainment One, eonehomevideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781417234608. $9.98. TV
Classic comedians William “Bud” Abbott and Lou Costello are known primarily for their onstage comedy routines—particularly the baseball-themed “Who’s on First?”—and their films, including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), which was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2001 by the Library of Congress. But they also starred in a television sitcom, The Abbott and Costello Show (1952–54). Though short-lived, it is well heralded: Entertainment Weekly and Time magazine have both named it among the best TV shows of all time, and it remains consistently entertaining today. The show’s plots serve as a springboard for the pair to perform many of their best routines, including the aforementioned “Who’s on First?,” here presented in a hilarious version that stretches to nearly eight minutes. Series costars included Hillary Brooke, who had previously appeared in two Abbott and Costello films, and Joe Besser, who would later go on to become a member of the Three Stooges. Entertainment One released the complete series in a nine-disc DVD set last year (see Trailers, LJ 2/1/10), but this bargain-priced, single-disc six-episode selection (all from the first season) should provide the necessary highlights for curious patrons.—David Rapp, Library Journal
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Let’s Make Money. color. 107 min. Erwin Wagenhofer, Allegro Film Prod., dist. by Bullfrog Films, 800-543-3764; www.bullfrogfilms.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781594589225. $295 (Rental: $95). Public performance; SDH subtitles. Public library discounts available. ECON
This documentary reveals how investors pursue profit in the global economy despite the social costs. Against scenes of nearby poverty, a German manager discusses cutting costs at an Indian factory because countries even poorer than India will produce the products cheaper. Growing cotton in Burkina Faso is shown to be ruining the soil. Ironically, it doesn’t even make its own people money because of import restrictions in developed nations. A former World Bank employee says he was basically an economic hit man, pressuring developing countries against their self-interest to export cheap raw materials. The film shows hundreds of empty upscale housing units built around golf courses in Spain, a country not known for golf, where the locals could not afford to live. With no connecting narration, the video comes across as more of a grouping of segments than a coherent whole. The totality of the presentation makes a compelling case for the existence of global economic inequities, but its shortcomings will limit it to serious students of the global economy.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
If You Dare. color. 57+ min. Norah Shapiro, Flying Pieces Prods., www.flyingpiecesproductions.com. 2010. DVD UPC 707541211093. $19.99. ED
This documentary chronicles the success and struggles of the Chicago Avenue Project, a dedicated small Minneapolis theater company that helps inner-city children “tap into something they don’t often get a chance to tap into.” It includes daily interactions among kids, actors, and playwrights as students not only learn the craft of stage acting but also get to create their own plays, which they then see performed. Delightful moments here capture the children’s excitement, growth, and productions (two of their full-length plays are included). The film candidly portrays the staff’s realistic approach to working with parents, building kids’ self-esteem, keeping youth coming back, and countering the difficulties inherent in inner-city life. Arts teachers will gain the strength and courage to deal with the issues facing their own arts program. Highly recommended for arts and education collections that serve both parents and teachers.—Ernest Jaeger, formerly with North Plainfield Pub. Schs., NJ
The Danish Solution: The Rescue of the Jews in Denmark. color & b/w. 58 min. In English & Danish w/English subtitles. Karen Cantor & Camilla Kjaerulff, Singing Wolf Documentaries, dist. by Victory Multimedia, 310-590-1388; sales@victorymultimedia.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780981914954. $24.99.
No. 4 Street of Our Lady. color & b/w. 90 min. Alden Films, 800-832-0960; www.aldenfilms.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781877684036. $59.95. HOLOCAUST STUDIES
Narrated by Garrison Keillor, The Danish Solution is a sophisticated and artfully crafted documentary about the 1943 rescue by Danish citizens of more than 7000 of Denmark’s Jews following threats to their safety by the Third Reich. Key interviews with ordinary Danes who showed extraordinary courage and the Jewish survivors make this film tick. Commentary by the son of Rabbi Marcus Melchior (1897—1969), the chief rabbi of Copenhagen, is captivating and informative about the effort that hid the thousands at risk and then evacuated them to Sweden. Interweaving shots of present-day locations with historical film footage adds dimension. This excellent vehicle for high schoolers and older audiences reflects on how good people behave in trying circumstances. The film is lively and thought-provoking throughout. Viewers will come away edified and wanting to explore the subject in depth.
No 4 Street of Our Lady is the story of Francisca Halamajowa, a fiftysomething Catholic in 1945 Sokal, Poland (now Ukraine), who saved 15 of the town’s surviving 30 Jews by hiding them in her hayloft for more than two years. Her grandchildren as well as the Jews of that group who are still alive and their descendants revisit the scene, which is documented here. There are many interviews (some with English subtitles), but the story moves along well by making use of a Yiddish diary from that time. Halamajowa was surely willful and strong-minded; she brooked no nonsense from her neighbors or fellow townspeople. Viewers will find this film both sad and uplifting. It is more difficult to view than The Danish Solution as it explores to a greater degree the pain of these individuals. The Danish Solution demonstrates that light did exist during those very dark times. Both films are recommended for Holocaust collections.—Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL
Susan Sontag’s Promised Lands. color. 87+ min. In English, Hebrew, & Arabic w/English subtitles. Susan Sontag, Zespól Filmowy, dist. by Zeitgeist/KimStim, www.zeitgeistfilms.com. 2011. DVD UPC 698452208138. $29.99. INT AFFAIRS
The late author Sontag’s 1974 documentary was produced in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and was initially banned in Israel. Incorporating many scenes without commentary or narration, Sontag sets a somber mood via a haunting musical score and panoramic shots of bleak landscapes. There are also images of shoppers, people in the streets, war dead, and Israeli soldiers on patrol. A speaker reads from Arab school texts calling for taking back Israel, while Jews are shown worshipping at the Wailing Wall. Another speaker explains that this clash was just the latest in a series of conflicts stretching back to the early 19th century, with both Jews and Arabs believing their stance is the right one. The film moves slowly, and much of the content is dated, though the inevitability and constancy of war in the region would belie its lack of currency. The film’s theme of peace being illusive for the region has been borne out in the ensuing decades. As a historical document and a work of an important 20th-century writer, this program is recommended for viewers interested in both the Middle East and Sontag.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
The 800 Mile Wall. color. 90 min. John Carlos Frey, Gatekeeper Prods., dist. by AV Café, 877-228-2233; www.theavcafe.com. 2010. DVD $20. LAW
This powerful film observes the effects of the construction of walls along the border between the United States and Mexico, intended to reduce the numbers of undocumented migrants who cross from Mexico into this country. Through interviews with immigration experts, members of advocacy groups, and a former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) commissioner, and footage from Congress and the U.S. border patrol, Frey’s film demonstrates how the fence strategy evolved and how artificial barriers have failed at their goal. It exposes the reasons for the dramatic increase in the number of fatalities at crossing sites and makes good use of personal stories and testimony of individual migrants. Fleeting but graphic footage of human remains is appropriately disturbing and works to reinforce the tragic impact of the fence policy. A brief discussion of Canada’s more humane approach of hiring seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico is a helpful starting point for conversation about alternative solutions. Recommended where there is interest and particularly for communities where undocumented migration is an issue.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
Great Falls: Discovery, Destruction and Preservation in a Massachusetts Town. color. 105 min. Ted Timreck, Hidden Landscapes, www.hiddenlandscapes.com. 2010. DVD $49.95; public performance $149.95. NATIVE AMERICANS
The first installment in the ambitious “Hidden Landscapes” series venturing to revise accepted Northeastern Native American history, Great Falls features a quarter-century’s worth of archival footage from the Smithsonian’s National Anthropological Archive and was cited by the National Park Service as evidence in securing the inclusion of a hill bearing stone ruins of the Narragansett tribe in Turners Falls, MA, in the National Register of Historic Places. Director Timreck (Smithsonian Arctic Studies Ctr.) chronicles how the 2007 discovery of the ceremonial ruins conflicted with a federally funded project to expand a nearby airport and how it provided—among other sites in the region explored throughout the film—further proof challenging an accepted view that European settlers produced all stone ruins in the Northeast region. Timreck’s lucid narration navigates the viewer through an extensive range of landscape anthropology. The film features a variety of perspectives, including those of preservationists, Native American stakeholders, landowners, the Rhode Island and Connecticut state archaeologists, and, most prominently, John Brown, the current Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. Recommended for public and academic libraries, especially for those serving interests in Native American history.— Robert A. Sica, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Richmond
11/4/08: A Participatory Documentary. color. 70 min. Jeff Deutchman & Natalie Difford, Consensual Cinema, 203-644-6831; bit.ly/gDDcYm. 2010. DVD $95; acad. libs. $295. Public performance. POL SCI
Prior to November 4, 2008, filmmaker Deutchman asked 20 individuals in America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to record the sights and sound of events occurring on America’s Election Day. The result is what he calls a participatory documentary. Its footage varies in quality from professionally filmed video to shots taken with minicams and cell phones. Scenes from campaign headquarters, polling stations, rallies, and private homes and of people on the street comprise its contents, dominated by the positive emotions felt by many toward Barack Obama at the time. We see nothing of John McCain’s campaign, and only three individuals appear who question Obama’s ability to be President or whether he would be able to live up to expectations. One particularly poignant scene presents a Chicago man who expresses doubts that the election of either candidate will have any significant impact on his life. The film closes with scenes from different cities showing the return to normal life after the victory celebrations. This fascinating experiment is recommended for all viewers interested in politics and filmmaking.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Parkersburg Lib.
The Insular Empire: America in the Mariana Islands. color. 59 min. Vanessa Warheit, Horse Opera Prods., dist. by Transit Media, 800-343-5540; transitmedia.net. 2010. DVD $90; acad. libs. $250 (Rental: $75). Public performance. POLITICS
Filmmaker Warheit here examines U.S. rule over the Mariana Islands. Having acquired Guam in 1898, the United States exercised effective control over Rota, Tinian, and Saipan in the Western Pacific following World War II. Their proximity to Asia makes the islands important military and intelligence assets at the expense of the interests of the native Chamoroo and Carolina peoples. The three men and one woman highlighted in the film played important roles in obtaining U.S. citizenship for the people of the Marianas and making significant changes in the colonial relationship while trying to maintain traditional customs and values. Yet inhabitants of the islands cannot vote for the U.S. President and have nonvoting representation in Congress while contributing significant numbers of men and women to our armed forces. The difficulty a democratic society faces when maintaining an empire clearly comes through in Warheit’s work. Recommended for individuals interested in current political events and issues touching on indigenous peoples.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Parkersburg Lib.
American Pickers: The Complete Season 1. 3 discs. 7½+ hrs. Cineflix for History Channel. DVD ISBN 9781422984634. $29.95.
Hoarders: The Complete Season 1. 5½+ hrs. Screaming Flea Prods. DVD ISBN 9781422985434. $19.95.
ea. vol: color. dist. by A&E Network, 800-933-6249; shopAETV.com. 2010. $19.95. PSYCH
Shopping isn’t called “retail therapy” for nothing: the rush one gets from finding unexpected gems and proverbial “great deals” is undeniable. As online purchasing options become more convenient and pervasive, the real-world equivalent and the effort it requires maintain their irreproducible value. Antiquing—aka picking—has the additional appeal of acquiring pieces of history and revitalizing them in the present. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz of the popular History Channel series American Pickers understand all that, and they’ve made it their vocation, scouring junkyards and bric-a-brac collections all over America for fun and profit. The viewer witnesses the irrepressible pair on the job as they follow their leads and instincts, meet all sorts of colorful characters along the way, and marshal their powers of persuasion to part their newfound treasures from often reluctant owners. Anyone who has ever held or visited a yard sale will be entertained by these pickers’ ups and downs. With occasional censored profanity and some off-color artwork, the film is nonetheless suitable for most audiences. Bonus items include featurettes. For general collections where patron demand warrants.
Despite its solemn tone, Hoarders trivializes a serious and widespread condition, rendering itself a veritable COPS: OCD Division. In each numbingly similar episode viewers are introduced to two households whose occupants suffer from chronic hoarding, the requisite professionals arrive, and a brief blitz of cleaning, sorting, and dubious treatment ensues. Patterns emerge: hoarding is often learned from parents, it is a futile attempt to satisfy emotional needs, and it dovetails with other psychological afflictions, including depression and schizophrenia. No serious attempts are made either to explore the roots of this destructive behavior or to put it in any kind of context, no useful organizing skills are described, and the time offered to each household to address its problems is cruelly insufficient. Frankly, the case studies merely try the viewer’s patience. The infrequent profanity is censored, but images of putrefaction may disturb; extra scenes are included. A worthwhile series could be made on this topic—this exploitative parade of sick, sad stupidity is not it, though the show has a large following. Not recommended.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB
What’s the Matter with Kansas? color. 90 min. Laura Cohen & Joe Winston, Tallgrass Films, dist. by Passion River, 732-321-0711; www.passionriver.com; whatsthematterwithkansas.com. 2011. DVD UPC 798576488963. $24.98. SOC SCI
Thomas Frank’s 2004 book, What’s the Matter with Kansas?, carries the subtitle “How Conservatives Won the Heart of America.” Journalist and historian Frank’s thesis is that by emphasizing “values” over policy and demonizing Democrats as out-of-touch, coastal elitists, Republicans have hoodwinked middle-class Americans into voting against their own economic self-interests. Based on that work, this documentary, which focuses on the lives of several Kansans, is a political and social Rorschach test, suggesting an unbridgable cultural divide. Secularists will react like fingernails on a chalkboard to Angel Dillard and Brittany Barden—two religious zealots cocooned in a faith-based world. The only individual with universal appeal is Donn Teske, a sensible farmer and union leader who identifies as a populist without a party. We meet a few liberal religious folks and several minorities, but they get far less screen time than the Christian fundamentalists. Frank makes brief appearances to discuss Kansas history as a hotbed of populism, but he never quite answers the question of the title. That’s perhaps best left to the book, to which this program is suggested primarily as a companion piece.—David Gibbs, Georgetown Univ. Lib., Washington, DC
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Do It Yourself Natural Facelift™ with Debbie Dawson. color. 25 min. La Grange Post in assoc. with JLT Films, www.doityourselfnaturalfacelift.com. 2010. DVD UPC 682515207015. $79.99. HEALTH
Facial exercise regimens, once a staple of 1930s comedies, are back. Certified personal fitness trainer Debbie Dawson demonstrates 15 such exercises that purportedly strengthen the muscles of the face and neck, slowing or reversing the droop of age while at the same time, according to Dawson, enhancing collagen production and blood flow. In addition to showing the exercises, the video includes three testimonials—with before-and-after pictures—from satisfied “customers.” Do these drills work? Certainly, exercise tones muscles, but much of the aging of the face and neck is owing to slackening of the skin, sometimes accelerated by sun exposure, and exercise cannot tighten the skin. Still, these exercises don’t seem to do any harm, and having toned muscles may at least keep your face from sagging prematurely. Of interest to middle-aged women (and men), though a bit pricey for most public libraries.—Susan B Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH
Wild Horses in Winds of Change. color. 30 min. Mara LeGrand, Skydancer Prods., 970-759-1855; www.wildhorsesinwindsofchange.com. 2010. DVD $20; public performance $100. NAT HIST
This beautifully rendered and very persuasive but flawed film introduces viewers to America’s wild horse populations. Director LeGrand, an award-winning photojournalist, screenwriter, poet, and former columnist for a weekly public radio broadcast, sees the wild horse as being a symbol of American freedom and a reminder of America’s ancestral journey. Though many believe that these horses are feral domestic horses and therefore do not need to exist in the wild, LeGrand claims that they have the same DNA as the horse remains found with Clovis points and are therefore descendants of the first horses in America—horses that crossed over to Europe and Mongolia during the Ice Age. The horses roam free on public lands supervised by the Bureau of Land Management. The film shows helicopters herding the terrified animals into pens; a stallion attempting to escape breaks his neck and dies. More opposing points of view would have made this a better, more balanced program. Also, it doesn’t address the number of wild horse herds that should be allowed or how they would be handled given the present economy and shrinking federal funds. Of interest to horse lovers and animal rights activists; recommended for large public libraries.—Patsy Gray, formerly with Huntsville P.L., AL
