Video Reviews, September 1, 2011
Sept. 1, 2011| In this Article |
| Day of Remembrance |
FICTION
The Agatha Christie Hour: Set 2. 2 discs. color. 260 min. John Frankau & others, Thames Television, dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornonline.com.
2011. DVD ISBN 9781598285246. $39.99. SDH subtitles. F
Forget Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. These TV dramatizations of five intriguing short stories by Agatha Christie make for grand entertainment. BBC dramas originally shown in the 1980s on public television, this quintet is now available on DVD at a very reasonable price. “The Mystery of the Blue Jar” and “The Red Signal” (both 1933) touch upon the paranormal, whereby viewers are asked to believe the unbelievable, and we do, because the programs are so well presented. The confluence of unexpected events leads to surprise outcomes in “Magnolia Blossom” (1926), “Jane in Search of a Job” (1934), and “The Manhood of Edward Robinson” (1934). Such tales have delighted readers for close to a century and now are brought to life through the magic of television. The productions are splendid, the casting is flawless, and the pace is swift yet unhurried. These altogether engaging offerings from the best of British fiction are highly recommended for public libraries.—Sheila S. Intner, Prof. Emerita, Simmons GSLIS at Mt. Holyoke Coll., South Hadley, MA
Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. b/w. 84+ min. Damien Chazelle, Varilight Films, dist. by Cinema Guild, 800-723-5522; www.cinemaguild.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9780781513678. $29.95. F
Writer-director Chazelle’s feature film is a gritty, quirky, low-budget musical featuring amateur actors, sparse dialog, and a few snappy jazz and tap-dance numbers that enliven an otherwise dreary tale. The razor-thin plot traces the disparate ways in which Guy and Madeline deal with their breakup, which is instigated by a bizarrely erotic Boston subway encounter Guy has with Elena, a woman who doesn’t share his passion for music and demands more attention than the self-centered trumpeter is willing to give. While Guy ponders whether he should have left his like-minded girlfriend for the ill-suited Elena, Madeline struggles with the betrayal before giving herself a chance at a new life. The film is shot in black-and-white 16mm in a cinema verité style, with shaky camerawork and unsettlingly lengthy close-ups, and features original music by the talented Justin Hurwitz and the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra. Generous bonus features include revealing filmmaker commentary and two behind-the-scenes featurettes; the host of deleted scenes would have beefed up the meager plot, making this simple story more complex though not necessarily better. While the writing and editing style make the film an unlikely candidate for wide appeal, it is still highly recommended for fans of musicals and indie film devotees. [See Trailers, LJ 4/1/11.]—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Something Wild. color. 114+ min. Jonathan Demme, dist. by Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781604654202. $29.95; Blu-ray ISBN 9781604654196. $39.95. F
Grievously ignored by moviegoers upon its 1986 release, Demme’s twisty road movie has only improved with age. Jeff Daniels displays supple range as a yuppie stock broker whose humdrum life is upended after a lunchtime encounter with a free-spirited bohemian femme sporting a Louise Brooks bob (an inspired Melanie Griffith). And that’s before her ex-con hubby (a fierce Ray Liotta, making an exhilarating film debut) turns up to reestablish his claim on her. Subverting expectations with a midpoint shift that ups the ante from the previously larkish proceedings, Something does indeed get more than a little wild. Extras are limited but include revelatory interviews with scripter E. Max Frye and the director, who reveals his “rehearsing on film” approach, as well as the surprises yielded by good casting, including the film’s signature line: “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion.” An essential 1980s-era title. [See Trailers, LJ 4/1/11.]—Jeff T. Dick, Davenport, IA
ARTS & HUMANITIES
A Movie Lover’s Guide to Film Language: Classic Scenes from Timeless Films. color & b/w. 45 min. Daniel Peters, Daniel Peters Prods., dist. by Victory Multimedia, 310-590-1388; sales@victorymultimedia.com. 2010. DVD UPC 736211533258. $24.95. FILM STUDY
This program attempts to provide viewers with a 45-minute crash course in film appreciation. It is divided into six sections, each of which includes an overview of a general film term like lighting or editing, a two- to three-minute excerpt from a classic film (for example, The Third Man [1949] or Alexander Nevsky [1938]), and a clip featuring the same excerpt with added commentary from film studies professor Thomas Valasek (Raritan Valley Community Coll.) explaining how it illustrates the concept in question. Valasek’s introductions are informative and easy to understand, and the films are well chosen. However, the sections don’t build on one another, making it unclear how all of these varied concepts work in unison within a great film. Also, the production’s brevity and limited scope leave a lot of ground uncovered, a fatal shortcoming. Not recommended.—Andrew Horbal, McDaniel Coll. Lib., Westminster, MD
Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird ; The Untold Story Behind a Great American Novel. color & b/w. 82+ min. Mary McDonagh Murphy, dist. by First Run Features, 800-229-8575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. 2011. DVD UPC 720229914758. $24.95. LIT
Hey, Boo offers an appreciation, an analysis, and a history of Harper Lee’s (b.1926) classic 1960 novel. When a few of Lee’s friends came into some money in 1956, they offered her a gift that would allow her to quit her job booking airline flights to write for a year. Drawing on her Monroeville, AL, hometown and family, Lee wrote an original manuscript, turned down by ten publishers, which she refined over the next two years. Headlines, a Pulitzer Prize, a film, three Academy Awards, and about 50 million sales followed. While Lee actively promoted the book and the 1962 film, she stopped giving interviews in 1964 and never published another book. Hey, Boo effectively uses celebrity sound bites (from, for example, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, Wally Lamb, and Rosanne Cash), newsreel footage, a classroom interlude, and reminiscences from friends and family to examine the book from multiple perspectives. A nuanced indictment of racism, To Kill a Mockingbird helped trigger the Civil Rights Movement and forced many Southerners to reexamine their attitudes. An in-depth look at a seminal book, this belongs in every library.—John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.
Uncommon Vision: The Life and Times of John Howard Griffin. color & b/w. 60 min. Morgan Atkinson, Duckworks, Inc., www.morganatkinson.com. 2010. DVD UPC 675944010547. $25; public performance $100 + $5 s/h. LIT
This film traces the life and career of journalist and social activist John Howard Griffin (1920–80), best remembered for his controversial and groundbreaking book Black Like Me (1961), in which the white author reported on his experiences traveling through the Deep South in 1959 posing as an African American. Filmmaker Atkinson (Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton) touches on that work but focuses more on the period leading up to it, especially the ten years Griffin spent in near-blindness after narrowly surviving a World War II bombing. Griffin inexplicably regained his sight, which inspired him to conduct his social experiment studying the significance of skin color in America. Atkinson mixes photographs, dramatic reenactments, and interviews with historians and friends to tell Griffin’s extraordinary tale. Dual voiceover narrators are employed, with one providing biographical details and the other reading from Griffin’s works. Unfortunately, the film is not as visually appealing or authentic as it could be owing to the lack of video footage. Recommended for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Black Like Me’s backstory or Griffin’s impact on the American civil rights struggle.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Mississippi Delta Blues. color & b/w. 31 min. Anthony Herrera, dist. by National Film Network, www.nationalfilmnetwork.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9780802611741. $26.95; acad. libs. & public performance ISBN 9780802611710. $249.95. MUSIC
Originally produced in 1984, this half-hour profile of blues guitarist Joseph “Son” Thomas (1926–93) gives viewers nothing more than a superficial introduction to the man and his style of music. Much of this simple and straightforward film consists of performance footage, with Thomas singing traditional blues songs alone on a porch or in front of small crowds. Interspersed among these entertaining clips are brief conversations with the musician, who offers scant details about how he learned the blues and his past years as a sharecropper and gravedigger. The filmmakers eschew biographical specifics, such as Thomas’s experiences with the music business, his personal and family life, his medical hardships, and anything else that would have been of interest to fans and viewers. Judging from the interview snippets, Thomas was an interesting character with lots to say about himself and his music, making this a missed opportunity to let him shine. What could have been an insightful look at the life of a poor, passionate, and talented musician devoted to the music he and his community loved becomes instead a frustratingly shallow puff piece. Overpriced, this film is mildly recommended to blues aficionados needing every last scrap of Thomas’s filmed performances.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Fathers of the Sport. color & b/w. 80 min. Xavier “X” Mitchell, Providence Films, dist. by Victory Multimedia, 310-590-1388; sales@victorymultimedia.com. 2011 DVD UPC 366458721693. $19.98. SPORTS/HIST
This is a fascinating history of the role of African Americans in basketball, from segregation/exclusion from indoor recreation centers in the 1950s to their dominance in the pro game today. It is the story of street basketball players from Rucker Park in Harlem who became local or pro legends—Pee Wee Kirkland, Joe Hammond, Fly Williams, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (Kobe’s dad), Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and others—as told by the players themselves. Pro teams would lose to the Rucker guys in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s in the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic. Now the pros regularly beat the Rucker teams. This film is an examination of how inner-city culture shaped the game of street basketball, how the game itself influenced the professional ranks, and how some legendary players fell victim to the drugs and crime underlying street ball culture. It is highly recommended for hoops fans everywhere and collections on the African American experience.—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
44 Baseball Mistakes and Corrections: Tips for Youth Baseball Coaches & Players! color. 36 min. Marty Schupak, Youth Sports Club, 800-511-2101; www.youthsportsclub.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9780978945190. $24.95. SPORTS INSTRUCTION
This solid video concentrates on common mistakes in youth baseball fielding, base running, and hitting while providing techniques to enable the coach to teach the game in a manner that is both instructive and fun. Each of the mistakes is handled as a separate chapter and can be easily accessed from the main menu. Since the overall program is brief, coaches may choose to run the video occasionally as a checklist of potential errors to address in their team’s preparation. Parents and players will find the equipment chapters valuable for choosing properly sized bats, gloves, and catcher’s equipment. The program is well done, fairly priced, and recommended for coaches, parents, and public library youth sports collections.—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
New York Street Games. color & b/w. 90+ min. with printable rule book. Matt Levy, Levy/Lifschutz in assoc. with Highbrow Entertainment, dist. by PBS, shoppbs.org/education. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781608834389. $24.99; limited public performance $54.99. SDH subtitles. SPORTS/HIST
Nostalgia scores big in this easy telling of the popular city street games (stickball, ringoleavio, kick the can, etc.) that defined generations of preelectronic-age children. These kids now are aging baby boomers, and some of them—for example, comedian Ray Romano, TV host Regis Philbin, and others—here provide enchanting and often uproarious commentary. The film also depicts the attempt to introduce new generations to the games. For instance, a rural Wisconsin summer setting is backdrop to a stoopball championship series as baby boomers compete while enthusiastically pointing out to the youngsters in the audience these time-tested ways to have fun. Of course, New Yorkers will most appreciate the production, but anyone who grew up in an urban setting will have pangs of recognition, especially as these games were often played with the ubiquitous “Spalding high bounce.” While not a must-see, this enjoyable film is a good summer pick-me-up.—Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Picture Me: A Model’s Diary. color. 82+ min. Ole Schell & Sara Ziff, Visit Films, dist. by Strand Releasing, www.strandreleasing.com. 2011. DVD UPC 712276300129. $24.99. Closed-captioned. CAREERS/FASHION
Model Ziff (b.1982) and her filmmaker boyfriend, Schell, filmed her life from age 18 through 23 in this visually arresting, award-winning documentary. Ziff doesn’t shy away from the gritty details of her work in this candid, inside glimpse of a working fashion model’s life. Pressure to maintain an unrealistic body weight, gender politics, and insecurity and self-loathing, as well as the sexual mine field that comes from the dehumanization of being a “living doll” created to sell things, are all touched upon. A model at the top of her game can make very good money, but most newcomers face huge debt to their agencies that must be paid off before they begin to reap financial rewards. Live footage of runway fashion shows; backstage chaos; exotic locales; face-to-face interviews with industry insiders including designers, photographers, models, and agents; castings; and photo assignments are intercut with quirky animated drawings. Some strong language and nudity. A good match for viewers interested in women’s studies, the fashion industry, and documentary filmmaking.—Charli Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI
Death & Taxes. color. 30 min. National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Cmte., 800-269-7464; www.nwtrcc.org. 2010. DVD UPC 736211197559. $20. ECON
In this unnarrated film, 28 American tax resistors relate via on-screen interviews their reasons and methods for withholding taxes from the U.S. government. Most say it is a matter of conscience barring them from financially supporting war or other actions they find morally unacceptable. They explain that tax resistance can range from including a protest letter with full payment to withholding payment completely. Some of the resistors say they have taken on lifestyles that keep them below the legal threshold for taxable income. Others explain their drawn-out dealings with the IRS. A placard at one point explains that of the tens of thousands of tax resistors since World War II, fewer than 30 have been jailed. The combination of the speakers’ good humor and their apparent sincerity makes this film recommended for anyone interested in learning about using tax resistance as a method of protesting wars and war funding.—Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
The Choice of Love. color. 35 min. In Norwegian w/English subtitles. Erik Andreas Sandaker, dist. by Frameline, 415-703-8650; www.frameline.org. 2010. DVD $62.50; acad. libs. $125. Public performance. GENDER STUDIES
Gay Norwegian documentarian Sandaker here explores Islam’s intolerance of homosexuality as a practice (hate the sin, love the sinner) and the clash of social values between Muslims living in Europe and their generally more tolerant European counterparts. He interviews gay Muslim refugees in Norway and the leader of Oslo’s Islamic Union and visits a seemingly all-gay Christian church in Oslo. The film is slow-paced, even a bit plodding. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer many surprises and won’t change many minds. It does, however, take an interesting turn during an anti-gay-marriage rally, when Sandaker realizes that his own country, which he has considered “the best place in the world to be gay,” is not without its own homophobia. While the subject matter is important and timely, its treatment in this production is sketchy and anecdotal; the subtitles are full of spelling errors. An optional and pricey choice for most libraries and individuals interested in the intersection of religion and gay rights.—David Gibbs, Georgetown Univ. Lib., Washington, DC
Pushing the Elephant. color. 83 min. Beth Davenport & Elizabeth Mandel, Women Make Movies, 212-925-0606; www.wmm.com. 2011. DVD $89; acad. libs. $295 (Rental: $90). Public performance; home version $34.95. INT AFFAIRS/WOMEN’S STUDIES
This is the heart-wrenching story of Rose Mapendo, a survivor of the genocidal violence of civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the late 1990s. The film records one year in Mapendo’s life following the uprising, as she struggles to promote peace and forgiveness. The film also documents Mapendo’s emotional reunion in Phoenix, AZ, with her daughter Nangabire, from whom she had been separated for 13 years. The film’s title refers to the concept that many people working together can accomplish difficult tasks that would be impossible individually. The film eloquently advocates global activism not only to support refugees but also to help eliminate the conflicts and environments that create them. Davenport and Mandel skillfully intersperse an intense focus on family interactions and strong emotions with footage from various news programs and public interviews. Appropriate for both general audiences (high school and above) and academic study. Highly recommended.—Mary Laskowski, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Lib.
Paranormal Cops: The Complete Season One. 2 discs. color. 157+ min. NorthSouth Prods. for A&E Television Networks, dist. by New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781422981258. $19.95. Closed-captioned. PARAPSYCH
The Paranormal Cops series features four off-duty Chicago police officers and three civilians (including a medium and a researcher) who investigate possible paranormal activity. Six episodes plus bonus materials are presented on these two discs. All of the episodes demonstrate the investigative procedures; only one involves a finding of “no evidence of paranormal activity.” The bonus material is essential to understanding the nitty-gritty of the job, also making it clear that only 20 percent of the cases result in evidence of activity that cannot be explained by other factors. For viewers who have an interest in the methods of modern ghost hunters, this set provides interesting information as well as some scary moments. Recommended for collections dealing with paranormal investigation.—Kathleen Sullivan, Phoenix P.L.
Something Unknown Is Doing We Don’t Know What.... color. 104 min. Renée Scheltema, Telekan, dist. by www.somethingunknown.com. 2010. DVD UPC 6009697680438. $99.95; acad. libs. $250. Public performance. PARAPSYCH
The study of psychic phenomena is rife with anecdotal evidence, but sources of quantified scientific data about the subject have long been scarce and scattered. That’s what makes films like Something Unknown... so important. In this excellent documentary, director Scheltema has compiled a wide range of information on the topic, including in-depth examinations of abilities like telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, and spiritual healing. She reports on a number of groundbreaking studies in these areas, backing up her findings with interviews with such experts as Charles Tart, Dean Radin, Gary Schwartz, Roger Nelson, and Rupert Sheldrake, among others. Despite a somewhat choppy opening sequence that could have been better organized and more effectively edited, the bulk of the film’s material is presented cogently and succinctly. Those looking for an authoritative and engaging overview of this subject matter will find a superb offering in this work.—Brent Marchant, Chicago
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Breast Cancer. (Learning & Understanding About). color. 20 min. Animed Health, 888-926-4633; www.animedhealth.com; Library Video; Midwest Tape. 2011. DVD UPC 389125453695. $19.99. Public performance; closed-captioned. HEALTH
This episode in the well-known Animed series explains what breast cancer is, its risk factors, and treatment. Also included are advice for lifestyle changes to reduce one’s risk and instructions for breast self-examination (which has changed somewhat since it was first introduced in the 1970s). This very basic video is ideal for high school level and as an introduction to the subject for women of any age. The low price makes it affordable for individuals and libraries of all sizes. Highly recommended. [For additional resources, see “Kickin’ Breast Cancer’s Ass,” p. 128–129.—Ed.]—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH
Remembering 9/11. color. 72 min. Worldwide Entertainment, dist. by Inception Media Group, www.inceptionmediagroup.com. 2011. DVD UPC 815300010334. $12.98. HIST
For those who think the turmoil of 9/11 and their response to the events of that day are behind them, this exceptionally powerful documentary will change their minds. It opens with the voice of President Bush as we watch the second plane crash into the World Trade Center. The British female narrator then chronicles the background of al-Qaeda from its beginnings in the late 1980s as it helped to oust the Soviets from Afghanistan. The majority of the program focuses on 9/11 itself, employing amazingly visceral Reuters footage. The attacks on the Pentagon and the hijacking of United Flight 93 are not overlooked. The graphic and repeated accounting of body parts and corpses, delivered in a chillingly unemotional manner, underscores the horror of that day, while a haunting piano soundtrack and sound effects augment the now familiar images. Minor quibbles include the use of meters and kilometers in referring to distance and the narrator’s mispronunciation of Potomac. Also, though President Bush’s speech on September 11 is shown in its entirety, there is no mention of New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani and the part he played. Still, this extraordinary documentary is highly recommended for all libraries.—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal
September 11th: Memorial Edition. 2 discs. color. 4½ hrs. History Channel, dist. by New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781422942796. $24.95. Closed-captioned. HIST
Ten years after the national tragedy, September 11th: Memorial Edition pays tribute to all those who were affected by the unforgettable events of that morning through this collection of moving documentaries. Disc 1 begins with 102 Minutes That Changed America, the award-winning film composed of footage taken by over 100 eye-witnesses to the destruction of the Twin Towers, and its brief companion piece, I-Witness to 911. Disc 2 contains Hotel Ground Zero, the compelling story of some of the people who were in the 22-story World Trade Center Marriott Hotel (located between and beneath the World Trade Center); The Miracle of Stairway B, the tale of the 16 people who survived the collapse of the North Tower; and The Day the Towers Fell, a collection of stories and footage from that fateful day. The collection is compelling, capturing the essence of the events from the first wisps of smoke, the reaction of bystanders, the personal stories of tragedy and heroics, and the footage from amateurs and professionals. Of interest to all.—Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY
