Video Reviews, October 1, 2010
Oct 1, 2010FICTION
Agatha Christie's Poirot 5: The Movie Collection. 3 vols. color. 275+ min. Philip Martin & others, ITV Studios Ltd. & WGBH Boston, dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornmedia.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781598284171. $49.99. SDH subtitles. F
PBS's summer offerings in its Masterpiece Mystery series included three Agatha Christie tales starring David Suchet as master detective Hercule Poirot. Acorn Media enhanced these with English-language closed-captioning and released them as Poirot 5. Originally produced for ITV Television, these broadcasts exhibit exceptional screenplays, directing, cinematography, audio, and editing. The excellent supporting casts feature Zoë Wanamaker and Tim Curry, among others. This collection includes a much-anticipated version of Murder on the Orient Express, an outstanding Third Girl, and Appointment with Death, set in a quite convincing 1930s Syria. The bonus piece "David Suchet on the Orient Express" is not to be missed. Essential for mystery collections. [See also Video News Briefs, p. 51.—Ed.]—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Dark City. b/w. 98 min. William Dieterle, dist. by Olive Films, 630-336-5481; www.olivefilms.com. 2010. UPC 887090025904. $24.95. F
Charlton Heston cuts an impressive figure in his first starring performance as a war hero–turned–two–bit hustler in Dieterle's solid, if not exactly classic, 1950 film noir. After two accomplices (Ed Begley and Jack Webb) fleece a gullible gambler out of five grand, the poor sap hangs himself, sending his psycho sibling on a mission of vengeance. Lizabeth Scott hits the right note as a wide-eyed nightclub singer hopelessly in love with Heston's cynical yet ultimately redeemable character. Kudos to the recently launched independent Olive Films for getting the rights to this Paramount title for its long overdue home-video release. Other noir pieces from the studio's vault include Union Station (1950) and Appointment with Danger (1951), which add to an eclectic selection (Westerns, sf, foreign, etc.) from the niche-market distributor. For genre buffs.—Jeff T. Dick, Davenport, IA
ARTS & HUMANITIES
The Da Vinci Detective: Two Great Art World Mysteries Solved? color. 114 min. Smithsonian Networks & Showtime Networks, dist. by Infinity Entertainment Group, www.infinity-entertainmentgroup.com. 2009. DVD UPC 617742214291. $9.98. Closed-captioned. ART–GENERAL
As an engineering student at UCLA in the early 1970s, forensic scientist Maurizio Seracini, a native Florentine, took a course on Da Vinci taught by the subject's leading expert, Carlo Pedretti. Several years later, Seracini invented a machine that allows one to see beneath the surface of things and used it to aid the police in searching for buried bodies, weapons, etc. Da Vinci's fresco of the Battle of Anghiari was supposedly painted in the Palazzo Vecchio in the Hall of the 500 in 1505. The hall was later repainted by Giorgio Vasari (1511-74), and Da Vinci's fresco went missing. Seracini wondered if perhaps Vasari had painted over it and if he could find this lost masterpiece with his technology. After successfully uncovering Battle, he put the technology to work to determine the history of Da Vinci's The Adoration of the Magi, which had been missing at one point for 500 years. One need not know Da Vinci's work or understand modern technology to appreciate Seracini's achievements. Recommended for art historians and those CSI fans who can't get enough of the "details."—Julie Stump, Voorheesville P.L., NY
In a Dream. color. 80 min. Jeremiah Zagar, Herzliya Films in assoc. with Red Light Films, dist. by Cinema Guild, 212-685-6242; www.cinemaguild.com. 2009. DVD $99; acad. libs. $295. Public performance; home version. 80+ min. Indiepix, indiepixfilms.com. HD-DVD UPC 845637000647. $26.95. art/biog
Metaphor upon metaphor abound in this documentary about artist Isaiah Zagar. A fixture in his South Philly neighborhood, Zagar decorates on a huge scale, using mosaics to cover entire rooms, façades of buildings, and large freestanding mazes and installations. Just as Zagar combines things in a pattern to tell a grand story in his art, so the filmmaker, his son Jeremiah, cuts sequences together to tell the story of his father—a sensitive soul pieced back together after being been shattered by mental fragility and marital infidelity. Visually stunning in vibrant high-def, the movie is a treat for the eyes and ears as well as the mind. Bonus materials include the trailer and an additional short about Isaiah and wife Julia's marriage recommitment ceremony. Fascinating viewing for anyone with an interest in art and artists.—Ellen Druda, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY
Locked-In Syndrome; Mr. Michel's Dog; Otaku. color. 2 hrs. Jean-Jacques Beineix, dist. by Cinema Libre Studio, 818-349-8822; www.cinemalibrestudio.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 9781595871091. $19.95. FILM STUDY
Those who know filmmaker Beineix from his splashy 1980s work (Diva, Betty Blue) can now get acquainted with the rest of his canon on DVD. Although this collection includes the amusing Mr. Michel's Dog, Beineix's first short film, its two documentaries are the highlights. Locked-In Syndrome shows the daily routine of former high-living fashion magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who overcame a stroke and paralysis to dictate painstakingly his autobiography, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007), blinking his left eye to indicate each letter. Otaku is a provocative and eye-opening look at the subcultures of extreme fandom in Japan, circa 1994, where fans obsess over pop idols, detailed models of schoolgirls, aircraft, manga, and more, some to reject stifling societal demands and others seeking to disengage from painful reality. Highly recommended for all libraries, but Otaku features graphic images of sex and bondage, plus frank discussions of both, and so is suitable only for mature audiences; the other two films are suitable for all viewers.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB
Musical Minds with Dr. Oliver Sacks. color. 56 min. Louise Lockwood, NOVA, PBS Video, 800-949-8670; shoppbs.org/education. 2009. DVD ISBN 9781593759049. $44.95. Public performance; closed-captioned. music
Following Oliver Sacks's best-selling book Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain (2008; rev. ed.), Musical Minds, first seen on NOVA, sensitively presents exceptional human responses to music through four individuals: American drummer Matt Giordano, who has had severe Tourette's syndrome since childhood and now teaches drumming, which helps him control his tics, to children with this condition; blind, autistic English pianist and extraordinary musical savant Derek Paravicini; Irishwoman Anne Barker, who suffers from amusia, an inability to hear music the way others do; and American orthopedic surgeon Tony Cicoria, whose passion for classical piano playing and composing developed after he was struck by lightning. Narrator Alan Yentob skillfully interviews Sacks, who submits to investigation of his own musical sense via brain scans done while he listens to music by Bach and Beethoven, other researchers, and all the subjects. An accessible introduction to the varieties of musical experience for general audiences; recommended where Musicophilia has circulated well.—Bonnie Jo Dopp, Librarian Emerita, Univ. of Maryland, College Park
Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg. 2 discs. color & b/w. 92+ min. Aviva Kempner, Intl. Film Circuit, dist. by Docurama Films c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com; docurama.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 9781422986295. $29.95. PERFORMING ARTS/TV
Gertrude Berg (1898–1966) was the creator, writer, and star of the long-running Depression-era radio show The Rise of the Goldbergs and the early TV sitcom The Goldbergs (1945–56). But despite Berg's success during her lifetime—she also won Emmy and Tony awards for acting, wrote a play, and even authored a cookbook—she is largely forgotten today. With this documentary, director Kempner (The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg) does an admirable job of rescuing Berg from obscurity. Kempner emphasizes Berg's wide appeal during her heyday and how Americans of all backgrounds felt a deep connection to Berg's show about chatty Bronx housewife Molly Goldberg and her family. But Berg also experienced difficult times. One poignant section tells the story of her fellow TV cast member Philip Loeb, who was accused of communism and blacklisted; he tragically committed suicide a few years later. Berg's friends and family are interviewed here, as well as such well-known fans as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and All in the Family producer Norman Lear. Extras include full-length episodes of The Goldbergs. A fascinating documentary for anyone interested in television and pop-culture history. [For the complete radio and TV series, check out The Ultimate Goldbergs, LJ 5/15/10.—Ed.]—David Rapp, Library Journal
Mudhouse/Sabbath: Seven Ways of Christian Formation Inspired by the Jewishness of Jesus. color. 65 min. Hans Spatzeck-Olsen, Paraclete Pr., 800-541-5006; www.paracletepress.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 9781557256836. $49.99. rel
Lauren Winner, NPR commentator, award-winning author, and assistant professor of Christian spirituality at Duke Divinity School, converted from Judaism to Christianity, joining the Anglican Church when she was a student in England. After abandoning for a while the Jewish practices she had grown up with, she realized that these practices could help her in her Christianity, since they would have been followed by Jesus himself. In seven lessons, Winner discusses Sabbath keeping, mindful eating, hospitality, prayer, fasting, mourning, and the home as a sacred space, giving the Jewish reasons behind each practice and offering ways they can be adapted to the personal spiritual life of Christians. Meant as a companion to her book of the same title, the video would be an excellent discussion starter for groups studying Christian spirituality and a fine meditation for individuals seeking to enhance their spiritual life.—Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ
In the Crease. color. 90+ min. Matthew Gannon & Michael Sarner, Stickmen Pictures, dist. by Passion River, 732-321-0711; www.passionriver.com. 2009. DVD UPC 883629118079. $19.99. sports
This glimpse into the world of youth hockey follows the fortunes of the California Wave, a team of dedicated and precocious 14-year-old boys from an area known more for surfing than ice hockey, as they pursue the 2005 national championship. The film's first half slogs through overlong profiles of players and their families. The kids are likable but indistinguishable, while the parents provide little insight into the travails and triumphs of being a "hockey mom/dad." The filmmakers wisely punctuate the narrative with brief interview snippets with current NHL stars such as Mike Comrie and Joe Thornton, whose reminiscences of their own early experiences parallel what the youngsters are going through. The story picks up steam and grows increasingly captivating once the team arrives in Chicago for the finals. The dramatic climax is so suspenseful it makes the whole movie worthwhile; the emotional aftermath is even better. Bonus features include extended interview footage. Featuring blaring rock music and flashy, overedited game highlights, this film is geared toward young hockey hopefuls. Trailer available at www.inthecreasemovie.com.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
SOCIAL SCIENCES
A River of Waste: The Hazardous Truth About Factory Farms. color. 92 min. Don McCorkell, Tumbleweed Arts & Don McCorkell Film, Cinema Libre Studio, 818-349-8822; www.cinemalibrestudio.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 9781595871077. $19.95. bus
The hazardous truth about factory farms in the United States is that they are ruining our water supply and killing fish, causing high rates of asthma and cancer, and prioritizing profit over people. A River of Waste looks at factory farming here, the sister impact in Europe, and the effect of it all on our children and communities. As such, it is an excellent companion to films such as Food, Inc. (LJ 1/10) and King Corn (LJ 9/15/08). It is, however, very dry. Also, it uses a single camera with no fancy graphics and often focuses on the face of the talking narrator. Nonetheless, the film is extremely informative and may help people see the human side of what is generally viewed as being strictly about animals and animal abuse. Especially appropriate in academic settings, farming communities, and areas with a high interest in agricultural and green issues.—Manya Shorr, Sacramento P.L., CA
Rocky Road to Dublin. color & b/w. 69+ min. Peter Lennon, dist. by Icarus Films, www.icarusfilms.com. 2010. DVD UPC 854565001237. $24.98. hist
By turns witheringly sardonic and wistfully optimistic, this rare and, for several years after its first appearance in 1967, controversial film portrait of Ireland in the 1960s has only recently emerged from several decades of greatly undeserved obscurity. Following a series of scathing articles on the hegemonic influence of the Catholic Church and a compliantly stifling bourgeoisie on Irish culture, Dublin-born and Paris-based journalist Lennon decided to make a film. Inspired by French New Wave cinema, he enlisted luminary cinematographer Raoul Coutard, who deftly lensed various strands of common Irish life, over which Lennon provided penetrating critical commentary interspersed among interviews with clergy, schoolchildren, artists, and politicians, among others. Also included here is an informative and affectionately reflective 2004 "making of" documentary directed by Paul Duane and including a heated exchange among Lennon, Jean-Luc Godard, and François Truffaut at the equally controversial 1968 Cannes Film festival where Rocky Road debuted. Recommended for both academic and public library collections, particularly those serving interests in Irish or cinema history.—Robert A. Sica, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Richmond
Bulletproof Salesman. color. 70 min. Petra Epperlein & Michael Tucker, Pepper & Bones Films, dist. by First Run Features, 800-229-8575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. 2010. DVD UPC 720229914215. $24.95. INT AFFAIRS
Fidelis Cloer is a salesman of German armored passenger vehicles. This documentary follows him over five years, starting in 2003, as he looks for business in Iraq and later Afghanistan. Upon arriving in Baghdad, Cloer makes a cold call on the Iraqi government but is frustrated by an initial lack of interest. He remarks that the later advent of the insurgency boosted his business as attacks correlate to sales. There are bizarre moments such as when one customer tests the bullet-stopping qualities of a car—with Cloer in it. Cloer is very open about making money from war, but he seems genuinely dismayed by the violence. This compelling look at how one man overcomes physical peril and ethical doubts to ply his trade will resonate with most viewers, especially those connected to or interested in the business of war. [Recently broadcast on HBO.—Ed.]—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
PEZheads, the Movie. color. 73+ min. Christopher Marshall, PEZhead Prods., dist. by Passion River, 732-321-0711; www.passionriver.com. 2010. DVD UPC 837101262170. $19.99. pop culture
PEZ® are those rectangular candies introduced in Austria in 1927 that come complete with a nifty toy dispenser. A PEZhead is someone who collects the dispensers. From elementary school students to retirees, men and women from many countries and all walks of life, PEZheads embrace their geekiness and admit readily to their obsession. Producer Chris Skeene's journey from casual fan to hardcore collector is echoed through many others. Interviews with dealers and collectors, visits to conventions, and a behind-the-scenes, insider tour of the PEZ factory in Orange, CT, make for a loving exploration of a niche culture. Shot in a refreshingly straightforward, conversational style, PEZheads is saturated with color and detail. Extras include a spectacular collector slideshow and a convention guide. Despite awkward menu navigation, pop culture lovers should enjoy this film.—Charli Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI
A Finished Life: The Goodbye & No Regrets Tour. color. 81 min. Michelle Boyaner & Barbara Green, Greenie Films, dist. by First Run Features, 800-229-8575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. 2009. DVD UPC 720229914130. $24.95. psych
One of the important dilemmas faced in A Finished Life is who gets to decide when a life is finished. Gregg Gour, HIV positive for 24 years, has decided his is. He watched his partner of many years deteriorate and die; he does not want to do the same. He sells all of his possessions and goes off with his dog, Cody, in an RV to say goodbye to family and friends. Documentarians Boyaner and Green follow his tour and last days. When Gour stops taking his medications because of the devastating side effects, he is ready to stop fighting. Incredibly organized, Gour sends mass emails to everyone about his progress, and these are included in the film. Most of his friends and family accept Gour's decision; only his mother doesn't understand why he must "play God." As Pneumocystis pneumonia sets in, Gour prepares to take his life, finding comfort that "Dad and Jeffrey are waiting for me." Knowing the upshot of the film does not lessen its impact. Highly recommended for all collections.—Gerald A. Notaro, Univ. of South Florida Lib., St. Petersburg
Coal Country. color. 85+ min. Phyllis Geller, Evening Star Prods., dist. by Liaison Distribution, 800-841-6201; www.liaisondistribution.com; Midwest Tape, www.midwesttapes.com. 2009. DVD UPC 767758124593. $24.98. Public performance.
Fighting Goliath: The Texas Coal Wars. color. 34 min. Mat Hames & George Sledge, Alpheus Media, dist. by Green Planet Films, 415-377-5471; www.greenplanetfilms.org. 2009. DVD $90. Public performance. soc sci
The effects of coal mining on a community can mean jobs and a thriving economy or a health and environmental nightmare, depending upon which side you sit. Coal Country explores both aspects of the mining story. Through the use of archival and present-day footage, as well as interviews with miners, coal company reps, neighbors, environmental activists, and lawyers, this video focuses on mountaintop mining in the South Appalachians. The logistics and results of this type of coal mining are illustrated as well as the results of the companies' reclamation of the land after they finish excavating.
Fighting Goliath is the story of a group of Texas cities that band together to take on a coal mining company that wants to build 19 mines in an already air-polluted state. Prompted by the federal government's stricter air quality standards and lack of official help, they work together to push for plants that use the latest environmentally sound and cleaner processing technologies. Both programs cover the coal mining story, but Coal Country is a better introduction and recommended for both academic and public libraries. Fighting Goliath, narrated by Robert Redford, is recommended as a supplement for public library collections on environmental activism.—Beth Traylor, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libs.
Visions of Britain and Ireland. 4 vols. 290+ min. WLIW21, dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornonline.com. 2009. DVD UPC 054961824991. $49.99. SDH subtitles. trav
This set explores the cultural, historical, and natural wonders of the seafaring countries of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Each country is covered on a separate disc, with a mixture of classical and contemporary music, traditional folk music, and other songs accompanying spectacular aerial views of ancient sites, castles and cathedrals, monuments, and parks and landscapes. Visions of England features a well-paced narrative while skimming the lush countryside and seascapes that include cultural and historic sites from Stonehenge to Hadrian's Wall, from the Bempton and Dover Cliffs to Exmoor National Park and Cheddar Gorge. Visions of Scotland focuses on the sites of the Scottish highlands and cityscapes ranging from Edinburgh and Glascow to Perth, Sterling, and Inverness set to the poetry of Robert Burns and the words of legendary Scottish hero Robert the Bruce. Visions of Wales features references to the literary heritage of Dylan Thomas and others. The tour includes recreational activities along with stunning views from Snowdonia National Park. (For another view of Wales, see A Historic Tour of Wales, LJ 4/15/09). Visions of Ireland combines the aerial views with a ground-level angle from a vehicle. The lilting narration informs the viewer of the many historical sights and activities that await any traveler, although the emphasis on the economic boom and the rise of the Celtic Tiger makes this disc somewhat dated.
While most significant sites on these discs are labeled onscreen, the viewer is left wondering about some of the locales. The Irish disc includes the name of the county along with the name of the site, which would have been welcome on the whole set. The lack of any music credits is disappointing. A separate CD featuring these aural treats would have been a terrific bonus. On the whole, though, this set will provide many hours of armchair travel entertainment.—Stephen Allan Patrick, Jonesborough, TN
Raging Grannies. color. 30+ min. Pam Walton Prods., www.pamwaltonproductions.com. 2010. DVD $65; acad. libs. $150. Public performance; closed-captioned.
Rough Aunties. color. 103 min. Kim Longinotto, dist. by Women Make Movies, www.wmm.com. 2009. DVD $89; acad. libs. $350 (Rental: $120). Public performance. women's studies
These Rough Aunties of South Africa volunteer for the Bobbi Bear child welfare organization and spend their days dealing on a very personal level with girls who have been raped, beaten, abused, and abandoned. As viewers ride along, they get to know not only the neglected children but the aunties themselves, an amazing group of women filled with wisdom, compassion, and a powerful moral conviction about what is wrong and right in their society and a refusal to turn away. Both heart-breaking and heart-warming, this eye-opening documentary is essential for public libraries; highly recommended.
By contrast, Raging Grannies are a loosely connected group of older California women who come together to protest many different causes, usually dressed in a stereotypical "granny" manner to appear familiar and trust-worthy. They sing, they hold signs, they gather petitions, but mostly they like to draw attention to their causes by drawing attention to themselves. Compared to Longinotto's rough aunties, they appear ineffectual, unfocused, and lightweight. A nice but optional addition to women's studies collections.—Ellen Druda, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The Quantum Activist: Amit Goswami, Ph.D. color. 77 min. Ri Stewart & Renee Slade, Blue Dot Prods., dist. by Victory Multimedia, 310-590-1388; sales@victorymultimedia.com. 2009. DVD UPC 809070215327. $24.95. SCI
Amit Goswami (physics emeritus, Inst. of Theoretical Science, Univ. of Oregon) is a revolutionary in a growing group of renegade scientists who in recent years have ventured into the domain of the spiritual in an attempt both to interpret the seemingly inexplicable findings of their experiments and to validate their intuitions about the existence of a spiritual dimension of life. The Quantum Activist challenges the viewer to "rethink those notions we each may have pertaining to the existence or nonexistence of God and reality." This film may require numerous viewings owing to the highly scientific, religious, and technical information presented. Not for your average viewer, it is recommended for college and informed adult audiences.—LaRoi Lawton, Bronx Community Coll. Lib., CUNY
PUNCTUATE THAT
The award-winning Thomas Comma (LJ 7/10) is now distributed by Chip Taylor Communications (800-978-2447; www.chiptaylor.com) for $39.99; academic libraries pay $89.99.
