Video Reviews, February 1, 2011
Feb 1, 2011video
Fiction
Nativity! color. 105 min. Debbie Isitt, Limelight & Mirrorball Films, c/o Freestyle Digital Media, dist. by Amazon.com. 2010. DVD UPC 850153003003. $14.98. Rated: PG. F
Elementary-school teacher Paul Maddens (Martin Freeman) reluctantly accepts the job of producing his school’s annual holiday pageant. Competing against a former friend who now teaches at a posh local school, the frazzled Paul hints that his ex-girlfriend, whom he believes is now a Hollywood producer, will be reviewing the show and offering contracts to the cute but mostly talentless kids. With the help of an overly enthusiastic but childlike teaching assistant and under much parental and school pressure, Paul begins to pull the show together—the auditions are one of the best parts of the film. Mostly things go wrong, but, as you would expect, all ends well. Though the script is totally predictable, the children are adorable, and the pageant is a sight to behold. This film will never replace It’s a Wonderful Life as a holiday classic, but its warm and fuzzy quality will leave viewers smiling. Recommended for most public libraries.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA
Paths of Glory. b/w. 88+ min. Stanley Kubrick. DVD ISBN 9781604653403. $29.95; Blu-ray ISBN 9781604653410. $39.95.
The Thin Red Line. 2 discs. color. 170+ min. Terrence Malick. DVD ISBN 9781604653199. $29.95; 1-disc Blu-ray ISBN 9781604653205. $39.95. ea. vol: dist. by Criterion Collection c/o Image Entertainment, www.image-entertainment.com. 2010. F
Kubrick’s brilliant Paths of Glory (1957) bitingly traces the court-martial of three French soldiers during World War I on charges of cowardice for failing to follow suicidal orders. Kirk Douglas is magnificent in his outrage as the determined colonel tasked with defending men whose fates have been preordained. Twenty years after his sublime Days of Heaven, Malick returned to directing with The Thin Red Line (1998), a lyrical rumination on the natural world, humankind, and armed conflict set during the World War II battle for Guadalcanal. Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, and other familiar faces share the screen with promising newcomer Jim Caviezel, whose meditative character epitomizes the loss of innocence. The extras on both discs serve to enhance appreciation for the films, while the high-definition presentations make the case for libraries to upgrade their collections. Two rereleases whose appeal transcends the war-film genre.—Jeff T. Dick, Davenport, IA
The Queen. 2 discs. color. 238 min. Blast! Films Ltd. for Channel 4 & ABC Networks, dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornonline.com. 2010. DVD UPC 054961837090. $39.99. SDH subtitles. F/BIOG
This splendid docudrama chronicling the life of Elizabeth II is technically well acted, beautifully filmed and edited, thoughtfully directed, and generally enjoyable. So why did it leave this reviewer feeling so dissatisfied? One can’t help but note the striking difference between Helen Mirren’s fictional portrayal in The Queen and that by the actors in this series. Mirren was Elizabeth, whereas Emilia Fox, Samantha Bond, Susan Jameson, Barbara Flynn, and Diana Quick only pretend to be her. The transformation from a thin-faced, aging matron into a jowly old lady between episodes three and four is particularly unsettling. Interweaving archival film footage of the real queen only serves to emphasize the lack of authenticity. Wisely, there is no duplication from the Mirren vehicle of Diana’s death. The princess’s marriage founders at the end of episode four, and she is already gone for a year at the start of episode five. U.S. viewers may be surprised to discover that being queen of England isn’t all fun and frolic and that she worries about having money enough to pay bills despite being one of the world’s richest women. This reviewer’s letdown aside, the series is highly recommended as entertainment with a bit of history thrown in for good measure.—Sheila S. Intner, Emerita, Simmons GSLIS at Mt. Holyoke Coll., South Hadley, MA
ARTS & HUMANITIES
Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delight. color. 73+ min. Wendy Keys, Arthouse Films & Curiously Bright Entertainment, dist. by New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781422974537. $29.95. ART-GENERAL
Keys’s debut documentary profiles the illustrator and graphic designer behind such iconic images as the I [heart] N.Y. logo and Bob Dylan with psychedelic “rainbow hair.” Amazingly, Glaser’s five-decades-long career includes teaching, the cofounding of New York magazine, and running a company that designs everything from menus to prescription drug labels. This roughly chronological film covers a lot of ground and gives Glaser ample time and space to discuss his childhood and early career, explain his motivations, express his love for his hometown of New York City, and pontificate on the purpose of commercial art. Glaser has lots to say, and he says it with style and humor. Unfortunately, the myriad examples of his diverse and often gorgeous work are shown very briefly, so viewers interested in a close examination of his style should be ready to use the pause button often. The single bonus feature is a skippable panel discussion with Glaser, Gloria Steinem, and others. Highly recommended for art and design students and teachers seeking an in-depth look at a master of the craft.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Cinevardaphoto: Short Films. color & b/w. 92+ min. In French w/English subtitles. Agnès Varda, dist. by Cinema Guild, 212-685-6242; www.cinemaguild.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780781513425. $99.95; acad. libs. $150. Public performance. FILM
Long underappreciated in this country outside of cinephile circles, Varda (b.1928) may finally be getting her due. Her The Beaches of Agnès (LJ 2/15/10) was a finalist for the 2009 Academy Award for best documentary, and she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. This DVD should enhance her reputation even further. It bundles three short films about photography released theatrically in 2005 as Cinevardaphoto with six others made between 1965 and 1986. As she explains in From the Rooster to the Donkey, a survey of her short film work included here as a bonus feature, Varda doesn’t make shorts just because she isn’t able to make full-length movies. Rather, she sees the short- film form as ideal for some projects in much the same way that an essay is better suited to certain subjects than a novel. Cinevardaphoto is essential for fully understanding what this uniquely buoyant artist is trying to do with film. Recommended for collections that already include Varda’s better-known features.—Andrew R. Horbal, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib.
Speaking in Code. color. 98+ min. Amy Grill, Square, dist. by Microcinema, www.microcinema.com. 2010. DVD UPC 844667021899. $19.95. MUSIC
If Speaking in Code were merely one of the best films about the techno scene ever produced, it would be worth seeing. But it is much more than a music documentary. The soundtrack and the musicians who produced it are at the top of their field. The chronicle of the lives and performances of the Wighnomy Brothers, Modeselektor, DJ Tobias Thomas of Kompakt, and many others makes for fascinating viewing, as do interviews with inventor Monolake and journalist Philip Sherburne. These are articulate, thoughtful subjects. What makes this film so compelling is how it approaches relationships—technological, musical, cultural (the reunification of Germany played a decisive role in creating the environment for the genre to grow), and personal. Director Grill and her husband, promoter David Day, set out to make a film about the techno subculture, but the tale of their struggle to complete the film—and their own mania—becomes as much of a focus as the music. Speaking in Code is a look at people who love music obsessively, and it documents the rewards and tolls that result from that devotion. Extras include extended interviews, deleted scenes, outtakes, and a live performance by Modeselektor. Highly recommended.—Bill Baars, Lake Oswego P.L., OR
Go Swim: All Strokes. 60 min. DVD UPC 182868000115.
Go Swim: Freestyle with Jason Lezak. 50 min. DVD UPC 182868000245.
ea. vol: color. Go Swim Prods., dist. by Instructional Video, 800-228-0164; www.insvideo.com. 2010. $39.95. SPORTS
These two titles in the “Go Swim” series are solid examples of the right way to make an instructional video. The intended audience is viewers of high school age and above, with intermediate to advanced skills, so little time is spent explaining the basics. The narration by the athletes fills the coach’s role quite nicely, with tips on counting, the thought process, position/body alignment, breathing, and training to fine-tune performance. The excellent underwater photography lets us see clearly specific movements from all angles and speeds; the champions swim toward us, away from us, over us, and next to us repeatedly in slow motion so the techniques become ingrained. Bonus features include drills, turns and starts, bios, and interviews. Each disc comes with a laminated stroke guide to keep by the pool. The “Go Swim” series would fit in any collection that’s used by high school or college swim teams.—Ellen Druda, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY
SOCIAL SCIENCES
The People v. Leo Frank. color & b/w. 85 min. w/tchr.’s guide. Ben Loeterman Prods., 617-789-5777; www.leofrankfilm.com. 2010. DVD $69.95; acad. libs. Filmakers Library, 212-808-4980; www.filmakers.com. $295 (Rental: $85) + $4.99 s/h. Public performance; closed-cationed. CRIMINOLOGY
The People v. Leo Frank relates the story of the rape and murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in April 1913 and the subsequent investigation, trial, conviction, and lynching of Leo M. Frank, her Jewish supervisor at the Atlanta Pencil Factory. The story is based on transcripts of the trial as well as newspaper articles, letters, and other documents. The use of reenactments, photos, and interviews provides a thought-provoking examination of a horrible crime and subsequent miscarriage of justice, highlighting the rifts present in post–Civil War American society that led to a lynch mob birthing the modern Ku Klux Klan. The accompanying 69-page teacher’s guide (PDF) provides instructional materials for secondary-school teachers as students consider the manifold prejudices present in America in the early 20th century. For all audiences.—Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY
Floored. color. 77+ min. In English w/English, Spanish, French, & Japanese subtitles. James Allen Smith, Trader Film, dist. by Typecast Releasing, www.typecastfilms.com. 2010. DVD UPC 643519122902. $24.99; Blu-ray $29.99; public performance $250. ECON
After giving a short history of open-cry auction trading at the Chicago exchanges, Smith’s documentary begins its exploration of the traders themselves. Dozens of traders tell their stories on-screen, intercut with scenes of floor trading. The traders explain the realities of buying and selling in the pits, betting one’s own money daily in competition with other traders and the markets. They tell of fortunes made and lost, of broken men (traders have overwhelmingly been male), drug and alcohol abuse, and even suicides. They reveal how the turbulent and macho existence of the floor trader is dying as more and more trading moves to electronic platforms. As such, in a little more than a decade, over 90 percent of floor traders have already been displaced. Smith’s insightful portrayal of this now declining profession will appeal to all viewers interested in trading and the exchanges. It is a wonderful complement to Emily Lambert’s new book on the Chicago exchanges, The Futures: The Rise of the Speculator and the Origins of the World’s Biggest Markets.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Plunder: The Crime of Our Time; Danny Schechter Dissects Wall Street Fraud. color. 100+ min. Danny Schechter, Globalvision, dist. by Disinformation Co., www.disinfo.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781934708538. $19.98. ECON
Filmmaker Schechter follows up his 2006 documentary, In Debt We Trust, and 2008 book, Plunder, with this depiction of the 2007-08 credit crisis as the culmination of a Wall Street scheme to defraud ordinary people. Schechter says the misuse of financial innovations such as collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps should be viewed as criminal acts. Through interviews with financial insiders, homeowners, and activists, he explains how the financial industry lured people into taking on too much debt and then how that debt was spun into leveraged derivative securities that nearly wrecked the global economy. Schechter provides a nearly breathless commentary connecting interview segments against a driving musical score and a backdrop of stock footage like a circus trapeze act and movie gangsters. Schechter is very good at appealing to viewer emotions of anger and outrage, but that gets in the way of explaining what happened. Plunder is very much in the mold of Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story (2010), but without Moore’s humor. Those wishing more balanced and penetrating treatments of the credit crisis should view CNBC’s House of Cards and Niall Ferguson’s The Ascent of Money (both LJ Online, 6/18/09).—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
The Lottery. color. 80 min. Madeleine Sackler, Great Curve Films, dist. byBreaking Glass Pictures, 267-324-3934; www.breakingglasspictures.com. 2010. DVD UPC 037117024438. $24.99. ED
New York’s Harlem Success Academy (HSA) creates a strong school culture that holds high expectations for its students, assuring that each will graduate from college. Not every eligible student in Harlem can get into HSA or the other public charter schools in the district. HSA employs a lottery system—3000 students wait for 475 spots. This film follows four students and their parents who are waiting to hear about acceptance. It also delineates the sometimes passionate arguments for and against public charter schools, which is refreshing. Most poignant are the comments from the parents who feel that their dreams might have been realized had the opportunity for a charter school experience been available to them. At the film’s conclusion, we see the announcement of those chosen; those who are not among the winners are devastated. Strongly recommended for education and sociology collections, this film will spark hours of discussion. [Shortlisted for a 2010 best documentary Academy Award.—Ed.]—Ernest Jaeger, formerly with North Plainfield Sch., NJ
We’re All Angels. color. 78+ min. Robert Nunez, Telekinetic Entertainment, dist. by Passion River, 732-321-0711; www.passionriver.com. 2010. DVD UPC 884501026604. $19.98. GENDER STUDIES/MUSIC
Can you be gay and Christian and monogamous? In this documentary, gay/pop/Christian musical and life partners Jason Warner and deMarco DeCiccio try to convince viewers you can. The Christian recording and performing world rejects the men because they are gay, the gays question how they can be Christian and gay, and the pop world wants them to be edgier. It is difficult to sell “edgy” when they really are as squeaky clean as they appear to be. Warner clearly identifies himself as feeling “womanly” in his emotions. deMarco was with a woman when he became attracted to Warner and discloses his process of accepting himself as gay. The duo see themselves as ministers to Christian gays and their families. Their healing is the healing their audience feels when it is demonstrated that you can be in a same-sex relationship and be accepted. Their community outreach is in the name of God, not just to preach but to show by example. Dramatic tension ramps up with the release of a new CD and questions of how and to whom it will sell. The pair’s message is God loves you. Ultimately, they are creating music for those who feel excluded and that includes many more than just gays and lesbians.—Gerald A. Notaro, Univ. of South Florida Lib., St. Petersburg
Black Easter: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln; Director’s Cut. color & b/w. Gary L. Beebe, White River Pictures, 760-902-0825; whiteriverpics@yahoo.com. 2010. DVD UPC 845121032260. $19.95. HIST
Lincoln’s assassination on Good Friday, 1865, seems an ironic and bitter conclusion to America’s bloodiest period as our country began the long journey (some might say it is still in progress) toward reunification. This outstanding program, written by Lincoln scholar William Hanchett and updated from its 1993 Telly Award–winning form, beautifully re-creates the historical and personal events leading up to and immediately following Lincoln’s death. It incorporates a clearly written narrative supplemented by a remarkable collection of vintage photographs and film/video re-creations as well as a pleasing music soundtrack. A primary asset of this program is its emphasis on the mind-set of both the individuals and the various facets of our society during this turbulent time. The presentation includes a wonderful section on Lincoln’s funeral and the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination, as well as a succinct summary of Lincoln’s significance from his time to the present. A 12-segment chapter selection option enhances the value and usefulness of this exceptional title; for all collections.—Dwain Thomas, formerly with Lake Park H.S., Roselle, IL
Marína of the Zabbaleen. color. 70 min. In Arabic w/English subtitles. Engi Wassef, Torch Films, 212-292-3126; www.torchfilms.com. 2010. DVD UPC 798304073942. $49; acad. libs. $240 + $2.77 s/h. Public performance. INT AFFAIRS
This touching and inspiring portrait of a young girl’s life in a village literally built on garbage is a true testament to the human ability to find peace and normalcy amid squalor. Seven-year-old Marína lives with her parents and two brothers in Muqqattam, where the wealthy of Cairo, Egypt, send their garbage to be sorted for recycling. Amid dead rats, vast numbers of insects, medical waste, broken glass, and every conceivable type of rubbish, Marína and the other children play, go to school, fight, cry, laugh, and dream. Her parents struggle to pay the rent and feed the family and try to get by with the little they have, just as the poor do everywhere in the world. Despite the grim surroundings, Marína seems happy in her wide-eyed, innocent acceptance of whatever life throws her way. Her inner sweetness and beauty are like a jewel among the refuse. Without being grandiose, this film is about spirit and hope; a valuable addition to all libraries.—Ellen Druda, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY
Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer. color. 118+ min. Alex Gibney, Wider Film Projects & Jigsaw Prods., dist. by Magnolia Pictures, www.magpictures.com. 2011. DVD UPC 876964003629. $26.98; Blu- ray UPC 876964003636. $29.98. Rated: R.
Spitzer Uncut: Childhood, Marriage, Politics. color. 105 min. Stephen Trombley, Worldview Pictures Corp., 518-935-3297; info@worldviewpicturescorp.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780072125757. $14.99 + $3.99 s/h. POLITICS
These two documentaries offer different perspectives of the rise and fall of former New York governor Eliot Spitzer. Director Trombley (Nuremberg; War and Civilization) offers up a video memoir in Spitzer Uncut. The camera centers on Spitzer’s reminiscences, ranging from childhood lessons learned from his father and meeting his wife at Harvard to working as a New York City DA to running for attorney general and then governor. He blames no one but himself for the sex scandal that led to his resignation, but he fails to address his need to engage prostitutes. The film’s production quality is a bit ragged, resembling a rough cut requiring additional editing. Also, Trombley fails to ask the difficult questions or challenge Spitzer’s comments. Of interest to historians or political scientists but not the general public.
Offering a more critical approach to Spitzer is Gibney’s (Taxi to the Dark Side) Client 9. Spitzer appears here, as do former AIG CEO Hank Greenberg and Home Depot founder Ken Langone, both enemies of the man once tagged the Sheriff of Wall Street. Greenberg and Langone formed common cause with New York State Senate leader Joseph Bruno when Spitzer’s combative gubernatorial style alienated assembly members of all parties. These men looked for the opportunity to bring Spitzer down and found their chance when Spitzer turned to prostitutes. Gibney implies elements from Wall Street, the New York Assembly, and the highly politicized George W. Bush Justice Department pushed for an investigation and leaked information to the press. Spitzer supporters and foes alike are given the opportunity to air their opinions. As in Spitzer Uncut, Spitzer does not excuse his behavior beyond saying that he possessed desires that were unfulfilled within his marital relationship. Highly recommended for all viewers and library collections. [Client 9 is shortlisted for the 2010 Academy Award for best documentary; Spitzer’s new CNN show with Kathleen Parker, Parker Spitzer, should lead to further interest.—Ed.]—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Parkersburg Lib.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Green-Ovating: Home Renovations for a Sustainable World. 4vols. color. Shopware, dist. by Films Media Group, 800-257-5126; www.films.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781616160425. $399.80; ea. vol: $99.95. Public performance; closed-captioned. Includes: Thinking Green, Building Smart. 42 min.; Sustainable Landscaping. 38 min.; Green Power, Clean Choices. 38 min.; Home Performance. 40 min. HOME IMPROVEMENT
This series highlights the latest technologies, practices, and materials available to transform homes into energy-efficient, ecofriendly dwellings. Robert Post hosts the series, which features leading designers, builders, and landscape architects. Home Performance leads us through a home performance audit and introduces viewers to the concepts of a thermal envelope, energy footprint, and structural soundness. Green Power describes the benefits and challenges of solar, wind, and renewable power sources. Sustainable Landscaping addresses landscape design principles and philosophies, including green roofs and rainwater management. Thinking Green explores green architectural design and construction. These DVDs would be excellent for a course, seminar, or discussion group relating to energy-efficiency, landscaping, or remodeling. The online teacher’s guide includes a glossary and discussion material. Highly recommended for both lay and professional audiences.—Ravonne Green, Valdosta State Univ. Lib., GA
Tagged. color. 28 min. Shawney Cohen & Mike Gallay, Natl. Film Bd. of Canada, dist. by Icarus Films, 800-876-1710; www.icarusfilms.com. 2010. $225. Public performance; closed-captioned. TECH
Filmmakers Cohen and Gallay here take a balanced look at the emerging phenomenon of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging in humans. They intersperse footage of Mark Stepanek, who is trying to find someone willing to do the implantation procedure on him (shown rather graphically), with interviews from both sides of the debate on human tagging. Already commonplace with regard to pets, microchipping has a growing cadre of geek fans who have chips implanted in their bodies to allow them to interact more seamlessly with their environments. Proponents of tagging, like Verichip CEO Scott Silverman, extol the benefits, which range from patients’ medical records being instantly available to doors unlocking when a tagged person approaches his/her home or office. Opponents, including Wired magazine’s Bruce Schneier, all point out the vulnerability of the tags to tracking, possible medical problems, and the plethora of privacy, religious, and political issues inherent in the use of the technology in humans. Tagged should strike a chord with viewers who are interested in emerging technology, politics, and privacy.—Charli Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI
MORE LENNON LENNONYC (LJ 1/11, p. 54) is now joined by a Blu-ray edition that includes 20 more minutes of interviews, plus rare and never-before-seen photos and performances, all for $34.95.
