Video

Sharyn Pak and her team have produced a first-rate how-to video. Starting with an introduction to the tools and materials (with advice on safety), Pak launches into creating a coaster, which incorporates the basics of designing and creating mosaics: cutting a wood base, waterproofing it, planning a design, grouting, sealing, and backing the piece. Each step is carefully illustrated, with good close-ups and clear instruction. Pak's second project, a round lidded box, repeats the steps but includes additional skills. The remaining projects (a decorated frame, a vase, and exterior house numbers) build on the initial techniques while increasing the complexity and incorporating new materials. Making a mosaic is messy but requires little in the way of specialized tools and appears to be a craft accessible to teenagers and adults alike, with many outlets for creativity. This program is highly recommended for schools and public libraries.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA

What happens when young filmmakers are close to people who have disabilities? They produce works like Yellow Brick Road and Up Syndrome, unscripted chronicles of the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Up Syndrome succeeds by providing an unvarnished portrayal of Rene Moreno, a man with Down syndrome and a lifelong friend of filmmaker Graves. Graves captures the paradoxes of Moreno's conflicts, especially his love of guns and violent play-acting contrasting with a tenderness toward his family and fans. Up Syndrome also is honest about Moreno's difficulties aging, as we see him alternately complaining of being an "old man" at 23 and engaging wholeheartedly in games of cops and robbers.On the other hand, Yellow Brick Road appears to want to keep its subjects children forever. Ostensibly, the film follows the staging of The Wizard of Oz by a group of "kids"—in the unapologetic words of the director—who have developmental disabilities. But at least one of the actors is 30, and the others all appear to be adults. Compounding this, filmmaker Makar, the brother of one of the actors, frames scenes with sugar-sweet music usually associated with the very young. The result is a work that seems true to the events but unintentionally diminishes the very people it seeks to empower. Both Yellow Brick Road and Up Syndrome have poignant and tender moments and would likely appeal to individuals who are related to, work with, or know people with developmental disabilities. Up Syndrome is especially recommended as a relentlessly nonjudgmental portrait of a young man with Down syndrome.—Courtney Deines-Jones, Grimalkin Group, LLC, Silver Spring, MD

Jay Jensen is truly a "class act"; the Florida drama teacher's 50 years in the profession have been inspirational, not only to actors like Andy Garcia and Roy Firestone who blossomed in his high school classes but also for his continued commitment to his students no matter what path they chose. Jensen's extraordinary career becomes the beginning of a well-developed argument for the arts in education, taken on here by politicians, teachers, psychologists, enthusiastic arts students, and parents. The arguments are developed in the shadow of the No Child Left Behind Act and standardized testing. The sheer comprehensiveness of A Class Act's debate on the arts is impressive; shown against the successes of Jensen, it holds a particular urgency. This program would be very useful to anyone attempting to save the arts in their school; it would also be useful in college education or arts classes. Future and beginning teachers could learn a great deal from the film. No Jay Jensens exist in the mockumentary Chalk, which follows four faculty members through the year in a fictional school. In the directorial style of A Mighty Wind, these teachers and their administrator, both new and veteran, stumble again and again as they try to deal with students and colleagues. Their ineptitude is often funny and also sad. Unlike ridiculous folk singers, these teachers' failures and lack of reflection affect students who really need them. In the film, written by and directed by two former teachers, the protagonists make it to the end of the year, learning something but not enough. Well acted, with a great score, this effort won awards at a number of independent film festivals. Still, it is an optional purchase.—Ernest Jaeger, formerly with North Plainfield Schs., NJ

In May 2005, the Kansas State Board of Education sponsored comprehensive hearings on how to teach origins (creationism, evolution, and intelligent design) responsibly in public schools. The hearings, which lasted four days, featured testimony from professors of genetics, microbiology, and theoretical chemistry as well as theologians, philosophers, and public school teachers. This program is a two-hour distillation of that material, concluding with a few minutes of discussion. Unrivaled as scholarship, this program will be valuable to graduate students in the biological sciences and those in pertinent educational specialties and their professors. All others will be totally bored. Even at $19.95, it is no more than a secondary purchase for large academic libraries.—Diane Kazlauskas, Univ. of North Florida Lib., Jacksonville

Filmmaker Feinsilber uses clips from Sam Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) combined with on-screen interviews, historic photos, and stunning landscapes to re-create the life of Billy the Kid. The film's lyrical, slow, and deliberate pace, plus narration by Kris Kristofferson, will appeal to a sophisticated audience and contrasts with the re-created action scenes in the History Channel's Jesse James. The latter is divided into two parts. "The Plot To Kill Jesse James" incorporates actor portrayals and dialog to present the story of Robert Ford and his plot to kill the infamous outlaw. "The James Gang: Outlaw Brothers" features historians and writers who relate the background of the gang. Two excellent additions to Western Americana collections.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley Coll., Mt. Carmel, IL

Ten years after its initial DVD release and 42 years after its theatrical debut, the Beatles' second film (and first in color) finally gets a digital restoration. The nonsensical, far-fetched, and self-indulgent story line is merely a vehicle for showing the charming pop stars cavorting through picturesque and exotic locales. Interspersed throughout this mostly unsuccessful slapstick spy spoof are seven innovative and seminal musical sequences (including the ridiculously entertaining snow-skiing footage for "Ticket to Ride"). Luckily, the menu makes it easy to jump from one wonderful musical bit to the next and skip the rest of the movie. Extras include a fascinating glimpse into the audio/visual restoration process, brief but insightful interviews with key players such as costar Eleanor Bron and director Lester (but not Ringo or Paul), and three original trailers that are more fun than the film itself. Arguably the least entertaining of the five Beatles movies, this is nonetheless a historically important document of the world's most successful and innovative pop group approaching the end of Beatlemania and beginning to outgrow their wholesome collective image. Recommended for all popular music or popular culture collections; a worthy replacement for earlier video releases.— Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

First released in 1994 and 1995, the two programs that make up Great Indian Leaders & Nations comprise a solid introduction to the topic, recounting from the native perspective the last decades of independence before expanding dominance by the U.S. government and society. Although necessarily selective, the collective portrait here is surprisingly varied. Tactics of resistance—both armed and peaceful—to adaptation and assimilation and achievements of culture and government are recounted in the fates of Crazy Horse, Chief Joseph, Geronimo, and Quanah Parker and of the Iroquois, Seminole, Navajo, Cheyenne, and Lakota. Appealing narration by Barry LeBeau is rooted in documentary fact and illustrated by historical photos and film, reenactments, and evocative videography of the land across which the story unfolds. Both programs are a start to further inquiry and easily appreciated by viewers from young adult and up.

The Indian Picture Opera expresses a pro-Indian perspective from the past. In the early 1900s, distinguished photographer Edward S. Curtis undertook the work of his 20-volume masterpiece, The North American Indian. Curtis's subscription publication could only be afforded by the wealthy. To promote it, in 1911–12 he assembled and toured a "magic lantern" slide show in which many of his images were thematically organized and linked by an often poetic narration. The modern "re-creation" on DVD uses the images, commentary, and music composed for the show, sparingly embellished with computer graphics. Mark Middler's narration (representing Curtis) is a canny performance, replete with breathing and hesitations in the verbal rhythms that make the voice feel "live." Included also is historical context for the modern viewer. If not quite the show seen by audiences a century ago, this still conveys Curtis's intention to commemorate people who were "passing into the darkness of an unknown future." Suitable for all audiences.—Jeff Clark, James Madison Univ. Libs., Harrisonburg, VA

Lost Gospels or False Gospels? examines the relationship to the four canonical Gospels of the so-called "lost gospels," including the Gospel of Judas, which recently received so much media attention. Eight biblical scholars from various Christian traditions discuss the crucial information needed to understand the place of these Gospels, arguing that they are not equally valid portrayals of Jesus suppressed by a church that did not like their message but for the most part are writings of sects that had an unorthodox view of Christianity. They were "lost" only in the sense that they were not preserved by the Church; some have only come to light again in the last century. The scholars show that these Gospels come from a later period than do the canonical Gospels and present views that would probably not be accepted by those who champion them as an alternative to traditional church teaching. Many of them are sexist and anti-Semitic. Made up of "talking heads" and brief reenactments, the video would be accessible to adults and to bright high school students.

Apostolic Fathers, the seventh installment in the "Footprints of God: The Story of Salvation from Abraham to Augustine" series, discusses five early church writers, called "apostolic" because they knew or were taught by the apostles. Narrator and director Ray, a former evangelical Protestant who became a Catholic in 1994, entertains as he instructs, making this video accessible to people of almost any age. Although it argues that the Catholic Church is the church of the Fathers, the video should appeal to anyone who wants to learn about these early Christian figures, presented as heroes who handed down the faith despite persecution and martyrdom. Much of the filming was done on location in Israel, Turkey, France, and Italy; the technical quality is excellent.—Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ

Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, gained widespread accolades with her chummy campaign trail documentary Journeys with George (HBO), a film created off the cuff while traveling with Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush. Now she tries her handheld in the world of evangelical Christians. Billed as a "road trip," the film intersperses snapshots of various voice-of-God billboards (e.g., "That 'Love Thy Neighbor' thing…I meant that.") with very brief interviews with and footage of preachers such as Joel Osteen, the late Jerry Falwell, recently scandalized Ted Haggard, and other lesser-knowns. While there are a few fresh points of interest (the Christian Wrestling Federation, comedian Brad Stine), the presentation of Bible Belt views is pedestrian, and the weak narrative fails to offer original ideas or eye-opening insight. Those interested in a thoughtful treatment of complex facets of faith are better served by works such as With God on Our Side (Video Reviews, LJ 4/1/06), a more effective examination of the intersection of politics and evangelism, and Deliver Us from Evil (Lionsgate) and Twist of Faith (HBO), both of which essay sexual corruption within the Catholic Church. Friends of God is not recommended.—Eric Pasteur, Peoria P.L., IL

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has long been visibly crusading for the elimination of animal testing and fur clothing. This video is based on an undercover investigation by the group of the largest glatt kosher slaughterhouse in the world. Kosher has always been associated with humane meat preparation, but this video shows beef cattle being subjected to the animal equivalent of the ancient torture of drawing and quartering while still alive. Quite aside from the ethical considerations of purchasing such products, one cannot but wonder how sanitary they are, after such activity. This problem has received major media attention and deserves more, along with strict government control and inspection. This video is very disturbing, and public libraries will need to consider that in deciding whether to purchase it, but public awareness is certainly needed.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH

In 2001, renowned documentarian Apted (49UP) filmed nine American couples approaching marriage. Here, he revisits them five years later. Despite the lack of geographical diversity, there is racial and religious diversity in this fascinating work, with perhaps the most interesting couple being lesbians fighting for civil rights within a gay marriage. In one remarkable scene, they are dining out when a male customer loudly berates them as abominations who should be dead. Another patron confronts him about the truly horrific things he is spewing. Of the nine couples, only one has divorced; another is seemingly on the rocks. Unforeseen events impact some of the marriages, such as the emotional effects of living next to ground zero and the death of parents. Apted felt his goal—to discover whether the (in)famous "American family values" truly exist—would be best explored via young marrieds. Extras include casting interviews, a long interview with the director, and a photo gallery. Librarians should look forward to future installments, à la Apted's "7 Up" series.—B. Allison Gray, East Hampton, NY

This wonderfully produced mosaic of thoroughbred training and racing features trainer Richard Mandella, one of the country's top trainers and a member of horse racing's Hall of Fame. It seamlessly pieces together events and moments from the trainer's typical day, creating an effective barn's-eye view of the huge part of horse racing hidden behind the scenes. Centered on a handful of Mandella's stable stars, some among the elite in racing, the disc highlights the routines and decisions of a racing season. Its blanket is broad and extensive, showing workouts, vet exams, equine surgery, interactions with jockey's agents, and endless considerations for running or resting a horse. Part of the appeal here is Mandella's conversations with his staff and others in the industry, as well as his monologs with his horses. These are not only informative, but they also reveal an affable man with a nice sense of humor who seems equally adept at working with horses and people. The video's production qualities are superb, with crisp, artful visuals and a well-put-together sound track. Viewers are treated to splendid views of showcase racetracks like Santa Anita and Del Mar, as well as racing footage from prestigious events like the Breeders' Cup. Highly recommended, especially for libraries near horse centers.—David Van de Streek, Penn State Univ. Libs., York