Video

Fiction

This award-winning 1981 adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel, starring such gifted actors as Jane Seymour, Timothy Bottoms, and Lloyd Bridges, follows three generations of the Trask family as they cross the country from Connecticut to Salinas, CA, and ends during World War I. It remains true to Steinbeck's monumental and thought-provoking work, encompassing its major themes and biblical allusions, most clearly represented by the story of Cain and Abel. The photography, sound, and backdrop of the scenic Salinas Valley make it unforgettable. Bonus features include filmographies of the actors, a 2008 interview with Seymour, and a biography of Steinbeck. A compelling production for anyone interested in classic American literature and/or California history; viewers wanting to spend time with a good, long, intriguing story will be justly rewarded.—Susan Clayton, Lake Cty. Lib., Lakeport, CA

This short film combines great wakeboarding action—snowboard-like stunts performed behind a speedboat—with the story of 19-year-old wakeboarder Jessica, who helps the hunky new guy in town learn the sport in order to cross-train for snowboarding. It turns out they both have past heartbreaks: he over an ex-girlfriend, and Jessica over her mother's recent death. However, the thin and scantily told tale takes a backseat to the footage of spectacular tricks. Interestingly, girls compete against guys here, adding a cool anything-you-can-do element. The film celebrates the endless-summer, California youth culture with bikinis, rap music, and lots of tattoos. In contrast, the discussion among the characters, when not about the sport, concerns whether Jessica should lose her virginity to the new boy (she doesn't). Overall, teens into extreme sports would enjoy the film. An optional purchase for public libraries. [Bonus features were inaccessible on the review copy.]—Kathy Ruffle, Coll. of New Caledonia Lib., Prince George, BC

Filmed in 70mm in 24 countries on six continents, this genre-bending 1992 travelog proves the old saw about a picture being worth 1000 words. Director and cinematographer Fricke, who cut his teeth shooting the thematically comparable Koyaanisqatsi and Chronos, calls his directorial debut a "meditation on humanity." Unfolding in a series of eye-catching scenes that linger long enough to savor, Baraka (which in Sufi means "blessing") forgoes any narration as images of ruggedly beautiful natural terrain, diverse cultures engaged in ritual activities, and frenzied modern urban life are accompanied by an evocative original soundtrack. A state-of-the-art ultra-high-def remastering process, demonstrated in a bonus featurette, results in a flawless, supersharp picture that easily supersedes the film's initial 2001 disc release. An hour-long bonus feature shows how this remarkable documentary—with its expressive use of time-lapse, slow-motion, and other photographic techniques—was brought to the screen. Highly recommended; replace your old copies.—Jeff T. Dick, Davenport, IA

This excellent set of DVDs from 3rd Street Beat offers clear instruction on a wide variety of hip-hop styles and moves, including popping, locking, dimesteps, animation, and waving. It includes a warm-up routine, eight instructional routines, and separate chapters covering technique, nutrition, and even "dance hall fitness," which is essentially a hip-hop aerobics class. Bonus features include a section on freestyles and one of outtakes, which reveals that it's not always easy to get the moves right—even for professionals. Whether you're hoping to develop a hip-hop routine, need to mix up your workout, or just want to have a few good moves ready for your next visit to the club, Back2Basics provides a great foundation. Recommended for all ages.—Bill Baars, Lake Oswego P.L., OR

Author Primo Levi was liberated from Auschwitz in winter 1945. He chronicled his eight-month trip home to Turin, Italy, in his book The Truce (aka The Reawakening), later adapted into a film starring John Turturro. In this 2007 film, director Ferrario and screenwriter Marco Belpoliti retrace Levi's journey. Narrated by actor Chris Cooper, Levi's descriptions still ring true as Ferrario and Belpoliti document the changes and lingering sameness in Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldavia, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and Italy. Featuring lovely cinematography, touching interviews, and a few comic interludes, the film also includes a most eerie moment in Munich. Levi had wanted to confront the Germans of his time about what they knew of the Holocaust. He met with people unwilling to acknowledge the event, while contemporary Munich was inhabited by outspoken neo-Nazis advocating racial purity. The home version includes bonus interviews with Ferrario and Belpoliti detailing the making of this documentary. Recommended for general audiences.—Karen A. Plummer, Univ. of Akron Lib.

On Christmas Day 1929, North Carolina tobacco farmer Charlie Lawson brutally murdered his wife, six of their seven children, and himself. Filmmaker Hodges, who grew up near the scene, goes to the parlors and porches of people who were alive at the time, knew the family, or researched the events to discover why the grisly crime occurred. No new evidence is shared, nor are any new conclusions drawn. Those interviewed repeat the speculation and theories that circulated over the years and rehash the controversies about Charlie's motives. Interspersed throughout, reenactments of the killings and the sensational coverage after the fact are shot to imitate period still photography and action footage, but they have a jerky and amateurish feel. Hodges's attempt to use the story as an educational platform on domestic violence feels tacked on. There are a number of longish extra features. A marginal purchase for true crime collections.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY

Often when colleges or universities are the subject of a historical retrospective, the history turns into a celebration of the past. Raise the Song provides an analysis of the origins of Pennsylvania State University, but as the film discusses the current state of the school, it becomes an appraising look at how far the university has come. As a land-grant institution (LGI), Penn State had an uncertain beginning, with many residents in urban enclaves wondering why a college would be established in an area with no major town. As with many LGIs, the decision to locate in a rural central part of the state was based on the availability of a large tract of land, as these schools support agricultural education. With strong leadership, Penn State was able to move from its relatively small program base to become a major research facility. The story of Penn State is a necessary addition to any collection supporting the study of higher education; essential for all Pennsylvania libraries. (No significant DVD extras.)—Michael LaMagna, Cabrini Coll. Lib., Radnor, PA

Taught by narrator and author Allen C. Guelzo (Civil War Inst., Gettysburg Coll., PA), this course surveys the American Revolution from before the outbreak of the war at Lexington and Concord in April 1775 to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. It covers military tactics, strategy, and logistics from both British and American viewpoints and introduces many of the colorful figures of the period, including Native Americans and French and German participants. The 24 half-hour lectures reveal what future U.S. Supreme Court chief justice John Marshall described as the experience of seeing "brave men from different States...fighting in a common cause believed by them to be most precious." Guelzo's lively and interesting lecture style is supplemented with classic portraits and paintings of the people and places he discusses. The accompanying print materials present the background information necessary for further research. History students and interested laypersons will be fascinated.—Margaret B. Miller, Univ. of South Dakota, Vermillion

Twenty-five years after its dedication, the Vietnam Memorial, or the "Wall," remains the most visited historic monument and second most visited attraction in Washington, DC. This high-quality DVD is among the early high-def (HD) offerings of Smithsonian Networks (SN), a joint venture of Showtime Networks and the Smithsonian Institution. The introductory titles are in HD, tantalizing the viewer with hopes of continued 3-D-like effects and added video depth. Combined with surround sound and excellent cinematography, this should be one fine home-theater production, right? Unfortunately, in several interview segments, the audio and the lip movements are terribly out of sync. A disappointment, but not enough of a shortcoming to keep this from being highly recommended for general collections. Poignant, moving, and engaging, it explains the healing power of the Wall and current plans to continue honoring the memory of these fallen heroes.—Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH

Forbes's follow-up to One More Dead Fish examines the character and career of ruthless Republican strategist Lee Atwater (1951–91), inarguably one of the most powerful, controversial, and polarizing figures in 1980s American politics. This compelling and well-balanced film covers Atwater's entire political career, from his early days as a fast-rising leader of the College Republicans and his political maturation as a Reagan aide and confidant to his role as George Bush Sr.'s 1988 Presidential campaign leader and, finally, his brief tenure as chair of the Republican National Convention. Atwater died at 40 of a brain tumor but by then had left an indelible impression on the GOP. This well-paced mix of archival footage and new interviews is punctuated by entertaining and mood-lightening footage of Atwater performing blues guitar. Journalists and personal friends chime in, but it is Atwater's political friends and enemies who provide the most interesting, and sometimes profane, insight. This impressive and important film belongs in every political science collection. [Extras, e.g., a menu, theatrical trailer, extended interviews, not seen by the reviewer.]—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

If you thought the tedious Not a Love Story (1981) was a commendable exposé of the evils of pornography, then check out The Price of Pleasure, a clumsy mix of windy polemics and jejune analyses. Only a handful of worthy observations regarding the function and significance of porn in capitalist societies keep this from being completely useless, as the filmmakers fail properly to address the issues raised by the title. The film levels a good deal of dubious data and anecdotal "evidence" against porn, and viewers will wonder why it doesn't have anything else more interesting to convey than "Porn is bad!" Extras include a brief interview with Noam Chomsky about his interview in Hustler (no joke), in addition to an unexpurgated version with explicit pornographic content and profanity and an edited version suitable for classrooms. Despite overall solid technical quality, this film is not recommended.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB

This is a vividly detailed documentary on the experience of a Vermont family who adopted a ten-year-old orphaned Ethiopian child. These Vermonters share their thoughts, emotions, anxieties, and joys about the process of choosing their child, meeting in Ethiopia with her family, and her rapidly adjusting and assimilating to life in Vermont. Sensitive to bereavement issues for all involved, both parents reiterate to Meskerem's extended family that communication efforts would remain constant. The ups and downs of Meskerem's life in her new world are shown as well. The sound and image quality are very good. Contact information for Meskerem's orphanage and the adoption agency are included. Suitable for individuals considering foreign adoptions and those professionals who assist them.—Marianne Eimer, SUNY at Fredonia Lib.

These three short animated videos explain in simple terms the common conditions of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Narrated by doctors, each film defines the condition, explains its etiology, and describes basic treatments. Each offers either English versions, with closed-captions or subtitles, or Spanish editions, with subtitles. These programs are extremely basic and would serve as an excellent introduction for patients with little or no medical knowledge. One or two errors in grammar/spelling in the subtitles don't lessen the discs' effectiveness. Highly recommended for all public libraries.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH