Video

Jane Marple would make a good librarian. Not only does she seem genuinely to enjoy people, but she is also an expert at ferreting out information. As the latest Miss Marple, veteran actress Julia McKenzie contributes her considerable acting skills to this new series, and, of course, the tweedy sleuth in sensible shoes manages to find the truth—and the murderer—in each of these four Christie adaptations (A Pocket Full of Rye, Murder Is Easy, They Do It with Mirrors, and Why Didn't They Ask Evans?). Dead bodies, long-held resentments, and dark secrets are the bread and butter of the stories, and Christie fans won't be disappointed. Extras include actress/author biographies and a photo gallery. Recommended for viewers who love British mysteries.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA

Shulman is a doctor and the author of the book adapted for the 1991 film Doc Hollywood, starring Michael J. Fox. In this fictionalized autobiography, which Shulman wrote, directed, and stars in with his partner, Haugo, an older man tries to find love and happiness in pursuit of the next woman he encounters. The story is interspersed with interviews and advice from random people on the street on finding love. The filmmaking style is hokey and amateurish, with the resulting film littered with shtick, slapstick, bad editing, and poor performances. The best parts are in the interviews, not the drama. Despite Shulman's obviously good intentions, the film just doesn't work. Extras include behind-the-scene featurettes and a segment on the lowdown on love. Not recommended.—Tom Budlong, Atlanta

In 2007, 15 members of Antagonist Art Movement, a New York-based multimedia art collective, traveled to Berlin, where they were invited to exhibit at a local gallery. The Antagonists describe themselves as "artists, writers, poets, lawbreakers, aliens, and, most importantly, nonconformists who are into creating art that does not fit into mainstream society." This restless, punkishly lyrical, and haphazardly episodic production follows the artists during their ten days abroad as they show their work, befriend counterparts with whom they collaborate in clandestinely turning an abandoned building into a work of art, and generally devote themselves to "experienc[ing] life artfully." An optional purchase for art collections.—Robert A. Sica, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Richmond

This tale of a lowly newspaper copy boy's swift rise in the executive studios of Hollywood was adapted from the 1941 novel by screenwriter Schulberg (The Harder They Fall, On the Waterfront). Sammy Glick's "ambition at any cost" attitude causes heartbreak and even suicide for those who stand in his way. With this first 1959 television broadcast, it is difficult to imagine something of this complexity, depth, and controversy in today's age of reality TV. The portrayal of aspiring and assertive career woman Kit Sargent (played by actress Barbara Rush) is cutting edge. The actors, including Larry Blyden as Sammy, John Forsythe, and Dina Merrill, are excellent and convincing. The visual quality isn't pristine but won't deter buyers from picking up this gem. Extras include audio commentary and an interview with Schulberg. Highly recommended for drama students and fans of TV's Golden Age.—Claire A. Moitra, MLS, Providence

This mildly entertaining but ultimately vapid and unsatisfying film recounts the period when Cassius Clay, a talented and ambitious athlete with an awkward, unconventional boxing style who trained for long hours in a Miami gym in the early 1960s, became Muhammad Ali, the charismatic, fast-talking boxing icon who developed a complex and controversial relationship with Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam. Rather than explore these fascinating aspects of one of sports' most celebrated figures, the filmmakers devote a majority of the program to Ali's two bouts with Sonny Liston. Interviewees include Ali trainer Angelo Dundee and fight doctor Ferdie Pachecho, but these insiders offer no new insight into the subject's life or career. This is a failed opportunity to dig deep into the soul and character of a sports legend. Other, more substantive documentaries on Ali are available (e.g., Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story), so this one can be skipped. Not recommended.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

This fascinating video bases itself in critical oral history, the reexamination of historic events through declassified documents, interviews with key officials, and analysis by scholars of the historic incident to assess the crucial players and decisions leading to the creation of history. The key question posed is whether President John F. Kennedy would have supported a U.S. war in Vietnam if he had lived and had served a second term. Director Masutani edited archival video, audiotape, and images into a masterly retelling of incidents from 1961 to 1963, allowing speculation on JFK and a Vietnam War he never saw. Extras include Lyndon Johnson's statements on the war and the theatrical trailer. Riveting entertainment and a solid discussion starter; highly recommended for history students and everyone with memories of Vietnam.—Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH

What at first seems like merely a fawning profile of mashup artist Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, is actually a provocative but clearly one-sided documentary about intellectual property, copyright law, and the limits of fair use in America's digital culture. First-time filmmaker Gaylor gives viewers a fascinating peek into Gillis's creative process and allows him to explain his motives and demonstrate how he combines short but easily identifiable snippets of popular songs to create new works. This digital artistry pushes legal boundaries and raises key questions of originality and authenticity. Fast paced, well crafted, and visually captivating, Gaylor's unabashedly biased film argues that artistic creativity is being hindered by unfair and outdated legislation; it fails even to mention differing viewpoints. RiP! should not be used as an introduction to the topic, but it can be a conversation starter, especially in high school and college classrooms. Girl Talk fans will savor the ample and entertaining concert footage and intimate access to their controversial hero. "Pay what you want" download, trailer, and additional information available at www.ripremix.com.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

In 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to replace Thurgood Marshall on the U.S. Supreme Court, feeling that African American Thomas would provide a conservative vote. Shortly after the Senate Judiciary Committee completed its deliberations, allegations arose that Thomas had sexually harassed a former employee, Anita Hill, who testified under duress in open Senate hearings. Divided into chapters, this disc presents excerpts from Hill's and Thomas's contrasting statements from those hearings, with commentary from Gloria Steinem. Unfortunately, viewers see opening remarks or excerpts of opening statements but not the questioning from the senators; glimpses of the debate do not reveal what the senators were thinking or the impact of Hill's testimony. Steinem notes that the hearings helped to encourage more women to run for office and brought forth the issue of sexual harassment, but she doesn't comment on the testimony itself. The film might have been more effective if Steinem and those with differing viewpoints had been interviewed as part of a special feature or if someone had commented on certain of Thomas's statements regarding race. An acceptable addition to women's studies collections.—Danna Bell-Russel, Library of Congress

In 1962, firemen burning refuse near a dump in the central Pennsylvania coal town of Centralia accidentally ignited a rich seam of anthracite coal buried underground. After two decades of studies and fruitless attempts to extinguish the fire, the government decided to buy out the residents, raze the buildings, and abandon Centralia. The vibrant community of several thousand residents is now a wasteland, with only about ten holdouts. Perkel and Roland describe the origins of this "controlled burn," the muddled bureaucratic response and missed opportunities to contain the blaze, and the stubborn (some might say foolish) determination of those who have stayed behind. The film contains interviews with these individuals in their homes, now owned by the government. It deftly weaves in larger issues of early American immigration and labor history while interviewing government officials and scientists, who bleakly note the fire could burn for another 250 years. More than just a history of Centralia, this is a poignant meditation on the importance of home and identity in our society. Extras include home movies depicting Centralia's 100th-anniversary celebration in 1966. Recommended particularly for Pennsylvanians and environmentalists.—Stephen Rees, Levittown Lib., PA

The Flying Scotsman, built in 1923, became one of the world's most famous steam locomotives owing to its record-breaking 100-mile-per-hour run in 1934. This three-part DVD first shows some of the maintenance, e.g., boiler repairs, necessary to keep the locomotive operating on summer excursions and includes first-rate scenes of the Scotsman literally flying across the countryside. It recounts some of this remarkable locomotive's operating history, how it was saved from the scrap yard in 1963 and its tour of the United States in the early 1970s. The bonus material is a series of excerpts from interviews with railway preservationist Alan Pegler about his experiences owning the locomotive from 1963 to 1972. There is duplication among the three sections, but the historic and contemporary coverage would be a boon to anyone interested in railroads. Heartily recommended for train buffs and travel enthusiasts.

The Trans-Siberian Railroad is a travelog of a trip by the Nolans with a group across Russia from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. Most of the footage consists of landmark buildings and scenery away from the railroad, with less than five minutes devoted to railroad-related subjects like passenger accommodations and stations. Though the photography is beautifully executed, and the scenery around Lake Baikal and on the Kamchatka Peninsula is breathtaking, the many scenes of architecture become repetitious. In addition, the alternating male and female narration is dry and uninspired. A marginal purchase for larger public libraries needing travel material on Russia.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA

Intended for all age groups in need of posture awareness and exercises accommodating pain limitations, Moving Parts, a book/DVD package narrated off-screen by clinical exercise physiologist Sherrie Evenson, depicts three people (ages 27–90) in a living room demonstrating proper posture and the exercises under discussion. Organized by muscle groups such as hips or shoulders and designed to be accessed via menu selection, the video portion is more helpful than the book, though the book contains more general information and additional exercises. Also, the routines require gear such as an exercise mat and exercise bands as well as flexibility in its participants. Evenson's manner is fairly businesslike and impersonal.

In contrast, registered nurse Mary Ann Wilson displays a calm, low-key, patient, and encouraging demeanor in Sit and Be Fit™, a PBS staple since 1987. It is geared toward the elderly or infirm patient who needs to work on flexibility, balance, coordination, core strength, and reaction time. Its talking-head presentation is filmed in a studio, with only occasional shots of a few participants. The exercises are performed primarily from a sitting position and require common household materials, e.g., a rolled-up towel, a dining-room chair, and two balls. The disc includes a relaxation segment and a 14½-minute bonus track. Both programs achieve their stated goals and have excellent audio quality. Both will be of interest to medical professionals with patient contact; recommended for public and medical libraries.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX

The Audubon VideoGuide uses a special section featuring the monarch butterfly to describe the typical butterfly life cycle—egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult, with brief mention of the monarch's migration. But this two-and-a-half-hour video ranges more broadly, featuring 70 common butterflies and 21 endangered species as well as some extinct species to introduce us to these wonderful garden friends. Butterflies are shown from large to small, described by field markings, habitat, and companion species. The camerawork, combined with the background music and excellent range maps, adds to the disc's uniqueness.

Incredible Journey is an edited-for-TV version of the 2007 film Four Wings and a Prayer, detailing the extraordinary 2000-plus-mile migration of monarch butterflies from Canada to their winter resting places in the mountains of Mexico. More fine camerawork backed by remarkable music accompany the viewer on this amazing annual trek. No one knows how long their winter home, subject to illegal logging, will support the overwintering of the monarchs. Both reasonably priced videos are outstanding; highly recommended for professional and amateur lepidopterists.—Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH

American Outrage. color. 56/33 min. Beth & George Gage, Gage & Gage Films, dist. by Bullfrog Films, 800-543-3764; www.bullfrogfilms.com. 2008. DVD ISBN 978-1-59458-836-5. $295 (Rental: $85). Public performance; closed-captioned. Public library discounts available; home version. First Run Features, 800-229-8575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. DVD UPC 7-20229-91328-9. $24.95.

We Shall Remain recounts the history of American Indian resistance over four centuries through pivotal moments and profiles, e.g., of Massasoit, Tecumseh, John Ross, Geronimo, and the Indian leaders of the 1973 revolt at Wounded Knee. Actor Benjamin Bratt, a longtime supporter of Indian causes, serves as off-camera narrator. Sadly, there is almost no period visual material for the first three parts of the series, so reenactments must suffice, but these are not consistently as successful as the news footage and pictorial history available for later episodes. Nevertheless, a powerful achievement; the start of better understanding of a crucial part of American history.

We Are Still Here chronicles an effort by Katherine Siva Saubel and the Cahuilla Indians of Southern California to preserve the culture, history, and traditions of the Cahuilla, presented through in-depth interviews with elder Saubel and her brother Alvino Siva. The film also portrays the Creation mythology of the Cahuilla, performed by a Native American cast, which is well done and sustains viewer interest. There are a lot of important ideas and traditions illuminated here, but the program tends to drag a bit. This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities as part of the council's statewide California Stories Initiative.

American Outrage, originally released as Our Land, Our Life, is the story of feisty Western Shoshone sisters Carrie and Mary Dann and the small Nevada ranch where they run livestock on part of the 60 million acres recognized as Western Shoshone land in the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. In a suit that began in 1974, they are being prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Land Management, which now claims that the grazing is degrading the environment and has conducted roundups in which hundreds of horses and cattle have been airlifted by helicopter, leaving many injured and dead. In reality, gold has been discovered in the area, and several million acres are being strip mined. Mary Dann died in 2005, but the struggle and the lawsuit continue. Winner of many awards, this moving testimonial is essential viewing. Extras include a short film and a photo gallery. All three films will be appreciated by history buffs, students of Native American history, and general viewers.—Margaret B. Miller, Univ. of South Dakota Lib., Vermillion