Video

Based on the book of the same name (Avon, 2005) by codirector and playwright Foxx, this stage play introduces Paris Montague (Brooklyn Brewer), a successful woman with great family and friends who want to help her find the "perfect" man. She has a secret relationship with Tyson (Gary "Lil G" Jenkins), an ambitious guy with few prospects, but her mother wants Paris to date Jabari (Reginald Johnson), a businessman who appears to meet the family's social requirements. Yet "marrying up" isn't always what it seems. The performance includes musical numbers, but the music often drowns out the actors. Also, some of the dialog is muffled, and it appears that words are missing. Despite these production gaffes, this video should be popular with those who enjoyed Woman Thou Art Loosed, Why Did I Get Married?, and Waiting To Exhale. (DVD extras unseen.)—Danna Bell-Russel, Library of Congress

Sanctuary is a place where the world's abnormal creatures are both afforded safe haven and confined for the protection of the human race. Yet its scientist creator, Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping), has secrets of her own. Her assistants include her enforcer daughter, Ashley (Emilie Ullerup), and forensic psychiatrist protégé Will (Robin Dunne). The first season focuses on their relationships and introduces the Cabal, a rival group of scientists who want to exploit the abnormals. The final episode ends on a cliffhanger, guaranteeing an audience for the new season, which began in October 2009 on Syfy network. Sanctuary is notable because it's shot almost exclusively on green screen, making fantastic special effects possible on television. Bonus materials include three "making of…" featurettes, interviews with the cast, and the original Sanctuary webisodes. A good fit for fans of sf TV, as well as those interested in visual effects.—Charli Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI

New York City postal clerk Herb Vogel and his librarian wife, Dorothy, began buying art in the early 1960s. Not too many people were acquiring minimalist and conceptual art at the time, so the Vogels were able to build quite a collection, purchasing pieces not for investment but simply because it brought them joy. They continued to support young, unknown artists for close to 50 years, becoming two of the most important collectors in New York. Eventually, there was no more room in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment, so the art had to go—donated to the National Gallery of Art. Herb & Dorothy celebrates this humble couple and their unique life and passion for the arts, leaving the viewer feeling enriched. Bonus features include film festival footage, additional scenes, and trailers. Essential for art lovers and for those who appreciate how a passion can become so much more.—Julie Stump, Voorheesville P.L., NY

British art critic Waldemar Januszczak here explicates eight great paintings in Western art, giving viewers the backstory while placing the pieces in the context of their times and the remaining body of the artists' work. Januszczak infers that British portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough seemed to prefer his subjects' clothes to the people themselves (Mr and Mrs Andrews). He unearths fascinating details of Rembrandt's depiction of death (The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tolp), recalling an era in which Dutch residents would purchase tickets to view public dissections; describes the rich symbolism in the paintings of Flemish artist Jan van Eyck; and discusses how a female nude model's casual pose in Edouart Manet's Le déjeuner sur l'herbe scandalized the art world and helped found Impressionism. Throughout, Januszczak employs a mix of humor and contemporary cultural references while grounding his text in scholarly research. Extras include a viewer's guide and "stories behind the story." Originally airing on the Ovation Channel, this documentary is highly recommended for all art and art history collections.—Stephen Rees, MLS, Abingdon, PA

Adapting Herman Melville's 1851 masterwork into a one-man show sounds like folly that even Captain Ahab wouldn't attempt. But the late actor Jack Aranson (1924–2008) first did it almost four decades ago; this DVD features a noticeably deteriorated live videotaping (with barely adequate sound) of one such performance. The set is minimal, a bare stage with some wooden backdrops, risers, and stained glass. Aranson uses the most basic of costumes and his acting proficiency to portray a dozen or so characters. His unreserved readings almost make one believe that Melville fashioned his novel as a series of connected monologs—almost. Aranson's efforts, however accomplished and impassioned, add no special insight or increased accessibility and come off as merely so much sound and fury. With unremarkable visuals, it may work better as an audiobook; it is available at Amazon.com as both a disc and a download, in its audio and video forms. An optional purchase at best.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB

Wisely warning that the techniques described here should not be attempted by anyone under the age of 18 as they could result in harm to the instrument, master luthier Al Markasky spends an hour methodically demonstrating how to set up an electric guitar, from establishing pickup height and adjusting the neck to prescribing the action and cleaning the potentiometers. With a guitar repair shop as background, the video, shot on three cameras, is straightforward and clear; the audio is equally sharp, especially when Markasky demonstrates the use of harmonics for intonation. An excellent overview for intermediate or advanced guitarists who want to take maintenance into their own hands.—Christine Moesch, formerly with City of Tonawanda P.L., NY

Essentially long-form commercials for a struggling professional soccer league, these two discs fail to show Major League Soccer at its best. Game Breakers races through brief profiles of 12 MLS stars, from American Landon Donovan to international player David Beckham to rising star Mauricio Edu. Each profile features game footage and fawning interview snippets with coaches, teammates, and opponents. Though brief and not particularly informative, the profiles do highlight the players' personalities, stories, and unique soccer skills, and fans may enjoy learning a little bit more about their favorites. Curiously, Freddy Adu, one of the league's most talented and recognizable players, is never mentioned, and veteran superstar Cobi Jones's profile is relegated to bonus feature status.

Equally disappointing is History of the MLS Cup, which features highlights and narrative retellings of the dozen MLS championship matches to date. Game preparations, fan shenanigans, and postgame celebrations make for more interesting viewing than many of the oddly humdrum game recaps. Young soccer fans may be titillated by the dizzyingly fast-paced game footage, copious celebration and behind-the-scenes shots, and bombastic rock music playing endlessly in the background. Older and more demanding viewers, however, may find these discs tedious and predictable. Not recommended. [A collection development feature will cover South Africa and the World Cup, LJ 3/1/10.—Ed.]—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

There is little doubt that Food, Inc. is a very powerful documentary and that most viewers will be shocked and horrified by how the world food industry conducts itself. It is well produced and shot and visually appealing. The presence of Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) offers credibility while appealing to animal and human/worker-rights activists as well as foodies and locavores. Unfortunately, the film tries to take on every aspect of the industry and offers little in the way of solutions. A solid complement to films such as Super Size Me, King Corn, and The Real Dirt on Farmer John, all of which do a better job of highlighting one aspect of the food industry rather than biting off a bit more than they can chew. (Bonus features unseen; see "Top DVDs of 2009," above.)—Manya Shorr, Omaha P.L.

This quartet of short documentaries explores end-of-life concerns among the dying and those who care for them. Though uneven in quality, they are all generally helpful in encouraging reflection on weighty matters eventually faced by most of us. The best among them is Dying Wish, an impressively candid and even inspirational profile of an 80-year-old retired surgeon with end-stage pancreatic cancer who chooses to die at home by ceasing all eating and drinking. The film chronicles the 13-day-long process, as well as the experience of those involved, including family and hospice team members.

Affecting, but perhaps too compressed and fragmentary a production, Love Is the Reason interweaves profiles of three terminally ill patients and the grieving parents of a deceased child. Caring for the Dying and Facing Death are the first two installments of "Secrets of Life and Death," a four-part series by a Bay Area sociologist and filmmaker. The former is organized around interviews with three caregivers: a romantic partner, a daughter, and a hospice worker; the latter around three terminally ill patients. In both, the interest and power of the interviews offset the New Age treacle permeating the production values. These films are recommended for collections serving patrons involved in the study of hospice care and end-of-life issues.—Robert A. Sica, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Richmond

This instructional and entertaining showcase of Filipino recipes hosted by a variety of chefs is very accessible, outlining each ingredient, slowly moving through the dish's creation, and including helpful explanations. Large-text subtitles offset the chefs' accents as they talk through the recipes. There is a calm feeling throughout, with light background music enhancing the demonstration of each recipe. The video may look slightly homemade, but it is still compelling and well edited. The only thing lacking is background on the country's food culture and why certain dishes exist within the cuisine. Bonus features include instructions on cutting up a whole chicken and making steamed and garlic fried rice. This great introduction to a lesser-known cuisine, with simple instructions and uncomplicated ingredients, is highly recommended for patrons wanting to stretch their cooking chops.—Claire A. Moitra, MLS, Providence

These productions warn North Americans that our way of life is about to change. Both boast expert panels and offer glimpses of initiatives under way to own some of that change. Asher and Stacey Stone's award-winning Global Warming: Solutions focuses on climate issues. The experts, including civil engineer Kelly Fergusson, author/professor Getchen Daily, and architect Michael Black, address mitigation measures; however, their conclusion is that North Americans will soon have to live on less. Most examples are taken from California and Vermont. This is a fascinating tour of varied efforts to reduce global warming and advice on what viewers can do.

The award-winning The Great Squeeze looks at both peak oil and global warming. Individual happiness has not increased along with our wealth and waste, with business as usual leading down the road to advanced environmental collapse. The public performance versions offer a bonus short film and extended interviews with additional experts. This film is an articulate reminder of the urgent need to mandate lifestyle changes to try to save ourselves. Both DVDs are recommended for general audiences interested in environmental and energy issues.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., BC

With the national health-care reform bill omitting abortion, the subject has once more entered the public consciousness. Unborn in the USA takes a rather long look at the multifaceted prolife movement, starting with a college internship program sponsored by Focus on the Family that teaches students to discuss abortion with reason, empathy, and kindness when speaking with people who disagree with them. From there, the filmmakers try to show every side of the prolife issue, including women who regret having had an abortion, remorseless clinic bombers, and the fundraising arm of the movement. The film excellently illuminates the complexity of the subject and the various ways its supporters continue to try to overthrow the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Bonus features include the reactions of key players here upon watching the film.

Like a Ship in the Night makes a nice (albeit short) companion piece to Unborn as it profiles three women in Ireland, where abortion is not only illegal but punishable by death. The women talk anonymously about their decision, their journey to England to undergo an abortion, and the web of lies constructed around the experience. Viewers will be shocked by the lack of information and support the women receive and the amount of time and money they must spend to follow through on their choice.

In the style of The Vagina Monologues, Words of Choice is a static, one-camera view of the stage show of the same name featuring three women presenting prochoice poems, one-act pieces, and performance art. Unfortunately, the show doesn't translate well to film. It is incredibly slow, overacted, and very difficult to watch. A disappointment; not recommended. Unborn in the USA and Like a Ship in the Night are highly recommended for those concerned with the abortion debate.—Manya Shorr, Omaha P.L.