Video
-- Library Journal, 02/01/2010
Local Color. color. 107 min. George Gallo, Alla Prima Prods., dist. by Monterey Media, 805-494-7199; www.montereymedia.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 978-1-56994-346-5. $26.95. Closed-captioned. Rated: R. F
Based on the life of writer/director Gallo, Local Color takes place in 1974, when a young artist (Trevor Morgan) befriends an elderly painter (Armin Mueller-Stahl) who has turned his back on life. Together, over one summer, they find a passion for the art they both love. The film features superb acting—by an ensemble cast including Ray Liotta, Charles Durning, Ron Perlman, and Samantha Mathis—as well as an excellent script and cinematography; the photography is remarkable. The only possible hesitation is the R rating for strong language. Bonus features include scenes in Gallo's studio and cast interviews. The language might prevent adding this DVD to high school libraries, but students in college and community colleges, particularly those studying art and English, will want to soak up this Local Color.—Susan Clayton, Lake Cty. Lib., Lakeport, CA
Novem™: Sometimes Fame Comes Too Late. color. 87 min. Brad Kimmel, Bradley David Prods., dist. by Passion River, 732-321-0711; info@passionriver.com. 2009. DVD UPC 8-44667-01980-3. $29.95. F
Blair Witch Project meets Hair in independent filmmaker Kimmel's quirky debut. A fictional tale that tries hard to appear real, Novem tells the story of a music-loving college student who stumbles upon video footage of an unknown early 1970s rock band's fatal road trip to a rural recording studio, with the charming group of hippie rockers gallivanting around campfires, pontificating on peace and war, and recording music that went unheard for 30 years. Kimmel's mockumentary strives for authenticity and gritty realism but suffers at times from being too slick and contrived. The band's music sounds more like overproduced 1990s grunge than authentic 1970s folk rock, and the found footage randomly bounces from grainy and amateurish to glossy and professionally edited. Bonus features include a fascinating behind-the-scenes featurette of interviews with Kimmel and the unknown musicians-turned-actors. This fun but slight film about music, friendship, and the cross-generational bond among earnest radicals is recommended with mild enthusiasm for music buffs and fans of the fake documentary genre. Soundtrack, trailer, and more information available at www.novemsongs.com.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer's Craft. 2 vols. 4 discs. color. 12 hrs. w/coursebook, transcripts.Teaching Co., 800-832-2412; www.library-Teach12.com. 2008. DVD ISBN 978-1-59803-448-6. $109.95. Public performance. LANG
To understand prose style, according to professor Brooks Landon (English, Univ. of Iowa), is to understand the importance of syntax, word choice, and propositional content to effective writing. The sentence is the key to all writing, especially all good writing, and this intelligent course focuses on the foundational and essential role the sentence plays in helping writers to achieve best the meanings they intend. It is sensibly laid out so that the viewer can better grasp the importance of concepts such as cumulative syntax, suspensiveness, and sequential rhythm in creating masterly sentences. Landon manages to make sophisticated linguistic concepts accessible to the nonspecialist and helps viewers appreciate the skill that informs great writing. With an outstanding course guide and suggested supplementary reading list, this is one of Teaching Company's strongest offerings. Linguists and those with an interest in language and writing will find this series particularly useful.—Herbert E. Shapiro, Empire State Coll., SUNY-Rochester
Dueling Guitars 1: Paul Bollenback and John Hart. color. 78+ min. Arkadia Entertainment, 212-533-0007; www.arkadiadvd.com. 2008. DVD ISBN 978-0-8030-7021-9. $19.98. MUSIC
This well-done, professionally produced introduction to jazz was filmed in what appears to be a very small venue, but the performance is captured beautifully and in a very unobtrusive manner—remarkable given the proximity of the artists to the audience. The Dolby digital audio is crystal clear, allowing the viewer to seize the subtle interpretations of the melodies as they change hands between the artists—literally. Among the nine songs here are "Superstition," "But Not for Me," and "From This Moment On." The artists clearly enjoy playing together; more than a "duel," this is a musical conversation. Thanks to the virtuosity of Bollenback and Hart, this video will be enjoyed by jazz fans as well as casual listeners. Clips available at www.arkadiadvd.com.—Christine Moesch, formerly with City of Tonawanda P.L., NY
Stop Making Sense. color. 88+ min. Jonathan Demme, Talking Heads Films, dist. by Palm Pictures, www.palmpictures.com. 2009. DVD UPC 6-60200-30132-3. $29.99; Blu-ray UPC 6-60200-31672-3. $34.99. MUSIC
After 26 years, the Talking Heads' landmark concert film finally gets its DVD premiere and is treated to digital remastering and remixing, making an already fantastic film look better and sound clearer. Featuring hits such as "Burning Down the House," "Life During Wartime," and "Once in a Lifetime," the film really shines when this fun and funky band tackles deep tracks that showcase their musicality and energy. David Byrne's ridiculously oversized suit is an iconic image of 1980s pop music, but there is a lot more going on here than sartorial disasters—brilliant music, inspired performances, and an innovative visual approach by director Demme. Eschewing close-ups and featuring lengthy camera shots and simple but striking backdrops, this production is a welcome respite from the jittery, hyper, disorienting MTV-style editing seen in many concert films. It includes three songs not on the 1984 VHS release. Extras include audio commentary, Byrne interviewing Byrne, and the original trailer. Highly recommended for all pop music fans, especially those who prefer bands with talent and boundless creativity.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Purple State of Mind. color & b/w. 82 min. Craig Detweiler & John Marks, dist. by Passion River Films, 732-321-0711; info@passionriver.com. 2009. DVD UPC 7-18122-88670-8. $19.95. REL
Detweiler and Marks were roommates in their sophomore year at Davidson College, Charlotte, NC. Detweiler had just come to Christianity; Marks was on his way out. Twenty-five years later, Marks, now a journalist and TV producer, and Detweiler, now a filmmaker, had a series of four conversations about several big religious issues, such as the divinity of Jesus and who is saved. Although often contentious, theirs is a dialog, not the shouting match they see as characterizing much of current religious discourse. Excellent camerawork, vivid settings, and old personal photos and period video clips interspersed throughout add interest to what could have been simply talking heads. While very much like two college buddies having at each other in a philosophical free-for-all (sometimes Marks is irreverent; Detweiler can come across as sappy), they now have years of experience under their belts. These two men, who love and respect each other despite their differences, offer a compelling portrait of what real religious discussion, not polarized into red and blue, can be. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries in every state.—Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ
The Golden Age of 2nd Avenue: A Special 40th Anniversary Edition. color & b/w. 60 min. Morton Silverstein, dist. by SISU Entertainment, 212-947-7888; www.sisuent.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 978-1-56086-588-1. $29.95. Closed-captioned. THEATER
This fascinating and moving documentary originally produced for public television in 1969 chronicles the importance and variety of Yiddish theater and film to New York's immigrants in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Actor Herschel Bernardi (son of Yiddish theater actors) compellingly narrates the story of the rise and fall of the genre, presented via black-and-white emotion-filled footage, still photos, and recordings. Films made in Yiddish are excerpted, making the viewer aware, for perhaps the first time, of the real sense of the greatness of these actors and singers. The documentary spends most of its time on the "Golden Age" in the early 1930s and how it was influenced by changes in art, philosophy, and politics. The genre faded as younger Jews were encouraged to assimilate and eschewed their mama loschen (mother tongue). The film is now a bit dated, but the lack of material on this subject makes it essential for most libraries.—B. Allison Gray, Santa Barbara Lib. Syst., Goleta, CA
Black Death in Dixie: Racism and the Death Penalty in the United States. color. 26 min. Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 800-257-5126; www.films.com. 2008. DVD ISBN 978-1-4213-9086-4. $89.95; streaming video available. Public performance. CRIMINOLOGY
This short film is an indictment of the capital punishment system in the United States. Bryan Stevenson (law, New York Univ.; director, Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama) exposes the inequities and racial biases that lurk in the criminal justice system, most frighteningly in capital cases. With help from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and exonerated former death row inmates, Stevenson's authoritative presentation of facts and statistics is woven with the personal stories of those wrongfully convicted. Those interviewed argue that unreliable legal proceedings and unbalanced jury panels place a disproportionate number of poor blacks on death row. The filmmakers draw comparisons between the current capital punishment system and the rampant lynchings of the early 20th century, while the men who were railroaded by the system tell their stories simply and powerfully. Recommended for public and academic criminal justice collections.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
Student Loan Sinkhole? color. 30 min. NOW on PBS, dist. by PBS Home Video, 800-424-7963; shoppbs.org/education. 2009. $19.99. Closed-captioned. FINANCE
Originally broadcast on June 19, 2009, this episode of PBS's NOW series is a brief but stunning look at U.S. student loans: some 70 million Americans owing over $700 billion. The show focuses on Gina Moss, a single mother with $70,000 in loans for a social work degree, as she attempts to figure out how to make her payments and still meet her living expenses. NOW host David Brancaccio provides background narration and interviews Moss, who says she aspired to a college education to make a better life but now feels trapped under crushing debt. In her attempts to work out matters with the lenders, she finds little assistance, and bankruptcy is not an option because student loans are exempt. Brancaccio explains some of the workings of the student loan industry and its often-used pressure tactics. The show puts a face to this dilemma and highlights the dangerous lifetime debt burdens being taken on by young, inexperienced borrowers. An eye-opener for current students and anyone with student loans as well as an informative introduction for all viewers; highly recommended.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Fatherhood Dreams. color. 55 min. Julia Ivanova, Interfilm Prods., dist. by Transit Media, 800-343-5540; www.transitmedia.net. 2009. DVD ISBN 978-0-9784976-0-6. $75; acad. libs. $150 (Rental: $35) + $10 s/h. Public performance; closed-captioned.
Our House: Kids of Gay and Lesbian Parents. color. 56 min. Meema Spadola, dist. by First Run Features, 800-229-8575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. 2008. DVD UPC 7-20229-91322-5. $24.95. GAY STUDIES
Fatherhood Dreams focuses on the intense desire of some gay men to be parents and the ways they fulfill that need. The concentration on parenting from a father's viewpoint and the difficulties inherent in achieving this most basic of human needs for gay men provide the film's unique perspective. The production is told through the stories of the men and families, which broadens its appeal. However, only one child is old enough to understand and add to the discussion, which limits the breadth of the coverage. Also, the laws in Canada, where the film was produced, differ enough to make some of the information irrelevant to a U.S. audience. Still, recommended for larger GLBTQ collections.
Of more general interest, Our House: Kids of Gay and Lesbian Parents features stories of gay- and lesbian-led families told from the viewpoints of both the parents and the children. The DVD (see LJ 4/1/01 for the VHS review) updates the lives of the participants and adds an interview with filmmaker Spadola, herself the daughter of a lesbian, as well as discussion and resource guides, making it even more useful for most libraries and at a fraction of the original cost. Highly recommended.—Barbara Pickell, Clearwater P.L., FL
The Founding of America. 14 discs. color & b/w. 27+ hrs.History Channel, A&E Television Networks, dist. by New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 978-1-4229 2744-1. $99.95. HIST
This multidisc set features a variety of programming from A&E. Founding Fathers illustrates through historian interpretations, reenactments, and the intelligent use of period paintings and engravings how this "mismatched group of quarrelsome aristocrats, merchants, and lawyers" and unlikely allies fomented rebellion, formed the Continental Congress, fought the Revolutionary War, and wrote the Constitution. The Founding Brothers follows the fascinating history of how men such as Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington struggled to establish this new democracy and provide it with economic strength and governmental structure. Washington the Warrior presents one man's epic journey to greatness. Franklin provides a fresh, down-to-earth look at one of America's best-known patriots. And Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor introduces a man torn between allegiance to his second wife, a British loyalist, and his regard and devotion for George Washington, who treats him as a son. Actors Kelsey Grammer, Aidan Quinn, and Jeff Daniels bring these men to life. Bonus features are numerous, including behind-the-scenes featurettes, a time line, a list of innovations and inventions, and episodes from the network's Biography series. An entertaining and compelling look at America's early history.—Margaret Miller, Univ. of South Dakota Lib., Vermillion
Becoming Barack: Evolution of a Leader. color. 55 min. Robert Yuhas, Waterstar Corp. & Stuart Goldman Co., dist. by Little Dizzy Home Video, www.littledizzyhomevideo.com. 2009. DVD UPC 7-05105-17153-1. $14.99. POLITICS
Filmmaker Yuhas looks at Barack Obama's formative years in Chicago, where he received an introduction to hardball politics and acquired the necessary organizational skills that eventually led him to the presidency. Upon graduating from Columbia College in 1983, Obama became a community organizer in Chicago. Interviews with 14 men and women who worked with him during that period document the experiences that shaped the young man. After attending Harvard Law School and serving as editor of its law review in 1990, Obama returned to Chicago to lead a voter registration drive. He later practiced law, taught at the Chicago Law School, married Michelle Robinson, and entered state and national politics. The underlying theme here is that Obama had found the community he had been searching for since childhood. Woven throughout are excepts from a 12-minute interview conducted with Obama in 1993. A fascinating examination of Obama's early years; recommended for all viewers.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Lib., Parkersburg
The American Brew: The Rich and Surprising History of Beer. color. 60+ min. Roger Sherman, Here's to Beer, Inc., dist. by PBS Home Video, 800-424-7963; shoppbs.org/education. 2009. DVD ISBN 978-0-7936-7087-1. $24.99.
Beer Wars: Brewed in America. color. 89+ min. Anat Baron, Ducks in a Row Entertainment, 323-782-9468; ducksinrow@aol.com; beerwarsmovie.com; NeoFlix, orders@neoflix.com. 2009. DVD $50; acad. libs. $350. Public performance. SOC SCI
Tracing Americans' obsession with the frothy beverage, The American Brew begins with the early recipes of Colonial Williamsburg, VA, then wends its way to the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, home to the Brooklyn Brewery, just one of many modern craft breweries capitalizing on America's renewed taste for small-batch beer. Along the way, consumer demand for consistency prompted the perfection of Pasteur's famous process, while demand for distribution later spurred the invention of modern refrigeration. Sadly, the 21st Amendment notwithstanding, brewery culture was irreparably damaged by Prohibition, leading generally to a dearth of decent beer for much of the 20th century. Bonus features include a "battle" between beer and wine for best cheese pairing, plus extended interviews. More for the neophyte enthusiast than the seasoned homebrewer, this DVD is recommended for those curious about the evolution of leisure culture and collections in communities served by a strong local brewery.
Beer Wars frames a struggle between the scrappy, craft-brewing Davids and the industrial beer Goliaths: Anheuser Busch (Budweiser), Miller, and Coors (though the latter two have since merged and the former was acquired by larger Belgian behemoth InBev). The film follows headstrong Sam Calagione, of Delaware's wildly successful Dogfish Head Brewery, and plucky Rhonda Kallman, struggling to bootstrap her caffeinated Moonshot Beer into the craft-beer market, along with a number of other top beer personalities. Director Baron, longtime beverage industry exec and first-time filmmaker, narrates, offering up an insider's perspective. Bonus features include a panel discussion with many of the film's participants hosted by celebrity moderator Ben Stein, plus deleted scenes. A trenchant analysis unapologetic in its rebuke of Big Beer, Beer Wars is heartily recommended for patrons already inclined to opt for the local brew at every tap. It will also appeal to patrons interested in craft foods as well as homebrewed beer and wine and others particular about quality.—Josh Hadro, Library Journal
The Way We Get By. color. 84+ min. Aron Gaudet, Intl. Film Circuit in assoc. with American Documentary/P.O.V., dist. by Dungby Prods., 232 3d St., #B403, Brooklyn, NY 11215; 617-460-9138; www.thewaywegetbymovie.com. 2009. DVD UPC 8-84501-20444-6. $99 + $2 s/h. Public performance. SOC SCI
On one level, this documentary is about showing appreciation for our troops, but its deeper story is about coping with old age. Writer-director Gaudet followed his 76-year-old mother, Joan, and her two elderly friends, Bill and Jerry, as they greeted troops in transit to and from the Middle East at the airport in Bangor, ME. There are scenes of the three offering snacks, free phone calls, and their friendship. By the end of the film, they tallied 900,000 personnel encountered. The film also shows how through their efforts the trio find renewed purpose in their own lives. Bill is battling cancer and is in the process of moving from his longtime home. Jerry has heart trouble and has to have his old dog put down. Joan frets over two of her grandchildren going to serve in Iraq. All three are open about coping with loneliness, loss, and the limitations of age. This personally revealing and touching film is essential viewing for anyone wanting to understand what it is to be human.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Consumer's Guide to Alternative Energy. (Future Fuels, 1). color. 34 min. Jeff Cooper, SyndiKast & TerraVision Media, 888-488-8665; www.futurefuels.tv. 2009. DVD ISBN 978-1-60743-334-7. $14.95 + $5 s/h. Public performance.
Nuclear Energy: The Issues. 29 min. Renewable Fuels. 24 min. ea. vol: color. VEA (Video Education America), 866-727-0840; www.veavideo.com. 2008. DVD $89.95. Public performance; closed-captioned. ENVIRONMENT
These three short films deal with energy generation, beyond fossil fuel burning. Consumer's Guide to Alternative Energy looks briefly at ethanol, solar, biodiesel, and wind use; hybrid electric transportation; and home energy conservation. A film crew travels to select U.S. locations to report on an example of each type of power. Nuclear Energy: The Issues attempts to explain nuclear power and lay out the controversy that still surrounds it. The fission and steam-power generation process is well illustrated. The concerns of radioactive spent fuel, the danger of meltdowns, the need for high security, and the great expense of building or decommissioning nuclear plants may yet be trumped by the advantages of nuclear power: it doesn't burn coal, oil, or gas and can handle the sustained heavy electrical loads of cities. Australia-made Renewable Fuels features young host Michael Wahr, who reviews how the burning of fossil fuels is overheating the planet. He then summarizes the pros and cons of solar panels, hydroelectric dams, and windmills as power generators. These three productions will appeal to secondary students and adults who want to know something basic about cleaner forms of energy.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., BC
Health Matters: What You Need To Know. 5 discs. color. 532 min. Twin Cities Public Television, dist. by PBS Home Video, 800-424-7963; shoppbs.org/education. 2008. DVD ISBN 978-1-59375-853-0. $49.95. Closed-captioned. Includes: The Truth About Cancer; The Hidden Epidemic: Heart Disease in America; Depression: Out of the Shadows; Fat: What No One Is Telling You; The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer's. HEALTH
Each of these five films addresses its topic from the standpoint of what is current in the field from the scientific understanding of the disease/disorder to interventions and their efficacy. Although there could be great clinical complexity to the discussion of each disease/disorder, the producers have succeeded well in presenting sophisticated information in a clear, easy-to-understand manner. Each program offers detail on the societal impact of these problems, from shifts in national health-care expenditures to individual caregiver burdens. Where the films truly excel is in the stories of individuals affected by these conditions and how they, their families, and their health-care providers have dealt with their diagnoses. The segments run the gamut from hope in the form of young cancer survivors to Alzheimer's sufferers no longer able to recognize family members. One cannot view these programs without feeling the effects of these diagnoses on the lives of these individuals. Highly recommended for all collections and viewers.—Warren Hawkes, New York State Nurses Assn. Lib., Latham
