Video Reviews, April 15, 2011
Apr 15, 2011video
FICTION
Fresh Fields. Set 1. 2 discs., 294 min. Peter Frazer-Jones, Thames Television, dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornonline.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781598285253. $49.99. SDH subtitles. F
This sweet British comedy series follows the Fields—Hester (Julia McKenzie) and William (Anton Rodgers)—in their daily domestic exploits. The series was originally broadcast in the mid-1980s, and some may think the premise a bit dated: Hester’s search for new challenges and self-improvement as a middle-aged empty-nester. However, whether she’s learning fencing (and fending off her instructor), using her cooking skills at a local restaurant, or dealing with her unwed pregnant daughter (who is never seen and participates on the show only through telephone conversations), Hester manages to make each day an adventure. Though the plots are a little predictable, there is a nice innocence about the story lines and great chemistry between the costars. This set features the first of the show’s four seasons and is guaranteed to elicit lots of smiles. Perfect for public libraries where British comedies are popular.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA
Man in a Suitcase. Set 1. 4 discs. color. 779+ min. Charles Crichton & others, ITC Prod., dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornonline.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781598284188. $59.99. F
“Mac” McGill is an intelligence agent wrongfully accused of treason and dismissed by the Americans, now working as an investigator for hire. As played by Richard Bradford, he is a very appealing persona: cynical yet honest. His job takes him around Europe, allowing for many international entanglements. The episodes vary from spy thrillers to straight detective jobs, with some giving mention to the Cold War. There is lots of action—McGill gets as good as he gives. The series debuted in England in 1968, and though the style is very 1960s (the apartments, cars, clothes, and hairstyles make for particularly fun viewing), it has a timeless appeal and is wonderfully entertaining. Highly recommended for all lovers of British mysteries.—Julia Stump, Voorheesville P.L., NY
ARTS & HUMANITIES
Man Ray: Prophet of the Avant-Garde; Director’s Edition. 2 discs. 60+ min. with guide. Mel Stuart, dist. by Choices, Inc., 310-839-1500; www.choicesvideo.net. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781933724331. $19.95. ART–GENERAL
Written by Neil Baldwin (Man Ray: American Artist), this enduring 1997 documentary gets an update in this director’s edition marking the tenth anniversary of the original DVD release. Born Emmanuel Radnitzky in 1890, Man Ray spent most of his youth in Brooklyn, NY, before eschewing college and embarking upon a bohemian artistic life in Manhattan, where he became a master photographer, painter, poet, avant-garde filmmaker, and philosopher. He married Belgian poet Adon Lacroix and began collaborating with Dadaist Marcel Duchamp. The marriage ended in 1921, and Man Ray moved to Paris, where he lensed Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Gertrude Stein, among others, as the unofficial photographer of the Dadaists. He also developed his “rayograph” photographic technique, which produced photographic images without the use of a camera. The film addresses Man Ray’s personal relationships and his marriage to dancer Juliet Brown, which lasted for the final 30 years of his life; he died in 1976. The overall production and the effects are well executed, with judicious and exacting editing of the old and new city scenes. The many interviews with Man Ray are riveting. The bonus disc contains an interview with director Stuart (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). A guidebook and lesson plans are also provided. For art history collections.—Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque
Crumb. 2+ hrs. DVD ISBN 9781604653106; Blu-ray ISBN 9781604653090. $39.95.
“Louie Bluie.” 60+ min. DVD ISBN 9781604653113. $24.95. ea. vol: color. Terry Zwigoff, dist. by Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com. 2010. ART/MUSIC
Finally, the definitive video release of Zwigoff’s classic 1995 chronicle of the life and work of American underground artist/cartoonist R. Crumb (b.1943). Crumb reigns as the modern gold standard for warts-and-all documentary biographies, an unflinching look at how the creative impulse can emanate from unfortunate circumstances—in Crumb’s case, extreme familial dysfunction and an unhappy childhood. Much has been made of Crumb’s often shocking, sometimes arguably sophomoric work and how his drawing enabled him to escape a miserable fate, but let this reissue remind us that artistic skills afford no guarantees, nor does life. Crumb also introduces us to Crumb’s gifted, damaged brother, Charles, who committed suicide prior to the film’s release. Picture and audio quality are fine if unspectacular; profanity and sexual themes make it suitable for mature audiences. Bonus features include two commentary tracks, deleted scenes, and stills. Essential for all AV collections.
Also available is the long-awaited DVD release of Zwigoff’s beloved 1985 debut, “Louie Bluie,” about another singular artist, the late Howard Armstrong (1909–2003). Rescued from decaying film stock and out of print on videotape for years, “Louie Bluie” has returned from obscurity, but some have already grumbled that its brief running time should have made it an extra on the Crumb program. Regardless, an hour spent in the company of a force of nature like Armstrong won’t feel like enough, as his enthusiasm and energy threaten to fly off the screen. His prowess as a storyteller, a country-blues musician, an accomplished visual artist (watch the reactions to his graphic history of pornography), and an all-around showman transcend the evident technical limitations of the low-budget production. The digital transfer makes the film look and sound as good as it ever has; the soundtrack alone would constitute a great audiobook or radio show. Suggested for mature viewers owing to some profanity and “blue” content. Highly recommended for all AV collections; essential for collections with a focus on music.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB
They Came To Play. color. 91+ min. Alex Rotaru, Miller/Rotaru Prod., dist. by Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com; theycametoplay.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781422997079. $29.95. MUSIC
Offering a refreshing look at people who play classical piano because they love it but who are also motivated by the chance to be recognized for it, this film focuses on the 2007 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, held in Fort Worth, TX. Individual pianists are interviewed in their homes (Alabama, Berlin, New York, etc.) and at work (doctor, tennis coach, jeweler, glass installer). Some reveal their relationship to music (Bach as spiritual practice, sharing the gift, abandoning/returning to the keyboard) and the joy, purpose, or even lifesaving element it provides them. Sampling performances over six days, while the field of 75 is reduced to 25 and then six, this award-winning production forecasts likely winners, artfully building suspense as contestants practice, argue with coaches, change programs, and compete again. All six finalists are rewarded with complete presentations of one piece each in the DVD extras. Excellent editing, great music that is well played, and an appealing variety of human subjects all contribute to making viewers feel that they are winners, too. Highly recommended for general collections.—Bonnie Jo Dopp, Librarian Emerita, Univ. of Maryland, College Park
Todd P. Goes to Austin: A Documentary About Doing It Yourself. color. 79+ min. Jason Buim, FVMMO Films in assoc. with Free Danger & Blacklake Prods., dist. by Microcinema, www.microcinema.com; www.toddpgoestoaustin. 2010. DVD UPC 880198118691. $15.99. MUSIC
Although marketed as a documentary about underground music promoter Todd Patrick and the “do it yourself” indie-rock music scene, Buim’s debut film instead merely showcases the live talents of a number of underground bands from all over the United States, who recently flocked to Austin, TX, to perform at a Patrick-organized event. Buim mixes too-brief interviews with Patrick—who is not given enough air time to explain convincingly the appeal and challenges of the DIY lifestyle—with live footage of rowdy bands such as Matt and Kim, The Death Set, Mika Miko, and many others. Filmmakers pay little attention to the hardships of touring or eking out a living in this genre. What could have been an insightful film about the underground music community is instead a promotional tool for these young and boisterous musicians. Indie-rock fans will enjoy the live footage, but viewers interested in learning about how DIY shows are set up and promoted or how and why indie musicians do what they do should instead seek out something more substantial, for example, the more punk-oriented Between Resistance and Community (LJ 9/15/10).—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Not Just a Game: Power, Politics & American Sports. color. 62 min. Media Education Fdn., www.mediaed.org. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781932869507. $34.95; acad. libs. $250. Public performance. SPORTS
This hour-long program features author/commentator Dave Zirin discussing the overlap of sports history with politics. The violence and machismo of pro football, for instance, dovetail neatly with militarism, normalizing it in the mind of the viewer while concealing the costs and consequences of warfare. Female athletes of the 1960s like tennis star Billie Jean King and marathoner Kathrine Switzer helped overcome perceptions of women’s limitations, just as boxer Jack Johnson (world heavyweight boxing champion, 1908–15) and baseball star Jackie Robinson, who broke the major leagues’ color barrier in 1947, did for blacks. Zirin also points out Muhammad Ali’s sacrifices (possible jail time, missed bouts) through his principled political stands, contrasting that with Michael Jordan’s reluctance to offend any potential customer of his many endorsed products. While these are all valid points, Zirin embraces the rhetoric of the academic left (plenty of “marginalizing” and “dominant narratives” here), missing the opportunity to connect with the mass of sports fans. Nonetheless, recommended for libraries for its unusual viewpoint and use of historic film clips.—John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.
Pond Hockey. color. 79+ min. Tommy Haines, Northland Films, 319-621-7011; www.northlandfilms.com/libraries. 2009. DVD UPC 898681001375. $34.95. Public performance available. SPORTS
This celebration of outdoor hockey focuses on participants in the 2005 U.S. Pond Hockey Championships tournament in Minneapolis, with amateur “rink rats” explaining the appeal of outdoor hockey, how they developed a love of the game as children, and why they devote so much of their adult lives to playing pickup games on frozen rivers and ponds. Hockey legends such as Wayne Gretzky and current NHL players chime in with their own stories. Well-edited interview snippets comprise a large portion of the film, but there is also a narrative here, with the filmmakers following a group of friends advancing through the tournament. The action footage is frenetic and edited into choppy random clips, making it difficult to keep track of the play. But learning about the players and hearing their personal tales are enough to make this a worthwhile film. Bonus features include additional interviews and filmmaker commentary. Similar to Ice Kings (LJ 6/15/10) and In the Crease (LJ 10/1/10) but more sentimental, Pond Hockey is recommended for hockey aficionados and amateur players who share the filmmaker’s point of view.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
SOCIAL SCIENCES
The Yes Men Fix the World. color. 87 min. Andy Bichlbaum & Mike Bonanno w/Kurt Engfehr, Common Decency, LLC, Renegade Pictures UK/Channel 4, Article Z Prod., dist. by Bullfrog Films, 800-543-3764; www.bullfrogfilms.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781594588990. $295. Public performance. SDH subtitles. Public library discounts available; home version. 87+ min. dist. by Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781422978641. $26.95. BUS
This wickedly funny documentary lambastes corporate greed and downright stupidity through the activities of two Michael Moore–esque mischief-makers—Bichlbaum and Bonanno—who pose as representatives of companies they despise (e.g., Dow Chemical, Exxon). Self-deprecating Andy and Mike lie their way into business conferences and successfully parody their corporate targets. This award-winning chronicle, a follow-up to The Yes Men (2004), discloses the challenges, successes, and failures they meet in attempting to impersonate powerful business moguls, for example, exposing the people profiting from Hurricane Katrina, discovering the faces behind the environmental disaster in Bhopal, India, and visiting the twisted underworld of free-market think tanks. Hope wins out in the end, but to encourage viewers further, this reviewer must mention the underwater ballet. The overall photography and video effects are unquestionably professional in quality. The Docurama edition contains bonus deleted scenes, a 24-minute featurette, and the trailer. The absurd economic system that currently rules our world is revealed for all to see; this is political satire at its very best.—Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque
Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo. color. 89+ min. Bradley Beesley, dist. by Carnivalesque Films, 203 417-3136; www.carnivalesquefilms.com; Midwest Tape, www.midwesttapes.com. 2010. DVD UPC 616892098669. $24.99; public performance $99. CRIMINOLOGY
This film introduces us to the Oklahoma prison system rodeo, an event that’s taken place since 1940 and has included women prisoners since 2006. The filmmakers feature one male and several female inmates as they prepare for the event. Viewers watch them practice on rudimentary mechanical bulls and hear their life stories in remarkably introspective interviews. The film deftly juxtaposes the prisoners’ unpretentious personal revelations with the bone-crunching action of the rodeo, thereby reinforcing the human drama of the search for self-respect with the rodeo as a real and metaphoric catalyst for redemption. Bonus features include a photo gallery and deleted scenes. An elegant original soundtrack adds to the emotional impact. A feel-good purchase for criminal justice collections.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
World War I in Color. 3 vols. color. 284+ min. w/English subtitles. Nugus/Martin Prods., dist. by Athena, 888-870-8047; www.acornonline.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 97815982825. $59.99. HIST
Told through archival footage, interviews with veterans, detailed maps, and excerpts from participants’ diaries and letters, World War I in Color, originally broadcast in the UK in 2003, provides a fascinating overview of the Great War. Expertly narrated by actor Kenneth Branagh, this three-disc set includes six episodes: Catastrophe, Slaughter in the Trenches, Blood in the Air, Killers of the Sea, Mayhem on the Eastern Front, and Victory and Despair. Perhaps most interesting are the segments dealing with air, submarine, and tank warfare, as these were all new technologies at the time. Among the more interesting of the wealth of bonus features are Tactics & Strategy, a 50-minute special on how new technology changed warfare, and Making the Series, a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of the production team. Some of the footage is rather grainy, but it is acceptable given its age. Overall, the production quality is outstanding. This excellent series could stand on its own presented entirely in black and white; the colorized content, however, does add a dimension not seen in most other World War I documentaries. Recommended for general viewers and military history buffs.—Rod Bustos, Augusta State Univ. Lib., GA
Dear Pyongyang. color. 107 min. In Japanese & Korean w/English subtitles. Yonghi Yang, Tidepoint Pictures & Typecast Releasing, 206-322-4586; www.typecastfilms.com. 2010. DVD UPC 643519122766. $24.49; public performance $300. INT AFFAIRS
Opening with short bursts of historical context, this documentary depicts a North Korean family living in Japan. Director Yang mostly interviews her father, the dedicated leader of supporters of North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung (see also Kimjongilia, LJ 3/15/11). Concerned over Japanese prejudices against Koreans, her father sends his three sons (the youngest only 14) in 1971 to live in North Korea, from where they will never leave. Although they communicate, it is 11 years before Yang and her parents go to Korea, to meet the sons’ spouses and children and see various friends, and supporters of Mr. Yang’s work, all having been sustained through gifts and money from the Yangs. Yonghi hints in her film at her disapproval of the North Korean regime but does not state specifics. Why did her father go for so long without visiting his sons? How did the sons live? How did the Yangs, people of modest means, afford to support so many? We are further confused by the odd sequence of scenes. Mr. Yang mostly is seen clad only in his underwear, which undercuts the gravity of the film. Recommended only for libraries with large Asia collections.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Phyllis and Harold.S color. 85+ min. Cindy Kleine, Silver Penny Pictures, dist. by Breaking Glass Pictures, 267-324-3934; www.breakingglasspictures.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781878965226. $24.99. OC SCI
Since childhood, director Kleine had wondered how her parents ever managed to get together, as they seemed such an unlikely couple. Through conversations with her parents and looking at old family movies and reading old love letters, she pieces together their relationship, from their courtship through their 59-year marriage to their deaths. The film could not be released until after her father’s death so that Kleine could explore her mother’s relationship with another man, purportedly the love of her life. Kleine’s film is an honest, illuminating, and, ultimately, melancholy portrait of her parents’ lives. While it is captivating to watch and has won festival awards, however, owing to its very personal nature, this small film will have a hard time finding its audience. Although providing profound insight into a marriage, it is for this reason recommended only for large film collections.—Julia Stump, Voorheesville P.L., NY
PanAsia: Journeys in Asian Cuisine—Thailand: Bangkok; The Venice of the East. color. 30 min. Chip Taylor Communications in assoc. with CCI Releasing, 800-876-2447; www.chiptaylor.com. 2010. DVD $39.99; public performance $69.99. TRAV
This title is part of a series originally broadcast on the Travel Channel and including 20 episodes covering China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore as well as Thailand. This pleasant production features brief, attractive views of Bangkok’s highlights likely to interest tourists, such as the Aw Tor Kor Market, Grand Palace, Mui Thai Institute (of boxing), and Joe Louis Theatre for puppetry. Perky guide Sian Richards delights in her varied experiences. At the end of this program, a visit to a restaurant has her helping the chef prepare a prawn curry by handing him premeasured ingredients, but, as with everything else in this half-hour program (two more “chapters” are actually abridged versions of this episode), the actual coverage is cursory. The result, unfortunately, has very little educational value. Thailand: Bangkok would be a nice addition to a large, well-funded public library travel collection. Collections in schools and smaller libraries could use their money more wisely.—Sheila S. Intner, Emerita, Simmons GSLIS at Mt. Holyoke Coll., South Hadley, MA
Red Moon: Menstruation, Culture & the Politics of Gender. color. 53 min. Media Education Fdn., 413-584-8500; www.mediaed.org. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781932869439. $34.95; acad. libs. $250. Public performance. WOMEN’S STUDIES
Red Moon is about menstruation and the role it plays for women in history and in society. Using man/woman interviews on the street, discussion with academics and other professional thinkers, cutesy animations, old health-class films, and the video diary of a young girl getting her period for the first time, the film presents interesting if not especially enlightening lessons. A solid discussion starter for groups focused on women’s health or history.—Ellen Druda, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
InGREEDients: The Choice Is Yours!!! color. 60 min. David Burton, Sir Rebel Films, LLC, dist. by AV Café, 877-228-2233; www.theavcafe.com. 2010. DVD UPC 705105280134. $19.99. COOKING/HEALTH
Studies reveal that heart disease is the number one killer among adults worldwide, instances of diabetes are increasing exponentially, and obesity is a U.S. epidemic. All of these conditions are exacerbated and may even be caused by hydrogenated oils, the source of trans fatty acids, which in the last few years have fallen from dietary grace. Many food labels now trumpet “No Trans Fats!”—but read those labels closely. The Food and Drug Administration allows products with as much as half a gram of trans fat to read that they have none. Filmmaker Burton goes after trans fat as obsessively as Ahab pursued his whale, interviewing an impressive array of well-credentialed experts to prove his thesis. Cooking at home and incorporating only nonprocessed foods will help us to retain, or regain, our health and stick it to the companies that claim to have our welfare at heart but, in fact, are only interested in their bottom line. An excellent film for all audiences. Even children will enjoy, for the animated sequences. Highly recommended.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH
BUILDING A FAMILY
Off and Running: An American Coming of Age Story. color. 76+ min. Nicole Opper, dist. by First Run Features, 800-229-8575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. 2010. DVD UPC 720229914253. $24.95. SOC SCI
Avery, a young African American woman, lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her white, Jewish, lesbian adoptive mothers. This documentary is intended as a record of the struggles experienced by both Avery and her family members while each strives to accept the consequences and rewards of adoption. After five years in this situation, Avery decides she needs information about her background in order to move forward with her life. Her journey to establish a viable relationship with her birth mother fails, leaving Avery in anguish and feeling isolated. Prior to her search, she had been a track star eligible for college scholarships, comfortable in her relationships with both moms and her two adopted “brothers.” Her obsession with her birth mother negatively impacts her schoolwork, her athletic achievements, her friendships, and her family. Opper’s film effectively shares the general upheaval and powerfully captures the raw emotions of all concerned. Reaching a low point, Avery chooses to get counseling, which helps her to prioritize her goals. Produced for general viewers with an interest in adoption, this film excellently documents not only the transracial adoption issues experienced by both the adoptee and the adoptive parents but also the identity crisis that every teenager goes through. Academic libraries serving a sociology or social work program and larger public libraries should consider this an essential purchase.—Marianne Eimer, Emerita, SUNY at Fredonia Lib.
Wo Ai Ni Mommy (I Love You Mommy). color. 75+ min. Stephanie Wang-Breal, dist. by New Day Films c/o Eyewang Pictures, email: stephanie@woainimommy.com; www.woainimommy.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781574482836. $150; acad. libs. $295 (Rental: $90). Public performance; closed-captioned. SOC SCI
A Jewish family of five from Long Island, NY, adopted an older Chinese child in 2008. Narrated primarily by adoptive mom Donna Sadowsky, this film is a no-holds-barred approach to foreign adoption, showing the process and its conditions, the language barriers, culture shock, and inherent familial acclimation. Footage of orphanage officials and social workers and the litany of government rules set the tone for a mixture of anxiety and hope. Sadly, Fang Sui Yong, now Faith Sadowsky, experiences severe separation anxiety in leaving her Chinese foster family, has multiple hurdles to overcome while adapting to her new life fitting in with an English-language-speaking white family, and then, ultimately, loses her ability to speak Chinese, cutting off communication with her foster sister. Subtitles are used effectively to translate Faith’s comments about her fears, her anxieties, and her eventual adjustments. An active time line superimposed over new footage updates developments over the weeks and months since the adoption. Commentary from family members helps to educate viewers about the accommodation issues they all had to face. Powerful images of the physical journey from Guangzhou, China, to Long Island illustrate the dramatic alterations in Faith’s life. Targeted to prospective parents and those who have already participated in the Chinese adoption process, this documentary excellently portrays this multifaceted situation. Social workers who facilitate foreign adoptions, especially of older children, would greatly benefit from viewing this film. Highly recommended for public and college libraries.—Marianne Eimer, Emerita, SUNY at Fredonia Lib.
