Video Reviews, June 15, 2011
Jun 15, 2011FICTION
Lorna Doone. color. 87+ min. Andrew Grieve, Thames Television, dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; acornonline.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781598285314. $29.99. SDH subtitles. F
R.D. Blackmore’s (1825–1900) lengthy 1869 novel of 17th-century England has inspired many productions and rightly so. There is no lack of drama, romance, revenge, even murder, and the ending is satisfying because the young lovers have, at last, overcome many obstacles to be together. This 1990 adaptation compresses the story, omitting most of the politics but including a few swashbuckling scenes and occasional shots of some spectacular English scenery. It is, however, marred by the uninspired acting of a young Clive Owen as our hero, John Ridd, and a faded color palette. The long feud between the Ridds and the Doones, an outlaw clan, is exacerbated by the forbidden romance between John and Lorna (the beautiful Polly Walker), who is unhappily destined to marry the menacing Carver Doone (Sean Bean). This program concentrates on the battle to win Polly and to avenge the Ridds. Bonus features include cast filmographies and a brief biography of Blackmore. If you must have Lorna Doone, check reviews for other productions first.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA
Your Love Never Fails. color. 93+ min. Michael Feifer, Hallmark Channel, dist. by Anchor Bay Entertainment, www.anchorbayent.com. 2011. DVD UPC 013132308890. $19.98. Rated: G. F
Veteran film/TV director and producer Feifer took a story by Jeffrey Scheneck and Peter Sullivan and fashioned out of it a predictable romantic comedy in which a separated couple is forced back together when the father sues for joint custody and the judge rules the parents and daughter must spend time together until the issue is determined. The cast features Elisa Donovan, Brad Rowe, and Kirstin Dorn as the principals, with Fred Willard, Tom Skerritt, John Schneider, and Catherine Hicks with the lesser roles of boss, grandfather, pastor, and judge, respectively. A family-friendly effort marred by some minor continuity and lighting issues, this film will be of interest to fans of G-rated entertainment.—Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY
ARTS & HUMANITIES
China, the Empire of Art? color. 52 min. In Mandarin, French, & English w/English subtitles. Sheng Zhimin & Emma Tassy, dist. by Cinema Guild, www.cinemaguild.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780781513531. $99.95; acad. libs. $295. Public performance.
Project 798: New Art in New China. color. 62 min. In Mandarin, Italian, & English w/English subtitles. Lucius C. Kuert, dist. by Microcinema Intl., www.microcinema.com. 2010. DVD UPC 880198114594. $24.95. ART-GENERAL/INT AFFAIRS
Two films presenting China’s contemporary art scene incorporate interviews with artists, collectors, and dealers. China, the Empire of Art? covers a wide variety of topics—for example, the influence of Western art on Chinese art and vice versa, Communist ideals, political restrictions, an art school (30,000 applicants for 2000 places), and the world art scene. So much is covered, in fact, that one has trouble following along, especially if required to read the rapid-fire subtitles. Locations range from Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzou, to Paris and London art exhibits and the Sigg collection in Switzerland, to, inexplicably, two French-speaking Chinese artists in front of the Golden Gate Bridge (presumably they are showing their work in San Francisco). A flamboyant dealer displays the outrageous furniture in her gallery.
Project 798 fares better, keeping to a stream of interviews with some 15 artists, usually standing in front of a piece in their studios and galleries in Project 798, the huge Beijing art center that is now also a tourist attraction. The artists are all young and mostly male, charming and personable. They discuss their philosophy and political restrictions (e.g., the Cultural Revolution, Tibet, Tiananmen Square, and national minorities) and highlight some of their work. In both films, seeing more of the output and hearing less from the artists would provide a better feel for China’s vibrant contemporary art scene. Additionally, the dealers and collectors stress the competition for high prices in the world art market rather than the merits of the works themselves. Despite high production values, with correct and visible subtitles, both films suffer from an overemphasis on the personalities instead of the art. Of the two programs, Project 798 is recommended for collections looking to fill gaps on contemporary Chinese art.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Tap Dance History from Vaudeville to Film. color & b/w. 45 min. Dancetime Pubns., www.dancetimepublications.com. 2011. DVD UPC 880104444890. $49.95. DANCE
This fascinating collection of tap and novelty dance performances from American stage and film in the 1930s and 1940s depicts the evolution of the dance form and its connection to a variety of performing arts as well as athletic styles. The archival footage is unrestored but mostly viewable; narrator Andrew Nemr presents each piece with verbal description based on the historical context of the period. Among the highlights are Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, surely one of the most elegant and controlled dancers of the genre, performing his classic “Stair Dance”; Rubberneck Holmes combining tap, acrobatics, and jazz to create his very eccentric style in “The Notorious Elinor Lee”; and tapper Juanita Pitts displaying her interesting stylistic choices by dancing in a tuxedo and oxfords. A discussion of the importance of chorus lines in the dissemination of tap includes a magical clip of Robinson dancing with a white line. Vaudeville novelty acts on roller skates were the precursors to what we now see in figure skating. Although white dancers are in evidence here, the production focuses not on Astaire or Kelly but rather on these stage greats. This fine film will be best appreciated by dance students and fans as well as those interested in vaudeville and African American entertainment.—B. Allison Gray, Goleta P.L., CA
Best Worst Movie: The Story Behind Troll 2. color 93+ min. Michael Paul Stephenson, Magic Stone Prods., dist. by Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781422993934. $19.95. FILM
Anyone who has seen Troll 2 (1990) will understand why it perennially appears on lists of “worst films ever.” Saddled with a low budget, a nonsensical script, amateur actors, and a veteran Italian film director, Claudio Fragasso, who could not communicate with his American cast, this straight-to-VHS horror debacle is neither a sequel to Troll (1986) nor does it include any trolls. In this highly entertaining documentary, Stephenson, who made his acting debut in that legendary horror show, reunites with fellow Troll 2 actor George Hardy, and the two set out to find former castmates and connect with bad-movie fanatics who have made Troll 2 an international cult phenomenon. By joining up with ex-castmates and meeting fans from Austin to Austria, the two discover the impact this disastrous movie has had on those involved in its making and those who relish its wretchedness. There is an entertaining mix of humor and poignancy here that should appeal to general audiences, not just genre fans. Stephenson shows just enough clips of the original film to convince those who have not seen it that, yes, it is as bad as the actors say it is. Generous bonus features include interview outtakes and deleted scenes. This celebration of shoddy moviemaking is highly recommended for fans and students and scholars of cinema and pop culture.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Double Take. color + b/w. 79+ min. Johan Grimonprez, dist. by Kino Intl., 800-562-3330; www.kino.com. 2010. DVD UPC 738329070823. $29.95. FILM
As a filmmaker, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) was celebrated for his unparalleled ability to transform the ordinary into something sinister. As the host of TV’s Alfred Hitchcock Presents (AHP) (1955–65), he practiced this technique in reverse: by “bringing murder into the American home,” he made it seem no more unusual than an advertisement for instant coffee. Double Take, a collage-style essay, combines archival footage of Cold War events, television commercials, film clips, and Hitchcock’s famously droll introductions to AHP into a provocative argument that the TV news media operate under a similar principle run amok. Grimonprez suggests that a vicious circle was started in the 1950s that continues to this day whereby ever-more-sensational narratives must be employed to capture the attention of a viewing audience increasingly desensitized to extraordinary events. Bonus features include film trailers, actor interviews, and script notes. Although Double Take is somewhat awkwardly welded to a Borges-inspired story about the Master of Suspense meeting his double, which doesn’t actually seem very Hitchcock-like, the film as a whole will appeal to fans of the director’s work.—Andrew R. Horbal, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib.
Chess for Anyone. Vol. 2: Beginning Tactics: Secrets of the Masters, Pt. 1. color. 117 min. Bruce Warner, dist. by AV Café, 877-228-2233; www.theavcafe.com. 2010. DVD UPC 094922031952. $24.95. GAMES
Though subtitled “Secrets of the Masters,” this program features beginning chess tactics, though they are certainly no secret. The instructor repeatedly stresses the importance of systematically reevaluating the position before every move and never jumping at the first obvious continuation. In addition, the viewer is regularly advised to pause the program and try to find the best move by setting it up on the board, which is a very good strategy. The basic instruction and chess diagrams are augmented by clever, entertaining film clips and still photos that emphasize the ideas and provide a break from the tedium of uninterrupted instruction. This very reasonably priced and well-produced program will be quite helpful to beginning chess players; one hopes the other programs in the series are as good. Now that many schools are encouraging students to play chess in order to sharpen their minds, solid instructional videos such as this should find a ready audience.—Harold D. Shane, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus, Baruch Coll., CUNY
Pictures of Status Quo: 40 Years of Hits. color. 53 min. Kultur, 732-229-2342; www.kultur.com. DVD ISBN 9780769790220. $19.99. MUSIC
One of rock’s most longstanding and prolific bands, Status Quo has been steadily churning out hits in their native England since the early 1960s, but they remain relative unknowns elsewhere. This first documentary profiling the band’s long and evidently uneventful career offers a broad overview of the group’s history, legacy, and songwriting methods. What is remarkable about the band’s story is how unremarkable it is. No sex or drugs here, just rock’n’roll—now more than 40 years of it, with the band making early dramatic stylistic shifts from mod-pop to psychedelic rock and, finally, to middling, mid-tempo boogie-rock, which they have stuck with since the early 1970s. The filmmakers rely heavily on lively new interviews with longtime band members Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, with chiming in from other former and current bandmates and managers. Vintage photos, career-spanning music video clips, and recent live snippets are mixed in to create this fast-paced and visually appealing film, originally produced in England in 2008, which only lacks an engaging story. Recent British concert footage proves Status Quo is still popular across the pond, but this production is unlikely to gain new fans or change anyone’s mind about what the appropriately named Status Quo is and has been for a very long time. There are no bonus features. Passable for diehard fans, but not a significant artistic achievement, much like the band’s music.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
The Nature of Existence. 2 discs. 94+ min. Roger Nygard, Walking Shadows, 310-855-2266; www.walking-shadows.com; www.thenatureof existence.com. 2010. DVD/Blu-ray ISBN 9780982571729. $29.95; 1-disc DVD ISBN 9780982571712. $24.95. PHIL
“Every mystery of human existence…explained in one movie!” touts the jewel-box cover. Hardly, but Nygard certainly asks lots of questions—ranging from monotheism to afterlife to why have children—in this documentary, which took years and cost a fortune to produce. Nygard (Trekkies) travels the world interviewing a few scholars and perhaps too many nonscholars, including a neighbor’s child, on these weighty topics. The cover also identifies the program as comedy/spiritual documentary, which is accurate. The film is divided into more than 60 chapters, and the snippet formula easily bounces from person to person and place to place. Light, with a comic bent and a twinge of sarcasm, the program is unlikely to convert anyone to another faith tradition, but it should provoke discussion as well as provide an introduction to a far-flung array of philosophical thought. There is nothing original in the material here; the program’s artistry is in its direction, for which Nygard is known. The two-disc special edition simply includes a second disc of longer interviews. Priced for any budget, this presentation is recommended for most libraries.—Diane Kazlauskas, formerly with Univ. of North Florida Lib., Jacksonville
Ray Lokar’s Building an Effective Youth Basketball Practice. 50 min. DVD UPC 798576467166. $29.99. Ray Lokar’s Fundamentals Factory for Youth Basketball. 2 discs. 276 min. DVD UPC 798576467067. $49.99. ea. vol: color. Michael J. Riley, Championship Prods., 800-873-2730; www.championshipproductions.com. 2010. SPORTS
Youth basketball coaches are well served by this set of videos featuring Lokar (Coach Lok). Coaches with limited experience of playing and coaching the game will gain enormous insights into making youth practices and youth games fun for their players. More experienced coaches will be quickly reminded that basic skills and terminology so familiar to coaches and older players are often not part of younger players’ training or vocabulary. This reviewer learned more terminology and hoops basics from Fundamentals Factory than delivered in years of casually observing college games (MAC, Big East, March Madness). Plus, viewers can actually see players making genuine progress under Lokar’s instruction while also having a good time. The problems of parents coaching a son or daughter in youth sports are thoroughly explored. Building an Effective Youth Basketball Practice tends to focus on organizing and ensuring that practice sessions are both fun and competitive and is therefore unable to demonstrate real player progress and is less enjoyable to watch. The disc explains the strategy behind the coaching bonus features that accompany both programs. These videos are highly recommended for coaches and potential coaches of basketball for ages five through junior high. They can also be purchased as a set ($79.98) at the producer’s website.—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Touched by an Angell: The Story of Angell Park, a Giant Among Midget Race Tracks. color & b/w. 104 min. Video Art Prods., dist. by AV Café, 877-228-2233; www.theavcafe.com. 2010. DVD UPC 884501376723. $40. SPORTS
Wisconsin’s Angell Park has been hosting racing for a century and has long since traded horses for horsepower. Touched by an Angell provides wonderful historic footage of this “giant among midget tracks” and its storied role as both the center of small-town Saturday nights and as a launching pad (sometimes literally) for decades of auto racers. The movie’s subplot follows the fledgling career of racer Courtney Erfurth as she breaks into the ranks of Angell’s winning competitors. Through interviews with participants, spectators, and past champions, the film provides an excellent look at racers as they explain the risks—and rewards—of dirt-track racing. Information from the National Midget Automobile Racing Hall of Fame is also included; the history of helmets, seat belts, and changes in car design and profiles of successful drivers are particularly absorbing. NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon closes the film with a heartfelt tribute to midget racing and those sportsmen against whom he competed. Highly recommended for racing fans.—Bill Baars, Lake Oswego P.L., OR
SOCIAL SCIENCENo Tomorrow. color. 86+ min. Roger Weisberg & Vanessa Roth, Public Policy Prods. in assoc. with WNET.org, dist. by Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781422910415. $29.95. Closed-captioned. CRIMINOLOGY
In 2004, filmmakers Roth and Weisberg produced Aging Out, a documentary about young people who were foster-care success stories, including one Risa Bejarano. When Bejarano was murdered that same year, the prosecution showed Aging Out during the penalty phase of the trial of her killer, Juan Chavez. Roth and Weisberg, dismayed at the use of their movie to promote the death penalty, began work on No Tomorrow, which recounts the story of the murder and trial through interviews with key players, including family members, attorneys, jurors, and police officers. Though strongly anti–capital punishment, the filmmakers present arguments on both sides, incorporating commentary and analysis from academics, judges, and advocacy group experts. They draw interesting parallels in the complex backgrounds of Bejarano and Chavez and smoothly mesh interviews, footage from Aging Out, courtroom drama, and death penalty discussions. Bonus features include a 30-minute excerpt from Aging Out that might best be watched prior to viewing No Tomorrow. Grisly footage of murder victims may be difficult for some viewers, but, overall, this is a valuable presentation for academics, justice advocacy groups, and all those interested in examining capital punishment.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
The End of Poverty? Think Again. color. 104+ min. In English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili, and local dialects w/English subtitles. Philippe Diaz, Cinema Libre in assoc. with Robert Schalkenbach Fdn., dist. by Cinema Libre, 818-349-8822; www.cinemalibrestudio.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781595871237. $24.95; public performance $290. ECON
This documentary examines the inequitable distribution of wealth between rich and poor countries. A parade of on-screen experts, including Nobel prize–winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz, link today’s wealth disparity to the lasting effects of colonialism and the ongoing workings of modern capitalism. The result, they say, are poor countries mostly in the southern hemisphere that stay impoverished by the vicious cycle of exporting low-cost raw materials and importing expensive finished goods. They lay out methods for reducing poverty, such as debt forgiveness and a reduction in consumption by wealthy nations. The film intersperses historic photos and segments where impoverished people in countries such as Kenya and Brazil describe their lives. Actor Martin Sheen provides low-key off-screen connecting narration. Occasional slides add data, for example, one billion people live in poor-country slums. The segments of ordinary people discussing their plight are riveting, but the experts, especially the non-English-language speakers, tend to blur into one another. Thought-provoking, this film is recommended for academic audiences and viewers interested in global poverty.—Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Waiting for “Superman.” color. 111+ min. letterboxed. Davis Guggenheim, Paramount Vantage & Participant Media, dist. by Paramount Home Entertainment, www.paramount.com/homeentertainment. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781415757222. $29.99; Blu-ray ISBN 9781415757598. $39.99. Closed-captioned. Rated: PG. ED
Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, 2006) takes on the American education system as he follows a handful of children and their parents from poor neighborhoods in various cities to discover what chance they have of getting a good education. He explains that failing elementary schools feed into failing middle and high schools, making it almost impossible for even a promising child to achieve the educational foundation required for college. Guggenheim says that despite the United States doubling the spending on education, adjusted for inflation, in the last 40 years, it has realized little improvement. He cites charter school successes by educational innovators but states that attempts to change the mainstream public school system hit roadblocks erected by the vested interests of the educational establishment controlled by all-powerful teacher unions and a multiheaded national, state, and local bureaucracy. Guggenheim skillfully combines file footage and interview excerpts from experts with scenes of the students and families negotiating the educational maze. Incredibly timely with the ongoing public debate on teacher performance and education funding, Guggenheim’s heart-wrenching and critical film might enrage those defending the status quo but is highly recommended for educators, parents, students, and anyone understanding the importance of education for the nation’s future.—Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Wake Up. color. 97 min. Jonas Elrod & Chloe Crespi, Walk the Walk Entertainment & Open Eye Prods., dist. by Beyond Words, 503-531-8700; www.beyondword.com; www.wakeupthefilm.com. 2010. DVD UPC 724868027992. $19.95. PARAPSYCH
Imagine going to sleep believing that the physical world is all there is to reality and awaking later to find it’s a mere part of a much bigger picture. Such was reputedly the case with Jonas Elrod, a self-described ordinary guy who suddenly found himself able to see spirits, angels, demons, and auras, an experience chronicled in Wake Up. Elrod’s spontaneous awakening prompted him to embark on a personal quest to find meaning, purpose, and guidance on what to do with this new ability. Through meetings with religious, metaphysical, and scientific gurus, Elrod searches for himself and his place within an expanded notion of existence. In getting there, the narrative meanders at times, reflective of what one might encounter under such circumstances, a shortcoming that might have been overcome with the clarity of a better-defined backstory. Admittedly, those familiar with the concepts explored here may find the content a bit basic, but metaphysical neophytes are likely to be particularly engaged by the enlightening guidance this film provides.—Brent Marchant, Chicago
Which Way Home. color. 83+ min. In English & Spanish w/English subtitles. Rebecca Cammisa, Mr. Mudd Prod. in assoc. with Documentress Films, dist. by Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781422910450. $29.95. SOC SCI/INT AFFAIRS
This award-winning film and Academy Award nominee takes viewers along on freight trains with children from Mexico and Central America who are trying to get across the U.S. border and to a better life. Cammisa captures children begging for food, hopping the trains, and clinging to the tops of their dangerous rides. The film crew is so close to the action, viewers can almost feel the train lurch. While the journey itself is wrenching and suspenseful, Cammisa’s best decision was to allow the travelers—adolescents without money, adult supervision, or basic human comforts—to do most of the talking. Their guileless recounting of how they came to be riding “The Beast” and what they hope for makes this an exceptional program. The risks of this activity are highlighted through the introduction of a young woman who lost her legs and a family that receives a coffin bearing the decomposed remains of a son who died on the trip. The film offers no solution but illustrates with each frame that finding one is crucial. Viewers who are moved to get involved can do so through the website www.whichwayhome.net. Bonus features include deleted scenes and English and Spanish versions of the film. Strongly recommended for children’s and immigration advocacy groups and general viewers.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Kings of Pastry. color. 84+ min. Chris Hegedus & D.A. Pennebaker, BBC & VPRO, Pennebaker Hegedus Films, dist. by First Run Features, 800-229-9575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. 2010. DVD UPC 720229914505. $27.95. COOKING
This film introduces viewers to France’s prestigious Meilleurs Ouvriers de France pastry competition, focusing on several of the 16 chefs entered in 2009. First off, it is delightful to watch these professionals as they prepare the confections that look beautiful and make our mouths water. Conversely, the film captures the agony of the intense preparation and the oftentimes subsequent devastation (think sugar sculpture falling) and utter culinary despair. The film is not fast paced. The presentation is slightly dry and a bit rough around the edges, making it quite unlike glossy American televised cook-offs. It will be best appreciated by viewers who are truly interested in pastry and/or baking, those unafraid of unscripted and often awkward emotion. Audiences might have enjoyed learning more about the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France itself—its history, its former champions, etc.—but the filmmakers omit those details. We do learn that winners are allowed to wear a renowned collar and that anyone else wearing it might be arrested in France! The film captures French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s powerful speech at the event, reminding us that the art of pastry is very important and serious business in France. Bonus features include additional interviews and a chocolate fashion show. For Francophiles and those who can’t stay out of the kitchen.—Claire A. Moitra, MLS, Providence
Dirt! The Movie. color. 80+ min. Bill Benenson & Gene Rosow, Common Ground Media, dist. by Bullfrog Films, 800-543-3764; www.bullfrogfilms.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781594589409. $295. Public performance; SDH subtitles. Public library discounts available. home version Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. DVD ISBN 9781422978658. $26.95. ENVIRONMENT
This award-winning film is based on William Bryant Logan’s 1995 book, Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth. Land-based life depends on deep fertile soil, but humans are degrading this resource much more quickly than it can be renewed. With clips of various experts and 20 international locations, the action can be dizzying. Early scenes show the Natural Builder company making earth homes, then the film moves to mountaintop removal, the origin of the prairie dust bowl, unsustainable corporate farms, clearcut logging that allows much soil to be lost, and a discussion of why 200,000 farmers in India have committed suicide. The program, narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis, does offer hope in the form of a visit to an organic farm, a ride with tree planting teams in New York’s South Bronx, an explanation of composting, and a prison program in which inmates tend gardens. A roundup links these diverse stories with the quote, “What we have destroyed, we can heal.” Bonus features include extended interviews and web links. Recommended for all adults and teens interested in the environment.—David R. Conn, formerly with Surrey Libs., BC
