Video Reviews, October 1, 2011
Oct 1, 2011FICTION
Agatha Christie Marple: The Pale Horse. color. 89+ min Andy Hay, ITV Studios and WGBH-Boston, dist. by Acorn Media, 888-870-8047; www.acornmedia.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781598286663. $29.99. SDH subtitles. MYS
This PBS Masterpiece Mystery version of Agatha Christie’s tale is very different from the 1996 TV movie included here as a bonus, and both are quite distinct from the 1961 novel upon which they are based. The earlier film depicts character Mark Easterbrook falsely accused of murder. The novel shows Easterbrook following up on and solving a mysterious death. This latest version has Miss Marple doing the detective work. Both videos in the current release are excellent, and Julia McKenzie makes a fine Miss Marple. Acorn Media’s subtitles make the tough spots (softly spoken or accented dialog) perfectly clear, enabling the viewer to follow easily the very complicated plot. Featuring excellent acting, editing, and sound, this video is very highly recommended for adult mystery fans. Having the earlier film in the package is like having a surprise free dessert. Delicious!—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
American Bully. color. 85+ min. Dave Rodriguez, Green Apple Entertainment, dist. by Midwest Tape, 800-875-2785;www.midwesttapes.com. 2011. DVD UPC 855982002234. $24.98. F
Brandon is suspended from high school for sending another student, Eric Singh, an Internet video of terrorists beheading an American prisoner. Brandon believes Eric is Arab, and with a brother fighting in Iraq and exposure to images in the media, Brandon has come to hate not just Arabs but all immigrants. His unfortunate opinions are generally shared by his friends who choose to spend Brandon’s day of suspension with him. Fueled by beer, ignorance, and access to guns, Brandon and his crew take the attitude of, “We do what we want, when we want.” Strong ensemble work by a seasoned young cast conveys the terror we feel at such unchecked evil. We cannot ignore the film’s basic questions: What have the events of 9/11, its media coverage, and the political rhetoric that followed done to our youth? How do we help them understand these events? A brief sex scene, strong language, and violence will keep this out of classrooms, but it is imperative viewing for all adults.—Ernest Jaeger, North Plainfield Schs., NJ
Falling for a Dancer. 2 discs. color. 196 min. Richard Standeven, dist. by BFS Entertainment, www.bfsent.com. 2011. DVD UPC 066805310751. $29.98. F
Based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Irish-born author Deirdre Purcell (who also wrote the screenplay), this drama follows the tragic life of young Elizabeth Sullivan (Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh), a well-to-do Irishwoman in 1930s Dublin who becomes pregnant after a brief romance with an actor. Her horrified parents give her two choices: a dismal home for unwed mothers, or marriage to a fortyish widower with four children. The latter being the lesser of these awful options, Elizabeth arrives in a remote area of Ireland to begin her new life. Two children of her own later, Beth has learned to stick up for herself, but she longs for romance. She discovers it one night in a flirtation at a dance with a young village man (Colin Farrell), scandalizing the community, infuriating her husband, and setting off a series of tragic events. Will Beth ever find happiness? A solid drama for most viewers.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA
ARTS & HUMANITIES
Child of Giants: My Journey with Maynard Dixon and Dorothea Lange. color & b/w. 97+ min. Thomas Ropelewski, dist. by Cinema Guild, 800-723-5522; www.cinemaguild.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780615405247. $295. Public performance. ARTS-GENERAL/BIOG
The photographs of Dorothea Lange (1895–1965) and the paintings of Maynard Dixon (1875–1946) are some of the most enduring images of America in the first half of the 20th century. This moving documentary examines the lives of these two artists through the eyes of their son, Daniel Rhodes Dixon (1925–2009). Director Ropelewski weaves together Daniel’s narrative with interviews with his brother, John; his daughter, Leslie; and other friends and family members to create an intimate portrait of the artists and the impact their art had on their family life. Daniel and John speak frankly about their feelings regarding their experiences. As boys during the Depression, they were left in foster homes, not knowing when or if they would see their parents again. Ropelewski employs works by both artists, as well as photographs from the family collections, to illustrate this chronicle. The primary focus here is on Daniel, who, after rebelling as a teenager and living on the streets of Oakland, went on to become a successful writer, working in journalism and advertising. It was his career as a writer that allowed him to reconcile with his mother. Daniel collaborated with her on several assignments, including the retrospective of her work that opened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York just a few months after her death. This film is as much a tribute to Daniel as to his famous parents. Bonus features include additional interviews. Recommended for devotees of the artists and arts libraries.—Rosemary Arneson, Univ. of Mary Washington Lib., Fredericksburg, VA
Arvo Pärt St. John Passion. 74 min. In Latin w/English subtitles. Christopher Swann. DVD ISBN 9780769790510. $19.99.Johann Sebastian Bach St. Matthew Passion. 184 min. English subtitles. DVD ISBN 9780769790558. $29.99. ea. vol: color. Kultur, 732-229-2343; www.kultur.com. 2011. MUSIC
Kultur has newly released these two English-subtitled live performances of two very different “Passions.” Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was recorded live at the Romanesque church in Alpirsbach, Germany, in 1990. Often considered to be Bach’s greatest writing for the church, it was first performed in Leipzig on Good Friday in 1729. This performance is conducted by Enoch zu Guttenberg with the Neubeuern Choral Society, Munich Bach Collegium, and the Tölz Boy Choir. Gramophone’s review of the original audio release of this performance was mixed, citing it as “somewhat leaden,” with varying quality in the soloists, but as a video performance, it is well produced, and the subtitles allow viewers to appreciate the text sung in German. The choral elements are stationed at both the front and the back of the church, and the camerawork is fluid.
Arvo Pärt’s Passio Domini Nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem (The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John), also known as the St. John Passion or just Passio, is a contemporary work by the Estonian-born composer. It uses only the Latin text from the Gospel of John, Chapters 18 and 19, and a small orchestra and organ, with soloists. The Hilliard Ensemble, the Western Wind Choir, and the Evangelist Quartet recorded their 1988 performance in Durham Cathedral, with conductor Paul Hillier. Pärt writes in what he calls the tintinnabuli style, which is influenced by medieval music and the plain chant of the Eastern Church. The rhythmic elements are determined by the text. He is also as much concerned with quiet and pauses as with music, making for an interesting contrast with the much grander Bach work. Both programs would sound the right notes in any library music or performance collection, and both offer good value for the price.—Tom Budlong, Atlanta
New Muslim Cool. color. 83+ min. Jennifer Maytorena Taylor, Specific Pictures, dist. by Seventh Art Releasing, 323-845-1455; www.7thart.com. 2010. DVD $79.95; acad. libs. $350. MUSIC/REL
Jason Pérez was born into a Puerto Rican American Catholic family; a religious conversion in 1998 ended his life as a drug dealer and began his rebirth as Muslim rapper Hamza Pérez. This fascinating documentary follows Pérez’s attempt to rebuild his life, raise two children as a single father, and develop a religious community in Pittsburgh’s gritty North Side while spreading his message through music. Director Taylor’s film is less about the music (which is fabulous) than it is about a spiritual journey and the Muslim convert experience. Pérez’s interactions with his friends and family, his outreach, and Muslim life in a post-9/11 world—which included FBI surveillance and a raid on his mosque—are captivatingly explored; the film is as inspiring as it is informative. New Muslim Cool includes both the original 83-minute feature film and an abridged 56-minute classroom version. Highly recommended for most audiences.—Bill Baars, Lake Oswego P.L., OR
Rockin’ the Wall. color. 83+ min. Larry Schweikart & Marc Leif, Rockin’ the Wall Films, dist. by Video Project, 800-4-PLANET; www.videoproject.com. 2010. DVD $89; acad. libs. $195. Public performance; closed-captioned. MUSIC
In this well-intended but not wholly convincing documentary, filmmakers Leif and Schweikart claim that rock’n’roll music played a major part in bringing down the Berlin Wall. Schweikart, a University of Dayton history professor and former Sixties rock drummer, bases his film on a chapter of his 2010 book 7 Events That Made America America. Here, he leads a host of academics in tracing key historical developments in the 1950s and 1960s and explaining how they believe the rise of rock music and the emerging radical youth culture triggered the end of the Cold War and improved Russo-American relations. It is a spurious, weakly supported argument, but it is fun watching pundits try to connect these art and politics dots. Musicians from both sides of the Cold War conflict tell stories that offer insight, pathos, or just pure entertainment that blend well with the academic commentary from Schweikart and others. The film uses a balanced mix of talking-head interview snippets, live performances, archival stock footage, and dramatic reenactments to keep the story moving at a brisk clip. But the overuse of visual flourishes such as odd camera angles and split screens gets distracting. This film would be a fine choice for rock music fans and students of history, politics, and pop culture. More info at www.rockinthewall.com.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Towncraft: Notes from a Local Scene. 2 vols. color. 104+ min. with 60-page book; 2-disc soundtrack. Richard Matson, Matson Films, dist. by Microcinema, www.microcinema.com. 2011. DVD UPC 881131000837. $49.98. MUSIC
Arkansas native Matson’s documentary debut tells the story of the Little Rock local punk scene and explains how a vibrant underground community thrived in a very unlikely place. Towncraft focuses on how involvement in the local scene has changed the lives of both fans and musicians, how the local punk subgenres have expanded since 1986, and how the scene continues to thrive and evolve as early leaders reach their thirties and try to balance music with families and nonmusic careers. Although lengthy for a documentary, the film is well paced, well organized, and, overall, well crafted, with Matson seamlessly mixing exciting live footage with intelligent interviews with key players. Highlights include the tale of popular local band Trusty’s ill-fated move to Washington, DC; explanations of how geography influenced the Little Rock music scene; and conversations with punk icon Ian MacKaye, who adds outside perspective to what the Little Rock punks have accomplished. One of the most impressive indie documentaries in recent years, this film is highly recommended for fans of the similarly themed Between Resistance and Community (LJ 9/15/10) and anyone interested in the DIY ethos and punk rock. One hopes it will inspire other documentarians to tell the stories of their own local music scenes. This beautiful package includes two CDs featuring many of the bands appearing in the film and a book with photos, essays, and anecdotes.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Who’s the Caboose? color. 94 min. Sam Seder, Pilot Season Prods., dist. by Flatiron Film c/o New Video Group, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781422915141. $19.95. PERFORMING ARTS/TV
The great entertainment industry satires of the 1990s include director Robert Altman’s The Player, TV’s The Larry Sanders Show, even the “Variety Speak” segment of Animaniacs. Mockumentaries like Waiting for Guffman and the BBC’s The Office followed, blending humor with social and interpersonal ineptitude so clearly observed that viewers were as likely to flinch as laugh. Then came “reality TV,” regrettably. Who’s the Caboose?, from 1997 and featuring future stars like Sarah Silverman and Kathy Griffin, combines those styles and was praised by its makers’ peers, but it couldn’t ride those trends to achieve mainstream success. Too bad; it’s no classic, but this look at two New York comics negotiating the pitfalls posed by both Hollywood and their troubled relationship skewers the attendant superficiality, rapidly changing fortunes, and inflated egos with wit and heart. Even the often handheld camera and the less-than-high-def digital video are of a piece with the material and consequently not as annoying as they might have been. Includes some profanity; suitable for teens and up. Recommended for general and performing arts collections and fans of these performers.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB
The Polo Kid: A True Story. color. 62 min. Nathaniel McCullagh, Little Star Films, dist. by Passion River, www.passionriver.com. 2011. DVD UPC 628586363205. $24.95. SPORTS
McCullagh, a graduate of the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television, won several festival prizes, including one at Sundance, for his 2006 film short Looking for My Brother. He started out here wanting to make a film about the game of polo. After meeting Santiago Torres, a gifted 13-year-old California polo player, McCullagh changed his mind. Polo, perhaps the fastest and most dangerous team sport, is thought by many to be a game only for the rich. The Torres family is not rich, yet the mother, father, and both sons all play polo and have dedicated their lives to the game. The film features scenes of exciting matches, horse care, travel from the United States to Mexico and Argentina to compete, and interviews with famous polo players, among them Adolfo Cambiaso and Mariano Aguerre. Santiago’s father, Miguel, who was an inspiration to his sons, died from a brain tumor during production. This excellent documentary will appeal to horse lovers, sports fans, and viewers who appreciate touching family dramas.—Patsy E. Gray, formerly with Huntsville P.L., AL
SOCIAL SCIENCESThe Times of Harvey Milk. 2 discs. color. 88+ min. Robert Epstein & Richard Schmiechen, Black Sand Prods., dist. by Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781604653953. $29.95; 1-disc Blu-ray ISBN 9781604653946. $39.95. BIOG/POL SCI
The 1984 Oscar-winning feature documentary, Epstein’s moving portrait of the first openly gay candidate elected to political office traces the evolution of small businessman–turned–community activist Milk to a place on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Before he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by fellow supervisor Dan White in 1978, Milk had earned respect and admiration well beyond his Castro District constituency for supporting not just a local gay rights ordinance but for his opposition to a state initiative requiring the firing of gay teachers. Honing the usual nonfiction techniques—photographs, news clips, interviews, voice-overs, etc.—Times shows how an inspirational and compassionate idealist pursued his fight for human rights. A generous extras package, including an interview with Gus Van Sant, director of the excellent 2008 biopic Milk, serves to deepen one’s appreciation for this universally lauded film. An essential purchase and worth the upgrade for libraries circulating an earlier release.—Jeff T. Dick, Davenport, IA
Ten9Eight: Shoot for the Moon. color. 85+ min. w/tchr’s. guide. Mary Mazzio, Fifty Eggs, dist. by PBS, shoppbs.org/education. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781608832415. $24.99; limited public performance $99.95. Closed-captioned. ED
According to education surveys and government testimony, a child drops out of high school in America every nine seconds. Aware of this statistic, the international nonprofit organization Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship stages a national contest for inner-city students to present a business plan, with a $10,000 prize to support that endeavor. Regional competitions attract 24,000 students; the winners go on to national meets. This program follows ten finalists through to the nationals and beyond. Viewers get to know these amazing young people through interviews with them, their families, and their teachers. The successful product plans range from organic doggy treats to football helmet vision shields. From the film’s opening sequence, these engaging stories pulse with excitement and hope. The documentary features strong production values, an excellent score, and extensive supplementary materials, including a 65-page teacher’s guide. An essential purchase for educators at all levels.—Ernest Jaeger, formerly with North Plainfield Schs., NJ
Morgan Spurlock Presents How To Fold a Flag. color. 85 min. Michael Tucker & Petra Epperlein, Heroes Films & Pepper and Bones in assoc. with Impact Partners, dist. by Virgil Films, www.virgilfilmsent.com. 2011. DVD $19.99. MILITARY STUDIES
This video, filmed in 2008-09, is an examination of the effects on the lives of four members of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery (2-3 FA) of a 15-month tour in Iraq (2003-04). The combat death of a fifth comrade, 1st Lt. Ben Colgan, deeply moves his fellow soldiers and remains a terrible burden for his family. This documentary presents strong commentary on the Iraq War and the “support” our veterans receive from fellow Americans and the army itself. A folded American flag is the remembrance for the family of a fallen warrior. Bad jobs (hog processor, convenience store clerk, cage boxer) befall those surviving enlisted men. Political slander and deep-pocket spending derail an honorable officer’s bid for Congress. From the team who created Gunner Palace (LJ 7/06) and carrying the imprimatur of Spurlock (Super Size Me; The Greatest Story Ever Sold), this remarkable production is highly recommended for adult viewers. It deserves a wide audience.—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Lucky. color. 82+ min. Jeffrey Blitz,Big Beach LLC & You Are Here Prods., dist. by Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781422916629. $29.95. SOC SCI
Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Blitz (Spellbound) here considers how people handle sudden wealth. The documentary intersperses lottery statistics and historical facts with interviews with lottery winners and their families and friends. Lotteries change lives, dramatically; as one friend states, “Winning the lottery is like throwing Miracle-Gro® on your character defects....” Winners lament their loss of commonality with others and how sudden wealth can take away identity and purpose in life—often entangled with what a person does for a living instead of who they are. They also address their struggle to control their good fortune. Some give the money away, some lose it through bad decisions. Some lose their families through divorce, while one was the target of an assassin hired by a relative. Bonus features include deleted scenes and a filmmaker’s bio. The film includes some nudity and strong language. A fascinating look at social history as well as individual and group dynamics, Lucky illustrates the aphorism that money can’t buy happiness. Recommended for viewers interested in psychology, documentary filmmaking, and social history.—Charli Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI
Road to Thunder: Special Edition. color. 63+ min. Collin Cates, Wanda K. Prods., dist. by FilmWorks Entertainment, www.filmworksent.com. 2011. DVD UPC 897067000966. $19.95. SOC SCI
“Rolling Thunder” is an annual Memorial Day weekend motorcycle rally in Washington, DC, typically attracting several hundred thousand participants. Its purpose is both to highlight awareness of America’s service personnel who may be prisoners of war or missing in action and to honor and support veterans and current troops. This video follows a group of 12 riders, all vets, who journeyed from Sacramento, CA, to Washington in 2007 for the 20th anniversary rally. Blending travel footage with rider interviews, it captures well both the exhilaration and the difficulties and frictions encountered in such a cross-country trek. The film offers many strong on-the-road visuals, such as panoramic vistas, severe weather, and scenes of welcoming supporters. Its real strength, though, is in the interviews and voice-overs, many of which offer impassioned views on such things as leadership and patriotism. The foundation of the film, however, is the unmistakable bond these vets share, of being brothers for life. Bonus features include extended interviews that further explore the special significance of this ride and the character of its riders. This documentary will appeal to a wide range of viewers and should resonate strongly with servicepersons and veterans.—David Van de Streek, Penn State Univ. Libs., York
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Oz & James’ Big French Wine Adventure. 2 discs. color. 3 hrs. Mark Powell, BBC America, dist. by BFS Entertainment, www.bfsent.com. 2011. DVD UPC 066805310843. $32.98. BEVERAGES
Odd couples and road trips are classic comedic devices, and this 2006 British television series uses both well. Noted wine critic Oz Clarke takes on the task of educating the mind and palate of Top Gear host James May over a month in France. The pairing is not without tension, especially after too many miles in a car, too many nights in a tent, and a few too many drinks. Still, clear chemistry and gentle humor become quickly apparent, and the viewer is drawn easily into the escapades. Standard tropes of reality TV are in place, such as trying out new and sometimes uncomfortable activities (grape stomping, winemaking, and taste-testing with market-goers), but they illustrate aspects of wine and winemaking more effectively than would basic narration. The French vineyard scenery further enhances the learning and entertainment experience. Unfortunately, the series may be too British-focused for some, and its age means that any prices mentioned are dated. Nonetheless, this pleasant and somewhat informative sitcom should appeal to sophisticated viewers.—Peter Hepburn, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago Lib.
Lunchline. color. 63 min. Michael Graziano & Ernie Park, dist. by Cinema Guild, 800-723-5522; www.cinemaguild.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780781513722. $99.95; acad. libs. $295. Public performance. HEALTH
A group of teens from an inner-city high school won a 2010 competition by creating a nutritious, tasty lunch—jambalaya and corn bread—for $1 per serving. This documentary follows them on their tour of Washington, DC, and visit to the White House. Interspersed is a history of the school lunch program, which was signed into law in 1946, using images from the youngsters’ current preoccupation with vampires and werewolves. Conservatives who have tried to eliminate or cut back on the program are depicted as vampires (e.g., Ronald Reagan), proponents as werewolves (e.g., Harry Truman). Today, the parameters that guide school lunches have gotten way out-of-date. As the original lunch program recipients were generally malnourished, today’s lunches are required to include 600 calories. As obesity is now endemic in poor communities, this regulation needs adjustment. This is a thoughtful and entertaining documentary, though the monster characterizations will not age well. Communities interested in improving childhood health should have access to this disc.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH
1 a Minute: Stories of Hope, Courage and Survival. color. 90+ min. Namrata Singh Gujral, Uniglobe Entertainment, dist. by Passion River, 732-321-0711; www.passionriver.com. 2011. DVD UPC 013964256383. $24.98. HEALTH
Every 69 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman dies of breast cancer. The process of going through the disease, from the first inkling, through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond, is here explored by an ensemble of women and men, including well-known survivors such as actors Jaclyn Smith, Olivia Newton-John, and Diahann Carroll, and musician Melissa Etheridge. Interspersed throughout are comments from doctors and spiritual leaders who discuss possible causes, adjunct treatments, and spiritual support. The film challenges the viewer to be active in supporting research, patronizing industries that don’t pollute, and electing legislators brave enough to be strong on ecological issues and medical research. A subject that could be terribly depressing is instead uplifting and restorative. Anyone who has had or knows anyone with breast cancer will want to see this film.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH
EVO: Ten Questions Everyone Should Ask About Evolution. color. 107 min. John Feldman, Hummingbird Films, 518-392-6843; www.hummingbirdfilms.com. 2010. DVD UPC 811204012597. $29.95. Public performance. SCI
Evolution is the recombination and mutation of genes that when joined with the constant shifting of water and land masses produces diversity. Charles Darwin figured this out and wrote about it more than 150 years ago. His theory has been challenged for nearly as long. The scientific community, however, sees no controversy. Acknowledging that a pot does not make a potter and presuming that God by whatever name designed the process, filmmaker Feldman puts the commonly acknowledged evolution vs. creationism debate aside and tackles more complex questions of the mechanics, uses, and future of evolutionary research. Peppy music and appropriate, clever animation move interviews with scientists and scholars through the ten detailed discussions too deep for one viewing. While suitable for all ages, this program would be most appreciated by a thinking audience of upper-level high school and college students or an adult study group. Highly recommended.—Diane W. Kazlauskas, formerly with Univ. of North Florida Lib., Jacksonville
Transcendent Man: The Life and Ideas of Ray Kurzweil. color. 84+ min. Barry Ptolemy, Ptolemaic Prods. in partnership with Therapy Studios, dist. by Docurama c/o New Video, 800-314-8822; www.newvideo.com. 2011. DVD ISBN 9781422929865. $29.95. SCI
Mankind’s quest to surpass our innate physical and mental limitations has been an inherent aspect of our evolution, and, thanks to the exponential growth of various technologies, that possibility now looms large for our future. The movement toward that brave new reality has been spearheaded—and accelerated—by such visionaries as author and inventor Ray Kurzweil. According to Kuzweil (b. 1948), creator of devices ranging from optical readers for the blind to electronic musical instruments and a former LJ columnist, advances in genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics are propelling us ever closer to becoming a fusion of biology and technology, and he makes a case for the necessity—and inevitability—of that change. The positive and negative implications of that vision, in terms of potential, logistics, and ethics, are staggering, and each viewpoint is addressed through interviews with Kurzweil, his supporters, and his critics. This balanced, comprehensive approach to the subject, both in the film’s main content and its bonus features, makes this DVD essential viewing for speculators about our species’ future.—Brent Marchant, Chicago
