MBR: The Library DVD Shelf
- From: Midwest Book Review <mwbookrevw@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 22:53:47 -0700 (PDT)
The Library DVD Shelf
The War On Democracy
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
1594587515, $295.00 www (dot) bullfrogfilms (dot) com 1-800-543-3764
Recorded human history is largely an account of the unlikely rise and
inevitable fall of empires. Often, as those empires were sliding into
decline their citizens were not aware that their days of empire were
waning. America is no exception to this historical record. "The War On
Democracy" is an informed and informative documentary on the Bush
administration's heavy handed imperialism declaring their anti-
democratic ideologies of imposing democracy throughout the world by
dubious economic and short-sighted military means. Thoughtful and
thought-provoking, "The War On Democracy" is written, directed, and
reported by John Pilger who incorporates his personal interviews with
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, as well as some of the U.S. government
officials who conducted the CIA's clandestine war in Latin America
during the 1980s which proved to be a template for today's Bush-era
international policies. The 94 minute DVD format includes English and
Spanish language versions, a John Pilger biography, and production
notes. Very highly recommended viewing for civil rights activists,
political reformers, and the general public in this current political
season, "The War On Democracy" is a welcome and necessary addition to
academic and community library collections.
Becoming Green: Growing Environmental Awareness
WGBH Boston Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
16027 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 206, Encino, CA 91436
9781593758073, $49.95, www (dot) ssapr (dot) com
Becoming Green: Growing Environmental Awareness is a thinpack DVD set
of environmentally themed public television programs. The thinpack
consists of the NOVA episode "Car of the Future", in which the public
radio "Car Talk" brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi look at the
environmental future of transportation; the NOVA episode "Solar
Energy: Saved by the Sun" presenting the testimony of scientists,
economists, and ordinary citizens seeking to better harness the
untapped potential of the sun amid a world of rising oil prices; the
NOVA and Frontline joint effort "Global Warming: What's Up with the
Weather?" scrutinizing record high temperatures worldwide along with
the increased frequency of drought, deadly flooding and catastrophic
hurricanes; and the American Experience episode "Rachel Carson's
Silent Spring", a devastating expose of the chemical industry's
unregulated use of DDT (unfortunately, this is the one DVD of the set
that is not closed captioned). Special features include printable
materials for educators for "Solar Energy" and "Global Warming", and
described video for the visually impaired in "Solar Energy" and "Car
of the Future". An economical and educational collection,
enthusiastically recommended for public library and private DVD
collections alike. 4 DVDs, 277 min.
The British Empire In Color
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
AMP-8080, $24.99 www (dot) acornmedia (dot) com
There was indeed a time when the sun never set upon the glob-spanning
British empire whose peak was reached under the reign of Queen
Victoria. Ably narrated by Art Malik, the 20th century decline and
eventual collapse of that venerable empire is superbly documented in
an historical survey that is unique in that it is presented with color
film taken from major archives and private collections. Presented in
three major parts (The Decline of Empire; The Fall of Empire; The
Aftermath of Empire), this mini-series charts Britain's empire country
by country, beginning with India, justifiably considered the chief
jewel in the imperial crown., "The British Empire In Color" proceeds
with an informed and informative overview of both British
contributions with respect to education, technology, law, and
democracy to its possession, as well as the prejudice, discrimination,
cultural bigotry and racism it fostered as a means of controlling its
subject populations. Covering the partition of India and Pakistan, the
creation of Palestine and Israel, the Suez crisis, the rise of Black
Nationalism leading to the emancipation of the African colonies, the
handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese, and more. Of special note is the
use of personal letters and diary excerpts from both the British and
their colonial subjects. Enhanced with the inclusion of a 26-minute
'making of' documentary on how the series was researched and
developed, "The British Empire In Color" is a superb production and a
very highly recommended addition for personal, community, and school
library DVD collections in general.
Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour
Arkadia DVD
34 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
DVD, $19.98, www (dot) arkadiadvd (dot) com
Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour is a DVD of the last video recorded
that reunited jazz legends Benny Golson, Art Farmer, and Curtis
Fuller, along with special guest Jon Hendricks. A multiple-camera
video production showcasing Golson's compositional and performance
talents, Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour includes some of Golson's
most beloved classics in non-standard form, enhanced by Hendricks'
dulcet voice. The performed songs include "Are You Real?", "Out of the
Past", "Blues March", "I Remember Clifford", and "Whisper Not." Bonus
DVD features include a Benny Golson biography and gallery, as well as
bonus musical and concert performance footage. A treat for jazz
enthusiasts.
The Last Ridge
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
#20365, $24.95, www (dot) janson (dot) com
One of the most extraordinary campaigns of World War II was the U.S.
Army's 10th Mountain Division who fought the Germans in the high
mountain country of northern Italy and whose experiences went on to
revolutionized mountain warfare abroad, as well as impacting winter
sports after the war's end. Able narrated by Scot Simon, "The Last
Ridge: The Uphill Battles Of The 10th Mountain Division" is a one-hour
documentary that begins with the Army's rigorous training program
where the troops lived outdoors in extreme cold for weeks at ta time,
hiking with 40 kilo backpacks at altitudes over 4,000 meters. Without
the support of tanks, trucks, or jeeps, these men had only their skies
and what ever they could carry to pursue their missions. Informed and
informative, "The Last Ridge" is enhanced for viewers with the
inclusion of re-creations, eyewitness accounts, 3-D animation, German
archival footage, and hitherto unpublished personal letters. This
superbly produced and presented documentary concludes with accounts of
the 10th Mountain Division's responsibility's today that extends to
the remote corners of Afghanistan. Extensively filmed onsite in
Colorado, Italy, Afghanistan, and Yugoslavia, and infused with
insights from more than one hundred members of the 10th Mountain
Division, "The Last Ridge" is highly recommended for community library
DVD collections, and will be of particularly special interest to
military history buffs.
The Best of Tamilee
MagicPlay Entertainment
28494 Westinghouse Pl, Suite 313, Santa Clarita, CA 91355-0930
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
#5027, $14.99 www (dot) magicplay-ent (dot) com www (dot) 411videoinfo
(dot) com
The Best of Tamilee is quite literally a fitness DVD due to popular
demand. Collecting the best of Exercise Science expert Tamilee's
routines from the "Abs of Steel", "Buns of Steel" and "Arms of Steel"
videos into one DVD, plus a 15-minute bonus segment from yoga master
Stacy McCarthy's "Yoga Body Lean & Defined" workout, The Best of
Tamilee is an exceptional tour of what targeted workout training can
really do for problem areas of one's body. Each of the four 15-minute
segments can be done separately or together to suit the viewer's
needs, and the only exercise equipment recommended are inexpensive
three-pound to five-pound hand weights. Highly recommended. 68
minutes, color.
Stacy McCarthy's Yoga Body
Stacy McCarthy
MagicPlay Entertainment
28494 Westinghouse Pl, Suite 313, Santa Clarita, CA 91355-0930
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www (dot) magicplay-ent (dot) com
9781934913011, $14.99 www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com
Stacy McCarthy's Yoga Body: Lean & Defined Total Body Workout is a
fitness DVD offering a yoga routine of postures designed to promote
strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. Though accessible to
viewers of all backgrounds, the series of yoga poses do get
progressively more difficult, in a routine designed to work the entire
body and boost one's metabolism. The standing postures and leg
exercises, expertly demonstrated by certified yoga teacher Stacy
McCarthy, are meant to provide a genuine workout as well as an
introduction to the wonderful benefits of yoga. A welcome addition to
personal fitness libraries on DVD. 60 min., color.
Razor Fitness
947 Hamilton Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www (dot) razorfitness (dot) com www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com
Internationally recognized fitness expert Tracey Mallett hosts two
exercise DVDs in the "6-minute Quick Blast Method" series. Total Body
Calorie Blast (RD-0519, $14.99, 66 min.) blends cardio with deep-
toning techniques to strengthen one's entire body, and particularly
target the core. Cardio Blasts apply interval training for raising
one's heart rate, and Mind Body Blasts combine Pilates and Yoga-
inspired techniques to cultivate a more shapely body. The only
recommended equipment for these workouts are simple three-pound to
five-pound hand weights, but perhaps the greatest advantage to Total
Body Calorie Blast is its flexibility - one can do only a segment or
two in the morning for quick energy, or all of them at once for a
satisfyingly complete workout. Total Body Fat Burner (RD-0518, $14.99,
66 min.) focuses entirely upon concentrating maximum calorie burn in
minimum time. In addition to three-pound to five-pound hand weights,
an inexpensive stability ball is recommended to get the most out of
these sculpting-intensive exercises. Healthy eating tips round out
both DVDs, which are highly recommended as excellent, energizing
resources for anyone who needs to get in shape but can't commit to
spending hours at the gym every day!
The Gates
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
CP-0299, $29.95 www (dot) crystalproductions (dot) com 1-800-255-8629
The Gates: A Film About the Gates in Central Park, New York City is
the DVD story of a unique, massive work of art. For sixteen days in
February 2005, over 7,500 gates covered twenty-three miles of Central
Park walkways in New York. The Gates captures for posterity the
artistry, labor, and love that went into the creation of the Gates,
the response from those who enjoyed them during their all-too-brief
life, and their methodical disassembly. Special features include a
press conference with Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the masterminds
behind The Gates, as well as a photo gallery with over fifty
photographs by executive producer Mark Terk. Shot in high definition
(yet fully playable on normal DVD players), The Gates is a wonderful
record of a truly far-reaching and inspirational art project. 30 min.,
widescreen, color.
Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting
Gabriel Saurez
Paladin Press
Gunbarrel Tech Center, 7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
KRGDVD, $49.95, www (dot) paladin-press (dot) com
All over the world it seems, the rifle of choice seems to be the
AK-47/74 series. "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting: Too Simple to be
Tactical" is an instructional video to teach its viewers the most
basic techniques they need to know to effectively use the rifle in
numerous situations and why this particular model is the rifle of
choice in the modern urban battlefield. With nearly 100 minutes of
instructional knowledge, "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting: Too Simple to
be Tactical" is a must for any gun enthusiast or community library
instructional DVD collection.
The Hollywood Collection: Charlton Heston For All Seasons
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
#20362, $24.95 www (dot) janson (dot) com
Janson Media's "Hollywood Collection" series now includes a DVD
tribute to Charlton Heston, the star of over sixty movies. Charlton
Heston For All Seasons pays homage to Heston's many roles, from king
to slave and hero to villain, in classic Hollywood films such as
"Moses", "Ben-Hur", "El Cid" and "Michelangelo. Also revealed is the
aspect of his personality that led him to speak out on the issues he
believed in, regardless of their controversy. Highlights from some of
Heston's most well-known movies intersperse this respectful homage,
enhanced with extra features including a photo gallery, an interview
with Gene Feldman, and a "meet the producers" segment. 85 min., color
with some black-and-white footage of classic films.
The Abs Diet for Women Workout
Based on the program by David Zinczenko
Jessica Smith, instructor
Rodale Press, Inc.
400 South Tenth Street, Emmaus, PA 18098-0099
#05-52705, $14.98 www (dot) rodale (dot) com 1-800-527-8200
Based on the "New York Times" best selling program by David Zinczenko,
The Abs Diet for Women Workout is a high-energy DVD workout designed
especially to help women burn fat and get into shape. Hosted by expert
fitness instructor Jessica Smith, The Abs Diet for Women Workout
includes strength training, a cardio interval workout, two abs
routines designed to work all five regions of the abdominal muscles,
and pilates and yoga components. In addition to a solid exercise
routine, The Abs Diet for Women Workout also incorporates "The Abs
Diet Eating Plan" to help viewers follow a healthier diet, and a 30-
day trial to absdietonline (dot) com. An excellent choice for fitness
workout DVD libraries, The Abs Diet for Women Workout does not require
the viewer to use expensive fitness equipment, though simple three-
pound or five-pound hand weights and a mat are recommended. 55 min.,
color.
Herod's Temple
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540
DVD, $19.99 www (dot) visionvideo (dot) com 1-800-523-0226
Herod's Temple: The Temple Jesus Knew is a documentary DVD about the
history of the Temple Mount of Jerusalem, one of the best known sacred
sites in the world. Over 2,000 years ago, it was known as Herod's
Temple to Jesus and his disciples. Herod's Temple: The Temple Jesus
Knew uses animation to reconstruct how the temple might have once
looked, imagines the scene that took place when Jesus drove the
moneychangers from its outer court, and the horror of the temple's
fiery devastation at the hands of the Romans in A.D. 70. A fascinating
and educational study sure to captivate viewers of all faiths and
backgrounds. 30 minutes, color.
Camelot
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
DVD, $29.99 www (dot) acornmedia (dot) com
Camelot is a DVD rendition of Lerner and Loewe's Tony-nominated play
of King Arthur's court, performed live on a Broadway stage and
featuring legendary actor Richard Harris as King Arthur himself. In
Camelot, King Arthur strives to fulfill his ideals for a just and
peaceful kingdom, yet his dreams are betrayed when a doomed love
arises between Queen Guenevere (Meg Bussert) and Arthur's closest
friend, Lancelot (Richard Muenz). Close-up shots are judiciously
applied to capture the distinctive moments of the stage performance;
extras include production notes, the original Broadway playbill on DVD-
ROM, and biographies of Lerner & Loewe as well as Richard Harris. A
"must-have" especially for live theater fans. 147 min., closed
captioned.
Honey and Clover
Viz Pictures
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
DVD, $24.98, www (dot) viz (dot) com 1-800-394-3042
Honey and Clover is a live-action Japanese romantic comedy movie with
English subtitles. A group of struggling art students eke out a hand-
to-mouth life, barely making enough to eat and pay the rent; when an
innocent nineteen-year-old girl with exceptional talent joins them, a
complex love triangle ensues! A delightfully emotional story about the
bonds of friendship, fickle whims of love, and the determination to
achieve one's dream, Honey and Clover is a joy to watch and welcome
addition to foreign film shelves. 116 minutes, color.
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