Video

Fiction

Chad Allen is eerily authentic as Mark, a coked-out gay hustler who always seems to get hustled himself. Mark tries Genesis House, a religious program for addicts that believes conversion therapy not only saves souls but also turns gays straight. Gayle (Judith Light) runs the ex-gay program with her husband, Ted (Stephen Lang). Both earnestly believe the power of Jesus's love can change sexual orientation. Light, a frequent defender of GLBT rights, portrays the deeply religious Gayle with astonishing credibility, honesty, and sympathy. Robert Gant (Queer as Folk) fares less well as the Genesis resident who falls in love with Mark. Nobody gets bashed here. Who knew becoming a good Christian could make you a good same-sex partner? Extras include cast interviews, deleted scenes, and a resource guide. Unfortunately, the realistic language rules out school or church showings, though none of it, nor the situations, would shock today's teens. See the trailer at firstrunfeatures.com/savemedvd.html. Highly recommended for viewers in high school and up.—Gerald A. Notaro, Univ. of South Florida Lib., St. Petersburg

Newlyweds Danny (Stephen Tompkinson) and Sarah (Amanda Holden) decide the best thing to help their troubled, blended family is a trip to the South African bush. Eventually, they choose not to return to Britain but to stay and renovate a rundown game reserve. Aired as a TV series on BBC America and filmed at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve near Johannesburg, the program offers up beautiful African wildlife and scenery that serve as a backdrop to a story of how family members learn to live together. The two-volume boxed set contains six episodes plus special features, most notably a photo gallery. Solid production quality combines with spectacular locales to create an enjoyable viewing experience. One caveat is that this sentimental and often-predictable family drama contains a number of scenes with guns and hunting violence, as would be expected of life in the African wilds, and therefore may not always be suitable for younger children. Recommended for fans of adventure and family series.—Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY

The latest release in the "Phenomenon" series of unauthorized analyses of pop music icons focuses on the incomparable Bob Dylan. What makes this low-budget, no-frills release worthwhile is its surprising abundance of rare audio and video footage, including a 1962 radio interview with a shy but charming artist still developing his unique persona, an unintentionally amusing 1964 TV special featuring an earnest and uncomfortable Dylan promoting The Times They Are A-Changin', and too-brief bits from the unreleased documentary Eat the Document and the indescribable and rarely seen experimental film Renaldo and Clara. The obligatory interview sound bites with fawning Dylan biographers are predictable and obvious, shedding no light on the legend's life or work. The analysis and footage cover nearly two decades, but much of the film centers on Dylan's "holy trinity" of albums in the mid-1960s, arguably the best-documented and overanalyzed phase of his career. Newcomers may benefit from the shallow overview, while the rare footage will appeal to more informed fans. Recommended for libraries bolstering their popular music collections.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Dellal's chronicle of a 2002 U.S. concert tour conducted by a mélange of iconic gypsy musicians playing together for the first time features performers such as Esma Redzepova and the frenetic ensembles of Taraf de Haïdouks and Fanfare Ciocarlia and toggles between sold-out concert halls, tour-bus hijinks, and cinema vérité vignettes. Charismatic stars are flashbacked to their hardscrabble homelands, including a dusty Macedonian village where the documentary happily observes such provincial customs as the rustic marriage between a 13-year-old girl and her 19-year-old beau. The gypsies themselves are as lively and bracing as could be—almost disobediently musical and betraying the sort of endearingly provincial confusion about American customs that made the Borat character so wildly popular. By turns tender, comical, and kinetic, Gypsy Caravan is a charming redemption of the gypsy from historical ignominy; recommended for all viewers. Extras include an extended interview with gypsy-music fan Johnny Depp, several trailers, and a complete performances section of live music.—Ryan Nelson, Library Journal

These three instructional videos demonstrate a wide variety of drills and exercises that stress fundamentals and individual skill development in their respective sports. Coaching Your Coaches takes a fly-on-the-wall approach to showing youth basketball coaches how to lead an efficient 90-minute practice session. Instructor Randy Erickson's diverse and creative drills cover basics such as passing, ball handling, and offensive/defensive transitioning, as well as fun warm-up and end-of-practice routines. The easily navigable menu lets viewers select particular drill sets by topic. A comprehensive and well-designed video extremely useful for new and experienced youth basketball coaches alike. The 16 cards with tips and detailed descriptions of many of the drills are a nice bonus to an already impressive product.

In Fielding Drills & Techniques, veteran youth coach Marty Schupak races through 47 individual, two-player, and group drills, spending less than a minute on each. Many of the activities, which progress from basic to advanced, require multiple players and a large playing field. Backyard Lacrosse on the other hand features drills that can be performed, as the title suggests, in a backyard of any size; many of the 25 routines can be practiced alone. Schupak covers lacrosse fundamentals, such as stick control, cradling, and passing with nondominant hands, that are useful to both beginners and advanced players. Schupak's titles are appropriate for players as well as coaches, whereas Coaching Your Coaches will appeal primarily to instructors. All three titles are recommended for school and public libraries and youth sports centers.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Basketball in the early part of the 20th century was ideally suited for a crowded urban environment such as New York, making the children of immigrants feel like true Americans as they learned the importance of team play and fairness. The delightful The First Basket traces Jewish contributions to basketball (especially pre-NBA) through historical footage, interviews, and short episodes. Legendary coaches like Nat Holman and Arnold "Red" Auerbach are profiled, along with Jews who helped promote the sport and found the NBA. The film presents critical overviews, as well; it doesn't gloss over the college betting scandals of the early 1950s. While Jews no longer dominate play (back then, a five footer could be a star!), their influence is still felt through coaching, ownership, and league leadership. Entertaining and educational; there is enough trivia here to help viewers win many a bar bet.

Over 30 Jewish basketball players—collegiate and professional—are profiled in The Jewish Basketball Hall of Fame, which makes use of long-forgotten footage that has been digitally enhanced. Not a history per se, it does include many historical elements, and the informed viewer will marvel at how such a seemingly simple sport has evolved in a matter of decades and how Jews have contributed to every level of that development. Viewers who remember the play of stars such as Lennie Rosenbluth, Dolph Schayes, Max Zaslofsky, and others, all featured here, will appreciate this film, while others might also find it interesting. For the fan with an interest in ethnic sports stars.—Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL

Along with a few celebratory documentary tributes, this is simply five discs showing historic University of Nebraska football wins, including the 1971 Orange Bowl vs. Louisiana State, the 1982 regular season contest vs. Oklahoma, the 1995 Orange Bowl vs. Miami, the 1996 Fiesta Bowl vs. Florida, and the 1998 Orange Bowl vs. Tennessee. One glaring omission is the 1971 "game of the century" vs. Oklahoma played on Thanksgiving. A&E offers similar packages for the universities of Oklahoma and Notre Dame. Did you know that the Nebraska football team was called the Bugeaters from 1890 to 1900? Libraries serving Nebraska fans should get brisk circulation from this. Others won't.—John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.

While the wide-ranging content of this remarkable anthology certainly can't be classified as "secret," much of it focuses on little-known aspects of more familiar events and characters associated with our nation's bloodiest war. Composed of nine separate programs developed by the History Channel, the discs analyze the prominent military confrontations at Antietam, Gettysburg, and Shiloh in a new light as well as explore a relatively forgotten battle in Kansas that was the war's largest cavalry confrontation. Viewers relive the intrepid mission to destroy the Albermarle, the South's principal armored naval vessel, in addition to clandestine, guerrilla-like operations undertaken by both sides. A captivating variety of live-action re-creations, commentary by historians, and a rich assortment of vintage stills and outstanding computer graphics enhance each title's incredibly appealing and in-depth focus. Bonus segments encompass the hellish Camp Douglas in Chicago and how the advances in weapons development during the Industrial Revolution contributed to the staggering number of casualties. A "can't miss" acquisition for all libraries serving history buffs.—Dwain Thomas, formerly with Lake Park H.S., Roselle, IL

Exploring the meaning of Cuban socialism vs. U.S. capitalism, Korean American Kim-Gibson befriends Korean-Cuban Martha, a professor of Marxist philosophy, and talks with her Cuban family in Havana. She later catches up with other members of this same extended family in Miami. The Korean part of the film seems incidental. Not surprisingly, having supported the revolution, the Cuban contingent is content, especially the women, all doctors, architects, and professors. The Miami folks, though happily middle-class, feel less pleased with their government's role in global aggression, but they are glad to be out of Cuba, from which the older generation fled around 1958 when Fidel Castro came to power. The use of old footage of the Cuban Revolution is especially interesting. With high production values and clear and correct subtitles, Kim-Gibson's film brings these divergent ideologies front and center for interested viewers.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY

Three candidates for class monitor have been chosen by the teacher in the Evergreen Elementary School in Wuhan (Central China). They must perform in a talent contest, debate, and give a speech in front of the class. The spirited candidates embark on a campaign of sabotage, rumor mongering, heckling, name-calling, promises of favors for votes, and bribery (outright gifts to each class member, a free ride on the new monorail). All the parents participate wholeheartedly, writing speeches for their children, coaching them in gaining favor, providing the bribes. It's a lesson in true democracy! Although done in documentary style, the film seems more like a narrative tale, with the outcome full of suspense and heartbreak. (Spoiler alert: For those who read Chinese, the cover reveals the winner.) Production values are first-rate, though the subtitles, which are literally correct, often seem stilted when translating the speech of eight-year-olds. Highly recommended for viewers who find politics in all its guises endlessly fascinating.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY

Last Flight Home is the story of Patrick Scannon's organization BentProp and the search for missing World War II aircraft and their airmen. BentProp focuses specifically on the Pacific islands of Palau and the estimated 200 aircraft thought to be in the area. Filmed over six years and seven trips to Palau, this moving documentary follows the BentProp crew around the islands and shares in the emotions of their successes and failures. Interviews with relatives of the aviators whose remains are found are particularly poignant, as are the comments of a former Japanese officer who had been ordered to execute three members of a U.S. crew. Through black-and-white and color footage, this compelling film keeps the viewer wanting more. Well produced, with top-notch video and audio; recommended for public and academic libraries. For more info, go to www.lastflighthome.org and www.bentprop.org.—Rod Bustos, Georgia State Univ. Lib., Atlanta

Director Schecter serves up a sympathetic look inside Barack Obama's Presidential campaign, concentrating on the grassroots work done by an army of volunteers and the successful use of new media such as social networks and text messaging to attract attention and to disseminate information, especially among younger voters. Schecter also shows how traditional media and the new Internet- and cell phone-based outlets reported on and responded to the campaign. Interviews with notables such as Jesse Jackson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu appear alongside comments from the campaign workers. Extras include director commentary, a short film on Inauguration Day 2009, and the new President's inaugural address. The overall production quality is outstanding. This video will probably not change the minds of individuals holding strong positive or negative opinions of Obama, but it does provide an outstanding account of how he rose to such heights. Recommended for political junkies and Obama groupies.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Lib., Parkersburg

Surfwise revolves around the Paskowitz family—father, mother, and nine children—who withdrew from mainstream society in the 1970s, lived in a 24' trailer, and spent their days surfing. Similar to the 2005 film Commune, it is both appealing and discouraging but always fascinating to watch. Initially, the Paskowitz experiment seems to be a tremendous success. The family is very close, the children are free and creative, and the parents are deeply in love. Halfway through, the viewer sees the startling truth: without formal schooling, the children have few prospects as adults, the father rules the family with an iron fist, and seeds of resentment run deep. Fortunately, a climactic ending is sure to hold the attention of even the pickiest viewer. Surfing fans will love this film; others will be moved as well because the story is ultimately about family, our connection to the earth, and the act of taking control of one's life, regardless of societal pressures. The perfect combination of storytelling and cinematography, Surfwise is very highly recommended, especially for public libraries with surfing communities. Caveat: strong language makes this most appropriate for an adult audience. (Bonus features not seen by this reviewer.) For more info, go to www.surfwisefilm.com.—Manya Shorr, Omaha P.L.

These two short videos demonstrate yoga for children, parents, and older people as a way for families to have fun together and to improve their physical and mental well-being. The routines include basic yoga moves, often described as moving like a particular animal, e.g., elephant, dog, monkey, or tiger. Instructor Ingrid Von Burg demonstrates with real people of varying ages. It's refreshing to see demonstrators who don't all do it perfectly but work at their own capability level. The routines often evolve into a spontaneous dance that does look like a lot of fun. Very good choices for all families looking for a way to "stretch" their time together to include fitness workouts. Recommended. [See "A Healthy Balance," p. 28–30.—Ed.]—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH

Food allergies are not the same as food intolerance. Lactose intolerance can cause digestive upsets. Milk allergy can kill. These two films look at this increasing problem from different perspectives. "I'm Not Nuts" is a thorough examination of what food allergies are, how they may develop and manifest themselves, and how families can cope. Doctors and families discuss their situations with both children and adults affected by allergies. Both current and possible future treatments are described.

Sabrina's Law is much more emotional in tone as it follows the family of Sabrina Shannon, who died of anaphylactic shock from the accidental cross-contamination of kitchen tongs with milk, to which she was allergic. Her family convinced the Ontario legislature to pass a law prohibiting such cross-contamination in public kitchens. Similar efforts are under way in the United States. "I'm Not Nuts" will be the more useful title for public and patient education libraries, since it contains practical, usable information at a better price.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH

In 24 carefully thought-out half-hour lectures, Scott Stevens (computer information systems, James Madison Univ., VA) presents an interesting and entertaining overview of modern game theory. He limits himself to the simplest games but still sheds a great deal of light on a difficult subject. Awarding the Nobel Prize in Economics to mathematicians working in the area (all eight of them) illustrates that game theory has some rather deep mathematical structure. In this course, we get a taste for the insights, problems, and paradoxes that arise when we try to use game theory to model real economic, political, and biologic situations. A slightly slower presentation of some of the examples and fundamental definitions would have been helpful. However, one can always replay those sections that are difficult to grasp. In general, Stevens is an excellent lecturer, spicing up his presentation with humor, impressions, and generally noncontroversial commentary on social and political questions. For gamers and those who find math fun.—Harold D. Shane, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus, Baruch Coll., CUNY

Jason Crigler, a New York City composer and guitarist, suffered a brain hemorrhage while performing in 2004. The film pulls the audience into Crigler's experience of recovering from an initial vegetative state and evolving into a slower yet just as talented and capable musician. Though ultimately not as miraculous as it may seem, his recovery obviously was owing to the tremendous diligence and efforts of his wife and family. The film allows us access to intimate family gatherings where emotions are verbalized and is exemplary at portraying the very real, delicate, and slow process of Crigler's recuperation. His story would be an inspiration to any family going through this struggle. Recommended for hospital and academic libraries, especially those institutions that specialize in brain injuries or trauma. For more info, go to www.lifesupportmusic.org.—Claire A. Moitra, Providence