Video

Fiction

The long history of successful Agatha Christie adaptations continues, with the remarkable David Suchet reprising the role of Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot in these two new programs. In Mrs. McGinty's Dead, Poirot finds the "skeletons in the armoire" that will stop a hanging. In Cat Among the Pigeons, Poirot is visiting a posh girls school when the games mistress is found dead. With many suspects, the meticulous little detective puts all of the pieces together and explains his reasoning to the assembled cast at the close of each program, where he does not "beat around the shrubbery." Extras include a 47-minute documentary about Christie and the development of the Masterpiece Mystery! TV series, plus interviews with Suchet. Several evenings' worth of first-rate entertainment, suitable for YA and adult audiences.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA

This splendid remake of Emily Brontë's novel shows it's possible to create a new version of a beloved classic that, while different from its predecessor, is equally compelling. Film buffs might think no one can come close to Laurence Olivier's masterful portrayal of Heathcliff, Brontë's brooding antihero. But they and audiences new to the story on film will be thrilled by Tom Hardy's brilliant interpretation as well as equally fine performances from the other talented cast members. The tale of the mysterious gypsy boy adopted by the Earnshaws, his abuse by his adoptive brother, Hindley (Burn Gorman), his profound love for his adoptive sister, Cathy (Charlotte Riley), and the revenge he wreaks on his tormentors unfolds amid beautifully filmed landscapes of the English moors. Even familiarity with the story won't detract from the film's dramatic impact. This entertaining and very reasonably priced program is highly recommended for all fans of literature and classic film.—Sheila S. Intner, Prof. Emerita, Simmons GSLIS at Mount Holyoke Coll., South Hadley, MA

"Starring" UK fabric artists Alison Holt and Jill Kennedy, respectively, these productions demonstrating embroidery or silk painting techniques feature exceptional photography, good close-ups, appropriate sound quality, and easy-to-follow directions. The projects are meant to motivate rather than lead the viewer step by step. Both Holt and Kennedy show they know their art well as they discuss methods and materials used. There is also a brief artist portrait included. Crafters will find these useful.—Michele Lauer-Bader, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY

This energetic, emotionally charged, and spirited film version of the legendary 1985 Philadelphia stage production of The Gospel at Colonus successfully intertwines the classic tales of Oedipus Rex and Antigone as a modern Christian parable in the form of African American gospel. This musical drama written by theater director Lee Breuer and composer Bob Telson won numerous awards as a stage production, including the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1988 Tony for Best Book of a Musical. With Morgan Freeman as the Messenger and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama as Oedipus, this uniquely cast production also includes Robert Earl Jones, Clarence Fountain, Isabell Monk, Carl Lumbly, the J.D. Steele Singers, JJ Farley, and the Original Soul Stirrers. Here directed for television by Browning, the staging and electrifying musical numbers keep the audience riveted by sheer entertainment value and just a whole lot of fun. It is disappointing, however, that the DVD has no extras, closed captioning, or commentary that could have extended its value. Gospel fans and those who love music and the performing arts will want to see this.—Stephen Allan Patrick, Jonesborough, TN

Some guys from Madison, WI, got together in 1996 to play music and offered to perform at Ken Burns's bar for beer; few expected they would go on to play there every week for six years, until Ken's closed. Their development from mostly inexperienced musicians to a band with a loyal following is told with numerous clips of interviews with current and former members, performance footage (of varying quality), and comments by local folks, including some in the Madison bluegrass community. The technical quality is good in footage shot for the program, less so in footage of the band playing at the bar. Touches such as the "Bluegrass Crib" tour of a member's home and engineered "world" photos detract, though the 1940s-era newsreel parody is entertaining. The overall length makes this best suited to friends and fans rather than the general viewer. Extras include additional footage and music tracks. Those in the region interested in the genre (and followers of the band) will be the first to check this out.—Melody A. Moxley, Rowan P.L., Salisbury, NC

Finally available on DVD, this 1972 film chronicles the last series of concerts at San Francisco's famed Fillmore music venue in the summer of 1971. Infamous concert promoter and entrepreneur Bill Graham (1931–91) handpicked an impressive lineup of his favorite groups from the fertile local music scene for the five-day send-off, with acts ranging from the legendary (Grateful Dead) to the should-have-been-legendary (Hot Tuna) to the long forgotten (anyone remember Lamb?). This documentary captures well-chosen highlights from those shows. The frequent use of split screens, with both cameras aimed at the same performer from sundry angles, is dated and distracting, but the performances are consistently lively and entertaining. Equally lively and entertaining are the ample interviews with sharp-tongued and iron-jawed Graham, who explains how he entered the music business and why he chose to close his still-thriving space. The soundtrack has been reissued on CD to coincide with this DVD release. Rock fans especially will love this.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

In an attempt to document the life and influence of artist Brion Gysin (1916–86), this film focuses on Gysin's Dream Machine, a stationary lightbulb placed inside a rotating cylinder with repetitive cutouts, creating a stroboscopic effect that can allegedly induce a drugless high. In addition, the device is connected to the "flicker effect," the trancelike state that strobe lighting can induce. Here, Iggy Pop, Genesis P-Orridge, Marianne Faithfull, and others reflect on Gysin's work. FLicKeR is a handsome and watchable production, but it leaves no strong impressions of Gysin, the man or the artist, and it omits substantive discussions of the facts or fallacies behind the Dream Machine's putative abilities. Was Gysin a latter-day Wizard of Oz and his machine the curtain that his devotees have yet to peek behind? Your call. Essential for AV collections prominently featuring the work of the Beats and transgressive artists. Some mature content and language; suitable for middle teens and up.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB

While there may be numerous books on Jewish practices involved in death and mourning, there are few video programs on the subject. This film uses the dramatic device of a young religious-oriented man in mourning coming to a rabbi for advice and instruction. The rabbi never condescends to the man and explains things before the camera in a thoughtful and compassionate manner. Different segments discuss how the deceased are ritually washed and prepared for burial. One segment features a rabbi at the cemetery (heavy sunlight affects the clarity of the outdoor scenes). A traditional Jewish viewpoint is presented here. The film presupposes some background on the subject, though an informed layperson can gain some insight. Recommended for libraries with large Judaic holdings; libraries seeking a diverse viewpoint on death and dying should also consider.—Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL

Saint Patrick's is an old Irish parish in Lawrence, MA, the poorest city in the state and one that has seen the number of Hispanic immigrants increase over the years. When a young, dynamic, Harvard-educated priest becomes pastor, he recognizes that he must now minister not only to the old Irish families but also to these newcomers, to the drug addicts, and to others who are down and out, including some of the Irish themselves, whose poverty is hidden. Interviews with parishioners, some highly personal, though the viewer never feels like a voyeur, are interspersed with scenes of parish life to present a rich portrait of a community facing challenge and change. Not all of the parishioners agree with the pastor's approach, but many of them alter their attitudes over the course of the four years of filming. This technically and artistically outstanding film, as much a sociological study of a city in flux as of a particular Catholic parish, had its premiere at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. Highly recommended for students of urban life and religion.—Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ

This must-see documentary recounts a basketball game that changed the course of modern American history. Even though the Mississippi State Bulldogs had won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) title in 1961 and 1962, qualifying for the NCAA tourney in the only way possible at that time, the State players were kept out the championship by an unwritten Mississippi policy: Mississippi teams were not allowed to compete against teams with black players. At the risk of losing their jobs, perhaps their lives, president Dean Colvard and coach Babe McCarthy defied Mississippi governor Ross Barnett and "disappeared" to avoid being served with an injunction keeping the Bulldogs from leaving the state for the inevitable meeting in the tournament with Chicago Loyola (starting four African Americans). A poignant and moving tribute, masterfully written and constructed from stock footage, still images, and live interviews, this remarkable film reminds us just how far the United States has come. Highly recommended for college sports fans of every stripe.—Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH

A fixture on NPR's Saturday evening lineup is A Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor's marvelous evocation of the days of live radio, complete with commercials for Powdermilk Biscuits, the Ketchup Council, and other nonexistent entities. This documentary, recently aired on PBS, follows Keillor through preparing for and putting on the program, a process he likens to "a jigsaw puzzle in motion," combining musical performances with old-style radio comedy. But the glue that holds the show together is Keillor himself and his "News from Lake Wobegon," the fictional small town that we all remember, or wish we did. This documentary intercuts interviews with the principals with the show itself, providing a look into what becomes a uniquely universal listening experience. This will appeal to general audiences, particularly Keillor fans, with or without shoes.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH

It is difficult to determine the intended audience for this documentary. The loving portrait of most of the five gay male couples in various stages of their relationships probably won't sustain heterosexual viewers' interest throughout. And the lengthy interviews and narratives may well elicit a "So what" reaction from gays and lesbians, especially you GLBT folks. The problem with the portrayal of homosexual couples as ordinary, who might even be heterosexual, is that it makes for tedious viewing. The interviews with the family members describing how they deal with the gay couples are far more telling. But then there is the final couple, Eugene and Eric, together for 51 years. Their story is truly extraordinary and inspirational, and they add a unique historical perspective the others can't. Watch the trailer at manyouhadinmind.com. For viewers who want to see every film about the GLBT experience.—Gerald A. Notaro, Univ. of South Florida Lib., St. Petersburg

From her maiden voyage in 1952 until 1969, the SS United States was the grandest flagship of the American ocean liner fleet. She was originally designed by naval architect William Francis Gibbs as a secret weapon in the Cold War, disguised as a luxury liner. She was also the fastest liner afloat, having won the prestigious Blue Riband speed record for North Atlantic crossings on her maiden voyage, a record that still stands. She now sits at dock in Philadelphia, her interior stripped and her exterior deteriorating. This documentary chronicles her short but fabled history through interviews with former crew, staff, passengers, and marine historians. It also covers efforts not only to preserve the ship but possibly to restore her and return her to service. The extensive extras include expanded interviews, a photo gallery, and a link to a lesson plan/guidebook. This praiseworthy history of one of the most important ships in U.S. history is very highly recommended for marine and history collections.—Tom Budlong, Atlanta

Set in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, On the Rumba River follows Congolese musician Wendo Kolosoy as he reunites with old bandmates and plays the music that he hasn't played in years. The Congolese music is mesmerizing, as is the footage of poverty-stricken Kinshasa, but it is not enough to save this muddle of a movie. The film lacks the vital information that would have clarified things for the viewer, for example, a brief history of the country, why Wendo (who died in 2008) was a significant figure there, and why audiences should care. Also, an introduction to the spoken language would have been helpful. Without context, the film loses most of its appeal and is only worth watching for the beautiful music. DVD extras offer a bit more detail, but, ultimately, it is not enough. Not recommended.—Manya Shorr, Omaha P.L.

This profile of Carl Jung, the influential Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who, after his famous estrangement from mentor Freud in 1914, founded "analytic psychology," is too hagiographic and elliptically arranged to serve an introductory function. The bulk of the film consists of gathered bits of interview footage with Jung from the 1950s interspersed with oracular quotations, photos, artwork, and footage of him at his castle home in Bollingen, Switzerland. Central Jungian themes—e.g., archetypes, the collective unconscious, animus/anima—are broached cursorily and without the clarity a more sustained and organized treatment might have provided. Of at least equal value to the main production are the DVD extras, a trio of 20- to 30-minute interviews with associates and students of Jung's whose admiring but not entirely uncritical impressions of his ideas and personal presence are thoughtful and colorful. For a superior introductory documentary on Jung, see Matter of Heart (LJ 3/15/05). Recommended for larger collections.—Robert A. Sica, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Richmond

In 1993, three eight-year-old boys were brutally murdered in West Memphis, AR. Three teenaged boys with known interests in the Wicca religion and a taste for heavy metal were arrested and tried for their murders. There was little hard evidence, but prosecutors used a questionable confession from one of the accused, a boy with a mental deficit, to implicate each of them. In the first disc, the filmmakers document the crime, the trial, and its immediate aftermath in unflinching detail. Their cameras capture the murder scene, the accused, the families of all of the boys, some very painful moments from the trial, and the passionate community response. When Berlinger and Sinofsky return to Arkansas to cover the appeals process for the second disc, ambiguities and weaknesses in the evidence are explored, along with alternate theories of who committed the murders. The filmmakers expertly use individual interviews to craft a compelling whole. Extras include additional trial footage, updates, and time lines. These powerful and troubling character studies are recommended for followers of true crime.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY

Before Star Wars, even before Star Trek, there was a real space drama raging. The first presence in space and the first manned space flight were astonishing events. In both cases, the United States took second place to the Soviets and in turn heated up the space race and really made the Cold War hot. These two films chronicle two of the most important pieces to the puzzle needed to push America into space. One Small Step shows seldom-seen footage of the 1960s chimp training program and the other experimental efforts involving chimps and high-speed travel. Interviews with Jane Goodall and Ham's and Enos's primary handler bring not only emotion but credence to the film. Recommended for middle/high school students and anyone fascinated by space history.

The very well-done Sputnik Mania captures the worldwide amazement shown on that fateful day in 1957 when the first human-made object "traveled amongst the stars." The issue is seen from the U.S. side—mass media attention, President Eisenhower dealing with the situation, and American attempts to accelerate our space program. It is highly enlightening to see the affair from the Soviet point of view as well, how Nikita Khrushchev and his government spun the defeat of America coupled with the mounting civil rights tensions in our country. Highly recommended for academic libraries for the background of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Unparalleled historical footage is integral to both films, but Sputnik Mania is superior in technical quality and is better written and produced.—Brian Burns, Hampden-Sydney Coll. Lib., VA

This award-winning feature documentary tries to bring together many elements to tell the story of the sprawling Circle C Ranch subdivision in Austin, TX, focusing on development corporation head Gary Bradley. Throughout the 1990s, there was a long-running conflict between Bradley and his supporters and local community groups. Barton Creek, beloved Barton Springs, and the regional aquifer were threatened by the water needs, road runoff, and sewage output of the planned subdivision. Hearings were held, lot size bylaws enacted, protests organized, and governments changed. Bradley declared bankruptcy, but Circle C was by then partially completed. The story presents implications for property development everywhere: developers must take the regional environment into account. Although this film lists Terrence Malick and Robert Redford as executive producers, it would have benefited from tighter editing and a voice-over narrative. Texas libraries will need it; others won't. Most viewers will find it overlong and confusing.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., BC

This professionally produced program hosted by best-selling author and visionary architect Sarah Susanka (The Not So Big House, Taunton, 1998) brings her core design principles to life through clear, relevant footage from "Not So Big" homes from around the United States. This well-crafted DVD is resplendent with inspiring photographs of design elements and hints on the art of shaping space: doing double duty (one room for multiple functions), differentiating space without walls, using a variety of ceiling heights, creating interior views, and working with lighting and windows. All the featured houses have only 940 square feet on the main level for the kitchen, living, and dining areas. Viewers will learn how to transform their house, condo, or apartment into the comfortable, attractive space they've always wanted. Practical, well organized, and informative; all viewers will be encouraged to create "a place of one's own" in their own living quarters.—Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque