Video Reviews, December 2010
Dec 15, 2010FICTION
American Streetballers. color. 118+ min. Matthew Scott Krentz, MSK Prods. & Counterbound Prods., dist. by Monarch Home Video, 615-287-4632; www.monarchvideo.com; www.streetballersthemovie.com. 2010. DVD UPC 723952078445. $24.95. Rated: R. F
John, a white point guard, needs to work on his game to get a college basketball scholarship. Check. Jacob, a black power forward, needs to work on his Shakespeare to be college eligible. Check. Sarah gets John’s attention by popping him with a BB gun. Huh? John has heart-to-heart talks with the ghost of the kid his brother killed in a DWI accident. WTF? Jacob and John tutor each other. Both players are trying to anchor their families and keep younger siblings on the right path. Krentz’s first feature is about relationships more than sports, though the basketball is beautifully shot. Expecting sports films to adhere pretty closely to conventions, this reviewer was happy to see those conventions subverted here but surprised as well. The cast sparkles, and small touches like the BB gun and ghost help this film rise above the generic sports movie. Recommended for most libraries.—John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.
Suck. color. 96+ min. Rob Stefaniuk, Capri Films, dist. by Entertainment One, www.eonehomevideo.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781417234032; Blu-ray ISBN 9781417234059. $24.98. SDH subtitles. Rated: R. F
Having already flopped with the 2004 oddball comedy Phil the Alien, Canadian actor-writer-director Stefaniuk returns with a corny low-budget vampire spoof. Stefaniuk stars as leader of struggling Canadian gothic rock band the Winners, who finally find success when their bassist (Jessica Paré) becomes a sexy, charismatic, crowd-pleasing vampire who sucks blood out of a straw and gobbles up groupies. The rest of the film follows a predictable plot line, with the Winners rocketing to stardom on a U.S. tour while eluding an inept vampire hunter (Malcolm McDowell, whose talent is wasted here). The film plays out like one clichéd and outdated music video after another, with over-the-top gore and unfunny jokes thrown in. Stefaniuk’s lone accomplishment was convincing real-life rock stars Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Alice Cooper, and Alex Lifeson to appear in this mess. Lacking wit or originality, Stefaniuk’s film fails as both a horror satire and a rock’n’roll road-trip flick. Extras include a making-of featurette that explains how Stefaniuk recruited these stars. Not recommended for any discriminating audience.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
ARTS & HUMANITIES
Kieran Timberlake: Loblolly House (2007), Cellophane House (2008). 27 min. Tom Piper. DVD UPC 829749000268.
Ray Kappe: California Modern Master, Forty Years of Modular Evolution. 27 min. Muffie Dunn. DVD UPC 829749000375.
Rick Joy: Interludes. 22 min. Muffie Dunn. DVD UPC 829749000399.
Studio Gang Architects: Aqua Tower. 27 min. Tom Piper. DVD UPC 829749000382.
ea. vol: (Explorations in 21st Century American Architecture). Checkerboard Film Fdn., 212-759- 2056; www.checkerboardfilms.org. 2010. $45; public performance $150. architecture
These four films present profiles of contemporary cutting-edge architects or firms; the Ray Kappe program chronicles the career of one of the founders of the modular construction movement. In a city renowned for its contributions to modern architecture, Jeanne Gang’s 82-story Aqua Tower (2009) overlooking Chicago’s Millennium Park broke new ground with it undulating, curving concrete balconies and oval-shaped glass resembling limestone outcroppings and pools when seen from certain angles. Rick Joy’s mostly desert-built homes are designed to complement the landscape and minimize environmental impact. He also was a prioneer in the use of the ancient method of packed-earth walls and recently completed his first Northeastern house in Vermont addressing the climate and terrain there. The Philadelphia firm of Kieran Timberlake is a leader in the “green” architecture movement. With the Loblolly House built on Chesapeake Bay, it experimented with the employment of an aluminum scaffold framing system and off-site fabricated floor and ceiling panels called “smart” cartridges. Kappe began experimenting with modular housing design in his own iconic home, begun in 1967 in California’s Pacific Palisades. After an in-depth tour of this home, the video tracks his career path leading up to his sustainable designs of the present. Steve Glenn, founder and CEO of LivingHomes, discusses Kappe’s contribution to the first U.S. house with a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Platinum rating. Both informative and entertaining, with excellent photography, all these films are highly recommended for any art or architecture collection and will also find a welcome home with general audiences.—Tom Budlong, Atlanta
The Art of the Steal. color & b/w. 101+ min. Don Argott & others, MAJ Prods. in assoc. with 9.14 Pictures, dist. by IFC Films, 800-323-0442, www.ifcfilms.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780788613138. $24.98. ART–GENERAL
The art collection of Pennsylvania’s Barnes Foundation is genuinely priceless, featuring works by Matisse, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more, many of which were originally snubbed by high-profile museums. Its late, self-made creator and curator, Albert C. Barnes, denigrated the Philadelphia establishment as being crass and pretentious, intending his collection and foundation to act as counterbalances. Barnes made it plain in his will that the collection should remain in the Merion, PA, building intended to house it. This is the story of how the collection will be moving to a new facility in the Philadelphia area, thanks to the erosion of Barnes’s wishes by the maneuverings of power brokers and politicians. The filmmakers have clearly taken sides, but their argument is evenhanded as well as persuasive. The ramifications are chilling; as one protestor exclaims, “Just wait until it’s your will!” Some profanity, but suitable for most audiences. The sole extra is the trailer. Start-to-finish engrossing, enlightening, and entertaining; highly recommended for all libraries.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB
The Mayor of Strawberry Fields. color. 38 min. Nate Harar & others, Evenings Empire Studios, dist. by NEHST Studios, 216-348-2335; store.nehst.com. 2009. DVD ISBN 9780982350119. $35. Public performance. ART–GENERAL
The titular subject of this provocative and entertaining documentary is Gary dos Santos, a homeless hippie who lives at Central Park’s John Lennon tile mosaic, which he daily adorns with patterned flowers, fruit, and whatever else he digs out of New York City’s garbage cans. After introducing viewers to this charming eccentric and his long-suffering wife, the film seamlessly shifts its focus to explore the question of whether dos Santos is an artist and if decorating the mosaic is art, interviewing like-minded souls and passers-by and soliciting their views on dos Santos and his work. Far too brief and offering only a glimpse into topics that could be considered more thoroughly, the film does not dig deeply into dos Santos’s background and motivations; rather, it asks pointed and important questions about the nature of art and who gets to call himself an artist. No bonus features. Sure to spark discussion and debate, this disc should appeal to art teachers and students as well as anyone who just can’t get enough of anything Beatles-related.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Devil Come to Hell and Stay Where You Belong. color. 87+ min. Massimilian & Nina Breeder, NoCrew, dist. by Microcinema, www.microcinemadvd.com. 2010. DVD UPC 880198109699. $70. Public performance. FILM
Two nameless and virtually mute young French people set off to explore America from coast to coast in this curious piece, which seems almost as directionless as do its main characters. Each of the 12 segments (individually accessible via the always-welcomed chapter selection option) focuses on a stop along their journey, typically with no narration but with striking footage of locales ranging from large cities to small towns and national parks and other open areas. Throughout the expedition, the couple (husband and wife Breeder) stay in dimly lit back-road hotels; viewers are subtly drawn into their lovemaking as they prepare for another day of travel. The beauty of our country is counterbalanced by too-frequent scenes of roadkill, which might be emblematic of the extremes and fragility of life here. But it’s an art film, so who knows for sure? What verbal commentary exists is difficult to hear, but English-language subtitles compensate. Bonus features include the short film “The Furnace,” which is also uncluttered by dialog or obvious intent, and interviews with the Breeders, who are the production’s sole crew members. While this innocuous excursion isn’t a threat to Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley or Tocqueville’s America, its suggestion of a 1960s VW van saga might make it a worthwhile addition for public and academic libraries.—Dwain Thomas, William Rainey Harper Coll., Palatine, IL
Offensive Basketball Moves. color. 36 min. Marty Schupak, Youth Sports Club, 800-511-2101; www.youthsportsclub.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780978945183. $24.95. SPORTS
This disc continues Schupak’s outstanding videos for youth sports self-instruction and coaching (e.g., Infield Team Play & Strategies, LJ 5/1/10). It includes 34 separate offensive skill exercises that can be practiced with one or two players at one end of the court or on the player’s hoop-equipped driveway, occasionally augmented by a garbage can “defender.” The emphasis here is on making the exercises fun. Creativity is encouraged, and the positive effects of preparation and repetition are noted. Bonus features (“Form Shooting” and “Review of Offensive Moves”) place the moves in perspective. Coaches are encouraged to check out the Youth Sports Club website (www.youthsportsclub.com) for bundled pricing and other coaching aids. Very highly recommended for young athletes and their coaches.—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
SOCIAL SCIENCES
The Long Road Back: Ex-Offenders’ Struggle for Acceptance. color. 52 min. Third Way Media, dist. by Vision Video, 800-523-0226; www.visionvideo.com. 2009. DVD UPC 727985013565. $19.99. CRIMINOLOGY
The stigma of having a prison record is explored in this documentary in which ex-offenders tell their stories of how they came to be in prison and their struggles to reenter society. They offer poignant testimony about their earnest search for new lives and how difficult it is to find employment, rebuild relationships, deal with family, and take care of basic needs like health care. Their interviews and added insights from corrections insiders paint a discouraging picture and make their small steps toward redemption more compelling. This solid production offers optional Spanish and English subtitles, along with a downloadable discussion guide. Useful for those who work with postprison populations.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
What’s the Economy For, Anyway? color. 40 min. John de Graaf, Fox Wilmar Prods. & Earth Economics, dist. by Bullfrog Films, 800-543-3764; www.bullfrogfilms.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781594589188. $250 (Rental: $75). Public performance; SDH subtitles. Public library discounts available. ECON
Ecological economist Dave Batker argues that traditional economic measures of prosperity inadequately account for quality of life. He explains that while the United States spends the most per capita on health care, it ranks low among developed countries for quality of care and the health of its citizens. He says that Americans lag behind Europeans in ecological behavior, happiness, and economic security, citing as examples uncertain maternity leave and shorter paid vacation time here compared with Europe. Batker presents his points in 13 short segments interspersed with film clips and graphics, speaking directly to the camera, and employing humorous quips and comical facial expressions. Batker raises thought-provoking concerns, but, at a mere 40 minutes, his presentation lacks depth. Most viewers looking for a satirical treatment of economic issues would be better served by Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story (2010), which is more entertaining, has better production values, and, with the DVD available for under $20, is a much better economic value.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Pressure Cooker. color. 99+ min. Jennifer Grausman, Participant Media, Non Sequitur Prod., dist. by First Run Features, 800-229-8575; www.firstrunfeatures.com. 2010. DVD UPC 720229914260. $24.95. ed
This documentary follows culinary arts teacher Wilma Stephenson and her students through their senior year at Frankford High School in northeast Philadelphia. Excitement builds as they progress toward the finals of the citywide culinary arts competition. Stephenson is a tough teacher whose personal goal is to get scholarships for her students to attend college and eventually to leave the City of Brotherly Love. The viewer sees not only what goes on in the classroom but the lives of three of the students outside of the classroom, including at their senior prom. Bonus features include deleted scenes and updates on the students and their teacher. This fascinating, inspiring, and enjoyable documentary is appropriate for school and public libraries.—Michele Lauer-Bader, Half Hollow Hills Community Lib., Dix Hills, NY
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
American Experience: Earth Days. color. 2 hrs. Robert Stone, dist. by PBS; www.shopPBS.org/education. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781608831890. $24.99; Blu-ray $29.99; public performance $49.95. Closed-captioned.
The Suzuki Diaries: Sustainability in Action. color. 45+ min. Kenton Vaughan, Canadian Broadcasting Corp., dist. by Bullfrog Films, 800-543-3764; www.bullfrogfilms.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9781594588904. $250 (Rental: $85). Public performance; closed-captioned. Public library discounts available. ENVIRONMENT
Originally seen on PBS, Earth Days is the story of the early U.S. environmental movement. It’s narrated by former activists from the front lines, including biologist/authors Stewart Brand and Paul Ehrlich, journalist Stephanie Mills, and one-time Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall. Archival clips confirm the 1970s as a critical decade: annual Earth Day events commenced, the Environmental Protection Agency was created to combat serious pollution, and two oil shocks jolted energy complacency. The United States actually reduced oil imports during President Carter’s term. A bonus feature is director Stone’s first film, Pollution.
Part of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s long-running series The Nature of Things, The Suzuki Diaries is hosted by biologist and icon of Canadian environmentalism David Suzuki. In this episode, he and daughter Sarika tour Europe by high-speed electric train. They meet with local experts to experience Germany’s transition to renewable power, Denmark’s extensive wind farms and urban cycling culture, a biodynamic vineyard in France, and a large solar- energy array in Spain. Family interactions are also in evidence, as Suzuki learns how his daughter lost and regained hope for the future. Both productions would appeal to a sophisticated student or general audience with strong interest on the subject.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., BC
The Message: A Cautionary Tale. color. 14 min. Immersionography Assocs., www.immersionography.com. 2010. DVD ISBN 9780986502712. $9.99. ENVIRONMENT
This short, cleverly constructed video has a “save the environment” theme. It is a trip from the mundane to the mysterious, ultimately revealing itself to be an apocalyptic warning regarding issues of global warming and pollution. Its pithy length and superficial overview suggest that the film would be best used in the classroom; it is aimed at audiences from high school to adult. More at www.immersionography.com.—Bill Baars, Lake Oswego P.L., OR
