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The Library DVD Shelf

Dinosaurs Alive!
Michael Douglas, narrator
Image Entertainment
20525 Nordhoff Street, Suite 200, Chatsworth, CA 91311-6104
$19.98 www.image-entertainment.com www.dinosalive.com

Originally created for exhibition in IMAX theaters, Dinosaurs Alive!
is a DVD documentary that uses computer animation to bring mankind's
discoveries about dinosaurs to life - from the revelation that
"Oviraptor" was in fact a good parent who brooded over its eggs rather
than a rapacious egg thief, to the story of a real-life "Indiana
Jones" archaeology pioneer who braved desert bandits to bring home
amazing fossil finds, to the shocking recent discovery that
(flightless) velociraptors had feathers! The astonishing and
scientifically accurate CGI is sure to thrill dinosaur lovers of all
ages and backgrounds. Special features include a widescreen version, a
"Making of" documentary shot in HD, and a bonus quiz. Also available
in a Blu-ray version ($24.9, "Dinosaurs Alive" is a treat for
dinosaur lovers everywhere and enthusiastically recommended for public
library DVD collections. 40 minutes plus special features.

The Adventures of Werner Holt
Joachim Kunert
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com

Created in 1964 East Germany, The Adventures of Werner Holt is a
classic movie on DVD about the senselessness of war. Two 17-year-old
best friends, Werner Holt and Gilbert, are pulled out of school and
drafted into Hitler's army. Gilbert becomes a fanatically loyal
soldier, while Werner, fighting on the front lines, is disgusted by
the cruelty of war and eventually enacts his revenge. As powerful
today as it was over forty years ago, The Adventures of Werner Holt
remains one of the most important German films ever created. Highly
recommended. 164 minutes, black-and-white, German with English
subtitles.

The American Brew
Roger Sherman
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
079367087X $24.99 www.shopPBS.org

The American Brew: The Rich and Surprising History of Beer is a
documentary for the everyman, about how one of America's most popular
drinks came to be. From alcohol in colonial days, to the rise and fall
of prohibition, to the coming of microbrews and the financial success
of national breweries, The American Brew covers it all. Interviews
with industry experts and inside looks at innovations in brewing
technology pepper this enjoyable DVD, sure to please beer lovers
everywhere. 60 minutes, widescreen.

The Yes Men Fix the World
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
$295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com 1-800-543-3764

The Yes Men Fix the World is an extraordinary DVD following the true
story of two political activists and the wild pranks they orchestrate
in order to reveal the ecologically destructive side of corporate
greed. When Andy impersonated a DowChemical spokesperson and managed
to announce on BBC World News that Dow will finally clean up the site
of the largest industrial accident in history (the Bhopal disaster),
people worldwide celebrated the "news" - and Dow's stock value lost
two billion dollars. This was when a brutal lesson about our modern
market system hit home - the relentless focus on profits unfettered by
local or global environmental regulations has made doing the right
thing impossible! As the "Yes Men" try to get through to their
corporate audience as well as the general public, their ultimate
message is an inquiry as to why we have given the market more power
than any other institution to drive our society, and how can this
incredible power be held in check, much as the three branches of the
American Government hold one another in check and balance? Highly
recommended. 87 minutes, SDH captions.

Humble Pie
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569943489 $26.95 www.montereymedia.com 1-800-424-2593

Humble Pie is a charming movie following everyman Tracy Orbison
(played by Hubbel Palmer), a Midwestern stockboy who writes poetry
during shift breaks and daydreams of making more of himself. A burst
of inspiration leads him to take an acting class by a pompous local
master (wonderfully played by William Baldwin); then one chaotic
mishap after another leads him to actively pursue his life's dreams
rather than simply wait for them. From mentoring a young delinquent to
standing up to his overbearing mother to dealing with his wallflower
sister and preparing himself for the monumental hurdle that is the
driver's license exam, Tracy's adventures reflect the daily challenges
of life in this highly entertaining drama. Bonus features include
deleted scenes and brief featurettes. 84 minutes, closed captioned.

Latin Music USA
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
$39.99 www.shopPBS.org

Latin Music USA is an amazing DVD documentary of some of the greatest
American music composed by Latinos. The history of modern Latin music
is traced through four episodes - "Bridges", following the rise of
Latin jazz and its influence on rhythm & blues; "The Salsa Revolution"
about the creation of salsa the rise (and fall) of the legendary Fania
Records, "The Chicano Wave" in which a new generation of Mexican-
Americans experienced rock and rhythm & blues and added their own
cultural twist, and "Divas & Superstars" of Latin pop, ranging from
Ricky Martin, Shakira, and Gloria Estefan to Daddy Yankee and rapper
Pitbull, to "rock en Espanol" star Juanes. A celebration of great
music styles, the people who composed unforgettable songs and the
glamorous individuals who peformed them, Latin Music USA is a joy to
watch and highly recommended for both Latin music lovers and public
library DVD collections.

Harley's War: Hardcore All-Stars
Harley Flanagan & Cro-Mag
MVD Entertainment Group
PO Box 280, Oaks, PA 19456
$19.95 www.MVDb2b.com 1-800-888-0486

Harley's War: Hardcore All-Stars is a combination DVD & CD project
from NYC Hardcore's godfather, Harley Flanagan. Featuring some of Cro-
Mags' classic hardcore music as well as members of Bad Brains,
Agnostic Front, Warzone, Murphy's Law, Sick of It All, and more,
Harley's War combines classic video footage and wild playing into a
blazing mix of alternative and punk, sure to leave its mark on the
listener's mind and memory. An absolute "must-have" for fans of the
genre. The tracks are "Hardcore 'NYHC-OG'", "Last Days", "Criminal 4
Life", "Parrisite", "Spirit of '77", "Urban Screams (C-squat)",
"Skarred 4 Life", "Who Survived", "Don't Tread On Me", "Wake Up (Do
Unto Others)", "Dead End Kids", "Why Don't U", "Intro", "Signs of the
Times", "World Peace", "Show You No Mercy", "Malfunction", "Days of
Confusion", "Street Justice", "Survival Of The Streets", "Don't Tread
On Me", "Do Unto Others", "Last Days", "Crush the Demoniac", "It's the
Limit", "Life of My Own", "Hard Times", and "We Gotta Know". 95 min,
stereo.

Susan Hyatt's Rockstar Workout
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$15.98 www.411videoinfo.com

International recording artist and NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Susan Hyatt presents Susan Hyatt's Rockstar Workout, a fitness DVD
featuring two 25-minute high energy workouts (with warm ups and cool
downs). Easy-to-follow moves draw from a wide variety of fitness
activities, from basic strength training to Russian Kettle bell
exercises, jump-roping, yoga, ballet-style body sculpting and more.
Filmed like a music video and featuring lively, original songs from
Susan's bands, Susan Hyatt's Rockstar Workout lives up to its title
and makes working out fun. A welcome addition to fitness and exercise
DVD collections. 60 min.

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training
Jackie Warner
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver road, Suite 200, Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98 www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Expert celebrity fitness and circuit training instructor Jackie
Warner's workouts command up to $400 an hour in person; now her
fitness guidance is available on DVD to all in "Personal Training with
Jackie: Power Circuit Training". Designed for maximum efficiency,
Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training focuses on
weight loss and overall fitness - viewers can choose (or mix and
match) between fifteen-minute "Total Body Circuit", "Abs Only
Circuit", "Lower Body Circuit", or "Upper Body Circuit", or the forty-
minute "Total Body Circuit". You don't have to be a celebrity to stay
in shape like one, and this easy-to-follow DVD shows how! 57 minutes.

Real Bodywork
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 each www.411videoinfo.com www.realbodywork.com/yoga

Two DVDs from Real Bodywork offer yoga practitioners a guided workout
and in-depth exploration of the wonders of Vinyasa Yoga. "Yoga: Gentle
Vinyasa Flow with Zyrka Landwijt" (210 min.) is intended for beginner
to intermediate practitioners, offering 6 routines, 23 pose lessons,
and 3 1/2 hours of practice. Expert instructor Zyrka teaches the
viewer how the poses interact and how to fully engage oneself in the
experience of yoga, as well as basics of physically enacting it.
"Yoga: Spirit of Vinyasa Flow with Deb Dobbin" (226 min.) is intended
for intermediate to advanced practitioners, offering 3 sequences, 20
pose lessons, and 3 1/2 hours of practice. Offering a combined,
flowing progress of routines, Yoga: Spirit of Vinyasa Flow explains in
detail how to enact proper positions and warns against common
mistakes. Both DVDs are highly user friendly, and serious Yoga
enthusiasts are certain to enjoy them.

Bridgestone Multimedia Group
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$14.95 each www.411videoinfo.com www.gobmg.com

Fitness expert Karen Joy Allen presents three exercise DVDs that
utilize her simple invention -"JoyFitstix", a pair of inexpensive
short tubes that weigh less than a pound each; their moving,
granulated cores increase the effort sustained by the muscle group
being exercised for a more vigorous workout similar to one performed
with heavier weights. "Cardio & Core Dance Blast" (9780740319167, 45
min.) emphasizes a time-efficient workout good for burning calories
and toning muscles - the multi-level program provides a solid base for
viewers of varying fitness levels, complemented by a strong abdominal
workout. "Cardio Praise" (9780740319150, 40 min.) has an emphasis on
high-energy gospel praise music and strength training in its enjoyable
dance routines. "A Fun Workout For Kids" (9780740319174, 40 min.)
lives up to its title with a cardio workout that kids can quickly pick
up and enjoy. "A Fun Workout for Kids" is great for parents and
children to share together, providing a positive example of
incorporating exercise into a healthy lifestyle. Though meant for use
with "JoyFitstix", all three DVDs provide a fine, solid workout even
if one has no exercise equipment at all. Highly recommended.

Split Estate
Ali MacGraw, narrator
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
159458897X $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com 1-800-543-3764

Split Estate is a harrowing documentary of the predatory ruthlessness
that fuels America's endless thirst for oil and gas. Men and woman who
have lived on their land for generations lose almost all chance to
make a living off their territory if they don't own the mineral
rights; energy companies can and will drill for natural gas right
outside a family's front door. Those directly affected by oil and gas
companies' relentless incursion into the Rocky Mountains have little
or no legal recourse to stop the assault on their land, their civil
liberties, their health, or their quality of life. Above all, Split
Estate is not only about the plight of the few - it is about the long-
term health and environmental costs of America's addiction to oil, and
drives home the need to find alternative energy sources here and
abroad. Highly recommended. 76 minutes (with a 15 minute version also
available for playback), SDH captions.

Break a Leg! An Introductory Guide to Stage Directing
Adrea Gibbs
Meriwether Publishing
PO Box 7710, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7710
9781566081634 $34.95 www.meriwetherpublishing.com 1-800-937-5297

An informative 24-page booklet ideal for reviewing the covered
material accompanies Break a Leg! An Introductory Guide to Stage
Directing, a no-nonsense DVD resource for inexperienced stage
directors (and assistant directors!), covering the basics of how to
get the job done. Tips, tricks, and techniques for ensuring the smooth
flow of rehearsals, guiding stage direction, helping actors put forth
their best emotions, overseeing run-throughs and dress rehearsals, and
more right up to opening night fill this practical and useful
resource. Whether one is preparing for a future Broadway career or
simply trying to get a community theater production going, Break a
Leg! An Introductory Guide to Stage Directing is extraordinarily
helpful and highly recommended. (It should be noted that Break a Leg!
requires DVD-R compatibility in one's DVD player in order to play
properly.)

Trucker
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
$26.95 www.montereymedia.com 1-800-424-2593

Trucker is a DVD movie about an independent-minded truck driver Diane
Ford, accustomed to enjoying a carefree life marked by one-night love
affairs, hard drinking, and long haul days on the road. But her life
changes dramatically when she suddenly has the responsibility of
caring for her eleven-year-old son Peter - whom she has not seen since
he was a baby. Peter's father is incapacitated in the hospital; now
Diane's life is turned upside down, as she struggles with caring for a
boy as distrustful of her as she is of him. Difficult choices lie
ahead for her, and she must come to grips with a future that holds
more challenges and pitfalls than she has ever imagined. A thought-
provoking and emotionally moving saga about the culmination of a
turning point in one's life, highly recommended. 93 minutes, closed
captioned, rated R.

The English Surgeon
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608831197 $24.99 www.shopPBS.org

The English Surgeon is the award-winning documentary of a real-life
hero - London brain surgeon Henry Marsh, who has strived for over 17
years to save lives in the Ukraine. Forced to work with outdated and
sometimes malfunctioning equipment, Marsh has a powerful motivation
for his work - his son was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a baby, and
Marsh has never forgotten how dearly he needed help at the time. Now
he gives freely of his skills and expertise to others; his calling is
preserved in this absorbing and memorable presentation. Due to
sometimes explicit medical scenes, The English Series may not be
suited for particularly squeamish viewers, but deserves the highest
recommendation to all others.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Image Entertainment
20525 Nordhoff Street, Suite 200, Chatsworth, CA 91311-6104
$19.98 DVD, $24.98 Blu-Ray www.image-entertainment.com www.mummiesfilm.com

Originally produced for showing in IMAX theaters, Mummies: Secrets of
the Pharaohs is an amazing documentary about what modern science and
archaeology have to tell us about the mystery of mummies - exquisitely
preserved remains of ancient Egyptian citizens and kings. From the
adventures (and hardships!) of excavating tombs, to the modern
forensic science used to unlock mummies' secrets, to the extrapolated
evidence of ancient Egypt's past and what it means for our
understanding today, and even how knowledge gleaned from mummies
affects medical science, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs is utterly
enthralling. Bonus features include a "making of" featurette shot in
HD, a "Meet the Mummies" educational section, and a quiz. A
beautifully filmed experience, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs is
highly recommended for Egyptology DVD shelves and public library
collections. English/French/Spanish, widescreen, 39 minutes plus 22
minute "making of" featurette.

How Bruce Lee Changed the World
History Made Every Day
1422937410 $19.95 www.history.com www.shopaetv.com

How Bruce Lee Changed the World is a 'must' for any library strong in
martial arts history. This DVD provides his who biography, from his
birth in San Francisco to his mysterious death at the age of 32. It
also follows how ancient martial arts were fostered by his films, and
offer rare interviews and home movies from big martial arts film
names. A 'must' for any serious martial arts or film collection.

History Made Every Day
www.history.com www.shopaetv.com

Libraries will find these outstanding DVDs popular picks, offering
fine historical and biographical reviews. ART OF WAR (1422948137,
$14.95) reviews Sun Tzu, who wrote ART OF WAR over 2,400 years ago.
This special from History blends a biography of Sun Tzu with a survey
of war's lessons and great battles in history and is a pick for any
military library in particular. MANSON (1422950581, $19.95) reveals
the mastermind of one of the most notorious murders in U.S. history,
offering first-person accounts, footage, and a survey of a man who
looks back at the nine months leading up to and including the murder
of Sharon Tate. MYSTERIES OF THE FREEMASONS (1422951375, $19.95)
provides a fine survey of the world's oldest secret society, reviewing
codes, murder, and offering a blend of reenactments and expert
interviews to survey Freemason history. Highly recommended.

Jeeves and Wooster: The Complete Series
Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry
A&E Videos
c/o A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th Street, New York, NY 10017
1422940527, $59.95 www.aetv.com

Jeeves and Wooster: The Complete Series is a top pick for any who
enjoy British mystery and humor, providing a fine collection telling
of British aristocrat and bumbler Bernie and Jeeves, his hilarious
resourceful valet who keeps him out of trouble. An outstanding
presentation of British humor will keep viewers laughing.

10 Minute Solutions: Quick Sculpt Pilates
Andrea Leigh Rogers
Anchor Bay Entertainment
9042 Beverly Blvd #201, Beverly Hills CA 90210
01313165419 6, $24.97 www.xtendworkout.com

Any interested in a series of Pilates lessons that are NOT time-
consuming or expensive will welcome this DVD kit, that comes with a
toning ball and inflation device along with a DVD of techniques. It's
easy to choose routines that are 10 minutes or under - and to easily
inflate and deflate the ball for take-along toting.

10 Minute Solutions: Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters
Jessica Smith
Anchor Bay Entertainment
9042 Beverly Blvd #201, Beverly Hills CA 90210
013131631791, $16.98 www.jessicasmith.tv

Jessica Smith holds certifications from various fitness academies,
Powerhouse Pilates and more programs, and her 10 Minute Solutions:
Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters comes packaged with its own sculpting
loop to demonstrate easy 10-minute routines for butt, thighs, tummy
and belly flab. Any home exerciser needs this fine set of routines.

Summer Montabone, CSCS DVDs
$19.95 each www.summerfitness.com

TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING IN HOME OR TRAVEL provides innovative workout
options using a ball, band or body weight. Total body conditioning
with these options is broken down into easy techniques for training at
home or on the road and provides busy professionals a total workout
that can be done virtually anywhere. RESISTANCE BAND STRENGTH TRAINING
IN HOME OR TRAVEL can be done with any small resistance band and
offers a full course for upper and lower body workouts. From stretches
to cardio routines, these bands offer keys to success!

Think and Get Slim: Natural Weight Loss
Esther and Jerry Hicks
Hay House, Inc.
PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781401926557, $29.95 www.hayhouse.com

THINK AND GET SLIM offers a fine DVD program presenting the teachings
of the channeled Abraham, who responded numerous times to workshops
held between 2006 and 2008 on the topic of weight loss and
consciousness. Abraham teaches how to modify thoughts in a Law of
Attraction manner, rather than the usual diet/exercise routines: it's
a fine addition to any weight loss program!

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel
Bridgestone Multimedia Group
804 N. 2nd Ave. E., Rock Rapids, IA 51246
9780740319181, $19.95 www.gobmg.com

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel is a video for all ages. Based on the
best-selling Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard, it's set in the late
1800s and revolves around young Mandie Shaw, who just lost her father
and sets out to find a new home, assisted by some Cherokee Indian
friends. When strangers to a uncle's fortune show up to claim his
estate, adventures and dangers evolve. A fine family viewing pick.

E1 Entertainment
22 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050
www.kochvision.com

The complete first season of SANCTUARY (1417232259, $44.9 is offered
in a fine 4-DVD set featuring the original series, following one Dr.
Helen Magnus on her quest to study and protect legendary creatures
that live with humans. Surround sound, widescreen selection, and
numerous extras include audio commentaries on all 13 episodes with
case and crew, bloopers, and more in a set not to be missed. MARY
WHITE (1417231149, $14.9 is perfect for families with kids: it comes
from a father who lost his teen daughter to a horseback-riding
accident in 1921, and who celebrated her life with a newspaper
editorial. MARY WHITE became a TV film and here offers White's
reflections on his last year with Mary as they together fought against
racial segregation and for women's rights. DAKOTA SKYE (1417232099,
$24.9 also provides a fine family pick in telling of Dakota, cursed
with the ability to see the truth in any lie she hears. She's
seventeen and apathetic towards life - until Jonah shows her there's
more than lies - and complicates her choices by being her boyfriend's
best friend. CHRIS ISAAK: GREATEST HITS LIVE (1417232323, $19.99) is
packed with lovely vocals and examples of some of his finest shows,
and is a 'must' for any fans of the musician. From bonus track songs
to haunting melodies and a fine live performance captured in high
definition and mixed with surround sound, this brings the art of a
live performance right into the living rooms of home listeners!

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Midwest Book Review
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