The Library DVD Shelf Four Minutes Wolfe Video LLC PO Box 64, New Almaden, Ca 95042 WOL4478D, $24.95, www (dot) WolfeVideo (dot) com Traude Kruger taught piano at a women's prison for more than sixty years. But her inmate Jenny, a convicted killer with a history of beating people for simple amusement, is unique. Once a great musical talent she could be trained to participate in and wine a prestigious piano contest -- despite her prison sentence. Traude's problem is how to inspire Jenny to act out with her music rather than her fists. "Four Minutes" is a riveting story, superbly performed, and the conclusion is truly memorable. The German with subtitles DVD format is enhanced with such bonus features as the Theatrical Trailer, a Widescreen Presentation, Dolby 2.0 Audio sound. Total Running Time: 112 minutes; full color. Also highly recommended from Wolfe Video is "Shelter Me" (WOL4531D, $24.95), the story of Anna and Mara, a lesbian couple who inadvertently smuggle a young Moroccan boy across the border into Italy. First Run Features 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036 www (dot) firstrunfeatures (dot) com First Run Features is a premier source for foreign movies, documentaries, and independent film productions. Six of their newest releases underscores the diversity of genres and subject matter that have made First Run Features a unique source for personal, academic, and community library DVD collections. "The Trials Of Henry Kissinger" is an 80 minute documentary on Kissinger's role as part of the Johnson administration during the Viet Nam conflict. "The Sacred Family (La Sagrada Familia) is a 99 minute Spanish comedy combining sex, black humor, and emotional candor. "Television Under The Swastika" is a Michael Kloft's 52 minute documentary telling the story of Germany's pioneer work in television that began in March 1935 and whose broadcasts continued through September 1944. "Please Vote For Me" is a 58 minute documentary by Weijun Chen on an elementary school election for class president held in the city of Wuhan in central China. "Enough! (Barakat!)" is a 94 minute full color film set in the Algerian civil war during the 1990s. The DVD format allows for each of these titles to be enhanced with bonus materials that include such items as Director Notes, Filmographies, Photo Galleries, Audio Commentaries, and Theatrical Trailers. Film enthusiasts, academic and community librarians are encouraged to visit the First Run Features website at www (dot) firstrunfeatures (dot) com for a complete listing of the massive film library. Ranma 1/2 Season 7: Ranma Forever Viz Communications Inc. 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 DVD, $119.98 www (dot) viz (dot) com 1-800-394-3042 The thinpack boxed set of the seventh and final season of the wildly popular Ranma 1/2 anime television series, based on the equally beloved Japanese manga by Rumiko Takahashi (whose other works include Inu-Yasha and Maison Ikkoku), is an absolute must-have for every self- professed anime fan. A lighthearted, episodic martial arts comedy with extra emphasis on the comedy, Ranma 1/2 follows the (mis)adventurous daily life of Ranma, gifted with the extraordinary ability to assimilate new martial arts techniques but afflicted with a curse that makes him transform into a girl whenever he is splashed with cold water, until he can find hot water and change back into a guy! Ranma's friends, enemies, and rivals range from his short-tempered fiancee Akane (who genuinely cares for him underneath the bluster, but whose cooking is potentially toxic to human life), to his diminutive yet lecherous master Happosai, to the fiercely antagonistic Ryoga (whose curse periodically transforms him into a small black pig) and many more. Like the series as a whole, Ranma 1/2 Season 7 includes episodes that directly adapt Takahashi's work, episodes that add extra nuance and depth to the original manga, and even some episodes created just for television. Though suggested for "older teen" audiences, Ranma 1/2 merely has comedy violence mixed with a hint of mature innuendo (and perhaps some nudity), and is certainly far more family-friendly than any number of modern PG-13 movies. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys animated comedy; since the series does not have an arc-style plot or excessive emphasis on continuity, Season 7 is just as good a jumping-on point to the wonderful world of Ranma 1/2 as Season 1. Japanese & English with English subtitles, 625 minutes, color. Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History c/o 411 Video Information PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 $29.99 www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com www (dot) hollywoodsinginganddancing (dot) com Hosted by Academy Award winning stage, screen, and TV star Shirley Jones, Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History is a celebration of Hollywood musicals throughout history up to the present day. From the exciting choreography that brought cheer to the darkest times of the Great Depression, to wartime showtunes that fired up America's fighting spirit, to modern smash hits such as "Chicago" and "Dreamgirls", Hollywood Singing and Dancing is an amazing tour. Worthy to be the centerpiece of any Hollywood history DVD shelf, Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History comes highly recommend. 108 minutes, with 120 minutes of bonus footage. Our Spirits Don't Speak English Rich-Heape Films, Inc. c/o 411 Video Information (publicity) PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 $29.95 www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com www (dot) richheape (dot) com Our Spirits Don't Speak English: Indian Boarding School is a DVD documentary of the true-life stories of Native American children who were forcibly taken from their homes and families and educated in boarding schools, as part of a governmental policy to "kill the Indian and spare the man". From 1869 through the late 1960's, more than 100,000 Native Americans had been compelled to attend Indian Boarding School. Our Spirits Don't Speak English tells of growing up in a harsh world of strict rules, where speaking tribal languages was severely punished. A vivid reminder that America, land of the free, was not so free for some of its citizens until relatively recently in its history. 80 minutes, closed captioned. Adventures in Voice Acting Volume One Bang Zoom! Entertainment 1100 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 1576406478, $29.95 www (dot) AdventuresInVoiceActing (dot) com Adventures in Voice Acting Volume One is an exciting behind-the-scenes DVD tour of the voice acting industry, a vital part of both games and animated television shows. Featuring professional voice actors such as Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants), Michelle Rodriguez (Halo 2), Lance Henricksen (Mass Effect), Wendee Lee, Steve Blum, and more, Adventures in Voice Acting Volume One teaches aspiring voice actors how to break into the industry. Among the tips and discussed include techniques to use while in the booth, how to prepare for an audition, what to expect on one's first day in the studio, and more. An absolute "must-see" for anyone curious about voice acting as a career. 130 minutes plus 32 minutes of extras, color. John Deere Country Part 1: How a Combine is Made TM Books & Video PO Box 279, New Buffalo, MI 49117 9781932291216, $14.95 www (dot) tmbv (dot) com 1-800-892-2822 John Deere Country Part 1: How a Combine is Made is a DVD that lives up to its title, bringing the viewer on a step-by-step tour of precisely how a John Deere combine is crafted. From how lasers cut sheets of metal into the thousands of parts needed, to the process of bending, punching, and welding together the pieces, and adding internal working such as cylinder, cleaning shoe, and grain bend. A truly amazing look at the efficiency of modern technology, supplemented with the human ingenuity and hard work, John Deere Country Part 1 is a treat for young and old alike with an interest in the inner workings of farm equipment. 1 hour 20 minutes, color. The Dhamma Brothers Produced by Jenny Phillips & Anne Marie Stein Bullfrog Films, Inc. PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547 1594587752, $275.00 www (dot) bullfrogfilms (dot) com 1-800-543-3764 Intended for viewers in grades ten to adult, The Dhamma Brothers: East Meets West in the Deep South is a true-life documentary set behind the walls of an Alabama maximum-security prison, which became the first correctional institution of its kind to hold an extended Vipassana retreat. The participants engaged in an emotionally and physically taxing course of silent meditation for ten days, a process that yields dramatic results. The Dhamma Brothers is not just the story of a prison program, but also the human ability to accept responsibility for the most terrible of offenses. Ultimately an inspirational chronicle of hope, The Dhamma Brothers is highly recommended as an example of how meditative discipline can harness the positive side of the human spirit even in the most unlikely of places. 76 minutes, subtitles, color. Ripple Effect a film by Philippe Caland Monterey Media Inc. 566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901 9781569946589, $24.95 www (dot) montereymedia (dot) com 1-800-424-2593 Ripple Effect is the DVD presentation of an award-winning film starring Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen and Academy award nominee Minnie Driver. Weaving the tale of African-American cutting-edge clothing designer Amer Atrash, Ripple Effect explores a burgeoning crisis that threatens to destroy Atrash's business and his marriage. Re-examining himself, Atrash reasons that the source of his ills comes from a detrimental deed he committed fifteen years earlier, and sets out to atone for his wrong. In the process he undergoes a revitalization of the spirit, awakening to the value of compassion. An enduring and positive tale of human redemption, highly recommended. 83 minutes, 16:9 aspect ratio, color. Al Foster Quintet MVD Entertainment Group H-840 North Circle Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 $19.95 www (dot) MVDb2b (dot) com Al Foster Quintet is a DVD capturing a 2007 performance of drummer Al Foster, along with his musical quintet of pianists Aron Goldberg and George Callaghan, sax player Eli Degibri, bassist Doug Weiss, and trumpet player Dr. Eddie Henderson. Together, the team exults in musical styles ranging from bebop to jazz to rock and more. The songs played are "So What", "So Near So Far", "Shed", "Missing Miles", "Cantaloupe Island", "Aloysius", "Peter's Mood", "The Chief", "Tune Up", and "Jean-Pierre". Recorded live, Al Foster Quintet is enthusiastically recommended as the perfect gift for modern music lovers who enjoy rhythm & groove. 97 minutes, 16:9 aspect ratio, color. The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout Gabrielle Reece Anchor Bay Entertainment 1699 Stutz Drive, Troy, MI 48084 $19.98 www (dot) anchorbayentertainment (dot) com Created by Gabrielle Reece during and after her pregnancy with the help of certified personal trainer Mike Monroe, and approved by OBGYN Vivian Dickerson, The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout is a DVD of twelve fifteen-minute workouts, three for each trimester of pregnancy and three to help trim down after giving birth. A few pieces of inexpensive exercise equipment are recommended to tap the full potential of The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout: no more than an exercise ball, fitness band, and small hand weights. The primary focus is on strengthening and stretching moves, ideal keeping one's muscles strong and ready to reclaim one's figure. With the caveat that any expectant mother should consult her doctor before undertaking an exercise regimen, The Complete Fit & Healthy Pregnancy Workout is an excellent choice for expectant or aspiring mothers, and also highly recommended as a baby shower gift! 258 minutes, color. Yoga with Your Baby c/o 411 Video Information PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 $19.95 www (dot) yogawithyourbaby (dot) com www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com Yoga with Your Baby is a DVD for parents of children age 3 months to 4 years. Together, parents and baby can engage in yoga postures, sing songs, and explore the joy of moving and stretching one's body. The DVD features 20 yoga practices designed for the parent, 15 for the baby, soothing songs ideal to sing, mindfulness-based parenting practices, meditation and relaxation exercises, and more. A wonderful, easy-to-use method to work fitness into one's busy lifestyle even when taking care of small children. 100 minutes, color. Rain Shadow Series 1 Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 $39.99 www (dot) acornmedia (dot) com Rain Shadow Series 1 collects the first six episodes of a dramatic series following the small Australian farming town of Paringa. Battered first by drought, then an outbreak of disease among its sheep, Paringa is on the verge of dissolving; veterinarian Kate McDonald (played by Golden Globe nominee Rachel Ward) and her plucky assistant (played by Victoria Thaine) fight to save their community. Filmed on location in the Adelaide Hills, Rain Shadow is a poignant drama of hope, and the determination to fight for one's way of life, as well as the strong wills of two women resisting the odds against them. An excellent gift for anyone who enjoys fine drama. 16:9 widescreen, 326 minutes, color. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so. The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to: James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive Oregon, WI 53575-1129 To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price). James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review
