The Library DVD Shelf In the Garden of Sounds a film by Nicola Bellucci First Run Features 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213 New York, NY 10036 .95 [URL="http://www.firstrunfeatures.com"]www.firstrunfeatures.com[/URL] In the Garden of Sounds is an extraordinary documentary following Wolfgang Fasser, who lost his sight at an early age, and the physical therapy retreat he has established for disabled children. Impressed by the healing powers of sound, Wolfgang uses sound and music to establish rapport with children, helping them learn how to communicate with others and gain greater control over their own bodies. Bonus features includes a "travels with Wolfgang" segment, a resource guide, and a filmmaker biography. Filmed in Italian and Swiss with the option of English subtitles, In the Garden of Sounds is a striking and emotionally moving portrayal of the healing powers of music and personal rapport, highly recommended. 90 min. Garbo the Spy A film by Edmon Roch First Run Features 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213 New York, NY 10036 .95 [URL="http://www.firstrunfeatures.com"]www.firstrunfeatures.com[/URL] Garbo the Spy is an extraordinary documentary about a double agent whose heroic actions saved thousands of Allied lives during World War II. Juan Pujol Garcia fed false information to the Nazis, inventing a network of nonexistent agents across Europe, and even misleading them about the timing and location of D-Day. Vintage propaganda footage as well as interviews with intelligence experts and crucial figures in Garbo's life, as well as Garbo himself, compose this captivating true story, highly recommended especially for public library DVD shelves. Garbo the Spy also includes a wealth of bonus features, such as an interview with espionage expert Nigel West (32 minutes) and the WW II training film "Sonic Deception" (27 minutes). 93 minutes plus bonus features. Reuniting the Rubins a Yoav Factor Film Monterey Media Inc. 566 St. Charles Drive Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901 .95 [URL="http://www.montereymedia.com"]www.montereymedia.com[/URL] Reuniting the Rubins is an uproarious "dramady" movie about the reunion of a dysfunctionally diverse family. When the sick mother of stiffly formal lawyer Lenny Rubins pressures him into reuniting his estranged children, the resulting personality gathering could not be more divisive - from a control-freak capitalist to an eco-warrior, a Buddhist monk, and a born-again Rabbi! While the bickering may be fierce enough to spark an African war, Reuniting the Rubins also has a soulful side that acknowledges the true bonds of family, no matter how vehement their disagreements. Bonus features include an "on location" segment and an alternate ending! Reuniting the Rubins is rated PG, and highly recommended for family viewing and public library DVD collections. 16:9 anamorphic aspect ratio, closed captioned, 99 min. Titanoboa: Monster Snake Smithsonian Channel/Inception Media Group smithsonianchannel.com c/o Greenleaf & Associates (publicity) .98 DVD / .98 Blu-ray [URL="http://www.inceptionmediagroup.com"]www.inceptionmediagroup.com[/URL] Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Titanoboa: Monster Snake is a jaw-dropping documentary about a gigantic species of boa snake that lived 60 million years ago, in the era after the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. Longer than a bus, this tremendous snake was large enough to swallow crocodiles whole! Scientists seek to reconstruct how this enormous reptile lived, what it ate, and why it was able to grow so gigantic, into this fascinating documentary, especially recommended for public library DVD collections and anyone fascinated by snakes! 92 min. Revenge of the Electric Car A film by Chris Paine Bullfrog Films, Inc. PO Box 149 Oley, PA 19547 193777208X 5.00 [URL="http://www.bullfrogfilms.com"]www.bullfrogfilms.com[/URL] Chris Paine, director of the "Who Killed the Electric Car?", continues his documentary saga with "Revenge of the Electric Car", an exploration of the possible revival of the electric car after GM unceremoniously destroyed its first attempt at creating a line of them. Unlike "Who Killed the Electric Car", which focused on the cars themselves, "Revenge of the Electric Car" focuses more on the people pushing to make electric cars a modern-day reality. From Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, who dared to start up Tesla Motors to create electric cars and compete with big, established auto industries in the US, to General Motors executive Bob Lutz (once accused of killing the electric car, now potentially responsible for its rebirth), to Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, and even Greg "Gadget" Abott, an ordinary man who toils against the odds to realize his dream of being able to privately convert regular cars into electric cars, Revenge of the Electric Car portrays brilliant people anticipating a revolutionary future. But how close is that future, really? The Great Recession that began in 2008 was a heavy blow that nearly ended America's auto industry altogether. Tesla Motors was almost torn apart by internal lawsuits even before it barreled headlong toward bankruptcy, and just how committed are General Motors and Nissan to the Chevy Volt and the Leaf? Will electric cars be available to consumers at reasonable prices in this generation's lifetime? Revenge of the Electric Car does not have all the answers, but it does have an unparalleled degree of candid, honest testimony from car manufacturers, entrepreneurs, journalists, scientists, and much more, making it a most enjoyable ride! Bonus features include the Tribeca Film Fest post-screening discussion and brief interviews. 90 min., SDH captions. Agatha Christie's Poirot Series 4 Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 9781598287608 .99 DVD / .99 Blu-ray [URL="http://www.acornonline.com"]www.acornonline.com[/URL] Available in both DVD and Blu-ray versions, Agatha Christie's Poirot Series 4 continues the excellent British television adaptation of Agatha Christie's beloved detective stories featuring the eccentric Hercule Poirot (played by David Suchet) and his associates Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) and Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson). 1930's Europe is brought to vivid life in these dramatic mysteries: "The ABC Murders", in which the killer sends Poirot letters announcing his chosen victim; "Death in the Clouds", in which a blackmailer dies aboard a plain full of potential suspects and one plucky Detective Poirot; and "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" when the shooting death of a dentist unravels a scheme of deceit, yet a simple broken shoe buckle is a key unraveling the mystery. Agatha Christie's Poirot Series 4 maintains the high quality for which the series is justly famous, and is sure to prove immensely popular among mystery buffs and for public library collections. 3 DVDs, 306 min., fullscreen, SDH subtitles. Discoveries... America National Parks series Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc. 13021 - 244 Avenue SE Issaquah, WA 98027 .95 each (DVD or Blu-ray), [URL="http://www.Bennett-Watt.com"]www.Bennett-Watt.com[/URL] Available on both DVD and Blu-ray (for the same affordable price!), four new additions to the Discoveries... America National Parks series offer wonderful armchair travel experiences in glorious high definition. "Arches: Canyonlands & Natural Bridges" (9781604901610) explores the striking rock formations of southern Utah, canyonlands carved by the Colorado River, natural stone bridges, and even an excursion by adventurous rock-crawling enthusiasts. "New Orleans Jazz & Acadian Culture: Jean Lafitte, Creole Natural Trail, Natchitoches & Rural Mardi Gras" (9781604901627) is the next best thing to a personal visit the National Historical Park in New Orleans' French Quarter, a rural Mardi Gras run, the Prairie Acadian Culture Center in Eunice, coastal wetlands and wildlife refuges of the Creole Nature Trail, and Natchitoches, Louisiana's oldest town. "Yellowstone Dual Personalities: Spring & Winter" (9781604901597) allows the viewer to viscerally experience the magnificence of Yellowstone National Park, from its abundant wildlife to its steaming geysers, its opportunities for boating/hiking/horse riding, and its dramatic transformation in winter to an icy wonderland where the primary modes of travel are snow machine, snow coach, or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. "Dry Tortugas: Fort Jefferson & The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center" (9781604901603) explores one of America's lesser-known and geographically removed national parks, the Dry Tortugas, located just off the southernmost tip of Florida. Its strategic location made it historical site of military and piracy legends; Fort Jefferson once oversaw Spanish explorers, Gulf Coast merchants, and more people who transformed the New World. The Floriday Keys Eco-Discovery Center is also featured, with an eye-opening glimpse of the beautiful terrestrial and marine native plants and animals of the Keys. All four DVDs are as captivating as they are educational, and worthy of the highest recommendation especially for public library collections. Treasure Houses of Britain Hosted by Selina Scott Athena c/o Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 9781598287493 .99 [URL="http://www.acornonline.com"]www.acornonline.com[/URL] Treasure Houses of Britain: Tour Five of England's Grandest Houses lives up to its title with a lavish, high-definition video showcase of Burghley House, Chatsworth, Blenheim Palace, Holkham Hall, and Boughton House. With the gracious aid of the present occupants of each luxurious residence, journalist Selina Scott leads viewers on a tour of great works of architecture, rare paintings, antique furniture, historic sculptures, and other exquisite works of art collected over the course of centuries. Each house has its own story to tell of the notable and influential families who lived there over the course of generations. Bonus features include a 22 min. behind-the-scenes featurette, a 12-page viewer's guide, and more. An extraordinarily beautiful and respectful documentary series of five spectacular residences and the British history they embody, Treasure Houses of Britain is a captivating and educational delight. 5 episodes, 231 min. plus bonus, SDH subtitles, widescreen. Basketball Fundamentals Produced by Marty Schupak Youth Sports Club 9 Florence Court Valley Cottage, NY 10989 9780983924227 .95 [URL="http://www.YouthSportsClub.com"]www.YouthSportsClub.com[/URL] Basketball Fundamentals is a practical DVD demonstrating a wide variety of basic basketball techniques and drills. Ideal for coaches, parents, and players, Basketball Fundamentals is a solid guide to improving both individual and team performance. Topics covered include Ball Handling Basics, Advanced Dribbling Techniques, Ball Handling Games, Offensive Plays & Moves, Dual Purpose Drills, Communication Techniques, V Cut, L Cut, Passing Fundamentals & Drills, Slow Motion Analysis, Pick and Roll, Breaking Out & Rebounding, and Defense Techniques. A user-friendly video guide, Basketball Fundamentals is especially recommended for high school physical education DVD libraries. 38 min. Hot Body Cool Mind: The Life Force Power System Jennifer Kries True Mind Media c/o 411 Video Information (publicity) PO Box 1223 Pebble Beach, CA 93953 .95 [URL="http://www.411videoinfo.com"]www.411videoinfo.com[/URL] Hot Body Cool Mind: The Life Force Power System is a 4-DVD set featuring an excellent combination workout from fitness professional Jennifer Kries. The entire regimen walks the viewer through the benefits of Pilates (especially to strengthen one's core), Vinyasa Yoga for flexibility, Jazz Dance for cardio and calorie burning, Ballet to sculpt one's muscles, Chi-Gong to revitalize energy, Yin Yoga and Meditation to clear the mind as well as the body, and more. 20 "On the Go" workouts are only 10 or 20 minutes apiece, allowing one to squeeze healthy exercise into the busiest of schedules. An excellent resource to help one look and feel better, Hot Body Cool Mind is highly recommended for fitness DVD collections. The four DVDs are "Level 1: Embark on the Journey", "Level 2: Harness the Power", "Level 3: Life Force Challenge", and "Level 4: Waking Energy". 580 min. Power 4 Pink Workout Patricia Friberg 208 Entertainment Inc. c/o 411 Video Information PO Box 1223 Pebble Beach, CA 93953 .95 [URL="http://www.411videoinfo.com"]www.411videoinfo.com[/URL] Patricia Friberg, creator of the award-winning DVDs "Belly Beautiful Workout Prenatal" and "Belly Beautiful Workout Postnatal" presents Power 4 Pink Workout: Cardio, Strength, Pilates, & Balance, a mind- body fitness DVD fusing four key elements into a healthy whole. Divided into The Cardio Interval Balance Challenge, The Toning Floor Series, The Stretch and Revive Series" and a bonus section of exercises intended especially for survivors of breast cancer, Power 4 Pink Workout is a great way to look and feel better about oneself. An inexpensive small fitness ball and six-foot resistance band (not included) are the only recommended equipment for this solid, user- friendly workout, highly recommended for women's fitness DVD collections. 80 min. Boston Body Barre Zayna Gold BostonBody.com c/o 411 Video Information (publicity) PO Box 1223 Pebble Beach, CA 93953 .95 [URL="http://www.411videoinfo.com"]www.411videoinfo.com[/URL] Boston Body Barre is a DVD presentation of the Pilates and Cardio based fitness program designed by Zayna Gold, an award-winning Pilates instructor and the founder/co-owner of Boston Body Pilates and Boston Body Barre. Expensive equipment is not required; only a simple, inflatable fitness ball is recommended to get the most out of this solid program to improve one's buttocks, arms, abs, and legs. Ideal for use at least 2-3 times a week, Boston Body Barre is a well- rounded, enjoyable, and effective workout, highly recommended for personal fitness DVD libraries. 60 min. Coregeous Jill Miller Tune Up Fitness Worldwide, Inc. c/o 411 Video Information (publicity) PO Box 1223 Pebble Beach, CA 93953 .99 [URL="http://www.411videoinfo.com"]www.411videoinfo.com[/URL] yogatuneup.com 25-year movement art and body therapy veteran Jill Miller presents Coregeous, a fitness DVD designed to help the user build strength in the core muscles. Especially suited for those who may have weakness in the core due to underuse, overtraining, injury, or scar tissue, Coregeous is a user-friendly workout guide. The four main sequences are "Core Re-From", which includes a deep tissue massage and exercises for key respiratory muscles, "Get COREganized", which features proper spinal alignment and breathing patterns, "InCOREporate" which emphasizes building a strong lower back as well as improving the muscles of the ribcage and the torso as a whole, and "Get COREgeous", which is all about balance and improving the stability and fluidity of one's core muscles on different gravitational planes. Three specialty sequences - "Tubular Core Activation", "Abdominal Massage", and "Abdominal Churning" further enhance this excellent supplement to DVD fitness libraries. No expensive equipment is required; the props used in Corgeous are a stability ball, YTU therapy balls, soft sponge ball, and yoga block, but ordinary tennis balls, a blanket, and a large book can be substituted for these. Coregeous is a superb abdominal fitness guide for users of all skill and experience levels, highly recommended. 105 min. Rapid Hypnotic Inductions Gabor Filo, DDS ABHD Crown House Publishing 6 Trowbridge Drive Suite 5 Bethel, CT 06801 9781845908461 .95 [URL="http://www.crownhousepublishing.com"]www.crownhousepublishing.com[/URL] Gabor Filo (Diplomate of the American Board of Hypnosis in Dentistry) presents Rapid Hypnotic Inductions: Demonstrations & Applications, a DVD guide to using hypnosis interactions in clinical settings, for the benefit of patients. Hypnosis is often seen as time-intensive, but doesn't have to be, claims Dr. Filo. He demonstrates time-efficient methods for practical use of hypnosis techniques, some verbal, some nonverbal, and some physical inductions. A 16-page learning guide explaining each of the demonstrations rounds out this excellent supplementary resource, ideal for not only dentists, but also any professional practitioner seeking swift, effective ways to calm and relax patients without the use of drugs. 60 min. 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
