Midwest Book Review: The Library DVD Shelf

The Library DVD Shelf

Terry Pratchett's Discworld Collection: Wyrd Sisters & Soul Music
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
DVD, $39.99 www.acornmedia.com

Terry Pratchett's Discworld Collection: Wyrd Sisters & Soul Music
collects the animated adaptions of two of Terry Pratchett's widely
beloved Discworld fantasy series. Created by the award-winning
animators of Cosgrove Hall Films, these DVDs faithfully bring both
novels to life with their wit and wisdom intact - and even a little
extra polish not possible on the printed page, such as the toe-tapping
rock-and-roll pastiches in the "Soul Music" soundtrack. In "Wyrd
Sisters", three witches have to confront a destructive king - but they
cannot use their magic to overthrow him directly, because what magic
rules, magic destroys. Only the true heir to the throne can set things
right - or can he? In "Soul Music", Death literally takes a holiday,
leaving his recently orphaned teenage granddaughter (the child of his
adopted daughter and his former apprentice) to take over the Duty.
It's a difficult enough job, but when she encounters a handsome young
man possessed by the essence of rock-'n'-roll, she is determined to
save him before the music burns out his life, Duty be damned! Suitable
for viewers of all ages (though adults will more readily grasp the
sophisticated dimensions of Pratchett's humor), Terry Pratchett's
Discworld Collection is an absolute "must-have" for fans of humorous
fantasy in general and Pratchett's work in particular. Special
features such as storyboards, an interview with Terry Pratchett,
character bios, and more round out this treasury, worthy of the
absolute highest recommendation for both library and personal
collections, as well as for birthday or holiday gift-giving.

Faerie Tale Theatre
Koch Vision
c/o Koch Entertainment
22 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050
Foundry Communications (publicity)
KOC-DV-6544, $99.98

Actress, producer and director Shelley Duvall created one of the most
original and popular approaches to classic fairy tales with the
creation of her 26 episode television series 'Faerie Tale Theatre'.
Each week children and their parents were treated to live action
performances of beloved fairy tales featuring headlines stars that
included Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon,
James Earl Jones, Liza Minnelli, Eric Idle, Howie Mandell, Carrie
Fisher, and so many more of Hollywood's best known. The roster of
directors was equally prestigious and included Francis Ford Coppola,
Peter Medak, Tim Burton, Roger Vadim, and others just as renowned.
Great attention was given to costuming and set design in every episode
that ranged across a spectrum of cultures to include such diverse
stories as 'Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp', to 'Cinderella', to 'The
Little Mermaid', to 'The Three Little Pigs', to The Pied Piper of
Hamelin, and twenty-one others. A 7-disc boxed set of flawlessly
recorded productions, the DVD format includes such bonus features as
"Lost Episode: 'Faerie Tale Theatre's Greatest Moments'; Vintage
Faerie Tale Theatre, Presentation Reel with Shelley Duvall, and B-Roll
Promo Footage. The box set is enhanced with the inclusion of a photo-
rich 112-page storybook featuring all 26 fairy tales, as well as a '3-
in-1' Faerie Tale Theatre Game (custom playing cards, memory math and
trivia). Ideal for both family and community library DVD collections,
"Faerie Tale Theatre" will prove to be an enduringly popular treat for
both children and adults!

The Dali Dimension
Joan Ubeda, et al.
MVD Entertainment Group
H-840 North Circle Drive, Oaks, PA 19456
#1001DVD, $24.95, www.MVDb2b.com

Most people know Salvador Dali as the peculiarly mustached surrealist
painter of drooping clocks. "The Dali Dimension: Decoding The Mind Of
A Genius" is an award-winning investigatory documentary that, through
a series of rare film clips and interviews with the artist himself,
delves into Dali's interest in psychoanalysis, relativity theory, and
mathematics. Ably narrated by Joseph Nuzzolo, "The Dali Dimension" is
the collaborative effort of documentarians Joan Ubeda, Susi Marques
and Eli Pons. Of special note is the never previously available
footage of Dali feverishly working on a series of drawings, using ink
spread and splashed with a large a large palette knife. Students of
Dali's work will find "The Dali Dimension" both informed and
informative. Superbly produced and featuring leading experts in the
fields of science talking about their personal experiences with
Salvador Dali as a man of science as well as an artist, "The Dali
Dimension: Decoding The Mind Of A Genius" is a compelling addition to
personal, professional, academic, and community library DVD
documentary collections.

Meals In Minutes
Stevie Ray
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
www.learningzoneexpress.com
1571756949, $49.95, 1-888-455-7003

Sooner or later, almost every one experiences an accident in the
kitchen or a problem with poorly prepared and/or poorly stored foods.
Laced with comedy but showcasing spot-on advice for safety in the
kitchen, with the foods stored there, and with the meals prepared
there, "Meals In Minutes: Kitchen & Food Safety" is a 19 minute DVD
specifically designed to entertain and inform viewers from sixth grade
Home Ec classes to young adults just starting their culinary careers
as homemakers, to experienced adults in need of a refresher on food
and kitchen safety. Featuring a split screen format illustrating both
safe ('Do Stevie') and dangerous (Don't Stevie) practices in the
kitchen, and using 'real world' examples such as making an apple
crisp, spaghetti with meatballs, and a dinner salad, "Meals In
Minutes" covers such issues as hand washing, knife safety, cross-
contamination, burns and cuts, food storage, and more. The DVD format
includes a closed caption feature for those that need it. "Meals In
Minutes" is especially recommended for family, school, and community
library instructional DVD collections.

Dueling Guitars
Paul Bollenback & John Hart
Arkadia DVD
34 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
V.I.E.W. Video (distribution)
34 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
72021, $19.98, www.arkadiadvd.com www.view.com

Whether acoustic or electric, the guitar is one of the most popular
musical instruments. In the hands of a master performer, the guitar
can evoke an enormous range of emotional responses. Now two masters of
the guitar, Paul Bollenback and John Hart, team up to demonstrate what
guitar duets can accomplish in creating original and memorable music
in "Dueling Guitars", a flawlessly recorded DVD showcasing a total of
78 minutes of performance and an additional 40 minutes of bonus
features. The performances including Alone Together; Scenes from a
Song; Superstition; I Mean You; Reflections of Jaco; From This Moment
On; Double Gemini; But Not For Me, and Trio (Duo) Slant. "Dueling
Guitar" bonus features include a performance clip of 'You Must Believe
in Spring'; John Hart and Paul Bollenback biographies; John hart and
Paul Bollenback interviews; 'instant access' to songs and solos; Dolby
Digital 5.1 and Dolby Stero Audio; Digitally Mastered Audio & Video;
and DVD Recommendations. A superbly produced performance DVD, "Dueling
Guitars" is recommended for personal and community library
collections, and should be considered a 'must' viewing experience by
guitar enthusiasts and aspiring performers.

The Sensation Of Sight
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569946596, $24.95, www.montereymedia.com

A multiple award winning independent film, "The Sensation Of Sight" is
the story of Finn, a middle-aged English teacher entering a mid-life
crisis precipitated by personal tragedy. Finn sells encyclopedias to
town locals, as his anxieties mount and he finds himself pursued by an
unrelenting ghost. This is the deftly portrayed story of loneliness
and disconnection that in the end leads to an unanticipated awakening
and personal redemption. Showcasing the talents of David Starthairn,
Ian Somerhalder, Daniel Gillies, Jane Adams, Ann Cusack, Elisabeth
Waterston, Joe Mazzello, and Scott Wilson, all under the direction of
Aaron J. Wiederspahn, "The Sensation Of Sight" is an enthusiastically
recommended addition to personal and community library DVD film
collections.

Hot Body Boot Camp
Amy Bento
Anchor Bay Entertainment
1699 Stutz Drive, Troy, MI 48084
www.anchorbayentertainment.com
DV15557, $14.98, www.nrgfitness.net

DVD technology has brought about a revolution in home-based fitness
and exercise routines. The newest addition to the popular '10 Minute
Solution' series, "Hot Body Boot Camp" is comprised of a series of ten-
minute segments that enable the viewer to work out for as little as
ten minutes or as long as an hour to condition the body while
enhancing stamina, agility, coordination, and improving reaction time.
The five segments comprising this outstanding DVD include Hot Body
Cardio; Ab Assault; Rock Bottom Sculpt; Calorie Blasting Drills; and
Better Body Stretch. With the step-by-step illustrated example of NASM
certified group fitness instructor Amy Bento, the first four of these
segments induce sweat, raise the heart rate, and challenge muscles to
the point of fatigue. The final segment offers respite and recovery
from the vigorous and effective workout. A DVD enabled bonus feature
of the highly recommended and thoroughly 'user friendly' "10 Minute
Solution: Hot body Boot Camp" is the ability to crate individualized
and customized workouts by programming any of the five segments in
what ever order the viewer wishes to work out to. Also very highly
recommended for personal, professional, and community library exercise
DVD collections are Leah Sarago's "10 Minute Solutions: Dance Off Fat
Fast" (DV15959, $14.98); Suzanne Bowen's "10 Minute Solution: Pilates
Perfect Body" (DV15957, $14.98); and Jessica Smith's "10 Minute
Solution: Quick Tummy Toners" (DV15958, $14.98).

Pure Barre
Carrie Rezabek
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
DVD, $19.95, www.purebarre.com

"Pure Barre" is an instructional DVD showcasing a specific series of
exercises drawing upon ballet, pilates, and the Lotte Berk Method to
assist viewers in developing and maintaining a superb physique. This
series of exercises are the creations of dancer/choreographer/fitness
guru Carrie Resabek whose Pure Barre Technique is ideal for both the
home and the gym. Before beginning this unique system of exercises,
viewers will need two sets of weights (one heavier set and one lighter
set), a mat, a small towel or sock, and a sturdy support to hold onto
such as a counter-top or a chair. "Pure Barre" begins with a light
warm-up and arm work using light hand weights to increase the heart
rate and tone the upper body. Then targeted and user friendly
exercises are provided for the legs, sea and abs. Stretches throughout
the workout help create dancer-quality slim, lean and flexible
muscles. A superbly produced exercise DVD instructional, "Pure Barre"
is a highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and
community library Health & Exercise DVD collections and routines.

Flying The Secret Sky
WGBH Boston Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
WG42679, $24.95, www.ssapr.com www.shop.wgbh.org

"Flying The Secret Sky" is a 75-minute documentary showcasing The
British RAF's little known activities in transporting military
aircraft from North America to England before America's entrance into
World War II. This hazardous and secretive aspect of military aviation
in 1940 preceded America's entry into the war and was part of
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's assistance to Britain's efforts
to defend themselves against Hitler's attacks. "Flying The Secret Sky"
is the story of dedicated, risk-taking young pilots who flew across a
wartime Atlantic in unarmed aircraft as told by the flyers in their
own words. Of special note is the American civilian pilot who
transported Winston Churchill. Enhanced with a profusion of previously
unseen home movies and rare footage of Ferry Command aircraft and
crews, "Flying The Secret Sky" is a welcome and enthusiastically
recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library
Aviation History and World War II European Theatre DVD collections.

Backyard Lacrosse
Marty Schupak
Youth Sports Club
9 Florence Court, Valley Cottage, NY 10989
9780978945169, $24.95

A Native American sport going back centuries, Lacrosse was introduced
to Europeans and became on of the most popular sports world wide. It
is currently the fastest growing team sport in America. "Backyard
Lacrosse" is an instructional 38-minute DVD showcasing creative drills
and fundamental techniques of interest to both novice and experienced
lacrosse players. Each of these exercises can be down in an ordinary
backyard, school playground, and either alone or with teammates.
Appropriate for players ages 10 and older (especially the competitive
high school player), "Backyard Lacrosse" covers stick control,
scooping fundamentals, cradling, shooting techniques, creative drills,
dodging, an equipment over view, and a wealth of practical tips that
will enhance lacrosse player performance. "Backyard Lacrosse" is a
strongly recommended addition to personal, school, community center,
and community library Sports & Athletics instructional DVD
collections.

The Gladys Aylward Story
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540
501244D, $14.99, www.visionvideo.com 1-800-523-0226

The newest addition to the outstanding Vision Video series 'The
Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith', "The Gladys Aylward Story", a
thirty-minute animated video for children ages 8 through 12 that
presents a true account of a Christian missionary who helped more than
one hundred Chinese orphans to escape the onslaught of the Japanese
when they swept through China in 1940 massacring whole populations in
their conquest. Glady's Aylward's embarked with the orphans upon a one
hundred mile trek over the mountains of China to a safe haven. With
only her determination, faith, and commitment to those children
entrusted to her care, Gladys Aylward was able to accomplish one of
the truly legendary rescues of World War II. This superbly recorded
DVD is enhanced with English and Spanish languages with optional
English subtitles, and is enhanced for the viewer with the additional
inclusion of a documentary featuring biographer Carol Purves and
Gladys' adopted son, Clifford Liu. A comprehensive leader's guide with
lessons plans, background information, reproducible student handouts,
and more make "The Gladys Aylward Story" ideal for home schooling and
church schooling curriculums. Additional resources are available
online at www.torchlighters.org. Also highly recommended from Vision
Video (a premier publisher of DVDs for the Christian community) are
their other new releases including "Reflections on the Lord's Prayer
for People with Cancer" (501260D, $19.99); "Somebody's
Daughter" (501284D, $19.99); and "Advent Calendar on DVD 2: Christmas
Carol Edition" (501283D, $14.95, 25 segments, total running time of
115 minutes).

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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Midwest Book Review
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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