DVD Reviews

New World Order:
The documentary focuses on the activities of Alex Jones and others active in the “truth movement.” A dedicated bunch, to be sure.
Recommended

American Violet:
Drama based on a true story in Texas. A falsely accused mother of four takes on a corrupt district attorney. A great dramatization of the depraved drug war that breaks up families, ruins lives, and locks innocent people in cages.
Recommended

Jonestown- The Life and Death of People’s Temple:
A documentary that examines the evolution, life and death of the People’s Temple church, led by Jim Jones. A great study of the hazards of cults and the ultimate destruction of individual lives when the needs of the collective are the priority. In this case, the result was the mass suicide of over 900 people.
Recommended

The Falcon and the Snowman:
I watched this when originally released in 1985. I could only remember that it was good, but no details. Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn star as two young men, fresh out of college, who decide to sell USG secrets to the Soviet Union- primarily as pay back for the CIA’s multiple involvements and disruptions in the sovereign affairs of other countries. Based on a true story.
Recommended

The Heart of the Game:
This documentary follows the work of an innovative and creative high school girl’s basketball coach in Seattle over a period of seven years. It also explores the interrelationships and problems of his players. Very inspiring and enjoyable to watch. This film was obviously a labor of love.
Recommended

Trouble the Water:
Another Katrina documentary, but filmed by and focusing on a few individuals in New Orleans who directly experienced the storm and resultant flooding. These folks didn’t perish because of their self-reliance, tenacity, and teamwork with friends and family. They were completely let down by the government they looked to for help. The only disappointing element of the film is that these same individuals (whose self-reliance proved they didn’t need the state) look once again to government to improve their lives and rebuild their neighborhood.
Recommended

The Maiden Heist:
Despite the talents of Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, and William Macy, this comedy never quite clicks. Not a bad film, just not as good as I would have thought. I honestly laughed more during the blooper reel than the film itself.
Not recommended

Whatever Works:
It’s been many years since I watched a Woody Allen movie, but I was attracted to this one because of the cast that included Larry David. It turns out that David is the perfect conveyor for Allen’s pessimistic misanthropy.
Recommended

Little Dieter Needs to Fly:
A Werner Herzog documentary about Dieter Dengler, a German immigrant who emigrates to the US, joins the military to be a pilot and is shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. He escapes a POW camp and endures an incredible struggle for survival to escape the jungle.
Recommended

The Taking of Pelham 123:
A well orchestrated remake of a 1974 film with Denzel Washington and John Travolta leading the way.
Recommended

The Endurance:
Documentary follows the ill-fated, 1914 voyage of the Endurance to Antarctica. A stirring story of survival that includes original film and still footage, as well as some of the best modern footage of Antarctica you’ll ever see.
Recommended

My Flesh and Blood:
An enlightening documentary that explores the life of Susan Tom, a single parent who adopts 11 children, all with special needs. You’ll fall in love with at least two or three of her kids.
Recommended

Benjamin Franklin:
An extensive, in depth look at the American colonial genius by PBS. The miniseries uses much of Franklin’s and his contemporaries’ own words delivered by skilled actors, as well as accompanying narration and interviews with historians. A true renaissance man.
Recommended

Soldiers of Conscience:
Interesting documentary that contrasts the views of a number of soldiers, some who defend the necessity of war, and others who have become vehemently anti-war.
Recommended

The Take:
This documentary examines the 2001 economic collapse in Argentina and the resulting political turmoil. Workers begin to take over their closed, abandoned factories and operate them as worker controlled collectives. These brave, dedicated individuals then have to battle to keep the state returning those factories back to their corporate owners.
Recommended

Angels and Demons:
Ron Howard and Tom Hanks team up again to bring another Dan (Da Vinci Code) Brown novel to the big screen. Hanks plays the same Robert Langdon character. He follows Illuminati-inspired clues to solve an elaborate kidnapping and murder scheme within the Vatican.
Recommended