Innocence (DVD IEF 226) By Lucile Hadzihalilovic

This film by director Lucile Hadzihalilovic is a stunning example of contemporary symbolist fiction. Based on the novella by Frank Wedekind (author of Spring Awakening), the story follows the daily routine of an unusual all-girls school located in an isolated forest. I was pulled in by the extreme vividness of the cinematography; the green of the forest and the colored ribbons in the girls’ hair is completely saturated amongst crisp pastels and high contrasts. A very sparse soundtrack of classical music is supplimented by heightened ambient noise, adding an eeriness to the other-worldly environment. I recommend it if you liked Picnic at Hanging Rock (DVD CRIT 053), La mala educación (DVD SONYHE 057), and Palindromes (DVD WELL 027).

HALF JAPANESE: THE BAND THAT WOULD BE KING (DVD VANF 001)

Half Japanese is a band you want to love. Like the Shaggs, Daniel Johnston and Gary Wilson, Half Japanese earned their cred from their eccentric personalities and unconventional yet honest musical style. The great thing about watching a well made music documentary about this band, is that you don’t actually have to listen to the fifteen or so albums they produced before they knew how to play their instruments (arguably). The live and studio footage is enough to give you a feel of the band’s aesthetic and progression, and, thanks to a great editor, are all surprisingly enjoyable. Band members David and Jad Fair are fantastic eccentrics, who explain their inspirations and diligence with a seriousness that is both endearing and honorable. Footage of the band is interspursed with interviews with legend Mo Tucker of the Velvet Underground, and music critic Byron Coley, among others. This film is an homage to music nerds everywhere.

Other music documentaries I suggest for kids who never got any good at sports: American Hardcore (DVD SONYHE 036), The Devil and Daniel Johnston (DVD SONYHE 038), and Joy Division (DVD GENI 047).

Are you "Building Social Skills in the Preschool Child"?

Need expert help? Then watch this seminal UW film:
http://bit.ly/TyzEc (part 1) &
http://bit.ly/1bmuaL (part 2)

Bastille Day VHS Party

Can't get enough of the Bicentennial Celebration of Bastille Day? Watch all 4 volumes on VHS, now, while it's here: http://bit.ly/WmZvQ

New Media - July 2009

We've some great new media for July. Check it out ...

• New DVDs
• New VHS
• New CDs