THE SECRET LIVES OF ADULT STARS dvd

So, what's it like making a living in the world of porn?  What cliches are ridiculous, and which common beliefs are true?  These are some of the "secrets" covered in The Secret Lives of Adult Stars, a 2004 documentary consisting of interviews with the people who make their living making adult entertainment.

This documentary takes a simple approach: Get some adult film professionals (mainly actors and directors) and let them chat about different topics.  The folks discuss everything from how they got started in the industry, to fans, to the challenges of maintaining relationships with people who aren't part of the industry.  They discuss the need to "approach women as a consumer," the rise of the internet and technology (the shots of vhs boxes suggest this was made right before the advent of the dvd), and how little male performers make compared with women.

Folks looking for deep, dark secrets won't find them here.  There are no outsiders giving different perspectives on the pros and cons of filming and selling sex, just industry professionals discussing mostly how much they enjoy working in the industry.  (All may not be perfect, as the stars who become more popular can work less.  Asia Carrera comments that she made "seventy movies in my first six months.")  There's no discussion of feminism, politics, or controversy.

What The Secret Lives of Adult Stars delivers is most of the big names of the adult industry, such as Brittany Andrews, Julie Meadows, Anna Malle, Nina Hartley, Julia Ann, Asia Carrera, Michael Raven, Steven St. Croix, and more.  (Notably absent is megastar Jenna Jameson.)  This documentary shows that the people in the adult entertainment industry are regular people, not sexaholics or damaged goods.  Beyond that, though The Secret Lives of Adult Stars isn't particularly illuminating on this fascinating genre.

Overall grade: C+
Reviewed by James Lynch

WRITER OF O dvd

The novel Story of O by Pauline Reage was controversial when released in 1954 and still retains its (in)famous reputation -- but what of its history? Who was the woman behind the pseudonym Pauline Reage? What happened when the book was released? And was Story of O more fantasy or reality? Director Pola Rapaport explores the fact behind the fiction in the documentary Writer of O.

Dominique Aury was a French writer, an intellectual (traveling in the same circles as Albert Camus), a member of the French Resistance during World Wat 2 -- and the lover of married publisher Jean Paulhan. She expressed her love to him by writing Story of O, and she remained hidden behind her pseudonym Pauline Reage until "coming out" 40 years later in an article in The New Yorker by John de St. Jarre. Writer of O explores Aury's life, and her famous work, through: interviews with Aury and authors, publishers, critics, and journalists; news footage of both Aury and the sensation Story of O caused in the 1950s; and actors re-creating both excerpts from the novel and interviews and discussions of people involved with its publication.

Writer of O shows us what a remarkable woman Dominique Aury was. (She passed away in 1998.) In her youth, even while keeping her authorship secret she was a passionate advocate of the power of literature and the imagination. As a woman in her 80s she retained both her sharp mind and dignity, effortlessly defending her work ("women are as immoral as men") while noting that she kept her secret for 40 years because when she finally revealed her authorship, people were less likely to attack an old woman.

As for the rest of the world of Story of O, the documentary is a little one-sided. Everyone interviewed is a fan of both Aury and her novel; many are far from objective, such as the French and American publishers who first released the book, or friends of Aury and Pauhan. And while dramatic snippets from the novel illustrate Story of O's appeal and controversial nature, Writer of O blurs its non-fiction perspective by also having actors portraying the same people already interviewed or shown in news footage. Still, there are good analyses of what happened when Story of O was released, both from critics today and some people who were there when it exploded on the literary world.

Despite these flaws, Writer of O is a good look at not just at the woman behind Pauline Reage and some of the history surrounding the novel. (The dvd also has mini-interviews on several topics, from where the name "O" came from to the original translations.)

Overall grade: B

Reviewed by James Lynch

JUST ABOUT FAMOUS

Is looking like a celebrity a blessing or a curse -- and what can you do with that likeness? These are the two main areas of Just About Famous, a far-too-brief look at celebrity impersonators, or "celebrity tribute artists."

In this documentary, directors Matt Mamula and Jason Kovacsev travel to the Sunburst Convention, where professional celebrity impersonators meet from around the globe. Some of these folks could easily pass for "their" celebrity (like an Oprah look-alike who appeared on Good Morning America), while others only capture part of it (such as a Britney Spears who looks absolutely identical -- and speaks with a heavy Russian accent). The impersonators tell their stories, most of which are similar: They don't believe that they are actually the celebrity, they lead normal lives outside of this area of their lives, and most people absolutely refuse to believe that they're not the celebrity. Some have comedy acts (like Clinton and George W. singing together), some perform (like an Elvis impersonator, who'll sing for an hour or two), and others... we don't know.

Just About Famous is an interesting documentary with a truly fatal flaw: It's only fifteen minutes long! We barely learn anything about these people, as we only see them at the convention. Do or can they make a living as impersonators? How do family and friends feel about it? Is there competition among people impersonating the same person? (For that matter, we learn very little about the convention itself. Is there any sort of contest? Can they make business contacts, or is it purely fun? Can anyone go?)

I'd like to see Just About Famous used as the beginning of a documentary, not the whole thing. Follow two or three of these people around for a year, seeing them outside the Sunburst Convention. Are their looks, to quote Adrian Monk, a blessing and a curse? Are they really actors and performers? What does it take to be a professional "celebrity tribute artist?" As it stands, Just About Famous is interesting, amusing, and far too brief to offer any real insight into this potentially fascinating world.

Overall grade: C-
Reviewed by James Lynch

NAKED AMBITION

Back in 2006 photographer Michael Grecco went to the AVN Awards and Convention -- the porn equivalent of the Academy Awards, with a trade show mixed in -- to shoot a coffee-table book in three days. That book was reviewed here. A documentary of this endeavor was also filmed during this project. Naked Ambition: An R Rated Look at the X-Rated Industry follows Grecco and talks to many of the adult entertainment folks he photographed.

Naked Ambition seeks to explore both Grecco's creative process and the culture of porn as seen through its biggest ceremony -- but this movie is a little superficial on both fronts. Grecco's voiceover continually has him explaining that he's not shooting porn ("this project is a portrait of a culture") and there's not much more on his creative process here. Most interview subjects just talk about themselves, creating a patchwork of people rather than a portrait of the culture Grecco is after. And the closest to a storyline here is a slightly longer focus on Sunny Lane, an actress hoping to win Best New Starlet, and Grecco's concern about not getting to photograph Larry Flynt or Jenna Jameson. (The latter issue is covered in about two sentences.)

There are some good things here. The bonus features give more of an overview of this culture, from the role of men to the fans at the AVN Convention. Some of the folks interviewed are interesting, like the sophisticated regal dominant or the chance encounter between co-stars, friends, and lovers Julia Ann and Janine Lindemulder. Overall, though, there have been better documentaries on porn (several of which I've reviewed here), and the book Naked Ambition works better than its behind-the-scenes documentary Naked Ambition.

Overall grade: C-
Reviewed by James Lynch

JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK

Few people in show business are more accomplished, abrasive, or driven than Joan Rivers. The documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work gives the viewer a year in her life.

Actually, there's very little distinction here between Rivers' life and career. From start to finish, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work is about her working life. We learn more about daughter Melissa when she and Joan were shooting The Celebrity Apprentice together, and Rivers' husband is discussed more as her manager than spouse. Still, since Rivers has been performing since the 1960s to the present, such a career is worth attention.
And how does Joan Rivers come across here? She's a series of contradictions: enormously successful, yet fearful of failing and being forgotten; brash and controversial, yet insecure; complaining about having to work at her age (this documentary includes Rivers' 75th birthday) yet unable to stop or even slow down. The most consistent aspect of Rivers' life is, well, simple greed: She lives like a queen and will do just about anything for the money to pay for this lifestyle.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work collects material both from interviews with Rivers, archival footage from her early days on The Tonight Show and stand-up routines, current t.v. appearances (The Celebrity Apprentice, her Comedy Central roast) and club performances, and her play about her life story. This documentary doesn't shy away from Rivers' flaws, yet it makes her somehow more admirable for them: Joan Rivers comes across as possibly the hardest-working person in show business, even at 75. With all her self-doubts and worries Joan Rivers is still amazing to see perform: edgy, energetic, and funny. Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work may be an incomplete look at Joan Rivers' life, but it's a very good look at the world of show business in which she lives.

Overall grade: B+
Reviewed by James Lynch

9 TO 5: DAYS IN PORN

Pornography is such a provocative and controversial item it's easy to forget about the people involved in it. This is addressed in 9 to 5: Days in Porn, a documentary that examines the lives of adult film professionals.

There are several different people (the director calls them "characters") in 9 to 5: Days in Porn. They include: married couple Otto Bauer and Audrey Hollander; new starlet Sasha Grey; sisters Alicia and Joanna Angel; superstar Belladonna and German star Katja Kassin; Dr. Sharon Mitchell, a former porn star that became a doctor fighting disease in the porn community; Mark Spiegler, agent to many new and established stars; and several other men and women working in the San Fernando Valley making porn.

The focus of 9 to 5: Days in Porn isn't the industry (nothing on the impact of the Internet or current trends) but what it takes to survive, professionally and personally, making a living by putting one's sexuality out there for all to see. Those shown here are quite a diverse group. Sasha Grey started with an ambitious and creative mission statement and proudly compares her line of work ("we're sexual athletes") with "normal" teens. Otto and Audrey are a couple with their own strengths and problems -- neither of which involve their roles with other people. Spiegler is pragmatic (warning about not throwing away one's earnings), while Mitchell warns, "Denial is the backbone of pornography when it comes to health care."

9 to 5: Days in Porn is a pretty good look at the people who make their living working in the adult entertainment industry. While the documentary sometimes avoids the doubts or problems of the subjects (director Jens Hoffmann said he didn't want to repay the people's trust in him by showing them crying or at their worst) it also doesn't glamorize the industry either. Several people note that the stigma of being a porn actor follows people after they leave, and they also warn that entering the industry for the wrong reasons can destroy people.

The goal, and achievement, of 9 to 5: Days in Porn is to show the people involved in porn as three-dimensional people, not stereotypes or airheads or victims. This documentary is a good behind-the-scenes look at the different types of people working in a very controversial and popular genre. (DVD bonuses include deleted scenes, filming at the AVN Awards Show, and a q&a with director Jens Hoffmann at a film festival.)

Overall grade: A-
Reviewed by James Lynch

PORN: BUSINESS OF PLEASURE

While there have been numerous documentaries about pornography -- some reviewed here -- leave it to MSNBC to take a look at the business side of adult entertainment. Porn: Business of Pleasure is an hour-long program that's essentially a "state of the industry" piece.

Hosted by Melissa Lee, Porn: Business of Pleasure has lots of statistics and interviews about porn -- and its current problems. While adult entertainment is hugely profitable -- the show estimates porn is worth $13 billion in the U.S. and $100 million globally each year -- dvd sales for adult movies were down between 30% and 50% last year. The paradox, reflected on by several people, is that while technology has made porn more accessible, it's also made free materials more available, hurting sales. (There's also the contradiction that while we're told porn is less taboo, many here did not want their faces shown.)

Interviews are plentiful, including: adult star Jesse Jane talking about her drive to build a business empire; Max Hardcore, speaking right before going to prison for his obscenity conviction; female executives at Wicked Pictures, a writer for Wired magazine; and Michael Leahey, porn opponent and "self-diagnosed sex addict."

Porn: The Business of Pleasure does a decent job covering what's happening in adult entertainment today. If there's a flaw (apart from their incorrect statement that YouTube allows porn and ignoring 2257 laws overapplied to the Internet), it's what gets lost in its selected focus. There's very little history here, nothing on print adult entertainment (which may be suffering a lot more than movies), and anti-porn viewpoints are either ignored, given little discussion, or answered by those in the industry. Still, Porn: Business of Pleasure is a solid update of how technology can both help and hurt an industry at the same time.

Overall grade: B-

Reviewed by James Lynch

FIRED

While the only two certainities in life may be death and taxes, getting fired has to be a close third. Annabelle Gurwitch took her getting fired from a Woody Allen play and used that as the starting point of Fired! This documentary explores what it's like to get fired in America.

While Gurwitch has no problem talking about her own experiences with the Woody Allen play, the bulk of Fired! consists of interviews with celebrities discussing their own experiences getting fired. She interviews such notables as Tim Allen, David Cross, Andy Dick (who takes a job serving food and demonstrates that he really should stick to comedy), Richard Kind, Sarah Silverman, and numerous other actors and comics. These interviews show that no matter how successful someone is, they had their own bad experience getting laid off.

Fired! also covers "regular" people, from a woman who was fired for smoking when off the clock to professionals whose job it is to fire people for companies, to the workers at a GM plant facing significant layoffs. Two economists also provide a broader perspective on the reasons for firing, and a human resources executive explains why you should never trust human resources. And a slew of dvd extras have the stars sharing other stories on other job horror stories.

Gurwitch chats with her subjects as much as she interviews them, adding her own comments and jokes. There's also a more positive perspective on getting fired presented at the end that may come as small comfort to the auto workers who got the boot. Fired! succeeds in showing that people from all walks of life have very similar experiences when it comes to getting the boot: the surprise, the surprising humor that comes in hindsight, and the fact that the memory remains vivid even years later. If you've been fired, or will be in the future, Fired! is a surprisingly entertaining look at losing one's job.

Overall grade: B
Reviewed by James Lynch

PORNOGRAPHY: THE SECRET HISTORY OF CIVILISATION

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Confessions of a Superhero

Most of us have been kids who dreamed about being superheroes when we grew up -- but Confessions of a Superhero may make you glad your life didn't take you down that path. This documentary, directed by Matthew Ogens, examines four people pretending to be super characters while pursuing their own dreams.

In Hollywood, lots of actors supplement or make their living dressing up as superheroes, offering to be photographed with tourists, then hoping for a tip from the tourist. Confessions of a Superhero looks at four of these faux heroes: Christopher Dennis, a Superman actor who resembles Christopher Reeve; Maxwell Allen, a Batman with quite a bit of anger; Jennifer Gerht, a Wonder Woman; and Joseph McQueen, a black man covered in plastic to become the Hulk.

All four of these people see themselves as actors on the verge of something better, but they take different approaches to their lives pretending to be superheroes. Dennis is a massive Superman fan whose apartment is filled with memorabilia and photos, from the floors to the walls. Allen has plenty of problems, from a barely-controlled rage to ever-improbable tales of his violent and dangerous past. Gerht treats her Wonder Woman work as a day job, as she works in becoming a better actress and auditioning for commercials. And McQueen, who was once homeless, considers posing for photos and hoping for tips as "panhandling."

This documentary gives a good deal of insight in the background and attitudes of the actors in this line of work. (There are innumerable other characters wandering the streets, from Star Wars aliens to Pinhead and Ghost Rider.) A sheriff explains the laws governing these folks -- they can't approach fans for photos, they can't be too aggressive, and they have to stress that tips are optional. Some people see these actors as helping tourism, while others see them as bums. They even sometimes become famous (appearing on The Jummy Kimmel Show) or infamous (when the news reports show "Elmo" getting arrested).

Confessions of a Superhero is interesting, but not particularly insightful. The four actors here seem realistic about their roles as tourist attractions, but this is basically another story about actors doing something a bit silly while searching for their big break. Ogens generally lets his subjects speak for themselves, but some showy touches (Allen visiting a psychiatrist in his Batman costume, Dennis interviewed in a pale green room with a pale green light) are a little over the top. This is a decent documentary, but it's nothing, er, super.

Overall Grade: B

Reviewed by James Lynch

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

Ah, the glorious road of the champion! Honing one's skills and strength! Seeking victory, recognition, and even glory! And battling a giant ape throwing battles at you! Okay, that last part is a bit unusual, but it forms the basis of the documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. And it's quite compelling.

The King of Kong looks at the world of competitive gaming -- not current video games or card games or board games, but arcade games from the 1980s. The story begins in 1982, when a LIFE Magazine photo shoot brought together some of the best arcade players at the time. Billy Mitchell held the record for Donkey Kong -- and held the record into the 21st century. He has other successes since then -- his business, his family -- and claims his determination in winning the record is how he approaches life.

The challenge to Mitchell's record comes from an unlikely person: Steve Wiebe. Steve is a family man who has had varied interests several brushes with victory but never quite reached the top; some family members and friends even wonder if he has OCD. During a period of unemployment Steve gets a Donkey Kong machine -- and tapes himself breaking the world record!

What follows is a give-and-take battle between Wiebe and Mitchell to claim the title of the greatest Donkey Kong player in the world. This begins as bragging rights within the organization that tracks record holders for arcade games, but the competition becomes more serious when the Guiness Book of World Records gets involved.

The world of competitive gaming could have become bathetic -- adults obsessed about winning at arcade games from the 1980s -- but The King of Kong transforms this into a classic battle between the underdog and the empowered. Billy Mitchell is established as the villain fairly early, from having his fans (one describes himself as Mitchell's "protege") spy on Steve Wiebe's record-breaking attempts to his questioning Wiebe mailing in a tape of his record -- then doing the same thing himself. As for Steve Wiebe, he's made out to be a simple man who broke a held record and just wants to prove it.

We also see the world around these two people. The hardcore competitive gamers appear obsessive, from referee Walter Day linking his meditation and work with keeping these records to the people who brag that they play the games every day in the hopes of breaking these records. The outside people are mostly represented by Wiebe's family: His wife alternately supports his obsession and wishes it was over, while his young daughter wonders why he cares about it at all. The end result is a nice balance of this world, from inside and outside.

A good documentary can invest the viewer in something they may not have cared about (or even known about) before, and The King of Kong delivers. Framed as a classic struggle, this documentary gets us to care about the people involved, to wonder who will come out on top concerning a game we probably haven't played in years. The King of Kong is a fascinating look at the nature of competition, the quest for perfection -- and those deadly barrels.

Overall grade: A

Reviewed by James Lynch

Indie Sex

Sex and movies share a long and complex history, filled with conflict and collusion, desire and decadence, upholding norms and challenging them. The documentary Indie Sex explores the interplay between sexuality and cinema by giving us commentary from people in the movie industry, clips from films used to illustrate the points made, and a timeline of historical events to place the topics discussed in context. The result is a brilliant lesson in the interplay of movies and sexuality.

Indie Sex is divided into three main segments: Censored, tackling the issues of movie ratings and movie censorship; Teens, looking at how teenagers and teen life are treated in the movies; and Extremes, how the movies handle the unusual or unusually intense aspects of sexuality. (The fourth segment, Taboos, is included as an extra on the dvd.) All the segments have commentary on a wide range of people: actors (including Peter Sarsgaard and Rosanna Arquette), directors (from John Waters to Catherine Breillat), film critics, writers, producers, even burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese (that's her image on the cover; sorry, but she's not dressed like this in the documentary) and musicians. These people provide a wide range of viewpoints and experiences, and while there's a definite bias in favor of independent films over mainstream Hollywood -- critic Jami Bernard comments, "Indie films are where you can get a deeper exploration of something" -- the end result is an excellent variety.

Hollywood films aren't attacked or ignored. In providing the history of sex and movies, Indie Sex covers quite a few mainstream films and trends -- such as the success of the American Pie franchise and the colossal failure of Showgirls -- to tell us not only how independent movies are treating sex, but also how movies in general deal with this topic.

The history here is extensive, going back to the first silent films (and anyone thinking that was an innocent time will be surprised at some of the movies here), to the original ratings system (G, M, R, and X), and on to speculation on what "the final taboo" will be for movies. The film clips buttress the points made by the speakers: Even when a film isn't discussed, a few racy seconds shown from it serve to demonstrate another way movies treat the topic of sex.

Directors Lesli Klainberg and Lisa Ades wisely resist interjecting their own views and thoughts, instead giving the spotlight to the people speaking on this. Unlike the flawed This Film Is Not Yet Rated, Indie Sex also avoids any cheap theatrics and stays focused on its topic. The people interviewed also don't hate Hollywood: some work in mainstream movies, and director Lee Daniels, defending the ratings system, observes, "The question is, what are we shielding [children] from? And the answer is, people like me, until they [the children] are eighteen."

As one might imagine -- from the title or the cover -- Indie Sex is definitely intended for mature audiences. With that in mind, Indie Sex is a tremendously informative and entertaining navigation of human sexuality, movies, and their inevitable combination.

Overall Grade: A+

Reviewed by James Lynch

Deep Water (2006)

Deep Water is a documentary chronicling the story of the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. This was an intriguing event, that tested the limits of mankind. It was 1968, and with so much attention on the race to the moon, there was a great nautical event as well- to be the first to circumnavigate the globe in a boat, nonstop, with a crew of one. Here's the route they were supposed to take (more on that a little later):

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

While nine contestants started the race, only one finished it successfully, and it took around nine months. One contestant got so into it, he turned his boat around and decided to go around again (but he got bored and set in at Tahiti after 45,000 miles)!

The subject of the film Deep Water focuses on one contestant, Donald Crowhurst. Using archival footage, including the 16 mm movie camera on board the boat, and the tape recorder (this was the equivalent of videoblogging in the late 1960's boys and girls), and interviews with family and friends, this film seeks to answer the question who this guy was, and how he ended up in over his head in this type of race.

Now that you understand the story, I will focus on the film. Unfortunately, in the end, while the race itself is compelling, Crowhurst is not. This guy gets into the Southern Atlantic, and realizes that his novel boat, a racing trimaran, full of new and untested technology, is taking on quite a bit of water. He knows he will never survive the big waves and bad weather of the Southern Oceans. So rather than abandon the race, he claims false locations, and then a radio malfunction. The plan is to then circle the area, and when the other contestants come around South America, he can sail home with them, falsifying that he did the race, even though he never left the Atlantic.

The death of Crowhurst remains a bit of a nautical mystery. His ship was found, but he wasn't. From his log, it appears that he went insane from the isolation, and he probably jumped overboard.

In my view, this race was a significant test of a person's resolve to stay on task in the most arduous of circumstances. It makes present day events, such as the Iditarod or a Triathalon look like easy tasks. However, I'm not sure why we focused the film on the guy that tried to cheat his way to a respectable finish. Maybe it's just me, but I would have rather seen a film about the only guy who didn't go insane, and completed the event. Also, there was probably only enough archival footage for a 45 minute documentary, and the interviews drag it out to twice that length, which interrupt the momentum of the story. Fans of the sea and grand events may enjoy this, but the rest can safely skip Deep Water.

Overall Grade: C

Reviewed by Jonas

In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)

America's race to reach the moon is an inspiring one; it is also a pretty familiar story. These two elements are present in In the Shadow of the Moon, a documentary about the Apollo preparation for, and journeys to, the moon.

In the Shadow of the Moon is composed of two elements: footage from the times and events around the moon missions, and interviews with the surviving members of the NASA program. Director David Sington lets the material speak for itself, not asking questions or injecting himself into the material. He may be a little too much in awe of the actual missions, as the world around the mission -- the social upheaval of the 1960s, the rivalry with the Russians to reach the moon -- is treated very briefly, as if he's rushing back to the details of NASA.

The people interviewed range from famous astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong to the ground crew and engineers who worked tirelessly to make sure the astronauts reached the moon safely -- and made it back alive. They are a varied bunch, discussing their work and the program with gravity, interest, and often humor, and they all convey a sense of certainty in the goal of the space program.

In the Shadow of the Moon is a little long -- a line near the end suggests the documentary was ending, yet it went on for 20 more minutes -- and much of the story is familiar, whether to the folks who lived during the Apollo missions or fans of the film Apollo 13. It also offers a detailed look at the space program from the inside.

Overall Grade: B

Reviewed by James Lynch

Ocean Odyssey

After my disappointment last year with Deep Blue, it was with hesitation that I tried another documentary about the ocean. I'm happy to report that Ocean Odyssey, put out by the BBC was a heck of a lot better.

In this "edutainment" documentary, we follow the eighty year old life of a bull sperm whale. Throughout his life span, we share in how mankind is "influencing" (ruining) his ocean habitat. While there is no light in the four kilometer deep part of the ocean that is known as the abyss, and also his hunting ground, through computer animation the story is told of the epic battle to catch a giant squid. Seriously, I love calamari, but 15 meters worth is too much for my plate!

By following a historical timeline, we share in such events as a whale hunt, transatlantic phone lines, an underwater volcanic eruption, and even an encounter with a nuclear powered sub and towed array sonar. There are also natural threats such as an encounter with a pack of hungry killer whales that live up to their name.

While the special effects are not quite up to ILM standards, they do a more than adequate job of telling this whale of a tale (sorry, I just couldn't resist...). For those of us that have always been fascinated by the great whales of the ocean, than Ocean Odyssey is a fascinating look at these rarely seen animals for us landlubbers. I think families would also enjoy this type of entertainment while painlessly learning some ocean knowledge as well, which is not a bad way to spend two hours to this reviewer.

Overall Grade: B+

Mail Order Wife (2005)

These days, for a grand or two, just about anyone can acquire a digital video camera, and a computer video workstation. Add in a compelling topic, and any average Joe can be a documentary filmmaker. Unfortunately, many of these budding Scorcese's films are better suited for YouTube than the big screen.

The premise of Mail Order Wife is based around a slightly below average guy decides to find his future wife from a catalog of foreign women. The film subsidizes him a couple grand, and welcome to America for a Southeast Asian woman. A couple of weeks later, they are married, and the film production is halted for the newlyweds. I kind of wish things had ended here.

What follows is a disturbing portrayal as the new marriage is not what it seems. The director tries to assist the Asian bride, but that was not without some serious strings. However, by the end, I was starting to wonder who really took the most advantage, and who to feel sorry for.

Mail Order Wife is a mostly forgettable pseudodocumentary that should convince any guy that just about any other method of finding a bride is preferable.

Overall Grade: C

My Date With Drew

In the tradition of Super Size Me, this documentary film tells the story of one aspiring amateur filmmaker. His goal is to have a date with Drew Barrymore, his childhood sweetheart. He is on a thirty day deadline because the video camera has to be returned to Circuit City for a refund (they don't delve into the restocking fees).

They use their contacts to network their way to Drew using the six degrees of separation model. Along the way, we meet Drew's limo driver, cousin, screenwriter and facialist.

My Date With Drew tells the story of one man's dream. As an aside, it also shows the power of the internet. Be prepared to fast forward your way through his singing episodes in the car, Simon Cowell would agree he can't sing. The film does provide some entertainment, but it's clearly second rate.

Overall Grade: B-

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Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room

Just in case you’d like to raise your blood pressure at least twenty points, then definitely look for Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. This is a documentary that mixes former employee interviews, archival video, documents and experts to tell the Enron story. Of course we all know that Enron became the “poster child” for corporate corruption, and fell down like a house of cards. The details get even more astonishing, and bothersome. This includes the insider trading that went on with the energy futures, the political favoritism of the Bush presidents (father and son), and the accounting method that was all based on future profits rather than actual earnings. If you want an insider view as to how one of the US' top companies imploded into nothing, then check this movie out.

Overall Grade: B-

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March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins is a documentary about the Emperor Penguin. It was shot on location under the chilly conditions of Antarctica. It is well narrated by the rich voice of Morgan Freeman.

Here we are able to see that the process of bearing penguin young is anything but easy. Between the seventy mile inland treks, the below freezing temperatures, balancing the egg for months and no food for months at a time, and you wonder how any penguin manages to breed. Despite it all, the determined penguins can show us determination. The scenes showing the penguins "flying" below the ice, at depths up to 1800(!) feet are particularly dramatic.

March of the Penguins has an enduring quality. It is simultaneously educational and entertaining. This film will appeal to all age groups. It's a great way to see some ice in this summer heat wave.

Overall Grade: A-

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Deep Blue

Want to see a great movie about the ocean? So do I, but Deep Blue just isn't it. The idea is to move from the shore, into deeper and deeper ocean water showing the life along the way. There are a few unforgettable moments like the killer whale venturing into the surf, and the whale that popped up to munch on a school of fish. Unfortunately, the rest is quite boring. There is only minimal dialogue, which left me wondering where we really were, and what type of fish these were. Also, they switched back and forth between the Arctic Ocean, and Antartica like they're interchangeable (hint: there are no penguins up north, only in Antarctica). Finally, for a film called Deep Blue, they spent way too much time on the beach, and not enough in the open ocean.

Deep Blue has about as much storyline as watching "The Aquarium Channel." It's pretty, but don't devote 90 minutes of your life to it.

Overall Grade: D+