Planeat
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1594587310 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Intended for both adults and young viewers in junior high or high
school, Planeat is a documentary that makes a strong case for a plant-
based diet - if not entirely vegan, then at least minimizing animal
products as much as possible. Scenes range from vegan chefs delighting
in new ways to create delicious cuisine from non-dairy ice cream to
fresh kale salads; to the extraordinary work of Dr. T. Colin Campell
who conducted a wealth of research in China to uncover strong links
between consuming animals products and heart disease, among other
ailments; to an environmental caution of how consuming animal products
effectively creates a much larger carbon footprint than a plant-based
diet would. The moral, ethical, and health benefits for adopting a
plant-based diet are indisputable in this persuasive and ultimately
upbeat film. English SDH captions, 78 min. with a 35 min. version
available, subtitles in English, Spanish, German, and simplified
Chinese.

Better This World
a film by Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
$295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Better This World is a documentary about David McKay (22) and Bradley
Crowder (23), two friends from childhood with a nonviolent history,
who were ultimately arrested on charges of domestic terrorism for
their alleged plans to use firebombs to disrupt the 2008 Republican
National Convention. Key to their conviction was the actions and
testimony of Brandon Darby, a government informant who pretended to be
their friend while egging them on to construct the deadly firebombs
that would ultimately convict them. Better This World vividly portrays
a true story of tension, protest, betrayal, and the harsh side of the
American justice system, while questioning the wisdom and value of
entrapment stings. An excellent and thought-provoking documentary.
Also highly recommended is Bullfrog Films' documentary "The War You
Don't See" ($295.00) by John Pilger, a history of embedded and
independent war reporting from World War I to the present day, when
modern weapons of electronic propaganda are potentially as
sophisticated and deadly as battlefield armaments.

A Table in Heaven
A film by Andrew Rossi
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213
New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com

A Table in Heaven is a wonderful documentary about life and times of
an Italian restaurant in New York, and the family that runs it. The
high-class eatery Le Cirque was closed in 2004, then re-opened two
years later; founder Sirio Maccioni and his three sons, Mauro, Marco,
and Mario, worked tirelessly to create the finest gourmet dining,
worthy of pleasing the most demanding professional restaurant critics.
A behind-the-scenes look at the immense amount of work behind the
struggle to achieve culinary excellence, as well as the day-to-day
difficulties of attempting to pass on a treasured family legacy, A
Table in Heaven is an excellent, family-friendly movie especially
recommended for gourmets. Public library collections will also find it
a worthy addition to their DVD documentary collections! 74 min.

Dare to Cook: Chocolate
Bill "Chocolate Man" Fredericks
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
www.Bennett-Watt.com

Confectioners, dessert chefs, and chocolate lovers with a creative
flair will absolutely love the latest "Dare to Cook: Chocolate"
installments of the "Dare to Cook" DVD series, each available in DVD,
Blu-Ray, or downloadable versions. Both are hosted by "Chocolate Man"
Bill Fredericks, who guides viewers step-by-step through dessert-
making techniques. In "Dare to Cook Chocolate:
Tempering" (9781604900651, $24.95) viewers learn how the tempering
process that affects the final gloss, hardness, and contraction of
chocolate; even slight variations in the temperature as melted
chocolate cools can have a drastic effect upon the crystals formed
within the cocoa butter and therefore the entire makeup of the
finished product. Four different tempering methods (Slab, Seed, Stick
Blender Mycryo) are covered in depth, as well as guides to creating
wondrously delicious desserts such as Dipped Apricots & Strawberries
or Molded Chocolate. In "Dare to Cook Chocolate: Holiday
Confections" (9781604900668, $34.95, 3.5 hours, 2 DVDs), viewers can
learn to cook a veritable smorgasbord of handmade chocolate treats
perfect for Christmas or Easter celebrations, from Chocolate Pizzas to
French Truffles, Hazelnut Bars, Peanut Butter Cups, Spring Molds of
Bunnies & Eggs, and much more. Both programs are thoroughly accessible
to amateur and experienced cooks alike, and highly recommended for
anyone interested in trying their hand at making confections with
love.

Apocalypse 2012: The World After Time Ends
Reality Films
PO Box 91, Foresthill, CA 95631
$19.95 www.reality-entertainment.com

Apocalypse 2012: The World After Time Ends is a thought-provoking
metaphysical documentary that explores humanity's past spiritual roots
- and its highly tenuous and uncertain future. Drawing upon insight
from Native American spiritualists, the predictions of secular
humanists, environmentalists, healers, and major figures in movements
for global sustainability, Apocalypse 2012 reveals that the modern
world is headed for destruction unless humanity can renew its former
spiritual connections and respect for all life. Ultimately a film of
revelation, inspiration, and hope, Apocalypse 2012 calls directly to
the viewer's soul and is highly recommended.

Tibetan Yoga of Movement: Perfect Rhythm of Life
Senior Instructors Fabio Andrico and Laura Evangelisti
Shang Shung Institute
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$24.95 each www.411videoinfo.com

A two-volume, 4-DVD set introduces viewers to the full practice and
benefits of Tibetan Yantra Yoga. In Tibetan Yoga of Movement: Perfect
Rhythm of Life, Level One (2 DVDs, 86 min. instruction 60 min.
practice), senior instructors Fabio Andrico and laura Evangelisiti
demonstrate traditional Yantra Yoga as they personally learned it from
Dzogchen Master Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. Viewers can follow the
positions and coordinated movements, combined with conscious
breathing, designed to promote harmony, relax the mind, and improve
one's health and balance. Level Two (2 DVDs, 77 min. instruction 71
min. practice) is an advanced instructional for those who have
mastered the poses of the first level, and are ready to learn about
the remaining four series of Yantras and the Pranayama of Rhythmic
Breathing. Both volumes are divided into 1 DVD of in-depth description
and instruction, and 1 DVD designed to be used as a follow-along
practice session to enact the poses. An excellent supplement to health
and fitness DVD libraries, Tibetan Yoga of Movement: Perfect Rhythm of
Life is highly recommended.

Christine Felstead's Yoga for Runners: Intermediate Program
Stingbabe Productions
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$21.95 www.411videoinfo.com yogaforrunners.com

Christine Felstead's Yoga for Runners: Intermediate Program is a
workout on DVD that requires no expensive equipment - only a yoga mat
and yoga belt (a yoga block and towel are optional). Though selected
expressly for runners, with emphases on improving strength,
flexibility and balance in the hamstrings, hips, quads, and lower
back, the presented yoga poses promote will prove an invaluable
supplement to any workout program. Although intended for intermediate
level yoga practitioners, Yoga for Runners: Intermediate Program is
widely accessible; those new to the practice of yoga are encouraged to
remain within their physical limits as they discover the benefits that
yoga can bring their overall health and well-being. Enthusiastically
recommended for runners of all stripes, from casual joggers to runners
training for a marathon. 75 min.

Dance Off the Inches: Hip Hop Body Blast
Jennifer Galardi, instructor
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98 www.amazon.com

Dance off the Inches Hip Hop Body Blast (65 min.) is a fitness DVD
that makes staying in shape through the holiday winter fun. Expert
instructor Jennifer Galardi demonstrates how to kick up the cardio
workout without sacrificing fun. Hip Hop Body Blast is accessible to
viewers of all fitness levels and backgrounds - even those who have
never stepped on a dance floor in their lives! Easy-to-follow dance
moves are summarized in a Dance Off the Inches Step Guide, in which
Galardi breaks down the ten steps and mini combinations used
throughout the entire program. Pulse-pounding music and vigorous dance
moves make a solid cardio workout into pure fun in this excellent
addition to DVD fitness libraries. Also highly recommended Anchor
Bay's Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start ($14.98, 51
min.), in which celebrity personal trainer Jackie Warner shares her
Power Pyramid Training method for transforming one's entire body, and
breaking past personal plateaus with quick results.

SparkPeople: 28 Day Boot Camp with Coach Nicole
Coach Nicole
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
9781598287271 $16.99 www.acacialifestyle.com www.SparkPeople.com

No expensive equipment outside of simple hand weights and a mat are
needed to benefit from SparkPeople: 28 Day Boot Camp with Coach
Nicole, a high-energy workout from expert fitness trainer Nicole
Nichols, perhaps best known for her work with SparkPeople, America's
online fitness community with 11 million members. More than 200,000
individuals have taken part in Coach Nicole's online boot camps, and
now a definitive session on DVD is available complete with four
workout segments, recipes, tips for a more vigorous workout and
lifestyle, abs exercises that can be done while seated, and much more.
Each of the DVD's four workout segments consist of intense cardio
intervals mixed with full-body strength-boosting exercises. 28 Day
Boot Camp with Coach Nicole is an excellent, user-friendly resource to
start working a solid fitness routine into one's daily life, and is
highly recommended. 84 min.

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