Home Media Magazine - October 7-13, 2007 - (Page 29) www.homemediamagazine.com REVIEWS CEO Lee Raymond (who left with a $400 million retirement package) looks like a zombie in archival interview footage. Current CEO Rex Tillerson is shown at a 2005 Exxon press conference disputing the validity of global warming science. The film details Exxon’s abysmal handling of the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup, which may have done more harm than the spill. The PR machine that put on a “mission accomplished”-style show after the spill, we’re told, foreshadowed the company’s offensive on climate science, spearheaded by scientists in Exxon’s pay. The conspiratorial assertions could seem paranoid in a pre-Enron world, but it’s no longer a stretch to believe that energy companies would manipulate markets, laws, science, even wars, or anything else to reap big profits. Does Out of Balance make its case? It does raise some interesting points. Viewers will have to decide if they’re persuaded. — Holly J. Wagner I OUT OF BALANCE Prebook 10/10; Street 11/06 Cinequest, Documentary, $24.99 DVD, NR. Narrated by Tom Jackson. A l Gore told the world that the truth about global warming is inconvenient. In Out of Balance, the filmmakers drive home the point that the inconvenience is more immediate for some — namely oil companies — than for others. The film seeks to explore the relationship between global warming, “the largest problem the world has faced, and the largest company in the world.” Subtitled “ExxonMobil’s Impact on Climate Change,” there’s no subterfuge. The film makes a fairly detailed case regarding ExxonMobil’s tobacco industry-like efforts to undermine science and influence public policy to preserve its own profits. Much of the 65 minutes is devoted to the potential effects of global warming before delving into the company’s history. Former Perfectly timed to hit stores before The Golden Compass premieres on 12/7 Unlock the astonishing truths hidden inside the pages of Philip Pullman’s best-selling fantasy novel. This cutting-edge new production by the award-winning producers of Howard Hughes: The Real Aviator and Terror on the Titanic features: • In-depth interviews with Philip Pullman and experts of history and literature • Stunning re-enactments shot in the story’s actual locations including Exeter College at Oxford University Detailed CG animation that brings Pullman’s fantasy elements to life • I A VERY SERIOUS PERSON Prebook 10/9; Street 11/20 Wolfe, Drama, $24.95 DVD, NR. Stars Charles Busch, Polly Bergen, Carl Andress, Julie Halston, Dana Ivey, P.J. Verhoest. I n Charles Busch’s third effort as a screenwriter and first effort behind the camera, he foregoes the camp he’s known for — well, most of the time — and instead turns in a mature and original look at coming of age, coming out and coming to terms with death. In A Very Serious Person, young Gil (Verhoest) lives with his grandmother (Bergen), who is dying. Jan (Busch), her hospice nurse, is quite the character — a gay, uptight, Danish man with a long ponytail. The flamboyant, musical-loving and often bratty Gil cracks Jan’s stiff fa- cade, and soon Jan becomes a father figure to the boy. While Gil seeks his way in the world, facing the death of his grandmother and imminent departure to live with a cousin he barely knows, Jan loses his way as he realizes what he has lost by being so distant and closed off to relationships. While Busch’s strange accent and ponytail take getting used to, and some of the acting is overwrought and stagy, A Very Serious Person is a very good directing debut by Busch. He has a strong talent for portraying relationships, and a refreshing openness to the wonderful, unlikely bonds that develop between people that can be as strong as blood ties. Busch also shows a subtle hand in his honest portrayal of Jan’s identity issues, such as Jan’s natural talent for tenderly caring for sick people while being closed off from love; his desire for Gil to hide any flamboyancy so he may pass through life without feeling prejudice; and his unexpected longing to be a father. This film is the next step in Busch’s growth as a screenwriter and director. Longtime fans would never want Busch to give up the camp and humor of Psycho Beach Party and Die, Mommie, Die!, but A Very Serious Person shows another side to Busch’s talent they will surely embrace. This film also should garner Busch new fans; anyone seeking a thoughtful, open-minded and original look at grief, adolescence and family bonds would do well to seek out this film. — Laura Tiffany Author Philip Pullman Item #: KOC-DV-6507 • UPC: 7-41952-65079-9 ISBN: 1-4172-3026-6 • SRP: $19.98 • 70 minutes Dolby Digital • 16x9 • Production Year: 2007 Genre: Documentary Enormous Awareness and Exposure to be supported by a comprehensive advertising and publicity campaign targeting moviegoers, fans of Philip Pullman and sci-fi/fantasy enthusiasts Pre-Book Date: 10/23/07 • Street Date: 11/20/07 Look for BEYOND THE GOLDEN COMPASS TRAILER at www.kochclips.com For more information visit www.kochb2b.com October 7–13, 2007 Home Media Magazine 29 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.kochclips.com http://www.kochb2b.com
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