Full Frame Documentary Shorts Volume Four
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Shorts: B-
Shorts collections are not always an easy sell or item,
but the Full Frame series is now in its fourth volume and this is our
first look at it. This single DVD
offers the following six:
1)
Miles Above is about how a casual
videotaping of the Space Shuttle Columbia turned out to be the one where it
blew up. The taped images became seen
worldwide.
2)
In The Shadow Of Eden is the
most powerful of all six, as Rachel Romano compiles images past and present to
deal with the lifelong sexual abuse, pursuit, domination and sickness that was
her self-righteous religious father.
Abusing her at the youngest of ages, enabled by her in-denial mother who
was as responsible, he devoted the rest of his life like the sickest of
incestuous parents in ruining, interfering, violating and stocking her until
his deathbed. It is also an indictment
of society that by no action or stronger defense of laws, enabled sometimes by
corrupt religious organizations, is as responsible.
3)
Good Morning Yokohama
captures a commuter train trip in the Japanese city that is amusing and
interesting.
4)
Small Town Secrets is
about a young lady dealing with having gay parents in a small Midwestern town
with all of its conceit and ignorance.
5)
Cheeks is the most unexpected of all
with a son telling the story of having two parents who are paranoid
schizophrenic fundamentalists.
6)
Good Times is the ironically titled
story about an Israeli security wall splitting a dangerous town in the name of
safety.
Not a bad set, though it is a bit uneven and there might
have been room for one or two more shorts.
Overall, they are all about something and in the case of Eden in
particular, must-see material.
The frame is 1.33 X 1 for all and on tape, as well as shot
in color, except the black and white taping of Cheeks. Eden has some older film footage,
Super 8 or 16mm. The Dolby Digital 2.0
is simple stereo in all cases, with no surrounds. Extras are also simple, including text about Docurama, The Full
Frame series and four trailers for other Docurama titles.
- Nicholas Sheffo
