New releases for Feb. 12, 2013: Documentary “Bully,” featuring three Oklahoma families, debuts on DVD
Alex Libby in “Bully”
The critically acclaimed and critically important documentary “Bully” debuted on DVD today.
During the 2009-2010 school year, director Lee Hirsch followed five families affected by adolescent bullying, including two in Oklahoma: Kirk and Laura Smalley of Perkins struggle with heartbreaking loss their 11-year-old son commits suicide after being tormented by bullies. In response, Kirk Smalley starts the anti-bullying organization Stand for the Silent, planning vigils at the Oklahoma Capitol and around the country in honor of bullied kids who have committed suicide.
In Tuttle, Kelby Johnson, 16, and her parents describe in awful detail the ostracizing and mocking they endured after she came out as a lesbian. Surrounded by a little but loyal circle of friends, the teenager is determined to stay in the small town in the hopes of bringing about change, even when her parents offer to move to a bigger city.
The school bus becomes a battleground and the site of some of the most chilling footage in the film for Alex Libby, 12, who lived in Sioux City, Iowa, during the making of the film but now resides in Edmond.
Last spring, I talked to the Johnson and Libby families about the film and the impact bullying in their lives. To read the story, click here, and check out “Bully,” which I believe should be required viewing for every adolescent, parent, teacher and administrator in the country.
“Robot & Frank”
The crime comedy-drama “Robot & Frank,” one of my top 10 films of 2012, also was released on DVD today. First-time director Jake Schreier pulls off a big score with his near-future caper about an aging former jewel thief named Frank (Frank Langella) who decides to pull one last heist with his caretaker robot (voice of Peter Sarsgaard) as his high-tech partner in crime. Oklahoma native James Marsden plays Frank’s son.
Christopher D. Ford’s script delves into germane issues like dementia, family ties and technological innovation, but it thankfully never gets maudlin and boasts a pleasingly oddball sense of humor.
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books out today, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Led Zeppelin, “Celebration Day” (Vinyl).
Bullet for My Valentine, “Temper Temper (Deluxe Edition).”
the virginmarys, “King of Conflict.”
Cast recording, “Bombshell: The New Marilyn Musical from Smash.”
Pat Metheny, “The Orchestrion Project” (2-CD set).
Jonas Kaufmann, “Wagner.”
Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison, “Cheater’s Game.”
Joni Mitchell, “Studio Albums 1968-1979” (Box set).
LL Cool J, “Authentic Hip Hop.”
Otis Taylor, “My World Is Gone.”
Devon Allman, “Turquoise.”
The Bryan Ferry Orchestra, “The Jazz Age.”
Joshua Bell, “Joshua Bell Conducts Beethoven: Symphonies 4 & 7.”
DVDs
Bully
Family Matters: The Complete Third Season
Gossip Girl: The Complete Sixth and Final Season
The Man with the Iron Fists
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Robot & Frank
The Sessions
Silent Hill: Revelation
Skyfall
Weeds: Season Eight, The Final Season
Books
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World by Phil McGraw
Drinking and Tweeting: And Other Brandi Blunders by Brandi Glanville and Leslie Bruce
Long Shot by Mike Piazza and Lonnie Wheeler
Nigellissima: Easy Italian-Inspired Recipes by Nigella Lawson
Coolidge by Amity Shlaes
Bebe Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
The Indigo Spell: A Bloodlines Novel by Richelle Mead.
-BAM
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