David Leaf Movies

Filmmakers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld offer a compelling look at the efforts of the United States government to silence one of rock & roll's most outspoken war critics in this documentary detailing the Vietnam-era struggle between the Richard Nixon administration and iconic peace activist John Lennon. The Vietnam War was raging and the nightly news was filled with stories of failed offensives and massacred U.S. troops. As anti-war protests back home gained momentum, it was the hopeful voice of former Beatle Lennon that served to perfectly encapsulate the frustrations felt by many citizens that the U.S. had gotten caught up in an quagmire from which there was seemingly no end in sight. There's a high price to be paid for standing strong in your beliefs and openly criticizing the ruling elite, though, and now, through interviews with those who knew him best and revealing glimpses into an era where all hope seemed lost, filmmakers finally uncover the truth behind the Nixon administration's highly classified efforts to isolate and eventually deport the man whose powerful words threatened to actually make sense in a world slowly suffocated by the grip of insanity. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

For close to four decades, Smile by the Beach Boys was perhaps the most famous unreleased album in the history of rock & roll. Brian Wilson, the group's principal songwriter, arranger, producer, and vocalist, had already turned pop music on its ear in 1966 with Pet Sounds, an ambitious concept album that reflected a new degree of maturity and musical sophistication for both the Beach Boys and rock in general. The following year, Wilson intended to release an even more imaginative album called Smile, which Wilson's collaborators believed had the makings of a masterpiece. However, it was an album the emotionally fragile Wilson would not complete thanks to battles with his record company, conflicts with other members of the Beach Boys, and the impact of Wilson's struggles with drugs and depression. However, in 2003 a revitalized Wilson, after performing a symphonic version of Pet Sounds on a well-received concert tour, decided to return to the Smile material, and presented the fabled song cycle in its complete form for the first time in a concert in London in early 2004. Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of 'Smile' is a documentary which tells the story of Brian Wilson's life in music and the long and difficult journey of his masterpiece. In addition to extensive interviews with Brian Wilson and his collaborators, Beautiful Dreamer also features contributions from Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach, Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, and many more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Sinatra: The Classic Duets features the beloved crooner singing with a variety of other famous performers including Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, and Ethel Merman, as well as his daughter Nancy Sinatra. Also featured are numbers with his old Rat Pack buddies Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Among the songs performed are "You Make Me Feel So Young," "Me and My Shadow," "High Hopes," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," and over a dozen more. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

This biography presents the story of the Bee Gees, one of the most popular music groups of the 1970s. The three English brothers, Maurice, Robin, and Barry Gibb, became household names and the idols of teenagers in America, Britain, and Australia. The program chronicles their intercontinental success with archival film footage. Later, during the Disco era, their star faded, and they turned to songwriting to stay in the music business. The three music icons discuss the death of their brother, Andy, and the impact it had on their lives and careers. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

This biographical sketch and collection of rarely seen film footage pays tribute to the talent of the great Peter Sellers, chameleonic star of Dr. Strangelove, The Pink Panther, and Being There. Hailed as a comic genius even in his own time, Sellers' continual reinvention of himself kept audiences roaring for 30 years. Behind the scenes, however, personal difficulties and his eccentricity on set (some of his directors suggested that he was a schizophrenic) betrayed the fact that a struggling human being lay behind Sellers' many larger-than-life characters. Featuring rare excerpts of his brilliant early work, alongside interviews with family, friends, and fellow actors, The Unknown Peter Sellers is an essential addition to the collection of any devoted Sellers fan, as well as a fascinating introduction to his remarkable body of work. ~ Sarah Welsh, Rovi

Play to Win! The Insider's Guide to Casino Gambling offers a plethora of advice and tips that both the novice and experienced gamer will find valuable. Sam Micco, gaming instructor for the Las Vegas Hilton, hosts the instructional video. Detailed lessons cover basic rules and offer winning strategies aimed to help players narrow the odds. Key information appears in print on the viewing screen, enabling players to better comprehend some of the more complicated rules. The video provides specific pointers for winning at blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and slot machines. A very comprehensive casino game guide, it allows anyone to get into the game.

~ Sally Barber, Rovi