Jane Fonda

As originally screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, at the Cannes Film Festival, and on Turner Classic Movies, the mammoth, epic-length documentary Brando chronicles in encyclopedic detail (and with a consistently reverent overtone) the life and career of the man widely regarded as the most formidable American actor of the 20th century - famous for not only reshaping, but reinventing the craft of film acting and teaching audiences how to view a motion picture performance. Divided into chronological, thematically-unified segments, the film first treats Marlon Brando's dysfunctional upbringing - his alcoholic mother, his abusive father, his stint at a military academy - before charting his acting tutelage at the behest of Stella Adler and his early cinematic and theatrical roles, including work for Elia Kazan, who famously made many aggressive (and unsuccessful) attempts to discipline the headstrong actor onscreen. Throughout this segment, many Hollywood A-list actors appear - among them, Al Pacino, Johnny Depp and Robert Duvall - expostulating at length on Brando's influence over their approaches to performance, and attempting with great effort to define the elusive style known as "method acting" that Brando helped to create. The second half of the documentary moves into Brando's career during the '70s, '80s and '90s, covering the production of The Godfather, the actor's noteworthy political activism, and his tumultuous personal life. Francis Ford Coppola, who of course teamed with Brando for the first Godfather installment and for Apocalypse Now, is noticeably absent from the proceedings. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

The little-known protest of the Vietnam War staged from within the ranks of the military is explored in director David Zeiger's revealing documentary. Despite the well-documented media coverage of Vietnam War protests that took place on college campuses across the nation, few people but the most ardent history buffs remain aware of the massive protests that flourished in U.S. barracks and military bases at home and abroad. Staged by countless military men disillusioned with the ongoing war, these protests reached from the hallowed halls of West Point to the bullet-riddled rice fields of Vietnam. Though hundreds of soldiers were imprisoned for voicing their controversial views and thousands more sent into exile for their subversive activities, the tireless efforts of the government and media to suppress this remarkable tale would eventually falter as the dissenting voices became too numerous to silence. Thirty years after the last bombs were dropped on Vietnam, the remarkable tale of the soldiers unafraid to stand up for their beliefs comes to the screen in a film that will forever alter the manner in which contemporary audiences view one of the most controversial wars in modern history. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Before the Motion Picture Production Code transformed virtually all movie heroines into unworldly virgins in the year 1934, actresses were able to get their teeth into meaty roles which allowed them the full gamut of emotions, a vast array of sexual experiences, and, most importantly, an innate wisdom beyond their years. Based on the book by Mick LaSalle, the 60-minute cable documentary Complicated Women provides modern viewers with fascinating glimpses of celebrated Hollywood actresses during the pre-code years (1929-1933). Highlights include Norma Shearer's advocacy of an open marriage in 1930's The Divorcée (a role which earned her an Oscar); Jean Harlow's casual carnal hijinks with Clark Gable in 1932's Red Dust; Barbara Stanwyck sleeping her way to the top of the business world in Baby Face (1933); Greta Garbo's knowing portrayal of the bisexual Queen Christina in the 1933 film of the same name; and, of course, the censor-baiting innuendoes of Mae West. The premise of Complicated Women can be summed up thus: they weren't all "good girls" in those pre-code years, but they were certainly far more interesting and multilayered than the corsetted iron butterflies of the post-code era. In addition to vintage film clips, the documentary features interviews with a handful of survivors from Depression-era Hollywood, among them actress Frances Dee, whose portrayal of a masochistic thrill-seeker in 1933's Blood Money still packed a wallop seven decades later. Narrated by Jane Fonda, Complicated Women kicked off a month-long festival of pre-code films on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Directed by actress Rosanna Arquette, this candid documentary is not only about the iconoclastic and somewhat reclusive film star Debra Winger (who does not even appear onscreen until an hour into the film), but also about the trials and tribulations of actresses in Hollywood who have reached "that certain age." In the course of her "search," Arquette interviews several of her colleagues, among them Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Lane, Teri Garr, Holly Hunter, Vanessa Redgrave, Charlotte Rampling, Meg Ryan, and Sharon Stone, all of whom have their own personal horror stories about insensitive producers and casting directors who tend to think of over-40 (and sometimes over-30) actresses as being suitable only for mother, "other woman," and "hero's girlfriend" roles -- when they bother to cast these actresses at all. The women also discuss the difficulties in balancing a successful career and a private life. Test-marketed on the film festival circuit throughout 2002, Searching for Debra Winger received its largest audience when it aired over the Showtime cable channel on August 18, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Equally famous for her exercise videos as for her Hollywood career, Jane Fonda flaunts her still-maintained body in Low Impact Aerobics and Stretch. Two workouts are coached encouragingly by Fonda and her sculpted crew; both are easily followed by beginners with enough challenge for experienced viewers as well. Dance-inpsired aerobics may be more suitable for women than men, and Fonda's experienced instruction focuses on fat-burning results. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide

Throughout the 20th century, women have met the challenges and struggles of balancing work and family. Narrated by Jane Fonda, A Century of Women: Work & Family weaves fictional and factual stories to illustrate the history of women in the workforce, as well as their roles as wives and mothers. Performances and testimonies from a stellar group of women including Meryl Streep, Gloria Steinem, Twyla Tharp, and Maya Angelou facilitate the film's innovative method of storytelling. Archival film, photographs, and interviews retrace historical events -- from the founding of the PTA to early unions -- that changed our social landscape. Diaries, letters, and personal memories honor women of the past and make it clear that the balancing of labor and family was a matter of life and death. ~ Brooke Hodess, All Movie Guide

This documentary takes a look at the continuing work of feminists to establish reproductive rights for women. The issue of the right to control one's own body is presented as one that is crucial to the welfare of women. The fight for birth control began in America at the time of the great wave of immigration during the Industrial Revolution. Women and men were working in dangerous and substandard conditions to raise their children. Many wanted fewer, not more, children. Deaths of mothers during childbirth and infant mortality were shockingly high. The battle for women and children's health continues to the present. The film looks at the decision of Roe vs. Wade and the efforts to overturn it. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

This video is recommended for both beginners and those seeking a more moderate workout that incorporates low-impact aerobics. While a bit dated in terms of the music and a few of the routines, it still has much to offer. Jane Fonda leads viewers through exercises specifically designed to tone up their stomachs, buttocks, hips, legs, and arms. Body flexibility, proper posture, and balance are also targeted through a series of mildly challenging exercises. Video users with arthritis will be especially pleased with the stretching exercises, which can help older workout enthusiasts maintain their flexibility without risking the more demanding aerobic moves. All of Fonda's workout tapes are fully reviewed by a team of healthcare professionals and exercise experts before they are marketed.

~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

Four of Jane's simpler and most popular exercise routines are demonstrated in this video. This variety is helpful to those who become bored rather easily while working out. The clips come from her Stress Reduction, Lean Routine, Low Impact, and Complete Workout tapes. Both high-impact moves and less stressful ones are shown so that nearly everyone can do this workout right along with Jane. Viewers may be a little surprised to see some unusual fashions, like the leg warmers that so many people once wore while working out. During 15 minutes of this 50-minute film, Jane shares some of her own dieting tips. She also shares her ideas about which foods should be eaten and how they should be prepared in order to minimize weight gain and help everyone keep attractive, healthy figures. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

The viewer's cardiovascular system will be fully energized by this workout. After some challenging floor exercises are demonstrated, there's a step class featuring students doing both high- and low-intensity routines to the beat of some catchy music. Though this is a good tape, those who have already mastered a number of step routines may not find this program challenging unless they use higher steps. Thick thighs, large buns, and "love handles" will no longer rule if the demonstrated exercises are done that target the lower body muscle groups. If the viewer hasn't done any abdominal exercises in a while, it may be necessary to do fewer repetitions than the number suggested in the video. Otherwise, these are good routines for beginners.
~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

Viewers can add shape and muscle tone to their lower body while following along with this two-part floor exercise and aerobics workout. When done properly, these exercises tone up the abs, buns, and thighs so that clothing fits in a truly flattering way. Fonda spends 25 minutes demonstrating the floor exercises and 35 minutes demonstrating the low-impact step-aerobics routine. Though some beginners might be intimidated by the choreography and dance steps, the steps are repeated enough times that most people can pick them up rather quickly. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

In this socially conscious drama with romantic overtones, Iris (Jane Fonda) is a working mother with a job at a large commercial bakery who is still getting over the death of her husband, though her circumstances don't give her much time to grieve. She's sharing her house with her two children, Kelly (Martha Plimpton) and Richard (Harley Cross), her unemployed sister Sharon (Swoosie Kurtz), and her thuggish brother-in-law. The tensions at home become even greater when teenage Kelly announces that she's pregnant. One of the few bright spots in her life is her blossoming friendship with Stanley (Robert DeNiro), a nice guy who works in the bakery's cafeteria. However, Iris starts noticing a few odd things about Stanley and it slowly dawns on her that he can't read. When the boss figures this out, Stanley loses his job -- an especially troubling development, as Stanley has just had to put his father in a retirement home. Homeless and out of work, Stanley turns to Iris with a special request -- he'd like her to teach him how to read. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide