Recommended Bill Moyers DVD Set: Moyers On Addiction: Close to Home

I picked this two-DVD Bill Moyers set up at the used bookstore at a bargain price -- one dollar. Sure, why not check it out? Upon viewing this material, the neuroscience, psychology of emotions, and the social aspects of healing addiction seem to have much in common with severe anxiety disorder treatment.

This set is well worth watching for an understanding of treating these widespread chronic problems that can relapse. Five in-depth episodes, plus bonus materials.

"Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home"

This five-part series takes a look at the science, treatment, prevention, and politics of addiction. The compulsive need for alcohol, nicotine and illegal drugs affects people of every class, race, and profession. Few Americans have been spared its impact -- either directly or through a friend, co-worker or loved one. Despite its prevalence, there is no clear picture of addiction in America. Hoping to raise awareness about this issue, Moyers reports on a disease that has affected his own family as well as millions of Americans. (1998)

"The Hijacked Brain"

March 29, 1998 | Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home

Bill Moyers attempts to unravel the mysteries of the addicted mind.

"Portrait of Addiction"

March 29, 1998 | Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home

Nine men and women -- all recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction -- tell their stories. Their candid testimony leaves no doubt that addiction can happen to anyone -- and so can recovery.

"Changing Lives"

March 30, 1998 | Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home

BIll Moyers visits innovative treatment programs, including the one that helped his son.

"Next Generation"

March 31, 1998 | Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home

Addiction is a cycle, passing from generation to generation. Many anti-drug programs have little effect, but there's still hope for children.

"The Politics of Addiction"

March 31, 1998 | Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home

Moyers talks with people working to change American drug policy from a criminal-justice approach to a public-health model.

DVD: The Mentalist

I may have mentioned before that I don't watch broadcat TV or cable. I limit myself to DVDs and Netflix rentals (the two-a-month plan). This is how I end up "behind the curve" on TV series and movies. While in the big box discount store, I spied a show that I'd never seen, and it seemed like something I might enjoy. Since it was listed at such a reasonable retail price, I took a flyer, and bought a season for a trial run. It turns out, I enjoy the series very much, and so I shelled out for two more seasons. The cast is very attractive, and I enjoy the characters as written. I'm sure many of you know about it already, but in case you don't, give it a go.

After a prolific serial killer named Red John kills his wife and daughter, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) gives up his prosperous life as a phony psychic and uses his staggering powers of observation to aid the California Bureau of Investigation. Although Jane's eccentric methods annoy skeptical agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney), they get results, enabling Lisbon's team to apprehend even the most cunning and cold-blooded of criminals.

Simon Baker (in his first Emmy-nominated role) stars as Patrick Jane, a rogue detective and case-cracking consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation -- a far cry from his last gig as a semi-famous "psychic medium" with no paranormal abilities. Despite his bogus past, Patrick's charm and powers of observation endear him to the CBI team -- except for Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney), who doesn't care for his antics. Tim Kang and Amanda Righetti also star.

The Complete Nero Wolfe Magaset DVD

Nero Wolfe is a terrific boxed DVD set. Since I seldom watch broadcast TV (only DVDs), watching the shows recently was new experience for me. It's an unusual format, in that the various episodes employ the same ensemble of character actors for the sundry supporting roles of each episode. That threw me a bit at first, especially with the femmes fatales. anyway, it's a whole lot of fun to watch and a brilliant period piece.

"Like Sherlock Holmes and Watson before them, the brilliant but curmudgeonly Nero Wolfe and his streetwise sidekick Archie Goodwin are crime's greatest nemeses. With Nero preferring to solve crimes at home amid his orchid collection, it is Archie who does the legwork about town to allow Wolfe to unravel the most confounding crimes. Together the duo cracks cases of murder, deception, blackmail, and more, resulting in an unforgettable confection of mystery, suspense, and style.

Faithfully adapted from the best-selling stories by Rex Stout, The Complete Nero Wolfe Megaset stars Maury Chaykin (The Sweet Hereafter) and Oscar(r) winner Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People) and features all 20 episodes of the critically acclaimed A&E series, including the feature-length series pilot, The Golden Spiders. "

The Game is On: Sherlock: Season One DCD (2010)

Here's an updated version of Sherlock Holmes that I enjoyed tremendously. Check it out if you haven't already seen it.

"A contemporary take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in present-day London. Co-created by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Coupling) and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars BAFTA-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (Hawking, Amazing Grace) as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman (The Office, Love Actually), as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade. The iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain -- they live at the same address, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them. And so across three thrilling, scary, action-packed and highly modern-day adventures, Sherlock and John navigate a maze of cryptic clues and lethal killers to get at the truth."

Nueroplascticity: The DVD

This 2010 DVD covers much of the material in the books I recommended  in my earlier post on neuroplasticity.

From its Amazon listing, "Brain Fitness Frontiers explores how ordinary people are utilizing their brain plasticity to create lasting and astonishing changes. From aging to recovery from injury, the frontiers of neuroscience research are proving that our own neuroplasticity holds the key to previously unimaginable and incredible transformations. Hosted by Peter Coyote, Brain Fitness Frontiers takes you into the labs of the scientists and into the lives of those who have been assisted and changed through cognitive training and other therapies on the cutting edge of neuroscientific discovery. Brain Fitness Frontiers contains interviews with luminaries of neuroscience and medicine including Dr. Michael Merzenich, Dr. Skip Rizzo, Dr. John Donoghue, and many more. It challenges our misconceptions about the brain and invites us to embrace new possibilities in our own lives as we witness the struggles, the triumphs, and the transformations made possible through the power of neuroplasticity."