If the word documentary brings to mind dull movies voiced over by a monotone narator, then you must not have had a chance to check out the non-fiction DVD collection at the Orion Township Public Library.  In order to help our patrons find the newest non-fiction DVDs added to our collection, we’ve given them their own display near the rest of the new audio-visual material.  Look for these three new selections there.

Bag It

This documentary uses a humorous approach to address the serious environmental and societal consequences of the use of “disposable” plastic bags.  Did you know that in the United States alone in 2009, more than 102 billion plastic bags were used and more than 12 million barrels of oil were required to produce those bags?  But it's not just plastic bags that are harming our oceans, animals, and even our bodies.  It's the ubiquitous plastic found in packaging and countless consumer products we use every day.  Join Jeb Berrier as he investigates how our obsession with all things plastic affects our planet.  You may never use a plastic bag again.

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey

Kevin Clash is hardly a household name, but anyone who has had a toddler living under the roof is intimately familiar with his work because he is the talent behind Sesame Street’s beloved fuzzy red puppet, Elmo. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this film chronicles Cash’s career from the very first puppet he made out of his father’s coat to his work on Captain Kangaroo and eventually to Sesame Street.  Cash’s is an inspiring story that will bring joy to the adults who have watched Elmo touch their own children’s lives. 

Woody Allen:  A Documentary

Intensely private filmmaker Woody Allen allowed director Robert Weide to follow him for a year and a half to create this biographical film.  The documentary begins with Allen’s childhood and follows his prolific film career, which began in the 1960s and continues to flourish today.  Included are plenty of film clips and interviews with a variety of celebrities from Antonio Banderas to Chris Rock to Scarlett Johansson.  This is a must-see documentary for fans of Woody Allen’s work.