Product Details

• Actors: Jeb Berrier
• Directors: Suzan Beraza
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: NEW VIDEO GROUP
• DVD Release Date: March 13, 2012
• Run Time: 78 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005YFGIZ2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,416 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Try going a day without plastic. In this touching and often flat-out-funny film, we follow "everyman" Jeb Berrier as he embarks on a global tout to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastic and its effect on our waterways, oceans and even our own bodies. We see how our crazy-for-plastic world has finally caught up to us and what we can do about it. Today. Right now.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Relatable Host Makes A Convincing Argument On The Dangers Of Single Use Plastic February 28, 2012

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

There is no denying that there is a good message and a big heart behind the documentary "Bag It." At a mere 79 minutes, the film raises a lot of points about the dangers of plastics from a number of different angles (pollution, resource management, questionable chemical additives). By no means is "Bag It" the first or the last film that will cover this familiar terrain. But while I am very familiar with all of the arguments that the film raises, the movie offers a unique and appealing everyman guide in narrator Jeb Berrier. One of my common complaints in environmental documentaries is that they can tend to lack focus. With so much wrong in the world today, they can bludgeon the viewer with doom and gloom (and instead of inspiring me to act, they sometimes make me feel defeated by the futility of it all). So I was pleasantly surprised for most of "Bag It" as Berrier (and filmmaker Suzan Beraza) delineated their focus so specifically. As a practical and comprehensive argument against single use plastic containers (such as the ubiquitous grocery bag), it may well be the best documentary of its kind that I've seen (and I've seen a lot)!

Beraza's piece won me over completely as Berrier starts his quest to discover the harms caused by something as innocuous as a simple grocery bag. The film succeeds in establishing the ecological harms of single use plastic. The affects of this limitless waste is well supported and the trauma caused to our oceans and wildlife is particularly haunting. It makes a compelling case that the use of money and resources to create this product serves no particular purpose and is a real (but silent) drain on the economy. It offers some alternatives for personal use, as well as some larger examples of communities that have taken action. It also paints a convincing picture of big business (especially the plastic bag lobby) as unscrupulous villains. As no one from that side of the industry is represented (they refused to participate), the film may seem one-sided--but the logic behind its arguments is rather self-evident.

As I said, the beginning of "Bag It" is so convincing due to its specificity, it may rank as one of the most effective pieces that I've seen about the topic. But the movie veers away from its course during its last third and presents a new argument having nothing to do with single use plastic. We switch stream to unravel the potential dangers inherent in the chemicals used to treat everyday plastic items. This is a very real concern as well and one that needs to be explained and explored in depth. While important, it muddied the waters of what had been a strong call-to-arms. What was so unique about "Bag It" is that it made such a compellingly focused piece about an issue that could be changed tomorrow if we all committed to it. Still the film is both entertaining and enlightening and an easy recommendation. KGHarris, 2/12.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Relatable Host Makes A Convincing Argument On The Dangers Of Single Use Plastic March 16, 2012

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:Amazon Instant Video

There is no denying that there is a good message and a big heart behind the documentary "Bag It." At a mere 79 minutes, the film raises a lot of points about the dangers of plastics from a number of different angles (pollution, resource management, questionable chemical additives). By no means is "Bag It" the first or the last film that will cover this familiar terrain. But while I am very familiar with all of the arguments that the film raises, the movie offers a unique and appealing everyman guide in narrator Jeb Berrier. One of my common complaints in environmental documentaries is that they can tend to lack focus. With so much wrong in the world today, they can bludgeon the viewer with doom and gloom (and instead of inspiring me to act, they sometimes make me feel defeated by the futility of it all). So I was pleasantly surprised for most of "Bag It" as Berrier (and filmmaker Suzan Beraza) delineated their focus so specifically. As a practical and comprehensive argument against single use plastic containers (such as the ubiquitous grocery bag), it may well be the best documentary of its kind that I've seen (and I've seen a lot)!

Beraza's piece won me over completely as Berrier starts his quest to discover the harms caused by something as innocuous as a simple grocery bag. The film succeeds in establishing the ecological harms of single use plastic. The affects of this limitless waste is well supported and the trauma caused to our oceans and wildlife is particularly haunting. It makes a compelling case that the use of money and resources to create this product serves no particular purpose and is a real (but silent) drain on the economy. It offers some alternatives for personal use, as well as some larger examples of communities that have taken action. It also paints a convincing picture of big business (especially the plastic bag lobby) as unscrupulous villains. As no one from that side of the industry is represented (they refused to participate), the film may seem one-sided--but the logic behind its arguments is rather self-evident.

As I said, the beginning of "Bag It" is so convincing due to its specificity, it may rank as one of the most effective pieces that I've seen about the topic. But the movie veers away from its course during its last third and presents a new argument having nothing to do with single use plastic. We switch stream to unravel the potential dangers inherent in the chemicals used to treat everyday plastic items. This is a very real concern as well and one that needs to be explained and explored in depth. While important, it muddied the waters of what had been a strong call-to-arms. What was so unique about "Bag It" is that it made such a compellingly focused piece about an issue that could be changed tomorrow if we all committed to it. Still the film is both entertaining and enlightening and an easy recommendation. KGHarris, 2/12.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining and informative documentary on recycling in the format of Michael Moore's films April 17, 2012

By Steven I. Ramm TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

I see that there are already 18 other reviews of this 78-minute film from 2010 posted so I'll try not to rehash the info already provided. This documentary starts out discussing the "plastic bag" and its impact on the environment but also covers plastics in general (packaging, baby bottles and toys, plastic lined cans, etc) and the need to recycle. The "host" is Jeb Berrier, a guy who looks and acts like Michael Moore. At first it looks like HE is the person who created the film as Director and writer, but you will see in the credits that the Director is Suzan Beraza and the writer is Michelle Curry Wright. (Neither is shown). So, honestly, I don't know if Berrier is telling his own story or if this is a "plot device" to present this important issue. But it works. And, later in the film Berrier turns from his Michael Moore mode to his Morgan Spurlock ("Super Size Me") mode to try to eat as many foods containing Phalytes (sp?) as he can.

The interviews are with both environmentalists and authors of books on recycling. And the Director cleverly inserts scenes from TV shows and old movies. The soundtrack is great too. (I wonder if there is a soundtrack album, but I don't think so.)

The bonuses don't add a lot (and the six "bonuses" don't amount to much more than 10 minutes total). And, as you'd expect, the DVD is packaged in a recyclable foam cardboard package. This is good idea but, oddly, that package is enclosed in an additional slipcase (totally unnecessary), which will add to more trash. Go figure!

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"