Dreams of Hawaii

Granted that all nature relaxation videos are not created equal, they are beginning to flow together in the Nature Relaxation Video bin in my brain. Here, viewers are greeted with the soothing (?) sight of another kind of flow altogether: volcanic lava inexorably marching ahead and obliterating everything in its path (the citizens of Pompeii, circa A.D. 79, would have not found this program particularly effective in stress reduction). In addition to hot lava, viewers will see huge waterfalls, verdant green mountains (as well as ash-covered mountains), lots of repetitive sunset shots and the occasional bit of wildlife. The New Age guitar soundtrack by the late Scott Moulton provides pleasant accompaniment, but the footage is not edited to the music (as it is in the better nature music videos). Pristine (though not necessarily engaging) visuals and a solid soundtrack by Moulton and select members of the Honolulu Symphony make this a very professional--if entirely unexceptional--entry in a crowded field. Very optional. (R. Pitman)