7 Great Docs to Stream this Week
I personally find documentaries a wonderful way to spend my time and learn something in the process. I watch all kinds, and, while I remain a big advocate of DVD's, streaming them has become a bit of a pastime. Cost is usually quite friendly and many are on Amazon Prime (if you have to be a member).
Below is a list of seven docs about seven totally different subjects that I highly recommend you take a look at. All available to stream or download (if you're a collector). Take a look and who knows, maybe one will strike your fancy:
One the most impactful films I've seen is Journey of the Universe. It's tag line is "An epic story of Cosmic, Earth and Human Transformation" which is exactly what it is.
At just one-hour, evolutionary philosopher Brian Swimme retells the 14 billion year journey of our planet. Those who have watched either Joseph Campbell's Power of Myth or Carl Sagan's Cosmos will find this film to be the next in line for viewing. Produced by Yale and now the core of the university's first MOOC (Massive Open Online Class), Journey of the Universe as the potential to change your life perspective. At its very heart, Journey of the Universe explores cosmic evolution as a profoundly wondrous process that evolves into the now unprecedented opportunity for the world’s people to address the daunting ecological and social challenges of our times. As an aside, while not available to stream (it's only on DVD), there is a massive collection produced at the same time entitled JOURNEY OF THE UNIVERSE CONVERSATIONS. It's about 20 hours of highly detailed interviews for the serious enthusiast. There is also a book by the same name if you're a reader.
TO AUSCHWITZ AND BACK: THE JOE ENGEL STORY
This is my PICK OF THE WEEK!
Many people can tell a story. Very few can compel you to listen. Joe Engel, at 90 years of age, knows how to tell his story, a story of faith, renewal, inner-strength and redemption. He is a charming storyteller who hopes that people will listen and learn and most of all… “never forget”.
From the overwhelming despair of the Warsaw Ghetto, to the shroud of unceasing death and suffering that was Birkenau and Auschwitz, Joe takes you through his escape from a Death Train at 17 and his subsequent covert work as a freedom fighter until Liberation in 1945.
With the assistance of “The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s film and photographic archives”, filmmaker Ron Small (Circle Unbroken, Medals of World War II) has successfully weaved Joe Engel’s incredible storytelling into a riveting visual presentation that is both historic and contemporary. Acclaimed reivew site Movie City News wrote “It would fit neatly alongside Schindler’s List or Shoah on any shelf reserved for films on the subject…Still, it’s Engel’s spirit that triumphs over evil here"
GHOST OF THE WEST: THE END OF THE BONANZA TRAIL
American History buff? The West ~ once vast and unknown ~ was where both the courageous and the foolhardy sought adventure and fortune. The stampede that followed the discovery of gold in California lasted little more than a generation, but the stories that followed in its wake captured the imagination of the world.
Thousands of towns and mining camps boomed during that brief time when men scrambled through unexplored territory searching for the next big strike. And just as quickly, they died without a whisper and became ghost towns.
The authenticity of the production results in a riveting and even haunting telling of America’s fabled past when the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Baby Doe Tabor and Jacob Waltz sought their fortunes.
From filmmaker Nicholas Jones (the creator of Whittle: The Jet Pioneer) comes Eric Brown: A Pilot’s Story, the feature-length documentary about Britain’s greatest aviator.
At the core of the film is an extensive and fascinating interview with Captain Brown (21 January 1919 – 21 February 2016) who tells his story in first person prior to his passing away. Accompanied with spectacular archival footage and rare photographs from Eric Brown’s personal library, Jones has again created a film that will attract the attention of aviation fans, military history buffs, students of British history and WWII enthusiasts alike. A Pilot’s Story details Browns life and career as an aviator as well his accomplishments as Britain’s foremost test pilot. His personal storytelling is mesmerizing as he recalls moments and missions that only he could convey.
Not since “Inside the Actor’s Studio” has there been a series that takes you inside the creative process the way “Barnegie Hall” does. Musicians and songwriters looking for inspiration can do no wrong with Barnegie Hall.
Celebrated songwriter and virtuoso picker Verlon Thompson (pictured) sits down with some of the most inspiring and talented writer/performers in the world for honest conversation, laughter and musical insights in an extraordinary series of 13 musical journeys.
Each episode is intimately filmed at Barnegie Hall, a very special location with its heart rooted in Country and Americana music. The 13 program series explores how some of the greatest hits of all time were crafted and includes personal musical performances by the guests, as well as intimate duets performed along with host Verlon Thompson. Guests of the show include: Mark Sanders, Tony Arata, Billy Dean, Mary Gauthier, Rivers Rutherford, Suzy Bogguss, Jessi Alexander, Wayland Holyfield, Jon Randall, Shawn Camp and more. Together these stars have written 47 #1 hits for the likes of Randy Travis, Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jimmy Buffet ,Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert
Each 30 minute episode is available individually OR as a collection.
WINNER: BEST EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC FILM AWARDand nominated for Best Picture at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema – Amsterdam 2018.
Noted philosopher Noam Chomsky, world renowned physician, author and activist Helen Caldicott, MD, and founder of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation David Krieger come together through interwoven interviews to create a narrative that addresses one of the most urgent needs of our planet: The modern dangers of nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear terrorism in the world today. The film details the effects of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for the nuclear states to reduce and eventually eliminate these highly destructive weapons of mass destruction. The narrative presents the dangers of these weapons, including recent close calls and almost attacks we’ve had had over the 70 years since the first use of nuclear weapons in August of 1945.
A TABOO IDENTITY: THE [r]EVOLUTION OF KAY TAYLOR PARKER
What happens if your past overshadows your present? A Taboo Identity is a study in personal branding and identity transformation in the modern era.
The film explores former porn-queen Kay Taylor Parker’s journey from being a legend in the adult film industry to her current work as a metaphysical counselor. It addresses today’s challenge of identity and the now common issue of past vs. present; a struggle faced many in our changing times. Along the way, Kay has had to come to terms with the conflict between her “porn star” identity and her identity as a spiritual teacher, healer, and guide. It is a journey in which Kay has discovered and rediscovered herself.
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