EARTH: THE BIOGRAPHY

EARTH: THE BIOGRAPHY - 2008

RATED - NR but probably G. Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 25 Amazon (4/5), 14,022 Netflix (4.1/5), 295 IMDB (8.9/10).

STORY - Subtitled 'The Story of Our World', this is the BBC documentary on the make up of our planet; how it works, what sustains it and why our planet is unique in our solar system and probably in the universe (at least so far). There are five episodes: VOLCANOES, ICE, ATMOSPHERE, OCEANS & THE UNIQUENESS OF PLANET EARTH THAT ALLOWS FOR LIFE. If you're really into science there may not be any revelations here but at the very least this is a reminder of the incredible planet that we inhabit and the amazing way that it sustains itself and how unique and precise everything has to be to sustain life. Being a typical non-scientist, I can say there were things that I learned, especially about how important volcanoes are to sustaining life and how the atmosphere works. It also reinforces the mysteries that surround the origins of and life on planet earth. The BBC, in my opinion, has no peers in producing documentaries about nature. They are education and entertainment of the highest level. The host is Iain Stewart, an entertaining and energetic daredevil. The five episodes were seen on the National Geographic Channel in one hour shows. Planet Earth is truly amazing. Enjoy! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/07/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

NATURE'S MOST AMAZING EVENTS

NATURE'S MOST AMAZING EVENTS - 2009

RATED - NR but probably PG. This is a very family friendly series but there are some scenes of animals attacking and killing other animals. Not overly graphic but perhaps a caution for younger children.

RATINGS - 17 Amazon (4.5/5), 12,558 Netflix (4/5), 69 IMDB (9.1/10).

STARRING - David Attenborough as narrator and some awesome camera and production crews.

STORY - This outstanding series from the BBC covers six of the most amazing events in nature that take place on a regular basis. You will travel from the Arctic to British Columbia and to the Serengeti on the first disc and then back to South Africa, on to Botswana and back to the Pacific Ocean and Alaska on the second disc. Not only are the events themselves amazing but the camera work is spectacular. It would be hard to overstate the work of the BBC in producing documentaries about our planet and nature. They are the best. Just as interesting as the episode itself is the 10 minute 'diary' at the end of each episode showing clips of the camera crew filming various scenes and the challenges they encountered in producing that particular show. These men and women are true adventurers in every sense of the word to get these films produced. I don't think anyone will regret the time spent watching these amazing films and learning more about this incredible planet we inhabit. Five stars all the way. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/27/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

INDIA - FIVE FILMS

THE STORY OF INDIA - 2007


LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB


SUMMARY - This is the PBS documentary in six one hour segments narrated by Michael Wood. A good place to start to get the overall picture of this amazing country. The blu-ray version is as cheap as the regular version and brings the country and people alive through great camera work. 4.5/5, 4/5, 8.7/10 ratings.

GANGES - 2007

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

STORY - You can't understand India without understanding the Ganges River and this three part BBC production is simply stunning in its photography of the river, the wildlife and the people that live on its banks. Almost 10% of the ENTIRE world's population lives within the Ganges' basin.

MOTHER TERESA - 2003


LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB


STORY - Starring Olivia Hussey as Mother Teresa, this made for TV movie is a wonderful portrayal of an amazing woman. Mother Teresa has become synonymous with Christian works of charity because of her work with the dying in Calcutta. Not only a family friendly story of her work but more insight into a segment of India's culture and the steel will of this woman who was determined to love the unlovable as Christ would love them. 4.5/5, 3.9/5, 7/10 ratings.




MOTHER TERESA - 1986



LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB




STORY - This is a documentary about Mother Teresa. Follow her around Calcutta and the world as she ministers to those forgotten by the rest of society. Her powerful witness to the love of Jesus is seen not only in the slums of the world but as she speaks to students at Harvard, the UN and world leaders around the globe. Her drive and determination to help those rejected by their communities are an inspiration to everyone. 5/5, 3.6/5, 7.3/10.

BORN INTO BROTHELS - 2003

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

STORY - This film won the 2005 Oscar for BEST DOCUMENTARY. It is the story of eight children of prostitutes in Calcutta's red light district, an area of extreme poverty and crime. Zana Briski is a free lance photographer who has been trying, unsuccessfully, to do a picture story of the red light district and the prostitutes who live there. She decides to choose eight children of the 'workers' and give them cameras and teach them photography to tell their own stories. She falls in love with these children and sets on a mission to get them out of their environment and break the destructive patterns they are most likely to live out. This is their story, the successes AND the failures. At the same time, both heart breaking and uplifting. One person can make a difference in someone Else's life if they care enough to sacrifice. 4/5, 3.8/5, 7.8/10 ratings.

I was inspired to watch these films as a result of our son's recent trip to India. He was profoundly affected by what he saw in the country and particularly in the slums as well as his visit to Mother Teresa's facility. Here is a link to his blog. It is hard for those of us who live in the West to understand the culture and the way of life in that fascinating part of the world where the majority of the world's population lives.

HIROSHIMA

HIROSHIMA - 2005

RATED - NR

RATINGS - 10 Amazon (5/5), 2,447 Netflix (3.7/5), 179 IMDB (8.6/10)

THEMES - ATOMIC WAR

AWARDS - International Emmy Award for BEST DOCUMENTARY UK.

STORY - This BBC docudrama uses a combination of archival footage, recreation of scenes, eyewitness testimony and state of the art visuals to replay the three weeks leading up to the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima. It adds greatly to the feel and understanding of the emotions in play as you hear testimonies from the crew of the Enola Gay as well as survivors of the blast interspersed with the actual films and created visuals. The BBC has a history of great documentaries and this is no exception. Probably the defining moment of the 20th century, the world has not been the same since the creation of atomic and nuclear weapons. This unique retelling of that story reminds us of the grave consequences of a nuclear attack, a memory we should always keep in the forefront of our country's foreign policy and international relations. While the merits of the decision to drop the bomb will likely be debated forever, this excellent documentary provides the context, politically, militarily and morally to add to an intelligent discussion. Whether this is your first film about Hiroshima or your 10th, I think you will be glad you took the time to watch. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 7/19/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, NETFLIX