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500 Nations

Actors: Kevin Costner, Gregory Harrison, Eric Schweig, Gordon Tootoosis, Wes Studi
ASIN : B0002S65WC
Sales Rank : 8970
Brand : Warner Brothers
Studio : Warner Home Video
Region Code : 1
Format : Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC
Binding : DVD
EAN : 9780790798837
ISBN : 0790798832
UPC : 012569457720
Release Date : December 21, 2004
Publisher : Warner Home Video
Manufacturer : Warner Home Video
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Warner Home Video
Running Time : 372

Description

500 Nations is an eight-part documentary that explores the history of the indigenous peoples of North and Central America, from pre-Colombian times through the period of European contact and colonization, to the end of the 19th century and the subjugation of the Plains Indians of North America. 500 Nations utilizes historical texts, eyewitness accounts, pictorial sources and computer graphic reconstructions to explore the magnificent civilizations which flourished prior to contact with Western civilization, and to tell the dramatic and tragic story of the Native American nations' desperate attempts to retain their way of life against overwhelming odds.

DVD Features:
Featurette
Introduction
Other

Amazon.com

With six episodes spread out over four discs and a running time of well over six hours (in addition to an interactive CD-ROM filled with extra features), director-producer Jack Leustig's sprawling 500 Nations, a history of Indians in North America, is likely the most comprehensive effort of its kind ever undertaken.

Mention the word "Indian," and most will conjure up images inspired by myths and movies: teepees, headdresses, and war paint; Sitting Bull, Geronimo, Crazy Horse, and their battles (like Little Big Horn) with the U.S. Cavalry. Those stories of the so-called "horse nations" of the Great Plains are all here, but so is a great deal more. Using impressive computer imaging, photos, location film footage and breathtaking cinematography, interviews with present-day Indians, books and manuscripts, museum artifacts, and more, Leustig and his crew go back more than a millennium to present an fascinating account of Indians, including those (like the Maya and Aztecs in Mexico and the Anasazi in the Southwest) who were here long before white men ever reached these shores.

It was the arrival of Europeans like Columbus, Cortez, and DeSoto that marked the beginning of the end for the Indians. Considering the participation of host Kevin Costner, whose film Dances with Wolves was highly sympathetic to the Indians, it's no bulletin that 500 Nations also takes a compassionate view of the multitude of calamities--from alcohol and disease to the corruption of their culture and the depletion of their vast natural resources--visited on them by the white man in his quest for land and money, eventually leading to such horrific events as the Trail of Tears "forced march," the massacre at Wounded Knee, and other consequences of the effort to "relocate" Indians to the reservations where many of them still live. Along the way, we learn about the Indians' participation in such events as the American Revolution and the War of 1812, as well as popular legends like the first Thanksgiving (it really happened) and the rescue of Captain John Smith by Pocahontas (it probably didn't).

With its sometimes New Age-y music and many beauty shots of the great outdoors, 500 Nations has a rather different vibe than the average Ken Burns documentary. That may lessen its value for sober historians, but for the rest of us, this is an illuminating and important work. --Sam Graham

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Cosmos: Carl Sagan (7 DVD Set)

Actors: Carl Sagan, Jaromír Hanzlík, Jonathan Fahn, Robert H. Goddard
ASIN : B000055ZOB
Sales Rank : 5809
Director : Adrian Malone
Brand : Koch International
Studio : Cosmos Studios
Region Code : 1
Format : Box set, Collector's Edition, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
Binding : DVD
EAN : 0804387101097
UPC : 804387101097
Release Date : December 22, 2002
Publisher : Cosmos Studios
Manufacturer : Cosmos Studios
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Cosmos Studios
Running Time : 780

Description

Complete Landmark TV Series - 13 One Hour Episodes

I: The Shores Of the Cosmos
II: One Voice In the Cosmic Fugue
III: The Harmony Of the Worlds
IV: Heaven and Hell
V: Blues For A Red Planet
VI: Travellers' Tales
VII: The Backbone of Night
VIII: Travels In Space and Time
IX: The Lives Of the Stars
X: The Edge Of Forever
XI: The Persistence Of Memory
XII: Encyclopedia Galactica
XIII: Who Speaks For Earth?

Amazon.com

When Cosmos was first broadcast in 1980, our world--and the context of Carl Sagan's eloquent "personal journey"--was a different place. The late Dr. Sagan would be pleased to witness the cooling of the cold war, the continued exploration of space, and ongoing efforts to curb our destructive dependence on fossil fuels. For Sagan's series is far more than a guided tour through "billions and billions" of stars and galaxies. It remains a profound plea for the unity of humankind, for the recognition that "we are a way for the universe to know itself," with an obligation to know our origin, our place in the universe, and our future potential.

In the course of 13 fascinating hours, Cosmos spans its own galaxy of topics to serve Sagan's theme, each segment deepening our understanding of how we got from there (simple microbes in the primordial mud) to here (space-faring civilization in the 21st century). In his "ship of the imagination," Sagan guides us to the farthest reaches of space and takes us back into the history of scientific inquiry, from the ancient library of Alexandria to the NASA probes of our neighboring planets. Upon this vast canvas Sagan presents the "cosmic calendar," placing the 15-billion-year history of the universe into an accessible one-year framework, then filling it with a stunning chronology of events, both interstellar and earthbound.

From the lives of the stars, to creation theories, functions of the human brain, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, Cosmos asks big questions. When appropriate, Sagan offers big answers, or asks still bigger--and yes, even spiritual--questions at the boundaries of science and religion. What's most remarkable about Cosmos is that it remains almost entirely fresh, with few updates needed to the science that Sagan so passionately celebrates. It is no exaggeration to say that Cosmos--for all the debate it may continue to provoke--is a vital document for humanity at a pivotal crossroads of our history. --Jeff Shannon

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Storm Chasers/Perfect Disaster

Actor: Storm Chasers
ASIN : B001675YNY
Sales Rank : 6912
Brand : Image Entertainment
Studio : Discovery Channel
Format : Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Binding : DVD
EAN : 0014381432824
UPC : 014381432824
Release Date : December 03, 2008
Publisher : Discovery Channel
Manufacturer : Discovery Channel
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Discovery Channel
Running Time : 420

Description

Join the hunt for the devastating, violent twisters that rip through America's Great Plains, aka "Tornado Alley," in each exciting episode of Storm Chasers. Research meteorologist Josh Wurman and extreme filmmaker Sean Casey put their lives on the line to capture this unprecedented footage shot from inside tornadoes tearing their way across the central U.S. Shooting from a 14,000-pound tank topped with a custom-designed filming turret, you won't believe what the team encounters as they drive straight into the unknown heart of these deadly storms. This set also includes all six episodes of the program, Perfect Disasters:

They are "perfect" in the most chilling sense of the word: These are the storms bigger, more dangerous and more deadly than any before them. What would happen if a mega tornado reduced downtown Dallas to a war zone within minutes? How would the 7 million inhabitants of Hong Kong survive if the super typhoon sets its sights on the island? Scientists know it could happen, and with live action, CGI, archival footage and in-depth interviews with today's top experts, Discovery Channel shows you how.

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Yankeeography Mega-Set 1-4 (12pc)

Actor: Yankeeography Megaset
ASIN : B000UL61DY
Sales Rank : 13576
Director : n/a
Brand : Team Marketing
Studio : A&E HOME VIDEO
Region Code : 1
Format : Box set, Black & White, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Feature : Officially Licensed; Highest Quality Recording
Binding : DVD
EAN : 0733961769814
UPC : 733961769814
Release Date : December 13, 2007
Publisher : A&E HOME VIDEO
Manufacturer : A&E HOME VIDEO
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : A&E HOME VIDEO
Running Time : 2445

Product Description

The New York Yankees® have dominated Major League Baseball® for more than 100 years, winning 26 World Series® and 39 Pennants. Their sustained excellence and astounding talent is brought to life in this Emmy Award®--winning series that pays homage to the Yankees venerable history by taking a close look at the lives of the great players who have donned the pinstriped uniform.

The Yankees roster has been consistently filled with the most distinguished names in baseball, from the unstoppable Babe Ruth to Joe Dimaggio, from Mickey Mantle to current great Derek Jeter. YANKEEOGRAPHY is a paean to the talent of Yankee players throughout the ages.

This must-own collection features over 40 hours of the most memorable names and unforgettable moments of Yankees history. Including 10 Yankeeography episodes available on DVD here for the first time, as well as three full discs of bonus material featuring highlights, milestones, and extended interviews, this is the ultimate Yankees memorabilia showpiece.

DVD Features: Uncut Interviews; Milestone Moments; Rare Highlights; Hall of Fame Speeches

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Helvetica

Actors: David Carson, Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter, Massimo Vignelli, Wim Crouwel
ASIN : B000VWEFP8
Sales Rank : 1463
Director : Gary Hustwit
Studio : Plexifilm
Region Code : 1
Format : Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Binding : DVD
EAN : 0082354004224
UPC : 082354004224
Number Of Discs : 1
Release Date : December 20, 2007
Publisher : Plexifilm
Manufacturer : Plexifilm
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Plexifilm
Running Time : 80

Description

Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. The film is an exploration of urban spaces in major cities and the type that inhabits them, and a fluid discussion with renowned designers about their work, the creative process, and the choices and aesthetics behind their use of type.

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Flow (aka- Flow:For Love of Water)

Actors: Maude Barlow, Vandana Shiva
ASIN : B001EUSYHQ
Sales Rank : 2029
Director : Irena Salina
Studio : Oscilloscope
Region Code : 1
Format : Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Binding : DVD
EAN : 0896602002029
UPC : 896602002029
Release Date : December 09, 2008
Publisher : Oscilloscope
Manufacturer : Oscilloscope
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Oscilloscope
Running Time : 84

Product Description

Review An astonishingly wide-ranging film. An informed and heartfelt examination of the tug of war between public health and private interests. --New York Times Product Description Water is the sleeping giant issue of the 21st century and we all need to wake up about it. FLOW opens our eyes about the greatest threat of our time - the global water crisis. It is a compelling and passionate film. Its engaging narrative will grip the viewer. - Robert Redford SYNOPSIS Irena Salina s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis. Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel.Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER? Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround. Special Features: -Crisp new 16:9 anamorphic transfer -Commentary by the film s director Irena Salina and editor Caitlin Dixon. -Expanded interviews with key internationally acclaimed experts on water privatization, political activism, and the spiritual significance of water. -Call to Resistance: Key first steps to action and links to important allies in the fight to preserve access to safe, affordable water. -Expanded scenes, clips and water related features.

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Dust to Glory

Actors: Jimmy N. Roberts, Steve McQueen, J.N. Roberts, Sal Fish, James Garner
ASIN : B0009XT8C4
Sales Rank : 5457
Director : Dana Brown (II)
Studio : MGM (Video & DVD)
Region Code : 1
Format : AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Binding : DVD
EAN : 9780792868217
ISBN : 0792868218
UPC : 027616929167
Release Date : December 23, 2005
Publisher : MGM (Video & DVD)
Manufacturer : MGM (Video & DVD)
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : MGM (Video & DVD)
Running Time : 97

Product Description

Don't be surprised if you feel a dry, tickling sensation in the back of your throat after watching the slam-bang racing documentary Dust to Glory. It's probably from the lingering sand and silt spewed from the knobby wheels of an array of machines that skitter from one end of the Baja Peninsula to the other. Using 90 cameras in a variety of formats, director Dana Brown captures the giddy danger of the race with truly visceral force. In 1967, a few California thrill-seekers had the Eureka spirit to take their homemade race cars for some whooping-up in the wide-open land just a few hours away. Since then, the Baja 1000 has turned into a party-fueled happening that's more akin to Burning Man than the Indy 500. It's billed as the world's longest nonstop race, running point-to-point for 1,000 miles through the Mexican desert from Tijuana to La Paz--pretty much the entire length of Baja.
Dana Brown is the son of Bruce Brown, whose 1966 film The Endless Summer sparked a surfing craze, and still holds up as an incomparable ode to the existential surfing lifestyle. Dust to Glory is by no means so profound and uses more of a Warren Miller thrill-marketing style (he of the annual throwaway extreme-skiing films). Cameras swoop down from helicopters, careen through silt, and are put into tracks over which vehicles pass at extreme speeds. In spite of the adrenaline rush, Dust to Glory is ultimately more about what people think about the higher implications of the competition.

From the creators of Step Into Liquid comes this absolutely exhilarating film about the most notorious and dangerous race in the world: the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Showcasing Mario Andretti, Robby Gordon, Johnny Campbell and J.N. Roberts, and packed with awesome helicopter footage, in-your-face POV shots and stories of raw courage, Dust to Glory follows a wild assortment of motorcycles, dune buggies, ATV quads and tricked-out trucks in a 32-hour dash across 1,000 miles of unforgiving terrain and delivers such pulse-pounding thrills that you feel like you've been there .

Amazon.com

Don't be surprised if you feel a dry, tickling sensation in the back of your throat after watching the slam-bang racing documentary Dust to Glory. It's probably from the lingering sand and silt spewed from the knobby wheels of an array of machines that skitter from one end of the Baja Peninsula to the other. Using 90 cameras in a variety of formats, director Dana Brown captures the giddy danger of the race with truly visceral force. In 1967, a few California thrill-seekers had the Eureka spirit to take their homemade race cars for some whooping-up in the wide-open land just a few hours away. Since then, the Baja 1000 has turned into a party-fueled happening that's more akin to Burning Man than the Indy 500. It's billed as the world's longest nonstop race, running point-to-point for 1,000 miles through the Mexican desert from Tijuana to La Paz--pretty much the entire length of Baja.

Dana Brown is the son of Bruce Brown, whose 1966 film The Endless Summer sparked a surfing craze, and still holds up as an incomparable ode to the existential surfing lifestyle. Dust to Glory is by no means so profound and uses more of a Warren Miller thrill-marketing style (he of the annual throwaway extreme-skiing films). Cameras swoop down from helicopters, careen through silt, and are put into tracks over which vehicles pass at extreme speeds. In spite of the adrenaline rush, Dust to Glory is ultimately more about what people think about the higher implications of the competition. One veteran finisher describes it this way: "It's like having all 10,000 close calls of your life in one day. It makes regular life feel like slow-motion." --Ted Fry

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The History of Rock and Roll

Actors: Gary Busey, Chuck Berry, Pat Boone, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles
ASIN : B0002234XQ
Sales Rank : 2979
Director : Andrew Solt, Bud Friedgen, Obie Benz, Ted Haimes
Brand : Warner Brothers
Studio : Time-Life Video
Region Code : 1
Format : Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC
Binding : DVD
EAN : 9780790794587
ISBN : 0790794586
UPC : 085393499129
Number Of Discs : 1
Release Date : December 29, 2004
Publisher : Time-Life Video
Manufacturer : Time-Life Video
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Time-Life Video
Running Time : 578

Description

Ten titanic hours of the greatest rock extravaganza ever! This definitive 10-part documentary covers rock 'n' roll history from its humble beginnings in the '50s to Lollapalooza in the '90s. Fans can experience their favorite rock 'n' roll moments all over again through hundreds of exclusive interviews, classic footage, and unforgettable in-concert performances from rock 'n' roll's biggest stars. A must-own for any rock 'n' roll fan!

Amazon.com

Serving as an introduction for neophytes and a refresher course for experts, The History of Rock and Roll is a mammoth and, when considered on its own terms, frequently successful undertaking. The series, which was first presented in 1995, consumes some 578 minutes, with 10 episodes (there are no bonus features) spread out over five discs. Its pedigree (executive producers include Quincy Jones, while respected writers Peter Guralnick and Greil Marcus are listed as consultants) is impressive, as is its scope, beginning in the pre-rock days of bluesman Muddy Waters and boogie woogie master Louis Jordan and continuing through the death of Kurt Cobain and the birth of the Lollapalooza festival in the mid-1990s. Along the way, dozens of big-name performers (with the notable exception of the Beatles) are on hand to lead us through the story.

On the minus side, the format--clips of musical performances cut short by a parade of talking heads--while typical of the genre, will frustrate those who come for the music alone. Nor is it likely that anyone who studies such things will find much here that hasn't already been seen. To be sure, there are some terrific moments, like the profile of Bob Dylan (in part 5, "Plugging In"), some cool clips of relatively obscure legends like James Burton and T-Bone Walker (in part 7, "Guitar Heroes"), and rarely seen live bits with Jimi Hendrix, Steely Dan, Iggy Pop (goofing on the Dinah Shore Show in '77), and many others scattered throughout the set. Part 8, which chronicles the '70s, is surprisingly compelling (one forgets how many major artists--Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder--came into their own in a decade remembered largely for disco and faceless arena rock), while part 9, "Punk," is arguably the most entertaining of the lot.

In the end, it's the lack of complete musical performances that is the set's Achilles' heel. Then again, with their appetites whetted here, perhaps viewers will move on to other, more detailed looks at their heroes--beginning with, say, The Beatles Anthology. --Sam Graham

Browse General Online

500 Nations

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Amazon.com

Cosmos: Carl Sagan (7 DVD Set)

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Storm Chasers/Perfect Disaster

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Yankeeography Mega-Set 1-4 (12pc)

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Helvetica

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Flow (aka- Flow:For Love of Water)

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The History Channel Ultimate Collections: World War II

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Get Thrashed

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Dust to Glory

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The History of Rock and Roll

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