FRONTLINE: The Virus that Shook the World DVD

FRONTLINE examines living through the year of the pandemic, filmed around the world, from lockdowns to funerals to protests. Using extensive personal video and local footage, see how people and countries responded to the virus, with the differing struggles, beliefs and responses, across cultures, race, faith and privilege.

My Thoughts

We may all feel like we've been inundated with information about COVID, but if you want a different take on the virus, this may be a great documentary to watch. You'll get to visit the frontlines with healthcare workers who witnessed the worst firsthand. It also shows you how different the experience was for the poor and people of color. 

COVID is something we've all lived through, but this documentary shows you what life was like for the first responders on the frontlines.  If you'd like to grab a copy of this informative DVD, you can find it  in stores nationwide or online at PBS.org or Amazon. 

American Experience: The Vote

Honoring the 100 ^th anniversary of the passage of the 19 ^th Amendment of women’s suffrage, “ The Vote ” tells the dramatic story of the epic and surprisingly unfamiliar crusade waged by American women for the right to vote. Focusing primarily on the movement’s final decade, the film charts American women’s determined march to the ballot box, and illuminates the myriad social, political and cultural obstacles that stood in their path.

The series features the voices of unsung warriors of the movement: Mae Whitman voices Alice Paul, Audra McDonald voices Ida B. Wells, Laura Linney voices Carrie Chapman Catt and Patricia Clarkson voices Harriot Stanton Blatch.

Ida B. Wells was an early leader in the civil rights movement and was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She also became very involved in the women’s suffrage movement and established several notable women’s organizations. She was arguably the most famous black woman in America at that time. Harriot Stanton Blatch was the daughter of women’s rights pioneer Elizabeth Cady Stanton and later championed by Alice Paul , a well-educated singularly-driven Quarter of the movement’s third generation which used the new, “unladylike” tactics that heightened the movement’s visibility as thousands of American women took to the streets to boldly demand their right to full and equal citizenship. Suffragists decided in 1915 to concentrate their energy on the passage of a federal amendment. One faction of the suffragists, the National American Woman Suffrage Association led by President Carrie Chapman Catt, was determined to pursue a moderate course of action by working within the political system. While another, Alice Paul’s National Women’s Party, deployed more confrontational and controversial methods of practice. 

My Thoughts

Women went through so such get the right to vote. The picketing, the arrests, the postcards, the lobbying, the arguing, the force feedings, the constant disappointments. This documentary touches on all that the suffragettes endured so woman would vote today.  I think of women like Alice Paul, the Pankhurst family, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and all they went through and I realize how much I value my right to vote and how I won't waste it, even if I don't like the candidates. 

The Vote reveals just the tip of the iceberg of what some of the women went through to obtain the vote. America and many other countries have fought he same battle. Watch it, imagine yourself in these women's shoes, and then get out there and vote this November.  If you want to grab a copy of this amazing DVD for your library,  you can find them in stores nationwide, at PBS.org, or on Amazon.

The Greatest Bond

A touching and inspirational documentary, “ The Greatest Bond ” is an in-depth chronicle about the high cost of war on the brave heroes and heroines who fight for our freedom and a few whose lives have changed by the unconditional love of service dogs that have been trained by female prison inmates. Centered around a service dog organization called Patriot Paws based in Dallas, Texas, many of these traumatized men and women come to Patriot Paws in their darkest hours, as a last resort.

Viewers follow a group of disabled US veterans who are about to be given a service dog and watch them transform as the dogs expand the veterans’ world and start to heal them as well. Not only do these dogs help the veterans on a very practical level, they provide constant emotional support, protection, and relief from the terrors of their combat-related PTSD. Peppered among the vulnerability of the veterans’ stories, viewers experience the lighthearted joy of the puppies, the redirected lives of the female inmates, and the good-natured humor of the Patriot Paws trainers. While the service dogs help on a fundamentally practical level, the audience will be left with the knowledge that ultimately these dogs save lives.

My Thoughts

The Greatest Bond follows the lives of several real life veterans after they return home from battle. Many veterans deal with mental illness and depression as well as physical injuries. This documentary gives us a new appreciation for what veterans sacrifice for us, but it also shares a ray of hope. The veterans in the documentary are given support animals to help them through their difficult times. You also get to see how animals and can help inmates and  meet the trainers who work with the dogs.

Whether you're an animal lover or someone who supports our veterans, you'll love this documentary  and all the deep, meaningful moments it shares. It's touching on many different levels. If you want to grab a copy of this amazing DVD for your library,  you can find them in stores nationwide, at PBS.org, or on Amazon.

Martin Clunes: Islands of America

Fan favorite Martin Clunes (Doc Martin, Manhunt) returns with another fun travelogue MARTIN CLUNES’ ISLANDS OF AMERICA, which makes its DVD debut on September 3, 2019 from Acorn TV. In this gorgeously shot new docuseries, Martin Clunes embarks on an epic journey around the coast of America to discover what life is like on the surrounding islands. Following the successful series on the Islands of Britain and Islands of Australia, Martin has developed a fascination for the unique quality and appeal of island life, often in the most remote places on the planet. The DVD Single features 4 episodes ($34.99, Amazon.com). Martin Clunes’ Islands of America made its U.S. premiere in June 2019 on Acorn TV. Called a “glorious streaming service… an essential must-have” (The Hollywood Reporter), Acorn TV is North America’s most popular and largest streaming service focused on British and international television.

Award-winning actor Martin Clunes is a “lovable travel companion” (The Independent) in this fun and informative voyage around America’s amazing coasts.

Beginning in Hawaii, Martin witnesses the destruction caused by volcanoes firsthand, before bear watching in Alaska, encountering seals and sea lions in California’s secluded Channel Islands, and visiting some of Washington State’s most remote islands. On the East Coast, Martin salsa dances in Puerto Rico, learns about the mysterious lost colony of Roanoke, and watches wild ponies swim at Chincoteague, finally ending his journey in New England’s playgrounds of presidents.

Along the way, he sees dazzling and diverse landscapes, gets up close and personal with wildlife ranging from endangered foxes to great white sharks, and chats with insightful historians and memorable locals. Join Martin on this island-hopping quest to witness the wonders of America, from sea to shining sea.

Street Date: September 3, 2019                                      SRP: $34.99

DVD Single: 4 episodes – Approx. 196 min. – SDH Subtitles – UPC 054961269990

My Thoughts 

Martin's Clunes Islands of America is an amazing box set that takes you into the world of the American Islands alongside Doc Martin star Martin Clunes. There are three exciting episodes in this series that give you a look at some exotic animals in their natural habitats and you meet with the indigenous people. Each stop is beautiful and awe-inspiring. Episodes include:

Hawaii and Alaska - Explore the volcanoes and learn about the traditions of Molokai Island in Hawaii. Then explore Kodiak Island where there are lots of beautiful bears.

Washington State, California, and Louisiana - Celebrate the Fourth of July in the San Juan Islands. Visit seals and seal lions in  the San Juan Islands. Finally, visit Delacroix Island which was destroyed in a hurricane.

Puerto Rico, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia - Rum-tasting in Puerto Rico, learn about African traditions in Georgia and learn about the lost colony of Roanoke.

New York, Massachusetts, and Maine - Climb the Empire State Building, learn about Ellis Island and visit the town where Jaws was filmed.

All four of these documentaries were beautifully shot, fun to watch, and educational. I especially love seeing all the beautiful wildlife in Alaska.  Martin Clune's is the perfect host. You could see he really enjoyed his travels. My whole family enjoyed watching and learning more our beautiful country and its many mysteries. 

Martin's Clunes Islands of Australia

The fun and beautiful three-part docuseries MARTIN CLUNES’ ISLANDS OF AUSTRALIA debuts on DVD on May 16, 2017 from Athena, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. In this gorgeously shot new documentary, beloved actor Martin Clunes(Doc Martin) is on a quest to discover the islands of Australia. With over 8,000 to choose from, Clunes—an avid nature and animal lover—selects 16 of the best to explore in this three-part series. Along the way, he learns about the diversity, history and challenges of island life Down Under. When the series premiered in Australia, it was the most-watched show of the night (DVD Single, 34.99). The miniseries made its U.S. premiere in March 2017 on Acorn TV, the premier North American streaming service for world-class television from Britain and beyond.

Full of infectious excitement, Clunes makes for “a warm and engaging host” (The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia) on this fun and fascinating encounter with unique lands that showcase the diversity, history, and challenges of life Down Under.

Beginning in the iconic city of Sydney, he also travels to Norfolk Island, with its brutal convict past; to the Tiwi Islands, where he visits with Aborigines; and to the magical Muirons, where he swims with the biggest fish in the ocean. He ventures to the mysterious island of Carnac, home to hundreds of highly venomous snakes, and to Maria Island, where he learns about scientists’ efforts to save Tasmanian devils from extinction.

Martin Clunes remains one of the most popular actors on Acorn TV. The service features several of his series including Men Behaving Badly, Reggie Perrin, William & Mary, A is for Acid, Hunting Venus, Losing It, and The Man Who Lost His Head, as well as his must-see documentaries: Islands of Britain, Man and Beast, Horsepower, and Wild Life. Doc Martin, Series 8 premieres in Fall 2017 on Acorn TV.

Street Date: May 16, 2017                                                SRP: $34.99

DVD Single: 3 episodes – SDH Subtitles – Approx. 144 minutes - UPC 054961256198

BONUS: Photo Gallery

My Thoughts 

Martin's Clunes Islands of Australia is an amazing box set that takes you into the world of Australia alongside Doc Martin star Martin Clunes. There are three exciting episodes in this series that give you a look at some exotic animals in their natural habitats, lets you meet with the Aborigines, journey through mysterious islands, and much more. Each stop is beautiful and awe-inspiring. Episodes include:

Eastern - Clunes hits Sydney harbor, Ft. Denison on Pinch-Gut Island, Lord Howe Island, and Kentia. He visits a stunning garden, a prison, a pearl farm, and an island invested with spiders. 

Northern- Stops in this episode include Melville’s, Bathhurst’s Tiwi Island, Muirons and the Ningaloo Reef.  We learn a little about the Aboriginal history, play with sea lions and snakes, and visit some stunning but dangerous reefs.

Southern- Finally, we stop at Mundoo Island, Phillip Island, and the Tasmania Islands. You'll get a close up look at the Tasmanian devil, visit a penguin conversation,   and learn a lot about kelp!

All three of these documentaries were beautifully shot, fun to watch, and educational. I especially love seeing all the beautiful wildlife in Australia.  Martin Clune's is the perfect host. You could see he really enjoyed his travels. My whole family enjoyed watching and learning more the beautiful country of Australia and its many mysteries. 

Real Suffragettes and Heroines – BBC’s Story of Women & Power

Featuring the stories of some of the most notable women in history, The Story of Women and Power makes its North American DVD Debut on November 3, 2015 from Athena, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Historian Amanda Vickery (The Story of Women & Art) takes viewers on a journey to uncover the centuries-long struggle for women’s equality in Britain. From Queen Victoria and her progressive views on women’s rights to Emmeline Pankhurst and her suffragettes, Vickery reveals the long-forgotten heroes and heroines who dedicated their lives to the cause of equality for men and women. Originally broadcast on the U.K.’s BBC Two in February 2015, the three-part documentary delves into the often overlooked stories of systemic female oppression throughout history, such as the history of wife sales and the Epsom Derby tragedy. This DVD single features three episodes ($34.99, AcornOnline.com). The miniseries is also available to watch at any time on Acorn TV, the premier streaming service for world class television from Britain and beyond at www.Acorn.TV. The DVD release coincides with the upcoming release of the new film, Suffragette, which stars three-time Oscar®-winner Meryl Streep as Emmeline Pankhurst, as well as Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter.

In this sweeping, often shocking series, historian Amanda Vickery tells the untold story of British women’s fight for equality, a centuries-old battle of women vs. men.

Vickery profiles key figures including Mary Wollstonecraft, the mother of feminism; Hannah More, who found ways for women to enter public life; and suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst. She visits the Houses of Parliament, Queen Victoria’s holiday home, and a livestock market where men once sold their wives at auction. And she converses frankly with other experts, among them current Member of Parliament Stella Creasy and Viscount Astor, son of Nancy Astor, the first female MP.

Passionate about her subject, Vickery guides us through history, from an early march for women’s rights in 1649 to a notorious incident in 1738, when the Duchess of Queensberry crashed the House of Lords, to the violent, militant activities of the Edwardian suffragettes and the modern-day campaign to put a woman on a British bank note. And she reminds us that the fight is not over yet.

Street Date: November 3, 2015                                      SRP: $34.99     

DVD Single: 3 episodes – Approx. 180 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 054961244294                                                       ISBN 978-1-62172-442-1

My Thoughts


The Story of Women & Power is a powerful documentary about the real women who fought for equality for women in England throughout history. These are some of the women who set the foundation for the women's movement, and their stories are inspirational. There are three episodes in the set, each detailing another section of British history. Here are a few highlights from each episode. 

Episode One - In the 1640s women march of Parliament against the Levellors. Later, Mary Wollstonecraft promotes equality through teaching and her books.  In 1819, a peaceful demonstration turns bloody when women are attacked. Emily Wilding Davison becomes a suffragette martyr. Mary Hilton is burned at the stake for murdering her husband.

Episode Two - Queen Victoria declares women's rights "wicked folly".  Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters start the suffragette movement in 1903.  In 1890 a female undergrad is denied a degree even though her grades are better than the boys.

Episode Three - In 1919 Nancy Aster becomes the first female Prime Minister. Also touches on women's part in WWII and how women are still struggling for equality today.

This amazing documentary is something that all woman need to watch to truly understand the battle our ancestors fought. Though we still have a long way to go for true equality,  this does show how far we've already come.  If you want a copy of this amazing documentary for yourself, its available online at Acorn Media and on Amazon. 

Documentary Review: Our Daily Dose

They say that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Documentaries this like, from the creator of the film "GMO OMG", are perfect examples of this philosophy in action. Jeremy Seifert takes viewers on an illuminating, yet sometimes depressing, journey into the debate on using Fluoride in drinking water. 

Recently, new studies have come out that have led to changes in the common practice. Some places have stopped adding fluoride to their drinking water, while others have reduced the amount. Seifert examines those studies and speaks to a variety of experts about this practice and whether or not it is actually damaging human health, rather than protecting teeth. 

I think the most depressing part of the movie for me was seeing how little changes over time. We've seen product after product on the market, that is supposedly safe, that later turns out to be the opposite. Usually, this is accompanied by some deriding the new information and ignoring the implications.  Seifert shows how this has happened with fluoride as well, and offers some data that questions just how effective it even is in protecting teeth. 

I would recommend this to people who are interesting in organic, clean living. Also, for those who are interested in learning more about fluoride, and the less-reported side of this issue.