Discovering Your Warrior Spirit with D.J. Vanas DVD

Host D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas (Ottawa) teaches us to tap into the power of our warrior spirit and outlines how service is the most fulfilling human endeavor we undertake on our warrior journey. By applying Native American traditions and philosophy to the challenges of everyday life, Vanas inspires us to find and empower the warrior in each of us.

In Native cultures, warriors developed skills necessary to be an asset to their tribe. Today, the warrior spirit means using our creator-given talent and ability to be an asset to the "tribe" we serve. That tribe may be family, community, coworkers, or friends.

Discovering Your Warrior Spirit with D.J. Vanas provides a clear and compelling guide to creating a more rewarding and satisfying life, leading viewers to recognize and use their assets, leverage their own strengths, and have a positive impact on others.

My Thoughts

D.J.  is a Native American spiritual leader teaching people around the world to embrace their inner warrior. This DVD helps guide us to be stronger individuals who can channel our warrior spirits to bring positivity into our lives. It was an inspirational journey that will teaches philosophies that will lead to a more fulfilling life.

This was an amazing documentary that teaches us about Native American traditions and gets us to look deeper into our own spirituality. If you would like to purchase a copy of this DVD for your collection, you can find it online on PBS.org or on Amazon.

Opioids Inc. DVD

 FRONTLINE: Opioids, Inc. The story of a drug company that pushed opioids by bribing doctors and committing insurance fraud. With the Financial Times, an investigation of how Insys Therapeutics profited from a fentanyl-based painkiller 50 times stronger than heroin.

Production Year: 2020
Discs: 1
Subtitles: Y
Subtitle Language: English (SDH)

My Thoughts

This documentary delves into the greed and dishonesty that has led to opioid addiction being a massive problem in the United States. The documentary investigates a drug company that pushed drugs on unsuspecting patients. They bribed physicians to push their products and made them so strong, it was nearly impossible to avoid becoming dependent. 

I experienced this crisis first hand when I lost a family member to opioid addiction after an auto accident. This DVD helps being to light a struggle that so many of us are facing right now. So often people belittle addicts when so many of them found themselves in this situation because they trusted their medical professionals. 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 Man Who Tried to Feed the World

In 1966, drought and an exploding population confronted India with the imminent threat of a severe famine that many scientists and intellectuals feared was a harbinger of global catastrophes to come. As the world’s population outstripped its ability to produce food, India turned to Norman Borlaug, an unassuming plant breeder from Iowa whose combination of scientific knowledge and raw determination had made him a legend among a small handful of fellow specialists.

“The Man Who Tried to Feed the World ” recounts and explores the story of the man who would not only solve India’s famine problem, but would go on to lead a “Green Revolution” of worldwide agricultural programs estimated to have saved one billion lives. He was awarded the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work but spent the rest of his life watching his methods and achievements come under increasing fire.


My Thoughts

The Man Who Tried to Feed the World is a documentary that centers around a time period where India faced severe famine. In 1966, India's population was growing rapidly and food production couldn't keep up. A scientist named Norman Borlaug who specialized in plant breeding was called into help. His knowledge solved the problem in India, but was also the beginning of the Green Revolution. His work has helped keep the world fed for generations.

This was a great documentary that gives you some historical information on India as well as a scientific look at how we manage to feed our world. It was very eye-opening and gives you a new appreciation of the food on your plate. 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.

Holiday Gift Guide - CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments: 1968-2015

For 50 years, the CMA Awards have spotlighted the top performers of country music, capturing the songs and artists that have provided a soundtrack for our lives. This collection takes you from the early days of the CMA Awards in the late 1960s when Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell dominated the country music scene to today’s top country stars including Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton. This collection of CMA Awards performances showcases the diversity of talent and the powerful songs that have made country music the heartbeat of America.

You’ll see once-in-a-lifetime moments including Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee,” and Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” Plus you’ll see famous country duets and collaborations including “Jackson” by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” by Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire, and “Lady” by Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie. 

Highlights Include:

• 127 live performances featuring five decades of country’s greatest stars performing their biggest hits. From Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” and Tammy Wynette’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” to Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now.”
• Unforgettable collaborations including Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow and Loretta Lynn singing “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” George Strait and Alan Jackson singing “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Mark Knopfler and Ricky Skaggs performing “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” and Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton singing “Islands in the Stream.”
• Newly produced bonus interviews with country legends including Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Naomi Judd, Ronnie Milsap and more. Plus CMA bonus features with Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, George Strait, Carrie Underwood and many other country music stars.
• 44-page memory book including show photos, a history of the CMA Awards, plus a year-by-year guide to 50 years of Award winners.
• Features a ‘Who’s Who’ of country artists including Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Glen Campbell, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Buck Owens, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, George Strait, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Dwight Yoakam, and dozens more country artists.

This collection features highlights from 5 decades of the CMA Awards. You’ll see the greatest moments from 1968 through 2015, hand-selected to showcase the rich history of the Awards Show and country music.

My Thoughts

The CMA Awards Live is an awesome documentary series that brings you eight episodes all about some of the greatest  country legends in history raging from the 1960s to present day. There are features on country music celebrities including Johnny Cash,Tammy Wynette, and Lionel Richie to name only a few. There were also some great historical extras including interviews with your favorites. This DVD set is a real contribution to the history of country music and the culture surrounding it.

This DVD set is a must-have for anyone who is a fan of country music and would make a great holiday gift for anyone whose a fan of the genre. There is so much great music, you'll want to listen to it over and over again. If you'd like to purchase this awe.  If you want to grab a copy of this DVD set, you can find it it stores nationwide.

ANCIENT SECRETS OF THE BIBLE THE COMPLETE SERIES 39 EPISODES + DIGITAL

ANCIENT SECRETS OF THE BIBLE THE COMPLETE SERIES 39 EPISODES + DIGITAL

Winner of 19 Prestigious National Family Film Awards for Excellence

God works in mysterious ways, but some of those mysteries are becoming clearer! Delve into the wonderful workings of providence and creation with Ancient Secrets of the Bible. This extraordinary 39 episode series will appeal equally to curious hearts and minds, putting the power of scientific and historical inquiry at the fingertips of the faithful.

 Is every Biblical story and prophecy literally true? Did Adam and Eve actually exist - and where was their Garden of Eden? Is the Ark of the Covenant still hidden somewhere in Israel or Ethiopia? The answers are all here! This series features dramatic re-creations, expert testimony, biblical evidence, scientific experiments, and great entertainment value for the entire family. Shot on location in five countries and in over 80 U.S. cities, this series was honored with 19 national prestigious family film awards for excellence.

STEP, The Empowering True Story Arrives on DVD and Digital October 17

Set against the backdrop of Baltimore’s inner city, Step chronicles the senior year of a girls’ high school step dance team. Empowered by their teachers, coaches, families, and each other, they strive to win a championship and go to college. Deeply insightful and inspiring, this powerful film embodies the true meaning of sisterhood through a story of courageous young women worth cheering for.

Bonus Features Include:

• Deleted Scenes
• Director Commentary by Amanda Lipitz
• Lethal Ladies Music Video
• Featurettes:
  • Step is Life
  • The Lethal Ladies of BLSYW
  • Insider the Rehersal Room
• Gallery

DVD+Digital Specifications:
Street Date:                          October 17, 2017
Screen Format:                     Widescreen 16:9 (1.85:1)
Audio:                                    English Dolby Digital 5.1      
Subtitles:                               English / Spanish
Total Run Time:                     83 minutes
U.S. Rating:                           PG
Closed Captioned:                Yes


My Thoughts

Step is a touching true story about girls who use dance to inspire their lives. The film takes us to Baltimore's inner city where we meet several different girls who are all seniors in high school.  They join a step team and soon discover they are really talented. They hope to win a championship that could earn them a scholarship to college after graduation. We get to see a little about each girl's personal life so we really get to know them and can relate to their story.

I really enjoyed this story and the sisterhood that grew between the students. It's inspiring to see how something as simple as dancing can change the lives of so many girls. These young women prove that with hard work and determination anything is possible. They didn't let anything hold them back from their dreams. I have two daughters and we all watched it together. I think it's a great example for them. These girls are great role models.

DVD Review : The Wild West With Ray Mears

   
Catering to fans of history and appealing to the ongoing interest in nature survival shows, the stunning BBC documentary The Wild West With Ray Mears makes its North American DVD debut on August 4, 2015 from Athena, and RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Following the pioneers’ wagon trains through the Appalachian Mountains all the way to the Rockies, wilderness skills expert and TV presenter Ray Mears takes viewers across North America on a journey back in time to the Wild West. Featuring interviews with Cherokee tribal elder Davy Arch and members of the Navajo and Blackfoot Indian peoples, among other experts, this eight-part documentary sets out to show more than just the rugged landscape. Mears delves into how man interacts with nature and how the Wild West shaped American history. The program is currently syndicated to public television stations through APT and was originally broadcast in the UK on BBC Four in May 2014 under the title “How the Wild West Was Won with Ray Mears.” This DVD 2-disc set features eight episodes plus text profiles of fascinating women of the west ($39.99, AcornOnline.com).

Long before superhighways spanned North America, westbound settlers lumbered across a dangerous continent by covered wagon or on foot in search of a new life. In this fascinating documentary, survivalist Ray Mears retraces the steps of the 19th-century travelers and discovers how the trip’s rugged terrain and deadly hazards tested the pioneers.

Mears takes viewers across the seemingly impassable mountain ranges, sprawling grasslands, and arid deserts that confronted those who dared to make the journey. Along the way, he pans for gold, rides the range, and snacks on bear meat with locals who preserve the ways of life forged by one of history’s largest human migrations. From the densely forested Appalachians to the windswept peaks of the Sierra Nevada, Mears ventures into parts of America that remain untamed to this day.

Episodes: The First Settlers, Furs and the Mountain Men, The Wagon Trains, Homesteaders and Cowboys, Plains Indians & Buffalo, Gold and the Boomtowns, Bandits and Lawlessness, and The Desert Indians

BONUS

• 16-page viewer’s guide with a map of the settlers’ routes west and articles on stagecoach services, how the west was wild, pioneering women’s right to vote, little-known facts about cowboys, and Geronimo’s art of war
• Profiles of fascinating women of the west

Street Date: August 4, 2015                         SRP: $39.99  

DVD 2-Disc Set: 8 episodes – Approx. 204 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2380-9-5                                  ISBN 978-1-62172-380-6

My Thoughts

The Wild West with Ray Mears gives you an up close and personal look at what life was really like in the Wild West. Follow settlers as they travel in covered wagons and pan for gold to try to find their fortunes. There are eight fantastic episodes n this box set.

The 1st Settlers - White settlers travel through the Appalachians with a little help from the Cherokee. Tribal leader Davy Arch shows us some real traditions.

Furs & the Mountain Men - Discover the lifestyles of the  Mountain Men of the High Rocky Mountains of West America and the animals they hunted.

The Wagon Trains - This episode focuses on cowboys on the prairie who wrangled Longhorn cattle.

Plains Indians & Buffalo - We see how the decline of the buffalo took place, and also learn how Indians used every part to avoid waste.

Gold & the Boomtowns - We learn about the California gold rush and visit the ghost town of Bodi.

Bandits & Lawlessness - We take a look at the danger caused by the bandits and robbers that were everywhere in the Wild West.

The Desert Indians - A look into the lives of the Navajo, Apache, and other tribes who knew the landscape. 

In addition to the DVDs, this set only includes a map of all the settlers routes This series is definitely a refreshing switch from the norm, and I'm looking forward to watching the full series. If you love tales about the Old West, than this is the box set for you. You can order The Wild West with Ray Mears  on DVD on Acorn Media or amazon.

DVD Review : Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty: The Plantagenets

Making its US Debut with its Acorn DVD release on May 19th, BRITAIN’S BLOODIEST DYNASTY: The Plantagenets features the real history of the Plantagenets dynasty, which is more shocking, more brutal and more astonishing than anything seen in HBO’s Games of Thrones. This acclaimed four-part documentary uses action-packed dramatic reenactments, historical documents, and masterful storytelling to tell the fascinating story of Britain’s House of Plantagenet and their indelible impact on British history and literature





My Thoughts

Watching this documentary is as exciting as watching an action film. Its even more exciting because it's all true! The Plantagents is an amazing tale of the middle ages, when wars were raged and real knights fought. In this series, you'll learn the true account of Richard the Lion-Heart, meet the queens, and get a taste of what life was really like for nobility in the middle ages. This DVD set includes two DVDs with four episodes.

BETRAYAL - We start out with Henry II, founder of the dynasty. When an appointed church leader turns against him, he goes into a rage. The leader, Thomas Becker, becomes a martyr and Henry crushes everyone, including his family when they rise against him. After him, Richard the Lion-Heart takes the throne.

HATRED - We skip forward to Henry III who becomes a king at age 9. Henry builds Westminster Abbey and Parliament. There is also some bonus footage where you get to meet Henry's wives Eleanor of Aquitaine  & Eleanor of Provence.

REVENGE - Edward II brings political violence and revenge to England up until his horrific death. His queen Isabella is labeled a "She-Wolf" and switches sides when she takes another lover.

TYRANNY - By the age of 14, Richard II is bringing terror to his realm. His old friend Henry Bolingbroke becomes his enemy and his wife dies of the plaque.

I really enjoyed this documentary. The reenactments were great, and its a fantastic look at the time period that kept me riveted.  If you'd like to grab a copy of this fantastic DVD for yourself, you can find it on Acorn Media or Amazon.

DVD Review: The Story of Women & Art

Too often in the annals of art, women have been on the canvas-but not behind the brush. Confronted by society's daunting restrictions, they have struggled to obtain training, commissions, and critical acclaim. But some enterprising women have defied the odds to produce great works of art and become innovators in their fields. This riveting three-part documentary highlights women's artistic achievements, rescuing them from the shadows of history.

Professor Amanda Vickery escorts us on an unprecedented tour through four centuries of Western art. She journeys from Renaissance Italy to the French Revolution and beyond, covering everything from Dutch genre paintings to French impressionism and American modern art. Along the way, she acquaints us with extraordinary artists including Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Leyster, Angelica Kauffmann, Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, Berthe Morisot, Georgia O'Keeffe, and many more. From the paintings we see in museums to the clothes we wear and the way we decorate our homes, their influence still resonates all around us.

My Thoughts

It's wonderful to finally have a documentary that focuses on the contributions that women have made to the world of art. In this series,  you'll get to see the art and learn about the lives of these amazing women.This DVD includes three episodes that introduce you to some of the most influential  female artists throughout history. It moves chronologically through time, starting in the 16 hundreds and coming up through the 20th century.

Disc 1- 16-17 Century - Travel from Italy to the Dutch Republic during a time period when the church influenced much of the artist's work. You'll meet Properzia de Rossi, the first female to carve with marble. You'll also be introduced to Sofonisba Anguissola who painted portraits, and Clara Peeters who worked with still-scenes along with a few other outstanding women.

Disc 2- This one is set in the 18th century with the primary focus on  artists in Britain and France.  It was difficult for women to find paid work during this time period and a few brave souls set out to change that. One of my favorite features on this disc was the bit about Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun, who often painted Marie Antoinette. She is only one of many fantastic women introduced in this episode.

Disc 3 - In the 19th and 20th century, a lot of art is influenced by the women's movement. In this show you'll meet Lady Elizabeth Butler, a woman who stepped bravely into the world of war art, Gertrude Jekyll who is renown for her landscaping, and many more amazing artists who have led us into the modern age of art.

This DVD set is simply fantastic, and a must watch for any art lover or women's libber. It's not only an interesting look at history, but also provides stunning visuals of the artwork these women created. If you'd like to grab a copy of this amazing documentary for yourself, its available online at Acorn Media and on Amazon. 

DVD Review & Giveaway - Veil Of Tears

"Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review."

From birth to death this documentary will take you into the lives of these beautiful women of India, that are abandoned, starvation, sold, sex trafficking, raped, and more.  You will go on a heartbreaking journey with these women as some unveil their stories.  It was hard holding back my tears listening to these stories, and how they live and treated.  These women are just like any other woman in the world, but not treated equally.

How awful that is a woman gives birth to more than one daughter they are considered cursed.  One woman's in-laws went to so as to make her take an abortion pill when she was pregnant for the time.  It failed to work and she gave birth to her third child. She had attempted suicide after this, but  did not succeed.  This is just one of many stories shared in this documentary.

Natalie Grant did a super job narrating this documentary.  There is hope for these beautiful women of India, thanks to Gospel of Asia (Bridge of Hope).

For more information about this documentary or do order a copy for yourself, you can go to Amazon.







The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a DVD copy of Veil of Tears.  To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will  7/26/14 and is open to the US only.  The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to the sponsor for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

DVD Review: Kids for Cash

"Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review."

3,000 kids. 1 judge. Millions of dollars. This riveting doc reveals the untold stories of a judicial scandal that rocked America and the chilling aftermath of the lives destroyed in the process. "Kids for Cash" reveals a shocking American secret told from the perspectives of the villains, the victims and the unsung heroes who helped uncover the scandal

My thoughts:

Former Judge Conohan currently serving seventeen years in Federal Prison, and Former Judge Ciavarella currently serving twenty eight years in Federal Prison isn't enough justice or punishment for these two! Former Judge Ciavarella incarcerated three thousand children.  With kickbacks from the detention facilities.    

All families need to watch this documentary, And this happened in a small town in Pennsylvania just a couple hours from where I live with my husband, my daughter who is ten and my son who is seven.  This was horrifying, frightening and sad to watch.  To think that  petty juvenile pranks, and other actions such as hair pulling girl fight,  or even a teenager cursing at an adult landed these teens and younger in a discusting, filthy Juvenile Detention Center.  All at the hands of former Judge Ciavarella.  As a parent, this brought goose bumps and tears to watch.  No parent should have to watch their child be taking away in shackles!

These kids were tried by Judge Ciavarella and sentenced without Attorney representation.  It is heart wrenching watching and listening to these young children and their parents tell their stories.  One young girl tells how she pleaded please put her on house arrest, she misses her family, and she will never fight again. She spent four years before going home. Who now suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  One teen tells how he made sure there weren't any roaches before laying down.

Bids were  being submitted for a new Juvenile Detention Center.  To no surprise Mericle Builder (referred by Judge Ciavarella), got the bid.  So Judge Conohan and Judge Ciavarella got a finders fee from Mr. Mericle of 10% of his construction cost.  Which totaled 2.2 million dollars.  This isn;t illegal in Real Estate, but is illegal when Judge Ciavarella didn't advice the people of judicial decisions.

This is a movie I intend to watch with other family members.  And will suggest to others as well.


You can order a copy of this amazing documentary on Amazon.


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***

DVD Review: Alexander’s Lost World

Following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and exploring a region rarely explored on film, Alexander’s Lost World debuts on DVD on June 17, 2014 from Athena, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Photojournalist and documentarian David Adams leads this extraordinary adventure through Central Asia, journeying 1,500 miles along the Oxus River, exploring the civilizations that predated the Macedonian conqueror's arrival. Gorgeously filmed on location in Greece, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, among many other sites, Adams’ travels reveal surprising insights about this corner of the world before it was touched by western civilization. Currently airing on select public television stations via APT, Alexander’s Lost World seamlessly blends current events with points of historical interest. The DVD 2-Disc set includes six episodes, plus a 16-page viewer’s guide with a map and timeline of Alexander’s conquests, an interview with presenter David Adams, deleted scenes, and more (276 min., plus bonus, $49.99, AcornOnline.com).

Throughout the wild highlands and war-torn plains of Afghanistan and Central Asia lie tantalizing traces of the ancient world. It was here, 2,300 years ago, that iconic hero Alexander the Great became the first European to rule the East. In a major turning point in human history, he crossed into Asia in 334 BCE, crushed the Persian Empire, and discovered a highly developed eastern civilization along the banks of the mighty Oxus River.

In this six-part series, photojournalist David Adams explores the footprints of this ancient world, today almost entirely erased. Following the course of the Oxus, he takes us on an extraordinary journey, from Greece in the West to the approaches to India in the East, along the way passing through Taliban territory and some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. Suspecting that Alexander’s conquest may not have been all that it appears, Adams sets off on an amazing quest to separate fact from fiction and reveal what this world would really have looked like to Alexander’s eyes.

In a career spanning nearly a quarter century, David Adams has been a widely published photojournalist, a war correspondent, and an acclaimed documentarian whose numerous films include Journeys to the Ends of the Earth.

Episodes: Explorations on an Ancient Sea; Mother of All Cities; Alexandria on the Oxus; City of the Lady Moon; Land of the Golden Fleece; The Source of Civilization

Bonus Features: Deleted scenes (42 min.) and behind-the-scenes photo gallery; 16-page viewer’s guide with a map; a timeline of Alexander’s conquests; articles on Alexandria, the empire after Alexander, and Afghanistan; and an interview with presenter David Adams; biography of Alexander the Great

Street Date: June 17, 2014               SRP: $49.99               UPC: 0-54961-2235-9-6

DVD 2-Disc Set: 6 episodes – Approx. 276 min., plus bonus – Documentary - SDH Subtitles

My Thoughts

Alexander's Lost World brings you on a magical journey over two thousands years into the past, to a time when Alexander the Great conquered the East. This series allows you to journey along with photojournalist, David Adams, as he follows the trail Alexander left behind all those years ago. There are six thrilling episodes included in this box set.

Exploration on the Ancient Sea: This one starts out in Greece where Adams explores the myth of the Argonaut before searching for a lost waterway that may have carried Alexander the Great.

Mother of All Cities: Adam searches in Bactria, known Taliban territory, for clues to the past.

Alexandria on the Oxus: Adams searches for proof of Alexander's lost city and questions whether his men may have been carpenters.

City of the Lady Moon: A Greek amphitheater and other Greek ruins in Afghanistan may provide proof of Alexander's triumph.

Land of the Golden Fleece: Alexander is compared to Jason and his quest for the fleece.

The Source of Civilization: Adams visits a tribe called the Wakhi who claim to be descendants of Alexander.

This documentary is not only exciting from a historical standpoint. It's also a unique opportunity to pass through Taliban areas rarely shown by the media. I enjoyed every aspect of series, and came away feeling like I've learned something about both the past and the present.  Even the bonus footage gives you lots of extra, interesting tidbits. Highly recommended!

If you would like to check out this amazing documentary for yourself, you can order it online at Acorn Media for only $49.99