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When We Left Earth. Part Three: Landing the Eagle (2008) 51min.
The third episode details the beginning of the Apollo Program, starting with rocket engine testing of the F-1 engines, the Apollo 1 disaster, the flights of Apollo 8, 9, and 10, the tense lunar descent of Apollo 11, and the first human footsteps on the lunar surface. Both Buzz Aldrin and the rarely interviewed Neil Armstrong appear in the episode, as well as all of the Apollo 8 astronauts, Commander Jim McDivitt of Apollo 9, Apollo 10 astronauts Gene Cernan and John Young, and capsule communicators Charlie Duke and Bruce McCandless II and flight director Gene Kranz.
When We Left Earth. Part Two: Friends and Rivals (2008) 49min.
The second episode is centered on Project Gemini, the second American human spaceflight program. It features the first American spacewalk by Gemini 4 astronaut Ed White. It also features the first space rendezvous with Gemini 6 and 7. A two week mission on Gemini 7. It also includes the first docking in space on Gemini 8. The first mission abort in space on Gemini 8. Lastly the first successful space walk by Buzz Aldrin.
Roll Tide/War Eagle (2011) 50min.
The continuing rivalry between Auburn University and the University of Alabama, focusing on the history between the two programs, the bad blood between its fans, and how this intense rivalry came to a pinnacle, just when they ended up needing each other most.
The World’s Most Expensive Paintings (2011) 59min.
Art critic Alastair Sooke tracks down the ten most expensive paintings to sell at auction, and investigates the stories behind the astronomic prices art can reach. Gaining access to the glittering world of the super-rich, Sooke discovers why the planet’s richest people want to spend their millions on art. Featuring works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Klimt and Rubens, Sooke enters a world of secrecy and rivalry, passion and power. Highlights include a visit to the art-crammed home of millionaire author Lord Archer; a rare interview with the man at the heart of the sale of the most expensive old master of all time; privileged access to auctioneers Christie’s; and a glimpse of the world of the Russian oligarchs. These revelatory journeys allow Sooke to present an eye-opening view of the super wealthy, and their motivations as collectors of the world’s great art treasures.
A Brilliant Madness (2002) 55min.
The story of a mathematical genius whose career was cut short by a descent into madness. At the age of 30, John Nash, a stunningly original and famously eccentric MIT mathematician, suddenly began claiming that aliens were communicating with him and that he was a special messenger. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Nash spent the next three decades in and out of mental hospitals, all but forgotten. During that time, a proof he had written at the age of 20 became a foundation of modern economic theory. In 1994, as Nash began to show signs of emerging from his delusions, he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Economics. The program features interviews with John Nash, his wife Alicia, his friends and colleagues, and experts in game theory and mental illness.
Sniper: Inside the Crosshairs (2009) 1h 31min.
The deadliest weapon on the battlefield is neither the bullet nor the gun - it’s the lone sniper. Through the scopes of the world’s most precise marksmen Sniper: Inside the Crosshairs takes you on a journey to discover the science and psychology behind the most extreme shots in military history. Deconstruct well-known missions from Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan by hearing firsthand recollections from the soldiers who were there and whose fingers pulled the triggers. Finally meet Canadian sniper Rob Furlong who for the first time tells the story of his history-making shot in Afghanistan-striking a Taliban fighter from 1.5 miles away. Ballistics tactics weaponry stalking—this feature-length special examines these critical components in vivid detail and uses compelling interviews cinematic reenactments CGI technology and modern-day shooting demonstrations to put you squarely inside the crosshairs.
Goya: Crazy Like a Genius (2002) 1h 9min.
Documentary in which the late art critic Robert Hughes travels across Spain in search of the reality beyond the mythology of Spanish painter Francisco Goya. Goya has long been Hughes’s favourite artist but has become a particular obsession since a near-fatal car accident left Hughes living with nightmares of Goya’s often dark and violent imagery.
Marilyn on Marilyn (2001) 50min.
Documentary on Marilyn Monroe’s life told by herself from the taped interviews she gave to Life magazine and French Marie Claire less than a month before she died accompanied by rare and previously unseen footage.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Funky Monks (1991) 1h.
This 90’s alternative “rockumentary” films the lives of the four funky brothers from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Michael “Flea” Balzary, Anthony Keidis, John Frusicante, and Chad Smith) as they record their groundbreaking album in 1991 “BloodSugarSexMagik”. The film (filmed in black & white throughout) is divided up into sections according to the songs they were recording while the cameraman was filming. From known songs like “Give it away” and “Under the Bridge” to some of the lesser know B-sides like “Sikamikanico” and “Soul to Squeeze” this film documents it all. Anthony Kiedis goes in depth about how he wrote some of the songs and why, as well as John, Flea, and Chad, talking about music, philosophy, and life in general.
Inside Tibet (1943) 40min.
On the journey of a U.S. military and diplomatic mission from Gangtok, India, to Lhasa, Tibet during World War II. The party journeys through Natu La and Kechu La passes, stops at the British trail station, Gyantse, reviews troops of Tropji Regiment and is ferried across the Brahmaputra River. Scenes of Tibetan natives, terrain, travel facilities, housing, a new year religious festival, the Dalai Lama’s palaces in Lhasa, monasteries and other religious buildings.
Cool Nordic (2013) 1h.
This documentary explores the magnificent landscapes and culture of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. Produced by the Nordic Council.
Outlaw Comic: The Censoring of Bill Hicks (2003) 1h 18min.
A biographical documentary on the late great comedian Bill Hicks and his career; in particular the censorship by Letterman that scarred it.
Hosted by Janeane Garofalo, this documentary tells the story of Bill’s transition from a non-drinking, non-smoking, straight laced funny man, to a hard drinking, hard smoking, drug taking angry ranter, to the happy and finally, peaceful and insightful man of much wisdom. A rare insight into the battle against censorship that the great Bill Hicks waged against corporate America and it’s mainstream media for the better part of 15 years. After 11 successful appearances on The Tonight Show with David Letterman, the ‘powers that be’ axed Bill’s final performance from the show. 4 months later, Bill would tragically die from pancreatic cancer at the age of 32.
Four Wives, One Man (2009) 1h 15min.
Film-maker, Nahid Persson - born and raised in Iran - goes back to her roots to explore the functional and psychological problems faced by a family which comprises one man, his four wives, 20 children and his irascible, foul-mouthed mother. There’s another problem underway: 50-year-old Heda wants to take a fifth wife, this time a virgin who won’t talk back.
