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Documentary | Homepage

The End of the World as We Know It?

Here's an upbeat, must-see tv show tonight: "Last Days on Earth" airs tonight on the History Channel at 7:00 p.m. Central time. Here's the official description.
How smart are we as a civilization?

Smart enough to control our destiny and avoid the cataclysms that may end life as we know it?

For thousands of years, different religions have warned Earth about Armageddon and the final days. We are now living in an age where scientists are adding their voices and their evidence in support of end-of-the-world possibilities. "Last Days on Earth" is a program that could change the way you see your world and yourself.

The world's top scientists, including Stephen Hawking, considered the foremost living theoretical physicist, describe seven riveting scenarios detailing the deadliest threats to humanity. Some can destroy the planet, others have the ability to render us extinct, and all have the power to destroy civilization. How likely are they to occur, and what exactly would happen if they did, and could we survive? "Last Days on Earth" goes beyond science fiction to science fact. Using state-of-the-art visual effects, it will take viewers on a journey that is both breathtaking and terrifying, from the outer reaches of the universe to the inner world of DNA, with an around-the-globe tour in between.

"Of all the generations of humans that have walked the surface of the Earth -- for 100,000 years, going back when we first left Africa -- the generation now alive is the most important," said Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at City University of New York. "The generation now alive, the generation that you see, looking around you, for the first time in history, is the generation that controls the destiny of the planet itself."
So, basically, Stephen Hawking will explain how the events of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles are going to come to pass. That ought to give everyone sweet dreams tonight. Oh, and in a related note, Michael Ausiello of TV Guide says that Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles just got renewed for a second season. Hooray!

Posted on April 20, 2008
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Audiences Staying Away From Topical Films

Variety reports that audiences are growing quite tired of topical films, such as those that cover hot-button political issues and the Iraq War.
Filmmakers, mindful that it took more than a decade for Hollywood to effectively tackle the Vietnam War onscreen, were eager to embrace the topicality of Iraq while it was still hot. And both indies and studio speciality divisions jumped in headfirst. In retrospect, it's easy to see why they failed, and why the next round -- yes, there are more on the way -- faces an uphill battle.

First, what was timely at one stage of the Iraq War became more painful as the conflict wore on. The American public grew weary of a 24/7 news cycle that bombarded them with unpleasant war news, so dramas and docs that revealed the war's dark side -- soldiers misbehaving or wounded or victimized -- became most unwelcome.

"People want something cheering and uplifting right now," says press agent Fredell Pogodin. "The economy's bad, and whenever you turn on the news and see this stuff, you feel helpless. People don't know what to make of this situation, and seeing a film about it throws it right back in your face."

Then, a self-perpetuating group-think among the media virtually doomed any movie that was stamped with the toxic Iraq label. As hard as marketers tried to duck and cover, audiences stayed away in droves from one movie after another, from Michael Winterbottom's "A Mighty Heart" to Peter Berg's $70 million Saudi Arabian FBI thriller "The Kingdom."
We enjoyed The Kingdom, although the last scene needed a bigtime edit. But hey, it was Jennifer Garner and Jamie Foxx in an action thriller so that's always good. We think it's too soon to start doing movies about the Iraq War. It's still going on: if we want to read stories about it all we have to do is pick up a newspaper or watch television. It's just too early for all that. We think it's still to early for 9/11 movies: we saw it happen live on TV, after all.

Posted on April 19, 2008
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Earth: Population 0

If mankind were to disappear tomorrow, what would happen to the rest of the Earth? Would animals take over? Would plants? That's the premise of a very interesting new two hour special called Life After People that will premiere on the History Channel on January 21,2008 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time. Eerily reminiscent of the plotline for the hit film in theaters now I Am Legend -- well, without the vampires -- the special shows us cities being overgrown and animals moving in. Here's a sneak peek:



Posted on January 9, 2008
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Tom Brokaw Goes Back to 1968



Sex, drugs, rock and roll, student protests and and the dawning of the civil rights movement: 1968 was a turbulent time. Tom Brokaw's new documentary premieres Sunday, December 9 at 9-11pm ET/PT on The History Channel and it looks really interesting. 1968 with Tom Brokaw explores the significance of of this pivotal year and how it is still affecting our society today.

Posted on December 8, 2007
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Russell Crowe in Talks to Play Crocodile Hunter in Biopic

Photo of Russell Crowe TV Guide reports that Oscar-winner Russell Crowe is already in talks to play Steve Irwin in a proposed biopic.
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, touched by Steve Irwin's enthusiasm for his job and for life, wants to pay tribute to the fellow Aussie and late wildlife expert by portraying him in a feature film, reports the London Sun. Crowe, who spoke (via videotape) at Irwin's recent memorial service, is rumored to already be in talks with a studio about making the biopic.
We think Crowe would do a great job in the role. Crowe has spoken repeatedly of his friendship for the Crocodile Hunter. So, who will play Terri?

Posted on September 23, 2006
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George Washington: America's First Action Hero

Photo of George WashingtonIf you're looking for some family-safe entertainment tonight, you can't do better than The History Channel's new program about George Washington, America's First Action Hero. You know how you always see that picture of the old Washington on the dollar bill? Well, tonight we get to see to a young, athletic, vibrant and passionate Washington who really was an amazing guy. Here are some fun facts about Washington from The History Channel:
  • Clothing was always important to George Washington. As the commander of Virginia's militia in the 1750s, Washington designed his soldiers' uniforms himself. The unit became known as "The Virginia Blues," a nickname arising from their color-coordinated outfits. Washington's earliest known fashion statement was a note he wrote during his late teens – a set of instructions to his tailor for altering a coat. The message ran more than 150 words in length.

  • From the time he was a young man, George Washington was renowned for his towering stature – he was well over six feet tall – and his remarkable strength. He was able to hunt on horseback for as many as seven hours straight, and on one occasion, threw a rock to the top of a famous Virginia landmark, a 215-foot-high rock formation known as the Natural Bridge. The shot was roughly the equivalent of a quarterback tossing a touchdown pass from his own 30 yard-line into his opponent's end zone ... a 70-yard throw.

  • The familiar portraits of Washington that stare at us from dollar bills and postage stamps suggest a man who lacked any emotion. The contrary, however, seems to have been true. Washington's biographers, and those contemporaries who actually knew him, describe Washington as an intense and passionate man who worked hard at keeping his feelings in check.
  • Washington: The Warrior airs Memorial Day (tonight) at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central on The History Channel. And we feel fairly sure that it will be safe to watch with grandparents and the kids. We just hate putting in a DVD on family holidays only to have to "accidentally" trip over the electric cord and turn off the TV because our nieces and nephews are about to get an eyeful of a scene that would make even Paris Hilton blush. You can read more about Washington: The Warrior here.

    Posted on May 29, 2006
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