Biography

Expanded from VH1's original broadcast of the Classic Album series spot, this documentary explores the crags and crevices of one of rock & roll's most revered and enduring bands, The Grateful Dead. With their studio albums often overlooked in the fervor of the live show, this film is a wonderful introduction to the real everyday workman-like attitude of the Dead. Filmed after the death of lead guitarist Jerry Garcia, Anthem to Beauty is an endearing retrospective of the band. Mixing clips of live performances, home movies, and modern interviews and commentary from Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Phil Lesh the viewer becomes privy to the genuine emotion that was invested into being The Grateful Dead. At several points, members and collaborators of the band are drawn to tears. Even though this documentary revolves mostly around the making of the Dead's fifth album American Beauty, the insight and raw emotion that jump from the screen is enough to touch the most hardened critic of the band and blow away the most dedicated fan. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide

For years, Brian Herzlinger has had a crush on a pretty girl. There's nothing so strange about that, or even that the girl in question is the famous actress Drew Barrymore. What is unusual is that Herzlinger decided to do something about it. Herzlinger was flat broke and out of work when he won 1,100 dollars on a game show, and decided it was time to make his dream come true -- and make a movie about it at the same time. Herzlinger and a friend bought a high-end video camera at an electronics store with a 30-day, "no questions asked" return policy, and with his 1,100-dollar bankroll, they set out to find a way to meet Drew Barrymore and have Brian take her out on a date before they ran out of cash and had to return the camera. My Date With Drew is the document of Herzlinger's struggle to live out a regular guy's dream. My Date With Drew won the Audience Award at the 2004 HBO Comedy Arts Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A rare glimpse into the mind of the notorious cagey master filmmaker, this documentary was shot on the set of Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie. With remarkable candor Hitchcock discusses his career and his passion for movies. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

Director Chris Smith made this documentary about independent filmmaking which had its world premiere at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize. American Movie centers on a low-budget horror-film buff named Mark Borchardt, who grew up on such horror classics as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Night of the Living Dead. Now in his late twenties, he has decided to make the ultimate horror opus in the form of an indie feature entitled Northwestern, the scariest film ever made in his Wisconsin town. Filled with determination and passion (and very little else), this documentary follows Mark for a year and a half in the making of Northwestern. The audience sees Mark fending off creditors, including the IRS, and avoiding child support payments so he can make this direct-to-video flick. His efforts to round up cast and crew are disastrous, as there is nobody in his town who shares his knowledge and passion for moviemaking. Eventually he decides to star in his film and wears a dozen crew members' hats as writer, producer, director, cameraman, editor, and soundman. American Movie follows this man with a dream to his dying uncle's trailer park, where he raises three thousand dollars. Unable to make an entire feature for that price, he scraps the idea in exchange for completing one of his many abandoned short films, Coven, which also premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. The end is a world premiere as satisfying as getting accepted into Sundance. ~ Arthur Borman, All Movie Guide

Former vice president Al Gore shares his concerns on the pressing issue of global warming in this documentary. A long-time environmental activist, Gore first became aware of evidence on global warming in the 1970s, and since leaving public office he has become a passionate advocate for large- and small-scale changes in our laws and lifestyles that could help alleviate this crisis. An Inconvenient Truth records a multi-media presentation hosted by Gore in which he discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explains how it has already begun to affect our environment, talks about the disastrous consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act, and shares what each individual can do to help protect the Earth for this and future generations. An Inconvenient Truth was directed by Davis Guggenheim, a veteran documentary filmmaker who also has an extensive background in episodic television. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Saxophonist Art Pepper (1925-1982) lived the kind of jazz life only found in Hollywood movies. His prodigious talent led him to top gigs as a teenager, but drugs and attendant criminal activity knocked him out of commission for virtually all of the 1960s and early 1970s. This documentary, shot shortly after his searing memoir, Straight Life, was published in 1979, shows Pepper in the full flower of a remarkable comeback. His third wife, Laurie, is featured prominently; they met in the drug treatment facility Synanon in 1969 and were married in 1974. She took over his business affairs and helped him write Straight Life. Pepper tells his own story here, but the emphasis is on an evening's performance at a club in Malibu, with the musician in fine form, backed by a terrific trio. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide

The name Babe Ruth is synonymous with the game of baseball. This biography looks at the man and player who achieved immortality with a bat. The Babe's home-run record stood for decades, and he is still the most revered hero of the great American pastime. Archival clips, photographs, interviews with family, friends, colleagues, and Babe Ruth himself show why he became an American legend. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Part of the Biography television series from A&E, this documentary reviews the career and personal life of actress Katherine Hepburn. Hepburn attained international fame as a strong character actress. Among many of her outstanding films was Woman of the Year, which saw the beginning of a 25-year professional and personal relationship with co-star Spencer Tracy. She won Oscars for Morning Glory, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?, The Lion in Winter, and On Golden Pond, and she is also remembered for her role in The African Queen. On Broadway she played Shakespearean roles in the 1950s, and enjoyed enormous success in the stage musical Coco. Her television work includes The Glass Menagerie, Love Among the Ruins, and Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry. In 1991 she published Me: Stories of My Life.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide

Part of the Biography television series from A&E, this documentary reviews the career and personal life of actor Paul Newman. Newman has been considered the quintessential American sex symbol -- a reputation built by his strong performances and piercing blue eyes. He has appeared in over 60 films, often playing the flawed anti-hero, and been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor eight times. In addition to his film work, this biography focuses on his philanthopical interests , including the Hole-In-The-Wall Gang Camp (a summer camp for terminally ill children and their families) and The Scott Newman Foundation, named in memory of his only son, who died of an accidental drug overdose in 1978. In 1987, the actor launched "Newman's Own" line of specialty food products, the proceeds of which earn millions of dollars for charities and welfare causes annually.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide

This video tracks Britney Spears on her much-publicized visit to Hawaii. Spears, polished and sophisticated beyond her years, tours the island with a mix of sightseeing, fan appearances, and live performances. The camera follows her as she practices with her dancers, hangs out with friends, and even attempts to hula dance. The highlight, of course, is the culminating live performance where Britney performs some of her greatest hits like Oops!...I Did It Again, Lucky, and Stronger. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

A mix of new interviews with old footage and recordings, this documentary, narrated by Danny Glover, highlights legendary Mississippi blues guitarist-singer Robert Johnson (1911-38). Kevin Moore (who records as Keb Mo) appears as Johnson in narrated reenactment sequences, and producer Don Law is portrayed by Don Law Jr. With both color and black-and-white footage, the film traces the brief but extremely influential career of this near-mythic figure, generally regarded as the king of the Delta blues. Shown at the 1997 Boston Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

This program offers the perspective of many other people on the life and times of Christina Aguilera, teen pop diva. People that have something to say about the star include schoolmates, radio DJs, music journalists, and others involved in the entertainment industry. As an unauthorized program, there is little actual footage of the star and no performance footage at all. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide

The life and wisdom of one of history's greatest leaders is explored in this release that seeks to reveal the true Winston Churchill by using the late British Prime Minister's own words. In a time of raging global war, Churchill's deep courage and affecting speeches reached across borders to give hope where all hope was lost. Now, for both the nostalgic enjoyment of previous generations, and the inspiration of future generations, Churchill's own words lay the groundwork for this revealing documentary. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide