Andre Singer Movies
Planet Earth has been decimated, and as mankind searches space for a new planet to inhabit, a race of aliens attempt to make a new home on the now-inhospitable planet abandoned by the human race in director Werner Herzog's strange sci-fi saga. Filmed in collaboration with NASA musician/photographer Henry Kaiser, The Wild Blue Yonder travels light years into the stars, and fathoms deep into the Antarctic Ocean, and speaks with noted scientists to offer a unique view of the universe and a cautionary tale which stresses the importance of preserving our natural resources for future generations. Oscar-nominated actor Brad Dourif plays the role of the alien who arrives on Earth only to discover that the planet hasn't fared much better than the dying world that he once called home. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2003
- NR
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In 1984, Garry Kasparov became the talk of serious chess aficionados around the world when he unexpectedly defeated grand master Anatoly Karpov to win the game's world championship, and he was still the leading player in chess when, in 1996, he was invited to participate in a series of matches with Deep Blue, a supercomputer developed by IBM and designed by Murray Campbell and Feng Hsuing-Tsu. Campbell and Hsuing-Tsu had worked side by side with master chess player Joel Benjamin to create a machine that could compete with the top human chess experts, and while Kasparov easily bested Deep Blue in their first tournament, it was a different story a year when he returned for a rematch. In the second game of the series, Kasparov was so roundly defeated that the champion began suggesting IBM was the computer as a decoy for a human player, and what started as a friendly exercise between Deep Blue's designers and the champion became an increasingly ugly battle of egos with many viewing the event as a publicity stunt used to prop up IMB's sagging public image. Documentary filmmaker Vikram Jayanti explores this story and its undercurrents in Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine, which offers an in depth look at the Kasparov vs. Deep Blue controversy. This feature was premiered at the 2003 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Kasparov, Frederick R. Friedel, (more)
Kurt Gerron was an actor, filmmaker, and musician who rose to acclaim and stardom in Germany in the late '20s and early '30s. Gerron appeared in The Blue Angel alongside Marlene Dietrich, starred in the inaugural production of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's groundbreaking The Threepenny Opera, and directed a string of successful movie musicals. Gerron, however, was also a Jew, and while he had the good sense to flee to Amsterdam after the early Nazi programs when Holland fell under Axis occupation, he was later deported back to Germany. Unable to join such colleagues as Peter Lorre and Billy Wilder in the United States, Gerron found himself using his talents acting in vile Nazi propaganda films such as Der Ewige Jude (aka The Eternal Jew), and was finally forced to direct Theresienstadt (1944, aka The Fuhrer Gives a City to the Jews), a remarkable bit of fabrication which portrayed one of the Third Reich's death camps as a safe haven for Jewish refugees. Gerron's reward for his hard work on the film was a one-way trip in a railroad car to a gas chamber. Prisoner of Paradise is a documentary which chronicles Gerron's remarkable and tragic life story, in which his desire to create and his need to work in the limelight led him to both betrayal and his doom. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Feature Documentary. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kurt Gerron, Ian Holm, (more)
- 2000
The Mysteries of Asia three-part video series was originally produced for the Learning Channel. During this segment, historians and others examine temples built in India more than 1,000 years ago. They remain quite intriguing, though today's tourists rarely visit them. Records reveal that trained elephants had to drag millions of stone blocks to help erect these structures. The program notes that due to the temples' size, the U.S. Senate, Versailles, the Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul's Basilica in Rome could all fit within a single one of them. Michael Bell narrates as footage and animated maps are used to help viewers learn more about what these ancient structures look like and why they were built. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 2000
The Great Wall of China covers 40,000 miles and remains the largest man-made structure in the world. During this segment of the three-part Mysteries of Asia series, the filmmakers travel to different parts of the wall, including some that tourists cannot visit. They interview local authorities and historians who reveal that the Great Wall is not just one large wall but actually more than 20 walls that were built over 2,000 years. Though the wall was partially built to help keep out enemies, Chinese rulers also used it to keep their people from trying to leave. This Learning Channel production also profiles the emperors who oversaw the construction of different parts of the Great Wall. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This episode of the three-part Learning Channel series takes an in-depth look at the many mysteries surrounding the temple ruins at Angkor. Interviewed experts explain that back in 1860, when the first European explorer discovered the ruins in northwestern Cambodia, he was told by local residents that the huge structures had either been built by giants or had built themselves. Others would later come up with more practical theories, including those who believed that the temples were built by Jews who migrated to China or by Alexander the Great. In fact, these 100 or so temples were actually constructed during the reign of the Khmer Empire, between the ninth and 14th centuries. Modern footage and maps provide viewers with additional information about these large temples. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This video is volume one in a five-part series that chronicles the history of Ireland and the migrations that have taken Irish emigrants to all points in the world. In this episode, the focus is on the forces at work in Ireland that resulted in the mass migration of many of its inhabitants to England, southern Europe, and America. Chief among these factors was the potato famine of 1846-1850, which forever changed the history of Ireland. Subsistence farmers were devastated by the potato blight that destroyed the single-crop economy. Unable to pay their land rent to Protestant English landowners, farmers were forced off the land. Hardship and starvation were prevalent -- one million people died before the English sent relief to Ireland in 1860. By then, many Irish people had migrated to other countries in search of a better life. This video follows their story, from the deadly "coffin ships" that took the Irish to America, to the hard life that awaited them in other lands. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This video is volume four in a five-part series that examines the fate of the Irish who left their homeland for other points in the world. The Irish potato famine of 1856-1860 caused many subsistence farmers to lose their livelihood and their land. A million people died and many more migrated in search of a better world. This segment looks at the role that religion played in the lives of the Irish migrants. Faith, stability, inspiration, and persecution are some of the issues examined. Archival photographs and film footage, along with personal accounts and interviews, tell the story. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2000
The fifth and final segment of The Irish Empire confronts modern Ireland and how it differs from the country preserved in emigrant dreams and passed down through generations until "Ireland" became a mythical place to the descendants of those who left their native land. Director Alan Gilsenan provides images of a busy Irish highway, an urbanized Ireland of microchip factories and wine bars, and then examines the expectations and ideas held about Ireland by emigrants living in countries such as Australia and the United States. Highlights include footage of the 1998 Irish-American Rose of Tralee festival in New Orleans, an interview with Shane McGowan (founder of the band the Pogues) concerning the bitterness of Irish natives who have to move to England to find work, and an examination of how the mythology of Ireland as "a pastoral 'never never' land" and "a Celtic Disneyland" has affected even those who live in Ireland. Ultimately the program postulates that in today's world of mass communications and jet travel, Irish identity has of necessity become an "expandable ethnic identity" related more to a culture than a particular piece of land. Narrated by Irish actress Fiona Shaw (My Left Foot, The Last September). ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This documentary is part two in a five-volume series that traces the history of the Irish who migrated from their own land to points around the world. The Irish potato famine killed a million people in Ireland and caused the migration of a million more Irish in search of a better life. This episode looks at the efforts of the Irish in their newfound homes. The work they found -- from shipbuilding in Boston and New Orleans, to politics, to criminal activity -- is the subject examined. Archival photographs, film clips, and personal accounts tell the story. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This documentary is part three in a five-part series that follows the story of the Irish emigrant. The Irish potato famine of 1856-1860 killed a million people and displaced a million more. Many sought a better life in new lands, such as Europe and America. This episode of the series looks at the special role of women in the culture. Agrarian society and the Irish faith placed many constraints on the hard-working Irish women. These, and other factors, are examined, using archival film footage, photographs, and interviews. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
Colin Tennant (also known as Lord Glenconner) was a minor member of British aristocracy who in the mid-'50s used his wealth to buy the island of Mustique in the Caribbean. Over the next 20 years, Tennant transformed the beautiful, rustic island into an exclusive resort community whose clientele included David Bowie and Mick Jagger. However, Tennant lost control of Mustique in the early '80s due to ill-advised financial decisions; this documentary follows the poorer, older, but still firmly opinionated Tennant as he revisits the island he built into a playground for the wealthy and powerful. Making no secret of his bitterness and disappointment, he visits a few of his old friends, including Princess Margaret (whom he manages to embarrass). The Man Who Bought Mustique was financed in part by the British television network Channel 4 and The Travel Channel. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
To say the working relationship between director Werner Herzog and actor Klaus Kinski was often stormy strains the boundaries of understatement. Kinski's tirades against Herzog are the stuff of legend -- Kinski's scabrous autobiography All I Need is Love features a number of venomous rants against the director far too foul to recount here, while Herzog had to threaten Kinski with murder to get him to complete his work on Aguirre, The Wrath Of God. However, the collaboration between these two men, no matter how combative, resulted in the finest, most memorable work of either's career, including Aguirre, Nosferatu, Woyzeck and Fitzcarraldo, before Kinski's death in 1991 ended the partnership. Mein Leibster Feind/My Best Fiend is a documentary by Herzog about his work with Kinski, and portrays the actor with a large degree of affection while making no secret of his volatile nature (an actor displays a scar on his head from a wound Kinski inflicted with a sword, while an outtake from Fitzcarraldo shows him terrorizing a member of the crew). Despite their remarkable differences, Herzog sums up their working relationship with admirable conclusion: "We complemented one another. I needed him and he needed me." Mein Leibster Feind/My Best Fiend was produced for European television, though it did receive a screening (out of competition) at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Werner Herzog
- 1998
This video is part of a series from The Learning Channel that profiles some of the great leaders of ancient Egypt. Host and Egyptologist Bob Brier takes the viewer on a journey back through time to the reigning pharaohs of the country. This episode presents a biography of Akhenaten, who was a visionary and revolutionary. Born Amenhotep IV, he changed his name to Akhenaten to reflect his belief in Aten as a monotheistic god, rejecting the polytheistic tradition of his country. The "Rebel Pharaoh" was also an artist, who broke from the art forms of the past, creating stylized sculpture and paintings. His artworks are included in the presentation. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1998
This video is part of a series from The Learning Channel that looks at the lives of some of Egypt's most powerful rulers. Host and Egyptologist Bob Brier is the guide on this journey through ancient Egypt. The topic of this episode is the queen of Egypt who became pharaoh. Hatshepsut ruled in her husband's stead for seven years after his death. When her son, Tuthmosis III, came of age, Hatshepsut refused to step aside. She continued her rule as one of the most powerful pharaohs of all time. Until modern discoveries were made, both her son and patriarchal society successfully conspired to hide her name and achievements from future generations. With dramatic re-enactments and art works, the story of Hatshepsut is told. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1998
This video is part of the Egyptology series produced by The Learning Channel, with Egyptologist and host Bob Brier leading the viewer on a trip through time to learn of the land's most famous rulers. In this episode, the subject is the pharaoh Ramses, who would be known, if nothing else, for his longevity; Ramses ruled Egypt for 67 years. But he did much more than sit on the throne for more than six decades and produce over 200 children. Some of Egypt's greatest architectural achievements were the vision of Ramses. He was a renowned warrior, exemplified by his defeat of the superior Hittite forces at Kadesh. But there is one defeat for which he is remembered. The video looks at the historical and archeological evidence that Ramses lost his battle with Moses, led by the God of the Israelites. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1995
This video is one in a series on The Learning Channel that explores the history and achievements of Egypt's rulers. In this episode, Egyptologist and host Bob Brier introduces viewers to Cleopatra, the powerful and seductive ruler of Egypt. The program examines the reasons that this highly intelligent Greek woman, with no Egyptian heritage at all, came to ascend to the throne, and the debt she owed to Alexander the Great for her position. The program looks at Cleopatra's contributions, including her restoration of the Alexandria library. Artwork and dramatic re-enactments are used to tell the story of the real Cleopatra. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1995
This video is part of a series from The Learning Channel that explores the lives and contributions of some of Egypt's most famous rulers. No pharaoh's name is more famous than that of King Tut, the Boy King, who only lived to be 20 years old. The treasures from his tomb have been exhibited all over the world. Host and Egyptologist Bob Brier investigates the mystery that surrounds the young king's untimely death. Was he the victim of a murder plot? And what about the mysterious deaths of the pharaoh's young widow and the Hittite king to whom she subsequently became betrothed? The story is told through dramatizations and art. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1995
This video is part of a series produced by The Learning Channel that looks at the lives and contributions of some of Egypt's ancient rulers. This episode focuses on Sneferu whose name is not widely recognized, but whose contribution to Egyptian and world culture is the most lasting. Sneferu is the pharaoh who gave the world the pyramids. Host and Egyptologist Bob Brier leads the viewer on a study of this great architectural achievement, and the obstacles that had to be overcome to build the pyramids. The secrets of their construction and symbolism are discussed. An on-site visit takes the viewer inside a pyramid to explore its mysterious chambers. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1993
This documentary examines the bizarre practices of several diverse, self-admitted sexual addicts. Those interviewed include a nurse, an actor, a college student, an accountant, a computer consultant, and a performance artist. Their discussions of their past and current addictions is quite explicit and covers a wide variety of sexual activities. Some interviewees even provide visuals such as the man with a genital fetish who presents his special photo album. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Celebrated French documentarian and ethnographer Jean Rouch here returns to his beloved Africa as he follows the journey of three African men who live along the River Niger in a place that is drying up. They have decided to take a tour of the Netherlands and study the use of windmills in moving water around for irrigation and other purposes. Rouch is practically the inventor of cinéma vérité, and uses its techniques here to great effect as he follows these local leaders on their journey and films their interactions and discussions. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lam Ibrahim Dia, Tallou Mouzourane, (more)
