John B. Bredar Movies

This documentary follows chief White House photographer Pete Souza, offering a rare glimpse into the life of President Barack Obama. Souza is given unprecedented access to the President, including within Air Force One, backstage at the State of the Union, and into the very core of the West Wing. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Cave-diver Dr. Kenny Broad leads this release from the Nova collection, exploring "blue holes" - unique underwater caves created during the last ice age. Largely unexplored up until now, the formations represent a different geological world, thought by some to feel like an "alternate universe." ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

The apparent acceleration in the melting of glaciers and ice sheets is documented through the efforts of photojournalist James Balog, who places time-lapse cameras in 26 alpine and arctic locations, including Alaska and Greenland. The long-term consequences of the melt: sea levels would rise by some 200 feet and force massive numbers of people -- from Bangladesh to Florida -- to move inland. Includes interviews with scientists Richard Alley (Penn State), Tad Pfeffer (UC-Boulder), and Jim White (UC-Boulder). ~ Jeff Gemmill, Rovi

PBS's NOVA: Ape Genius begins with a remarkable sight never before glimpsed by the general public and seldom noted by scientific researchers; at a cordoned-off, controlled research locale in Fongoli, Senegal, a female chimp breaks a branch off of a tree; hones it and sharpens it with her teeth, thereby creating a deadly weapon; and promptly uses it to murder a bushbaby cowering in the interior of a hollowed tree. As the program notes, primate-focused zoologists considered this a massive breakthrough for both zoology and science in general. Yet in truth, this represents only the tip of the proverbial iceberg - one of many new insights about apes attained during a period with the world on the cusp of intimate behavioral knowledge of primates. Time and again, related discoveries continually lead researchers to profound conclusions about apes' capacities for 'creative intelligence.' This, in turn, prompts yet another question: if apes possess creative intelligence, what constitutes the key cerebral difference separating primates from homo sapiens? Ape Genius explores this question with a great attention to scientific detail, with visits to the grassy plains of Africa and research laboratories on several continents including Europe, Asia and North America; in the process, it unveils aspects of primate behavior long thought untenable, contrasts differences between the minds of different ape species, and ultimately hones in on the key cerebral differences that separate apes from human beings. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

While J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy has stood the test of time to become one of the best-loved works in the canon of fantasy literature, like much fantasy writing, its story also has a basis in fact. National Geographic: Beyond the Movie -- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a documentary which examines the production of Peter Jackson's epic film version of the final book in Tolkien's trilogy, but also explores the historical and geographical parallels between the fictional world of Middle Earth and real-world places and events. The documentary features interviews with Jackson and his crew as well as noted historians, and includes exciting clips from the picture. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Originally aired on PBS, this installment to the multi-award winning National Geographic series offers an intimate documentation of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Aside from providing insight regarding the universal principles of Islam, this production emphasizes the historical significance of Mecca to both the Muslim and non-Muslim population. Oftentimes constituting a journey of epic proportions, National Geographic Video: Inside Mecca follows several pilgrims throughout their trip, and takes pains to highlight their physical and mental preparation, the strain induced by the journey itself, and the spiritual ecstasy experienced upon arrival. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

The Vatican may be one of the most famous places in the world, but it's also among the most mysterious; very few people have seen what lies beyond the Vatican's walls, and even fewer journalists have had free access to the tiny walled city that is the home of the Catholic Church. In 2001, National Geographic was given permission to enter the Vatican with a camera crew, and National Geographic: Inside The Vatican examines the city's 2000 years of history, as well as documenting the Vatican's historical archives and documenting private chapels which had never before been photographed to viewing by the public. Martin Sheen serves as host and narrator. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Part of the National Geographic series, Egypt Eternal - The Quest for Lost Tombs offers footage of archaeologists making discoveries about Tutankhamun and Ramses II. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

In what was one of the more remarkable battles of the Civil War, in 1864 the Confederate army launched a primitive submarine, the C.S.S. H.L. Hunley, which attacked and sank a Union ship in Charleston Harbor off the coast of South Carolina. The Hunley was damaged severely in the battle and sank to the bottom of the ocean. About 130 years later, a team of researchers set out to find the Hunley and raise its remains to the surface. National Geographic Video: Raising the Hunley -- The Resurrection of a Civil War Legend is a documentary which looks at the history of this pioneering fighting ship and the effort that went into recovering it from the sea. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In the film National Geographic Video: Beyond the Movie - Pearl Harbor, viewers will experience the behind-the-scenes reality of the movie Pearl Harbor. The movie's cast and crew are on hand to discuss various aspects of the filming, and historians, veterans, and other military personnel offer their comments about the events at Pearl Harbor. The viewer will discover how much of the movie is based on fact and how much is based on fiction. Certain characters were created, while others were actual individuals who participated in the war. ~ Alice Day, Rovi

In this video, three paleontologists try to uncover the mysteries behind fossilized dinosaur remains. Over the course of 94 minutes, the scientists discover remains from a completely new species of dinosaur, which it takes the researchers over two years to put together. The program also features a segment with vivid images of dinosaur eggs and embryos. Additionally, the video covers the controversy surrounding the fossils of Sue, the only complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found. Not only are various dinosaurs examined, but the viewer gains extensive insight into the lives of the determined paleontologists, who dig deep into the past to make sense of these enigmatic and fascinating creatures. ~ John Schietinger, Rovi

This is an ABC News documentary which was hosted by Sam Donaldson and Diane Sawyer, giving the viewer a guided tour through the White House with George and Barbara Bush, viewing the historical rooms and the priceless antiques and works of art throughout the mansion. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi