Steve Burns Movies

Back in 2002, the naval base Guantanamo Bay became a historical flashpoint as the first wave of detainees arrived for incarceration. Dubbed "the worst of the worst," the offenders likely had no idea they would be entering the most infamous prison on the planet, and were frequently held for years without so much as a single charge being leveled against them. Some viewed the prison as a symbol of freedom protected; others viewed it as proof of freedom betrayed. Americans were fighting a new kind of enemy, and the government was playing their cards close to their chest. Nobody really know what was happening inside those heavily fortified barbwire fences, and at times, the inexperienced guard force and the frightened detainees threatened to turn volatile. Now, for the first time ever on camera, the day-to-day life at Guantanamo Bay is finally revealed. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

This documentary from National Geographic examines the efforts of the United States State Department under the leadership of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The filmmakers were granted greater access to the inner workings of the organizations than any other crew to that time, and they include footage of Secretary Clinton's first trip in that capacity to the United Nations. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Take an express journey to the edge of the universe as the filmmakers at National Geographic use computer-generated animation to build on images captures by the Hubble Telescope. Beginning on planet Earth, viewers are hurtled into the deepest reaches of space. There are no stops on this flight, and along the way the mysteries of the universe come alive as filmmakers examine the history and science of distant celestial bodies. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

This in-depth documentary from National Geographic takes a rarely seen look at Marine One, the president's official marine transport vehicle, and the helicopter equivalent of Air Force One. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

The black rhino is under threat in Botswana. After a pair of filmmakers witness the killing of the last of these creatures in the country, they lead a valiant effort to bring the black rhino back to the southern African nation. This National Geographic documentary chronicles the documentarians' heartfelt struggle. ~ Robert Silva, Rovi

The specter of the ferocious great white shark has bewitched people for centuries, a creature of mystery and sometimes terror. Taking viewers on a rare deep-sea expedition, the team at National Geographic offer a very close-up look at the lives of these sharks, as scientists make startling and sometimes touching observations about the creatures that have until now remained so elusive. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

In commemoration of John F. Kennedy's assassination in November of 1963, National Geographic presents an exhaustive timeline of archived home movies, news reports, radio reports, and audio recordings depicting the event that shattered a nation and shocked the world. With footage of stunned witnesses, breathless news anchors, and the very priest who administered President Kennedy's last rites, this documentary captures the grief of a nation for the benefit of future generations. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

It marks one of the greatest engineering enigmas in world history: how exactly did the builders of the Great Pyramid of Giza manage to lift limestone blocks of 2.5 tons each a distance of nearly 500 feet off the ground - without the advantage of modern technology? That riddle has inspired generations of historians and researchers to comb every interior and exterior inch of the pyramid, measuring distances and amassing data to arrive at a conclusion. But only recently have more definite answers come to light - answers that originate inside of the Pyramid. The documentary program National Geographic - Unlocking the Great Pyramid discusses this arresting theory. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

This documentary from National Geographic takes a look at the history and practice of witchcraft. Often misunderstood through beliefs propagated by urban legends and fairy tales, actual witchcraft is part of a religious practice that is seen all over the world, from Mexico to Zimbabwe. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

The Discovery Channel explores the mystery of the ancient mummies of the Xinjang region of China. Learn why these non-Chinese mummies -- some more than 4,000 years old -- are buried in the Chinese Takla Makan Desert and how they were preserved so well. DNA testing answers some of the mysteries of these blond- and red-haired people, some appearing to be European. What happened to their society? Witness the examination of remnants of their brittle clothing, including hats that resemble cone-shaped magician hats. ~ Linda J. Shriver, Rovi

This episode of the long-running PBS series tells the little-known story of Soviet submarine commander Vasili Arkhipov, who likely averted World War III when he rejected a call to launch a nuclear torpedo while trying to elude U.S. warships during the Cuban Missile Crisis. ~ Jeff Gemmill, Rovi

Ultimate Guide Series: Dogs is part of the highly acclaimed series from the Discovery Channel. How did the dog come to be so successfully domesticated from its wild ancestors? Dr. Rodney Honeycutt discusses the genetics of domestication and some of the special qualities of the dog, such as its phenomenal senses of hearing, smell, and taste. A survey of strange and wonderful breeds of dogs is presented, as well as some of their unique jobs, from acting as foghorns on barges, to treeing squirrels to finding missing persons. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi