Learn new things this month with an interesting assortment of documentary films on DVD. From neighborhood basketball games to international hairstyling contests, these docs offer a wide range of entertaining subjects and characters, including the basketball origins of LeBron James and a personal quest for hair care knowledge by Chris Rock. For nature lovers, don’t miss these two new releases: March of the Penguins comes to Blu-ray and the aquatic exploration, The End of the Line, comes to DVD for the first time.
More Than a Game (2010) Widescreen
This uplifting documentary explores the early years of basketball’s “Fab Five” consisting of LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, and Romeo Travis. Led by coach Dru Joyce II, the boys learn as much about friendship during their seven-year adventure as they do about the sport. The film takes viewers behind the scenes and on the court in this rags-to-riches inspirational story, which also includes recent interviews as well as the early footage. Click here to read a review.
- Starring: The Fab Five, Dru Joyce II
- Director: Kristopher Belman
- Writers: Kristopher Belman, Brad Hogan
- Discs: 1
- Genre: Sports Documentary
- Run Time: 100 minutes
- Rating: PG (for brief mild language and smoking)
- DVD Release Date: February 2, 2010
March of the Penguins (2010) Blu-ray
An amazing nature documentary that won the 2006 Academy Award for best documentary feature, this doc focuses on mating season for the emperor penguins. Absolutely nothing will stand in their way of getting to the traditional breeding ground each winter. Despite hostile conditions in Antarctica and a variety of physical discomforts, these penguins repeat their annual ritual against all odds. Actor Morgan Freeman narrates the English-language version.
- Director: Luc Jacquet
- Writers: Luc Jacquet, Jordan Roberts, Michel Fessler
- Discs: 1
- Genre: Educational, Nature Documentary
- Run Time: 85 minutes
- Rating: G
- DVD Release Date: February 2, 2010
Good Hair (2010) Widescreen
This entertaining documentary by first-time director Jeff Stilson and actor-comedian Chris Rock explores the culture and economics of black hairstyles. Few non-African Americans realize the social, sexual, and financial factors surrounding the hairstyles of black women (and some black men). Visiting a hair convention, scientific laboratories, hair salons, and India, Rock examines (through on-camera work and voiceover narration) the comical and more serious aspects of what is considered “good hair” in today’s society. Click here to read a review.
- Starring: Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Eve, Ice-T, Nia Long, Raven-Symone, Al Sharpton, Andre Harrell, Melyssa Ford, Meagan Good
- Director: Jeff Stilson
- Writers: Lance Couther, Paul Marchand, Chris Rock, Chuck Sklar, Jeff Stilson
- Discs: 1
- Genre: Comedy Documentary
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (for some language including sex and drug references, and brief partial nudity)
- DVD Release Date: February 16, 2010
The End of the Line (2010) Widescreen
Where have all the fish gone? This educational nature doc, which screened at the Sundance Film Festival, Hot Docs Toronto Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and Rome Film Festival, tries to answer that question by bringing its alarming message that overfishing leads to extinction of some ocean species. Based on the book by Charles Clover, this film has been compared to An Inconvenient Truth because of its message – a message that many people don’t believe and don’t want to hear. According to the film, we need a call to action about this growing problem with global consequences.
- Narrator: Ted Danson
- Director: Rupert Murray
- Writer: Charles Clover (book)
- Discs: 1
- Genre: Educational, Nature Documentary
- Run Time: 85 minutes
- Rating: Not Rated
- DVD Release Date: February 23, 2010
Related Documentary Film Article
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Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
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