PBS’ New ‘American Masters’ Episode Will Appeal Equally To Wilder Fans, Lovers Of Literature

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Distribution

Mainstream art (movies, TV shows, AND books) has a horrible tendency to sugarcoat and overly embellish real history. Author Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books are no exception to that rule.  Now in a new episode of its biography series American Masters, Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page, the mythology of Wilder’s writings is examined, bringing new light to the balance of realities and falsities in her stories.  That story serves as the most important element to examine in this 80-minute episode, released Feb. 16 on DVD.  It will be discussed shortly.  The bonus interviews that accompany the documentary add their own touch to the presentation and will be addressed a little later.  Keeping all of the content in mind, the DVD’s average price point proves to be its own positive, too.  It will be discussed later, too.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the DVD.  All things considered, they make the DVD a presentation that any bibliophile will enjoy.

PBS’ American Masters episode Laura Ingalls Wilder: From Prairie to Page is an interesting look at Wilder’s life and have it compares to the stories that resulted from her personal experience.  It is a work that is certain to engage any of Wilder’s fans and to any bibliophile.  That is due in no small part to the episode’s main story.  Viewers will be interested to learn through the story, that while the many stories she wrote are in fact based on her life, there is some fiction, to a point.  Case in point is the revelation that her father did not move around so much because he felt “the pull” but in fact because he had anything but good luck.  Between locusts destroying his crops at one point, to going severely into debt (and even running from creditors), to having bad luck even after becoming a founder for another town, her father picked up his family and moved multiple times throughout his life.  Speaking of those trials and tribulations, it is revealed in the episode, that she intentionally changed all of that around.  Additionally, it is revealed that other details of Wilder’s life were left out of her stories, such as her sister’s struggles with blindness.  As if all of that is not enough, viewers also learn late in the program, that there has been some pushback in recent years about Wilder’s portrayal of Native Americans and African-Americans.  That pushback leads here to commentary on both sides about whether those depictions should lead to her books being removed from schools’ curriculums.  Considering the rise of cancel culture in recent months, it seems an especially notable discussion.  According to one of the interviewees featured in the episode, the American Library Association (ALA), the organization has already removed her name from one of its writing awards due to her depictions of those minority groups.  Between all of this, the discussions on the connection between Wilder’s books and the TV series that was adapted from those stories, and much more, audiences get here, a fully in-depth presentation.  It is a presentation in itself that fully engages the noted audiences in the episode.  When the depth and breadth of the episode’s main feature is considered along with the bonus interviews that are featured in the episode’s home release, the DVD becomes even more appealing.

The bonus extended interviews featured in the episode’s home release are with three of the stars from the Little House on the Prairie TV series and one of the books’ critics.  This gives more balance to the overarching discussion on Wilders’ works and their place in today’s society.  The stars, Melissa Gilbert, Alison Angrim, and Dean Butler, serve as proponents of Wilder’s works.  Gilbert points out during her extended interview, that Wilder’s works “serve as reminder of what’s most important in life during difficult times,” adding that especially applies to the TV series.  Additionally, she points out that the noted reminder plays directly into the continued popularity of the TV series spawned from Wilder’s stories.  Angrim and Butler build on Gilbert’s discussion by noting their own respect for Wilder and her works.  Angrim jokes about how people would claim they didn’t watch Little House on the Prairie, yet the ratings – even in bigger markets – said otherwise.  It’s a real statement about the continued appeal of the series.  Butler closes the discussion by stressing if he could say one thing to Wilder, it would be “thank you” for her stories.

On the completely opposite side of the proverbial fence, opponent Linda Sue Park addresses the racial stereotypes in Wilder’s stories in her extended interview.  She argues that the depictions of Native Americans and African-Americans “leave out so many points of view.”  She adds that the stories do not tell the full story of how America was settled and how Wilder’s depictions will “continue to shape our national conversation” until discussions take place on those depictions.  Again, this continues to show both sides of the proverbial coin in terms of the role of Wilder’s stories in global culture even today.  Audiences will appreciate that equal representation even here.  It makes for even more respect for PBS and its programs, and for this specific program.

There is no doubt that the overall content featured in Laura Ingalls Wilder: From Prairie to Page will keep viewers engaged throughout its approximately 95-minute run time.  That run time includes the run times of the bonus extended interviews.  Considering the quantity and quality of the content featured in this episode of American Masters, the average price point of the episode’s DVD proves to be its own positive point.  That price point is approximately $22.  Considering that this episode of American Masters exceeds the series’ regular hour-long run time, and that it features some bonus content, that average point is to be expected.  The DVD was not listed through Target and Books-A-Million at the time of this review’s posting.  PBS, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers have the most expensive listings, at $24.99 and $23.97 respectively.  To be precise, Walmart’s listing of $23.97 is through DeepDiscounts, one of its selling partners, so technically, that listing is through a second party, not directly through Walmart.  Meanwhile, Amazon and Best Buy each list the DVD at $17.99, well below the noted average price point.  Considering this, the purchase option is far clearer than in other cases.  Even with that in mind, PBS will still benefit financially regardless. It will receive a portion of the sales from Amazon and Best Buy, and their prices will not break any viewer’s budget.  Considering that inexpensive listings do exist, and that the content featured in this DVD will ensure viewers’ engagement, the whole of the DVD proves itself to be a presentation that will appeal widely to audiences.

American Masters: Laura Ingalls Wilder – From Prairie to Page is a presentation that will appeal to a variety of audiences.  Whether one is a lover of books, a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, or even the television series that the books spawned, the program will find appeal from plenty of viewers.  That is due in no small part to the episode’s central story.  The story delves into the reality of Wilder’s life and how that stacks up against her stories.  Additionally, it takes on the depictions of certain ethnic minority groups, what with the growing cancel culture in America.  The bonus extended interviews that accompany the episode in its DVD release add their own touch to the presentation.  When all of that content is considered along with the DVD’s average price point and separate listings, the appeal remains strong.  Each item noted clearly plays its own important part in the whole of the episode’s home presentation.  All things considered, they make the DVD a presentation that any lover of literary works will enjoy as well as Wilder’s own fans.  American Masters: Laura Ingalls Wilder: From Prairie to Page is available now.

More information on this and other episodes of American Masters is available online now at:

Website: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanMasters

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PBSAmerMasters

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Eagle Rock Entertainment Announces Home Release Date, Specs For New Miles Davis Doc

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Eagle Rock Entertainment will bring the new Miles Davis documentary Birth of the Cool home next month.

The documentary, which originally premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, grossed more than $1 million during its recent theatrical run.  It is scheduled for home release April 10, and will be available as a BD/DVD combo pack and 2DVD with bonus Montreux concert footage and 16-page hardcover book and all digital platforms.  The Montreux footage was culled from Davis’ performances at the festival in 1973, 1984 and 1985.

The performance listing for the Montruex shows is noted below.

 

BONUS DVD – ALL LIVE FROM MONTREUX Tracklisting
1.) Ife (1973)
2.) Star People (1984 Afternoon)
3.) It Gets Better (1984 Afternoon)
4.) Hopscotch; Star On Cicely (1984 Afternoon)
5.) Lake Geneva (1984 Afternoon)
6.) Star People (1985 Evening)
7.) Hopscotch (1985 Evening)

 

The documentary, which also recently aired nationwide on PBS as part of the network’s beloved American Masters series, was directed by three-time Emmy award winner Stanley Nelson. It profiles the life and career of the late great trumpeter Miles Davis.  The profile features never-before-seen live performances and outtakes from Davis’ studio sessions.  It also features interviews with people who knew Davis both professionally and personally, such as Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Clive Davis, Wayne Shorter and Ron Carter.

The documentary was nominated for a Grammy at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards and for a NAACP Image Award in the category of “Outstanding Documentary (Film).”

More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online at:

 

Website: http://www.eagle-rock.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

PBS’ New Bob Hope Profile Is A Masterful Portrait Of A True American Master

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

Bob Hope is an American Master. From radio to the big screen and small and even to the frontlines of the nation’s major military conflicts, Hope gave America laughs and…well…hope throughout the course of his eight decade-long career. Now almost 15 years after the legendary entertainer died, PBS and Public Media Distribution have paid tribute to him in the form of a new episode of PBS’ hit bio series American Masters titled American Masters: This Is Bob Hope. Released January 9, 2018, this 2-hour documentary paints a vivid picture of what makes Hope a true American Master in part through its unbiased story of his life and career. That story forms a solid foundation for the program’s presentation, and will be discussed shortly. The program’s pacing directly connects to the story itself, making it just as important to discuss as the program’s story. It will be touched on later. The bonus material included with the program rounds out its most important elements. Each item is important in its own way to the whole of American Masters: This is Bob Hope. All things considered, they collectively make the program proof positive of why Bob Hope is an American Master and why this profile of the legendary entertainer is one of this year’s top new documentaries.

American Masters: This is Bob Hope, one of the latest entries in PBS’ hit biography series American Masters, is one of this year’s best new documentaries, hands down. It is a program that will appeal just as much to Hope aficionados as it will entertainment history buffs. This is proven in no small part through the profile presented of the legendary entertainer through the program’s story. The story presented here — largely through interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy (Woody Allen, Margaret Cho, Kermit the Frog, Dick Cavett, Conan O’Brien) is a fully unbiased profile of Hope that shows the good, the bad and even the ugly. Yes, there was some ugly in his life. It came in the form of his alleged issues with infidelity. Hope’s friends and family tackle the topic briefly, but do what they can to talk about it without completely sweeping it under the rug. Even though the discussion was not in-depth, it showed that those behind the lens wanted to make sure to show a full profile of the man who was Bob Hope. The good is the love that he had for his adopted children and his very real dedication to entertaining the men who served in America’s armed forces from World War II right through Vietnam as well as his pure dedication to entertaining audiences in general. Those are tidbits that any viewer will appreciate learning. That is because it makes Hope that much more beloved. Just as interesting to learn about is Hope’s friendship with fellow entertainer Bing Crosby. As comedian/actor Billy Crystal (Monsters Inc, Monsters U, Parental Control) notes as he reads Hope’s own words, the two had quite the chemistry on and off camera. Though, despite that friendship, Hope apparently got jealous when Crosby got an Academy Award. This is all very interesting, and only one part of the story that makes the whole of the story so interesting. The bad of Hope’s life and career adds just as much interest to the story as the good and even the ugly. The bad comes through the discussion on his connection to the Vietnam War. Audiences learn here that in what seemed like an attempt to stay relevent, Hope caused some controversy with his jokes in support of the Vietnam conflict and his political ties to the White House at the time. This upset both the military he entertained and those back in the United States with his comments. It’s just one more interesting piece of information that audiences learn in watching this in-depth look at Bob Hope’s life and career. The additional depth that this piece of information adds to the story shows even more why the story is so critical to the doc’s presentation. Of course for all of the interest that the story doc’s story generates, it is only one part of what makes this program an interesting watch. The program’s pacing, by connection is just as important to discuss.

The pacing of PBS’ new profile of Bob Hope is so important to discuss because of the sheer amount of material that is shared over the course of the program’s two hours. The program takes viewers from Hope’s childhood all the way up to the end of his career, when he was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors. As noted already, Hope’s career is followed chronologically, from his early days in radio to his growing fame on the big screen and then on to the small screen. Throughout each stage of his career, audiences learn lots of information about his professional and personal life. That means that there was a lot of ground to cover. Thankfully, for all of the ground that is covered here, those behind the doc didn’t let the story get bogged down in itself. That was due in part to the insights from the guests and also in part simply to balance of each segment. That attention to detail resulted in each segment starting and ending at just the right point, focusing on the most important items in each part of Hope’s career. That attention to detail couples with the movement generated through the guest interviews to keep the program moving smoothly from beginning to end. While audiences know that two hours have passed by the time the story ends, they will still feel more fulfilled than exhausted. Again, that is a tribute to the attention to detail. The end effect is a program that moves fluidly from one segment to the next and ensures in itself maintained engagement just as much as the story itself. Keeping in mind the connection and importance of the doc’s story and pacing, audiences see even more why American Masters: This Is Bob Hope is another master profile from PBS. As important as they are to the whole of the program, they are not the only important elements to discuss here. The bonus material included in the program’s home release rounds out its most important elements.

The bonus material included with AM: This Is Bob Hope is primarily interview material that was ended up on the cutting room floor. One of the most interesting interview segments is that with Conan O’Brien as he talks about working on an episode of The Simpsons that incorporated Bob Hope. O’Brien talks here about Hope making a surprise appearance to actually voice himself for the brief cameo and his own gleeful surprise at Hope’s surprising appearance for the recording. There is also a reading by another interviewee of a letter that Hope wrote to one of his young fans early his career that adds even more depth to the overall story. It is real proof of the love that was discussed during the program that Hope had for his legions of fans. Tom Selleck’s (yes, Tom Selleck) anecdote about appearing on television opposite Hope offers its own enjoyment, and is sure to leave audiences with a laugh and a smile. Considering this, it comes as no surprise that it is saved as the last of the bonus materials. The opening bonus interview with O’Brien about Hope setting the standard for making even monologue foibles adds just as much enjoyment as Selleck’s interview and the other bonus interviews. Between the interviews noted here and those not directly noted, the bonus interviews included with this program add just as much to the program’s whole as the story and its pacing. When this is all considered together, the end result is an overall presentation that is certain to appeal to any Bob Hope aficionado just as much as it will to any entertainment history buff. With that in mind, it is easily a candidate for any critic’s list of the year’s top new documentaries.

American Masters: This Is Bob Hope is a masterful profile of a true master entertainer. This two-hour bio on Bob Hope is a work that is certain to appeal to any Bob Hope aficionado and to any entertainment history buff. As has been noted here, that is due in part to the program’s in-depth story. It is an unbiased story that presents the good, bad and ugly of Hope’s life and career equally. The story’s pacing ensures audiences’ engagement just as much as the story itself while the bonus interview segments put the finishing touch to the program’s presentation. Each element is important in its own right, as audiences will see when they watch this program. All things considered, they make American Masters: This Is Bob Hope another masterful presentation from PBS. It is available now and can be ordered online direct via PBS’ online store. More information on this and other episodes of American Masters is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanMasters

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PBSAmerMasters

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

PBS To Release Guerrero Bio On DVD Next Month

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Distribution

Pedro E. Guerrero is one of the most well-known and accomplished photographers in the world. He has worked with some of America’s top magazines. He has worked with military gunners and turned them into talented photographers in their own right and even worked with one Frank Lloyd Wright just to name a few of his many accomplishments. Now thanks to PBS, audiences will learn about all of that and much more next month when PBS and PBS Distribution release a very special episode of its hit bio series American Masters.

PBS and PBS Distribution will release American Masters: Pedro E. Guerrero–A Photographer’s Journey next month. It will be released on Tuesday, November 17th and will be released exclusively on DVD. The program focuses on the legacy left behind by the famed photographer. It follows Guerrero’s life from his earliest days enrolled in photography classes and his time serving in World War II, to his work in the worlds of media and advertising, to his work with the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright and others. As an added bonus, PBS will feature via the American Masters website a digital exhibit of Guerrero’s work. American Masters will also launch an Instagram project (#PedroPBS) that encourages viewers to share their own local art and architecture photos. The best photos will be featured online via American Masters’ website, the series’ official YouTube channel, and PBS’ other social media outlets.

For educators, additional material focused on Guerrero’s life and legacy will be available online in partnership with Latino Public Broadcasting at http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/. American Masters: Pedro E. Guerrero–A Photographer’s Journey will be available Tuesday, November 17th. It will retail for MSRP of $24.99 but can be ordered online at a discounted price of $19.99 via PBS’ online store at http://www.shoppbs.org/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=american%20masters%20pedro%20e.%20guerrero&origkw=American+Masters+Pedro+E.+Guerrero&sr=1.

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Disrtibution

A deluxe package including the book Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey for MSRP of $79.98. Though, it can be ordered online via PBS’ online store via the already noted website. More information on this and other episodes of American Masters is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanMasters

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Audiences Will Discover A Lot To Like About “Bing Crosby Rediscovered”

Courtesy: PBS

This past October, Paramount Pictures re-issued the 1942 holiday classic Holiday Inn on Blu-ray.  It marked the first time ever that the movie, which starred legendary actor Bing Crosby, had seen the light of day on Blu-ray.  Fittingly, PBS will release a new episode of its hit biography series American Masters featuring Crosby next Tuesday, December 2^nd.  While not necessarily a companion to Paramount’s recent BD re-issue of Holiday Inn, the timing of the two releases makes them a perfect pair.  Whether before taking in Holiday Inn or after, audiences will find plenty to like about American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered.  The most enjoyable aspect of this new DVD is the fact that it isn’t just another typical video documentary of a celebrity.  It doesn’t follow that standard formula of life to death that so many bios use in their presentations.   Rather it focuses on Crosby the man, the myth, and the legend.  This includes the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.  The fact that American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered isn’t another standard bio is just part of what audiences will enjoy about this new documentary.  The use of actual vintage footage and pictures from Crosby’s career and personal life as part of the discussion on both parts of his life makes the presentation even more enjoyable.  And last but hardly least worth noting is the inclusion of interviews with those that knew him best including his own wife as well as famed biographer Gary Giddens and fellow jazz legend Tony Bennett among others.  Each aspect by itself makes this episode of American Masters well worth the watch.  Collectively, they show once again why PBS remains the last bastion of truly worthwhile programming today.

PBS will release another new episode of its hit bio series American Masters next Tuesday, December 2^nd.  The upcoming release focuses on legendary entertainer Bing Crosby.  Just as with all of PBS’ other series (both domestic and imported), it is more proof of why PBS stands as the last bastion of truly worthwhile programming.  Audiences that are not so familiar with the life and times of Bing Crosby will appreciate first and foremost in this DVD the depth of information shared throughout the course of its roughly ninety-minute run time.  The bio presented here isn’t the standard formulaic bio presented so often by other networks and filmmakers.  It’s a fully unbiased bio that presents Bing Crosby the man, the myth, and the legend.  It presents his good side and his bad.  From his superstardom to his alcoholism and womanizing to his working relationship with fellow entertainer Bob Hope in the famed “Road To…” movies (apparently the duo spent nearly no time together off-screen), audiences see every angle of Crosby’s life. Audiences learn that he was hardly the easiest person to work with when it came to recording songs. And sometimes, he was just as tough to work with in live settings.  Also included is the downright ugly part of his family’s life in which two of his sons took their own lives. There is much more information shared throughout the course of the program that many might never have known. For those that have always known one thing or another about Bing Crosby the entertainer or Bing Crosby the man, the information contained within this program completes the picture of the legendary figure’s history. It proves to be the fullest picture that audiences can get in regards to Crosby’s life. And in turn it proves once more why American Masters is such an important part of the whole that is PBS.

American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered offers to audiences what is one of the most complete portraits of the legendary entertainer that audiences will find to date. As with the series’ previous portraits, it far outperforms any celebrity profile presented by any other major network past or present. The amount of information provided throughout the course of the documentary is just one reason that the program in whole is so impressive. The vintage video and photographs that are included with the breadth of information on Crosby and his life enhances the viewing experience even more. Audiences get to see pictures of Crosby with his family away from the bright lights of Hollywood. They get to also see snippets of his famed “Road To…” movies and much more. The combination of these elements and the story of Crosby’s life in and out of the limelight makes the overall content of this program all the more important to its enjoyment. It collectively shows once again why American Masters outperforms any celebrity-based series on any major broadcast and cable network today.

The combination of vintage footage and photos and in-depth story of Crosby’s life used in American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered make this feature more than worth the watch. The bonus videos and interviews that come as companion material make the overall presentation even more enjoyable for audiences. Viewers learn from director Robert Trachtenberg that he worked directly with the estate of Bing Crosby to bring the documentary to life. Trachtenberg and others note Crosby’s hard work ethic and his humility among so much more. There is also a full clip of Crosby performing with his sons later in his life. The clip in question is presented only in part during the primary presentation. So audiences actually get to see the full performance in this clip in question. It’s a truly moving moment taking into consideration the story of what happened to two of his sons later in their lives. And along with the bonus interviews, it becomes one more welcome addition to American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered that makes the presentation in whole a piece that any Crosby aficionado will enjoy.

American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered is a wonderful piece for anyone that has ever had any interest in the life and legacy of the famed entertainer. It reveals that Crosby is more than just that guy known for having sung ‘White Christmas.’ It also debunks some of the biggest myths surrounding his life. It is a fully unbiased look at the life of one of the greatest entertainers of the 20^th century showing Crosby in his glory and even more tarnished side. The bonus interviews that were added as companion material adds even more depth to the overall presentation. All things considered, American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered proves in the end to be one more welcome addition to another wonderful piece of PBS’ overall programming schedule. It will be available next Tuesday, December 2^nd. It can be ordered online direct from PBS’ online store at http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=50703406&cp=&sr=1&kw=american+masters&origkw=American+Masters&parentPage=search. More information on this and other episodes of American Masters is available online at:

 

Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanMasters

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.