Investigation
A Mix Of Pride And Shame: Ken Burns The History Of “The West” To Life (Video)
July 21, 2017
The legendary documentary film producer Ken Burns brings us the real story of “The West” in eight parts for PBS America. Might be able to get to see this on-demand from your local cable provider. You can definitely see it on Netflix.
The series explores the region from the times of the earliest Native Americans to the 20th century. Monday’s episode, The People (to 1806), looks back to the emergence of a new world with the arrival of the first Europeans. On Tuesday, Empire upon the Trails (1806- 1848) tells the story of the Americans who headed west, following the fur trade into the mountains, fighting for self-determination in Texas or seeking a better life along the Oregon Trail. In Speck of the Future (1848-56) on Wednesday, the landscape changes dramatically with the discovery of gold in California. The Gold Rush brings the whole world to the West as prospectors scramble for a share, littering the hills with mining towns and creating the West’s first metropolis. But in the push to strike it rich, many are violently displaced. Conflict comes to the West in Thursday’s episode, Death Runs Riot (1856-68). In Utah, federal troops march against Mormon polygamy while along the Rio Grande oppressed Mexican Americans rebel. The war between North and South unleashes brute savagery in the West, leaving behind an army prepared for total war against the native peoples of the plains.
– PBS America
– @ojones1
Posted in Education, Film, History, Investigation, Series, Television, Trailer, Videos | 
Tags: Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Death Runs Riot, Empire upon the Trails, Ken Burns, Netflix, PBS, PBS America, Public Broadcasting Service, Public Broadcasting System, Speck of the Future, THE PEOPLE, The West | 
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Centuries Ago, A “Witch Hunt” Was Not A Metaphor. It Was State-Sanctioned Murder (Documentary Trailer)
July 17, 2017
For all the things we can say about living in society today… at LEAST “witchcraft” is no longer a crime (and look above to see why the quote marks were necessary; lots of room for interpretation in those ‘laws’ that can get someone f*ck*d UP)! Of course, there is still enough frivolous prosecution and unfair persecution today to go around twice.
Historian Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the witch hunts that plagued Britain in the 17th century, examining common myths about their origin.
– Netflix
A Channel 5 two-part documentary that you can catch on Netflix (no chill).
WITCH HUNT: A CENTURY OF MURDER (NETFLIX)
– @ojones1
Posted in Film, History, Investigation, Television, Trailer, Travel, Videos | Tags: A Century of Murder, Channel 5, Netflix, Suzannah Lipscomb, Witch Hunt, Witch Hunt: A Century of Murder | 1 Comment »
Recreating The Golden Raft of El Dorado (Documentary Segment)
July 12, 2017
Nice one, Smithsonian Channel. And here I thought El Dorado was just a wack azz character on Superfriends from the 1980s. But naaah son, the Golden City must have been something to see. However, since that is not possible (because, ‘LOST City Of Gold’)… we gain insight from observing how a relic believed to be from there was most likely crafted.
It’s not just the golden raft’s ties to the legend of El Dorado that make it impressive. The complicated method that was used to craft it reveals the advanced techniques of the Muisca people.
– Smithsonian Channel
Columbian history, world history, ready for you to view above. This is but a portion of “Secrets: Golden Raft Of El Dorado” – the full-length documentary available now at The Smithsonian Channel (linked here and after the jump).
– @ojones1
Were There Really “Samurai Headhunters?” (Researchers Say Yes) [Documentary Trailer]
July 11, 2017
Knights of the Far East, we see the Samurai as honorable protectors of their traditions, their ordained rulers, and the people of Japan. But… that’s how we SEE them. Now let’s look at the whole TRUTH; at least an alternative powerfully put forth by this documentary – “Samurai Headhunters.”
Noble swordsman? Ruthless head collector? The Samurai were both. The drama documentary charting the unknown, dark side of these ancient Japanese warriors by recreating the life of a young farmer forced into their army. Since their first appearance in the 8th century, Japan’s famous elite warriors are celebrated for their courage, formidable fighting techniques and above all, their code of honour. But do these Far Eastern knights really measure up to their heroic image? Now, for the first time, we reveal the unknown dark side of the Samurai – a fascinating tale of forbidden love, extreme cruelty, and treachery.
– Urban Canyons
Posted in Film, History, Investigation, Trailer, Travel, Videos | Tags: Japan, Netflix, Samurai Headhunters | No Comments »
PBS America Reveals The “Secrets Of Henry VIII’s Palace” (Documentary)
July 10, 2017
King Henry VIII’s Palace is wonderful. A piece of history, but the secrets and scandals are the part of a history less addressed. This “Secrets Of Henry VIII’s Palace” gets into that and then some.
The luxurious Hampton Court Palace sits on the banks of the river, just a short train ride from London. The large palace was home to Henry VIII’s court in the 16th century, and holds the many secrets and scandals of his reign.
The palace embodies Henry’s lavish and indulgent lifestyle, but also bears the mark of the royals who inhabited it after him; King William III and Queen Mary II demolished half of the palace in order to rebuild it into a Baroque castle intended to rival Versailles.
The resulting combination of styles makes Hampton Court one of the most unique palaces in the world. SECRETS OF HENRY VIII’s PALACE looks beneath the brick and stone to bring the many lives of Hampton Court to life.
– PBS America
Posted in Film, History, Investigation, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Hampton Court, Henry VIII, Henry VIII's Palace, Palace, PBS America, PBS American Experience, PBSAmerica, Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace | No Comments »
The Smithsonian Channel Opens Its “Mystery Files” On Italian Innovator And Icon Leonardo da Vinci (Trailer)
July 8, 2017
More often than not, when someone makes reference to someone being a “renaissance man” they are talking about (or giving a nod to) Leonardo da Vinci. That is, someone who is and/or does ‘everything’ and is ideal to have for most every occasion. The leader of the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo, painted iconic works like the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” sketched designs for early versions of the bicycle, helicopter, and other flying machines… sculptor, architect, military engineer and more. And his work and reputation have survived throughout the centuries. Dude was all that. BUUUUT, there’s a documentary available from The Smithsonian Channel (and on Netflix) that sheds more light on the man that may well dim the lights on his myth and legend. Wow. File this under ‘keep it real.’
Click on the pic above or the link below to check out the trailer (and full documentary, if you desire) for “Mystery Files: Leonardo da Vinci.”
Posted in Film, History, Investigation, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Leonardo da Vinci, Mystery Files, Netflix, renaissance man, Smithsonian Channel | No Comments »
“Warrior Women” Who Made History (Docu-Series Trailer)
July 7, 2017
Hmm. Forgot how cute Lucy Lawless is in real life (that is, off the TV set). Here she is in a teaser clip for Acorn TV’s “Warrior Women” series, narrating the stories of the likes of Joan of Arc (featured above), Grace O’Malley, Boudica, Lozen and Mulan… Yeah, but this ain’t no Disney movie.
Brought to the screen by television’s most famous woman warrior, Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess), this series brings to life history’s most charismatic women warriors. Shot on location in France, Ireland, Britain, China, and New Mexico, the stories are a heady mix of historical sleuthing and provocative reconstruction.
– Acorn TV
– @ojones1
Posted in Film, History, Investigation, Series, Trailer, Travel, Videos | Tags: Acorn TV, Boudica, Grace O’Malley, Joan of Arc, Lozen, Lucy Lawless, Mulan, Warrior Women | No Comments »
Cracking “The Pyramid Code” Might Show That The Builders Of The Pyramids Had Technology Way Ahead Of… Our Time (Series Trailer)
July 6, 2017
Think we are more ‘advanced’ than those who came before us? Your first answer is, “Of course!” But are you really that sure? Advice: Don’t be so sure about how sure you are. More advice: Watch The Pyramid Code and see why should be a bit less sure about our timeline and modern technological superiority…
The Pyramid Code is a made-for-television documentary series of 5 episodes that explores the pyramid fields and ancient temples in Egypt, as well as ancient megalithic sites around the world, looking for clues to matriarchal consciousness, ancient knowledge, and sophisticated technology in a Golden Age.
Think for a second: Countless stones go into building a pyramid; each weighing, what, about a couple tons? You think a bunch of whip crackers, slaves and pullies got all that done back then? You sure?
Posted in Film, History, Investigation, Series, Television, Trailer, Travel, Videos | Tags: Gaia, Series Preview, The Pyramid Code | No Comments »
Learn About Humanity’s Journey Out Of Africa And Into The Wider World In The “Great Human Odyssey” (Trailer)
July 5, 2017
Humanity started in Africa. We’re on the same page with that, right. Science!
But let’s go deeper in depth with NOVA’s and PBS’ help. How did ancient humans make their ways to all corners of the Earth; not only surviving Africa but leaving it and coming to thrive as distant disparate populations in the various regions in which they finally settled? HUGE question. And there are more that will be addressed in the “Great Human Odyssey” documentary (available on PBS, and now on Netflix).
Posted in Education, Film, History, Investigation, Science, Television, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Great Human Odyssey, Great Human Odyssey Preview, Netflix, NOVA, PBS, Public Broadcasting Service | No Comments »
VICE On HBO: Boko Haram & Unnatural Selection (Season 4, Episode 1) [Video]
July 5, 2017
The National Resource Center For Mutant Mice?? WTF?? Oh, wait, VICE is back for Season 4. Ohhhhh! Now, that does not explain it. But be damned sure that VICE will explain everything. We have the first episode of this season from the HBO investigative docu-series embedded above. Read the episode summary below.
The terrorist group Boko Haram is responsible for thousands of deaths in Nigeria. Now, the government is determined to drive these militants from the country. But is the hunt for insurgents causing as much harm as it’s preventing? Former Navy SEAL and new VICE correspondent Kaj Larsen travels to Nigeria to see what this cat-and-mouse game means for the people caught in the middle of the fight.
For centuries, scientists have been working to change the genetic traits of plants and animals. Now, the new gene-editing method CRISPR has made that process astonishingly simple – so simple it could easily be used on humans. Isobel Yeung reports from Brazil, Scotland, China and the U.S. on the technological advances that could reshape evolution as we know it.
– VICE
Posted in Film, Interview, Investigation, News, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Boko Haram, CRISPR, Episode 1, gene-editing, Genetic Engineering, genetic research, HBO, Isobel Yeung, Kaj Larsen, Season 4, Unnatural Selection, VICE, VICE on HBO | No Comments »
SWOLE: A Docu-Series On Bodybuilder Culture (Video)
July 4, 2017
SWOLE is a new series by VICE that will focus on bodybuilder culture.
Episode 1 (above) follows 40-year-old Greg Doucette pushing himself to see if can place high enough to continue competing after being away from contention for three years. Episode 2 of SWOLE follows bodybuilder Helle Trevino as she prepares for the Rising Phoenix competition, talks to eight-time Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray and others about how they push to keep competitive women’s bodybuilding alive as a sport. Episode 3 focuses on folks in the culture trying to get that ‘advantage’ as they pump while following Mike Bolkovic, a bodybuilder whose daily routine includes injecting testosterone.
Great series. Another incredible series from VICE Sports!
Posted in Health and Wellness, Investigation, Lifestyle, Series, Sports, Videos | Tags: bodybuilder, COMPETITION, Greg Doucette, Helle Trevino, injecting testosterone, Juiced Up, Lenda Murray, Mike Bolkovic, Ms. Olympia, performance enhancement, performance enhancing drugs, pro-bodybuilder, Rising Phoenix, SWOLE, testosterone, The 40-Year-Old Bodybuilder, The Consequences of Steroids, The Last of the Iron Sisters, The Wings of Strength, VICE, VICE Sports, Wings of Strength, women's bodybuilding | No Comments »
Haitians, Dominican Sugar, And A Story That Is Far From Sweet… All Captured In The “Price Of Sugar” (Documentary)
July 3, 2017
Look around and you will see cane that has been fertilized by the blood of Haitian men.
– Father Christopher Hartley
Damn! Backbreaking labor for ‘vouchers’ for use at the ‘company store’… workers on a plantation… not being allowed to leave (plus not having the resources or wherewithall to go anywhere if they could)… people being shipped in for field work under sub-human conditions for what amounts to no [net] pay. THIS IS SLAVERY! In the 21st Century this is SLAVERY! While the plantation owners, Europeans and richer people enjoy themselves but a few miles away…
You must watch this “Price Of Sugar” story. The price is too high (looking at you, America, a leading consumer of Vicini familty plantation sugar)! Prepare to be enraged and saddened. But the world needs to know. Respect to Shadow And Act for spotlighting this doc and giving us some Cliff’s Notes on it.
MORE: HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – A CONFLICT CAPTURED ON FILM (SHADOW AND ACT)
Posted in Cover Story, Film, Investigation, Travel, Videos | Tags: bateyes, Christopher Hartley, Dominican Republic, Father Christopher Hartley, Field, Haiti, Haitians, Plantation, Price Of Sugar, Quasi-Slavery, Shadow & Act, Shadow And Act, Share Cropping, Sharecropping, Slavery, Slaves, Sugar, Sugar Cane, sugar cane plantations, Undocumented, Vicini family, Vicini Plantation | No Comments »
‘Alien Body’ Unearthed In Nazca, Peru… Is It A Hoax? Are You Sure? (Video)
June 23, 2017
It looks like it could be fake to me, but you never know…
A new anomalous discovery has been unearthed in Peru. Join Gaia’s ongoing investigation and decide for yourself if this is proof of a non-human species.
– Ancient Origins
Still working on carbon dating and DNA testing for authenticity, and to determine age and gender of the mummified figures (current scientific ‘guesses’… about 1900 years and female). Hit the jump for another report and video (from Collective Evolution), featuring an in-depth interview with renown investigative reporter Jaime Maussan.
Man, oh man. Just when evolution-deniers get textbooks printed that challenge the theory of evolution we get this… someone’s head might pop.
MORE: 3-FINGERED MUMMIFIED HUMANOID FOUND IN PERU (ANCIENT ORIGINS)
Posted in Cover Story, Interview, Investigation, Travel, Unexplained, Videos | Tags: Alien, alien life, alien lifeform, ancient alien, ancient culture, Gaia, Jaime Maussan, Mexico, Nazca, Peru | No Comments »
Government Mind Control: Is It Happening? (Video)
June 5, 2017
Damn. This looks straight out of a sci-fi TV series. The people suspect clandestine government activity and a coverup. Psychiatrists say it’s a mass delusion; so government will likely go with that. What’s the truth behind allegations of individuals being targeted and tortured in the most unique, high-tech ways? VICE Reports went to find out.
Recently, thousands of people around the world are claiming to be having the exact same terrifying experience. They all report the same symptoms: hearing operator voices in their heads, suffering from ‘electronic torture’ and being subject to organised stalking – they call themselves ‘Targeted Individuals.’
Whilst psychiatrists have warned this is mass delusion on a global scale, the community are determined to prove that they are not mentally ill, but victims of a global trans-humanist agenda that will eventually be rolled out to take control of us all.
Across online blogs and forums the targets have been sharing their experiences and in doing so have formed a growing community, validating each other’s place in the ‘targeting programme.’
Targeted Individuals have tried many things to relieve their pain – from living life on the run to surgically removing their own flesh because they believe it’s implanted with microchips.
In this film VICE follows the lives of several targets as they try to fight for official recognition of the targeting programme.
– VICE
Posted in Film, Investigation, Travel, Videos | Tags: AGEOFPARANOIA, CYBORGS, DIRECT ENERGY WEAPSONS, DISINFORMATION, ELECTRONIC HARRASSMENT, GANGSTALKING, GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY, government mind control, HARASSMENT, implants, MAXSPIERS, MENTAL HEALTH, mind control, MKULTRA, MODERN DIGITAL AGE, REPORTS, Surveillance, SURVEILLANCE STATE, TARGETED GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE, TARGETED INDIVIDUAL, targeted individuals, TORTURE, TRANSHUMANISM, U.K. SECRET SURVEILLANCE, V2K, VICE, VICE Reports | No Comments »
Sports: Lebron James’ Free Throw Style Is In A Constant State Of Change (Video)
May 30, 2017
Lebron James has had yet another stellar season, and talk of him replacing Air Jordan as the heir to the title of Best Baller Of All. His free throw game has been kind of lame (on the low) but he has been trying to fix it. Trying VERY hard. And ESPN has been eyeballing and has taken the time to elucidate every time King James has changed his style up in an attempt to do better at the line.
Damn. They even gave each switch up name!
Posted in Film, Investigation, Sports, Videos | Tags: Basketball, ESPN, Free Throws, Lebron James, National Basketball Association, NBA, shooting style | No Comments »
Puffy’s Bad Boy Documentary (Trailer)
May 25, 2017
I don’t want the Chrysler that looks like the Phantom… I want the Phantom!
– Diddy
Yep, the Hip-Hop storytelling dam is busted! Diddy did one and is droping it on Apple Music late next month. Baaaad Booooyyy… to watch the trailer press plaaaaay (above).
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story, produced by Sean “Diddy†Combs, and Heather Parry, alongside executive producers Michael Rapino, Andre Harrell and Alex Avant, explores the passion and personalities of Bad Boy and will be available on Apple Music on June 25.
Posted in Celebrity, Film, Hip-Hop, Investigation, Producers, Videos | Tags: A Bad Boy Story, Bad Boy, Can't Stop Won't Stop, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story | No Comments »
10 Actors Who Quit The Business (Video)
May 23, 2017
It happens. Every now and then, you get to thinking about a man or woman who played some memorable role in a movie or TV series… Often you know or find out that they are still around; maybe they moved on to the next thing (like Patrick Stewart, doing Captain Picard going from Star Trek: The Next Generation to the Professor X of the X-Men franchise) or they are still riding the hell out of their lane (Hugh Jackman does other stuff, but he IS Wolverine). But what about those one-and-done actors. Some have left this mortal life (RIP Michael Clarke Duncan from The Green Mile), but others just quit. Why?
For these 10, here’s why. Some are VERY interesting (like the two young’ns from the Star Wars franchise). Watch.
– @ojones1
Posted in Celebrity, Film, Human Interest, Investigation, Television, Videos | Tags: 10 Actors Who QUIT For The Best Reasons, Actors, Screen Rant | No Comments »
Maya Angelou: ‘And Still I Rise’ (Trailer)
May 13, 2017
Miss Calypso? Really?! Wow…Had no idea. And it’s a good bet there will be much more stuff many of us did not know about the late great Dr. Maya Angelou in the forthcoming “And Still I Rise” feature. Watch the trailer above.
Dr. Maya Angelou’s legendary writings including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Phenomenal Woman and On the Pulse of Morning are merely a few examples of how words can truly change the world. Although she is most well-noted for her poetry, Maya Angelou and Still I Rise celebrates her multiple talents including singing, dancing, filmmaking, academia and civil rights activism, how she inspired generations, pushed boundaries and never ceased in her long fight for freedom for all. Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack’s extraordinary film seamlessly weaves the key messages of her poetry into the narrative of her life with rare archival footage, interviews and of course, recitals of her original works. Powerful, proud and prolific, Angelou’s story is one of true courage and creativity of a woman who fought for her beliefs and lived life to the fullest.
– HumanRightsFest
For more information, and the full program, go to www.hraff.org.au.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Dance, Film, History, Investigation, Poetry, Trailer, Videos | Tags: And Still I Rise, HRAFF, HRAFF 2016, Human Rights Fest, Human Rights Festival, HumanRightsFest, Maya Angelou | No Comments »
Saving An Ancient Language Using Pop Music (Video)
May 4, 2017
Something very Hip-Hop about this story. We (Hip-Hop Nation, Black people, all people) know about griots who tell stories they were told, preserving history through generations, how slaves communicated stories (and plans) through song, and how Hip-Hop built on those traditions, speaking to and through the Culture… Well, Renata is doing that at the essence; not just speaking stories, but attempting to save the mode of speech (her language) itself using songs.
Renata Flores is a 16-year-old singer from Peru who is using her voice to save an ancient language. Though Quechua is the second-most spoken language in Peru, native speakers have suffered from discrimination and social stigma for generations, and today, many young people aren’t learning the language at all. But with her powerful vocals to covers of pop songs by Michael Jackson and Alicia Keys in her native tongue, Flores is sparking a renewed celebration of Quechuan language and culture.
– Great Big Story
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Film, History, Human Interest, Investigation, Series, Travel, Videos, Youth | Tags: Ancient Language, culture, Great Big Story, Human Condition, Peru, Pop Music, popular music, Quechua, Quechuan language, Renata Flores | No Comments »
Science: A 300-Year-Old River In Canada Vanished In Just 4 days (Video)
May 1, 2017
Wow. A river dried up about as fast as a big puddle after a heavy rain! Because a glacier retreated too fast. Because climate change (e.g. global warming) some scientists believe.
One of Canada’s rivers has vanished. The Slims River has been flowing through Canada for 300 years, but in 2016 something happened that caused it to vanish in the blink of an eye. In just four days, the river dipped in height so much that it could not recover. Today, the only evidence of the Slims River is its empty, thirsty channel. Scientists attribute the river’s disappearance to our warming climate and predict that future rivers may suffer the same fate.
– Tech Insider
– @ojones1
