The Oath - Documentary about a Former Bodygaurd of Osama Bin Laden's

Today he's a taxi driver in Yemen, but at one time he was a bodygaurd for Osama Bin Laden.  His Brother in Law, Salim Hamdan, whom he helped recruit into Al-Queda, is currently a prisoner at Guantonamo.  This documentary, directed by Laura Poitras, looks at the lives of these two men, and how their intersection with their past affects their lives today.  Fascinating and thought provoking stuff.

PUMA After Hours

Here's a beautifully shot and scripted commercial that dares to break the patterns created by other sneaker ads.  It could carve a fine little niche for the sneakers if the positioning works.  The commercials' words are elegant and lyrical, yet the voice feels like it's coming out of a tinny can?  It's a sports metaphor being used in non-sports advertising.  And at 93 seconds this commercial is not your average ad.   The commercial created by Droga5 advertisingin NYC is for PUMA and it also centerpieces a social media effort for the athletic shoewear maker.  Puma Social.

Extraodinary Film, Dark and Insightful... the Diving Bell and the Butterfly

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, a film directed by Julian Shnabel, is perhaps the most challenging movie I have ever watched, yet it was lyrical and beautiful and enthralling.  I don't know how to beging to expain the story, other than to say - be ready for a dark and troubling ride that will make you think in new ways about what human existence is all about and who we really are.  By no stretch of the imagination would I consider this a fun or light film, so check your expectations at the door and come along on a ride you cannot imagine.  You may be tempted to bail, but don't... the early pain reveals a remarkable inner beauty.  Visually the film is stunning and arresting.  Let yourself go for a strange ride.

Instant TV Audience - Discovery's Shark Week

It has become a hallmark commodity for the Discovery Channel, the documentary network's highest rated programming gathering an average of 27.6 million viewers (Nielsen) over the seven days of programming.  Now in it's 23rd year, Shark Week starts again this Sunday, Aug 1 and runs through August 7.  And there's no waning interest in these sharks because the last three Shark Weeks have been the most watched ever.  Here are some highlights of some of this coming week's programming.

Powerful Emotions

Here's an interesting video that ostensibly turns a speech into a powerful emotional message.  It contains great performances, and its beautifully shot.  A little gem.