Media Menu, July 24, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online.
Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, July 24, 2010
8-10 p.m. ET, 5-7 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movies
Arts and Geography
Middle and High School

“Black Orpheus’’

Taken from the myth and legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, the story of this movie is set against the backdrop of Rio's Carnival, where the two ill-fated lovers meet. In this Oscar-winning version of the myth a streetcar conductor loses his true love during the carnival. Cast: Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn, Ademar da Silva. Dir: Marcel Camus. The New York Times reviewer said, “…the focus of interest in this film is the music, the movement, the storm of color that go into the two-day festival. M. Camus has done a superb job of getting the documented look not only of the over-all fandango but also of the build-up of momentum the day before.” The film is particularly renowned for its soundtrack by bossa nova star ANTÔNIO CARLOS JOBIM, featuring songs such as "MANHÃ DE CARNAVAL" (written by LUIZ BONFÁ) and "A felicidade" that were to become bossa nova classics. In President Barak Obama’s bestselling memoir, “Dreams From My Father”, he notes that it was his mother's favorite film. TV-PG

Log on for information about this film http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Orpheus

Sunday, July 25, 2010,
7-8 p.m. E/P
CBS
World History and Science
Middle and High School

“60 Minutes’’

The leading reports in this newsmagazine are: “The Narrative” – A former member of a Muslim extremist group tells Lesley Stahl the reason for the increase in home-grown jihadists like the U.S. Army major accused of shooting 13 at Ft. Hood is an ideology called “the Narrative,” which states America is at war with Islam. Also : “ Growing Body Parts” - Morley Safer reports on the emerging technology of growing body parts from human cells taken directly from patients, providing new hope for amputees and patients on organ-transplant lists.

Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

Sunday, July 25, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

“NATURE: Oceans in Glass: Behind the Scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’’

Imagine standing on the bottom of the ocean and looking up into a glittering kelp forest alive with darting fish, or watching five-foot-long sharks and giant tuna whiz by at arm’s length, or being surrounded by elegant, lacy white jellyfish as they soar, pulsing, through the water. Visitors to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the coast of Northern California experience all this… and more. For more than 20 years, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has entertained, educated, and fascinated its nearly 2 million annual visitors with pioneering displays of realistic undersea environments. This documentary gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s leading centers for marine research and conservation — a marvel of engineering and biology that, literally, captures Oceans in Glass.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/oceans-in-glass-behind-the-scenes-of-the-monterey-bay-aquarium/introduction/636

Monday, July 26, 2010,
7-8 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science and Technology
Middle and High School

“Modern Marvels: Chrome’’

This is a documentary about the science and technology of chrome. At 4-State Trucks in Missouri, the Chrome Shop adds some truckers' "bling" to a big rig as viewers tour its 35,000 square-foot treasure trove of chrome. In Illinois, learn just how automotive parts get their luster in a complex electroplating process. And out on the road with some bikers, take a look at how Harley Davidson puts chrome to work both as a decorative surface and a protective covering on engine parts. At a classic car gathering, collectors show off their sparkling tailfins and grilles--and in Michigan, peruse a unique collection of more than 3,000 chrome hood ornaments. See how workers chrome-plate plastic, and learn how chrome puts the "stainless" in stainless steel. Find out how stainless steel flatware is manufactured and explore the iconic, shimmering art deco dome of the Chrysler Building. Finally, a Colorado artist will show viewers how he rescues old chrome car bumpers from the scrap yard and transforms them. TV-PG

Tuesday, July 27, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History and Science
Middle and High School

“NOVA: Who Killed the Red Baron ‘’

In this documentary forensic experts investigate the most famous aviation mystery of World War I. Who killed the notorious Baron Manfred von Richthofen in his distinctive bright-red German fighter? Was the fatal shot fired by another plane that briefly engaged him? Or did it come from the ground? Aided by aviation historian Norman Franks, coauthor of “The Red Baron's Last Flight”, the program lays out the evidence and examines rival notions of his death.. The inquest draws on rarely seen original documents and reports from eyewitnesses to explore the nature of the Baron's wound, the direction and range from which the bullet was fired, and the possible candidates – aerial gunfire and ground gunfire - for the Baron's killer. The program also probes why the Baron was breaking his own rigid rules of engagement by pursuing prey far behind Allied lines.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/redbaron

Wednesday, July 28, 2010,
8-9:30 p.m. E/P
(repeats 9:30-11 p.m. E/P)
PBS
Arts
Elementary, Middle and High School

“PAUL McCARTNEY IN PERFORMANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE ‘’

President and Mrs. Obama hosted a concert on June 2 in honor of Sir Paul McCartney’s receipt of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. This broadcast of the event in the White House East Room includes performances by McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Emmylou Harris, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Faith Hill, Lang Lang and Jack White, with remarks by Jerry Seinfeld. President Obama presented the Gershwin Prize to McCartney during the event.. The ninety-minute music special, part of the PBS “In Performance at the White House” series, features the concert event, as well as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. TV-G

Log on www.pbs.org/whitehouse

Thursday, July 29 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
U.S. History and Science
Middle and High School

“America's Secret Weapon ‘’

The National Geographic Channel has gained rare access to a highly classified division of the Defense Department known as DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). It’s considered to be America’s secret weapon lab, and although most civilians have never heard of it, its innovations have led to the invention of the Internet, the computer mouse and the global positioning system. We’ll unlock the door to this highly classified facility for an insider’s look at the latest generation of remarkable breakthroughs. We’ll get a sneak peek at unmanned aerial vehicles, the Navy Seals’ power swim technology and hypersonic aircraft.

Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/3933/Overview

Friday, July 30, 2010,
5-6 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science and Economics
Middle and High School

“Modern Marvels: The Potato’’

The potato is among the most versatile, nutritious, and varied foodstuffs in the world. The Potato is the ultimate comfort food. This documentary explains the potato's story from its mysterious origins in the South American Andes to the ethnic enclaves of New York's lower Eastside, for some tasty Potato Knishes. In Northern Maine we'll discover a farmer of exotic potatoes: blue, green, pink, and dark purple varieties. We'll reveal how large-scale potato producers in Idaho and Pennsylvania slice, dice, freeze, and dehydrate millions of pounds of spuds annually. We'll learn how to mass produce Tater tots and Kettle Potato Chips. Potato Vodka now scores near perfection in international tasting competitions--and we'll visit a Maine distillery at the top of their game. Finally, we'll pay tribute to the iconic Mr. Potato Head, now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, then round out the show with an explosive visit to the makers of some of the world's most sophisticated Spud Guns. TVPG

Friday, July 30, 2010,
7-8 p.m. ET, 4-5 p.m. PT
Ovation Channel
World History and Arts
Middle and High School

“Film Genre: WWII’’

This documentary looks at the screen portrayal of World War II – the myths, propaganda & the rise of realism in the war films. British wartime films were made as propaganda but also drew on a strong documentary tradition. In Italy, Roberto Rossellini filmed “Roma Citta' Aperta” (“Rome Open City”) during the war, using real soldiers and amateur actors. That film became a classic of neo-realism, symbolic of heroic resistance in Italy. In Japan after the war a powerful strand of anti-war films developed, such as “Nobi” (“Fires On The Plain”), that stressed the horrors rather than the heroism of war. Germany's “Das Boot” (“The Boat”) showed war not as heroic action, but as days of tedium in cramped conditions, interspersed with terrifying action. More recently Hollywood's” Saving Private Ryan” shows a realistic and harrowing portrayal of the D-Day landings.

Information in book form on this topic at http://www.amazon.com/First-Casualty-Correspondent-Myth-Maker-Crimea/dp/080186951X

Saturday, July 31, 2010,
7-8 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science and Geography
Middle and High School

“Modern Marvels: Tuna’’

It's the most popular fish in the American diet. From the school lunch box--to the high end sushi bar--to the outdoor barbecue, tuna crosses all demographic lines. This documentary follows the men who risk their lives to bring in a haul of tuna, stops in at Bumble Bee, the only major tuna cannery still operating in America, and visits the world's largest fish market in Tokyo, where a single tuna can sell for as much as $100,000. We'll also explore worldwide efforts to save the giant bluefin tuna, which has been over-fished to a point of peril. Then we'll head to sea with scientists who track the tunas' inter-oceanic migrations, and travel to South Australia, where entrepreneurs seek to breed the mighty bluefin in captivity TV-PG

Saturday, July 31, 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
Sundance Channel
Science and Geography
Middle and High School

“ICONOCLASTS - ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU + SIR RICHARD BRANSON ’’

In this interview-type series, leading innovators and creative visionaries meet to discuss their passions and creative processes, providing an inside glimpse into the inspiration and motivation that made these iconoclasts who they are today. Nobel-prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu devotes himself to ending injustice worldwide, fighting HIV and serving as an outspoken advocate for youth at risk. He's also chairman of the Elders, a peacekeeping group that intervenes in conflict areas around the globe, established in part by Sir Richard Branson. Branson, Virgin Airlines founder, entrepreneur and renowned adventurer, pledges his time and considerable resources to environmental and humanitarian causes. These surprisingly playful spirits and extraordinary allies reveal their inspirations and shared belief in the power of the individual to change the world. TV-14