Give the Gift of Poldark: Seasons 1-5 Complete Collection for Fans of this PBS Masterpiece Series (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now on DVD from Amazon for only $123.82

(Also available on Blu-ray)

Are you a fan of Poldark, which aired on PBS?  I got into this popular Masterpiece series after my parents were talking about, and sounded like a series I would watch.  But, when I started to watch it, it was already into season 3 and I felt like I missed much of the back story, and should wait until I could watch the series in its entirety to truly appreciate it.  So, I told my parents to not share any spoilers about the series, and I made a point to November 12th on my calendar, as this is when PBS Distribution was to release Poldark: The Complete Series (Seasons 1-5) in a DVD Collection.  It also released today on Blu-ray, for those who have a Blu-ray player.

The kind folks at PBS Distribution sent along this new DVD collection for me to review, and I have had to DVR all the Christmas movies that started to air on television, as I have been dedicating my evenings to watching this series.  I was able to start at Season 1 and have already made my way through to the end of the 3rd season.  Hopefully my Thanksgiving I will have watched all 5 seasons, and can talk all about this Masterpiece series with my parents, and other relatives who got hooked on the series and have watched it from the very start.

So far what I have watched it amazing. I can see why this series has garnered such a large following and buzz.  If you are into history dramas you will definitely love Poldark. Don't worry, I will not give away any spoilers, as I know I wouldn't want to know anything if I hadn't seen it.  And, with two more seasons to go, it seems like with every new episode the story line gets better and better.  I can't wait to see how this saga unfolds.  

As of today you can now own the DVD or Blu-ray collection of Poldark: The Complete Series -- yes, all 44 full-length episodes!  Spaced over 15 discs, fans will enjoy all the episodes of the five seasons as well as 150 minutes of bonus content including behind the scenes with the cast and crew, meeting the skilled people who design the scenery and lavish costumes for this series, as well as hear from the actors themselves about their characters and thoughts on the Poldark series.

I could go on and on about how great this PBS Masterpiece series is, but I have two more seasons to finish.  So, I will end here so that you can head on over to Amazon and order your DVD or Blu-ray collection of Poldark: The Complete Series, to enjoy, or gift to a fan of the show this holiday season.

About this new DVD Collection release:

"The critically-acclaimed series “Poldark,” starring

Aidan Turner (The Hobbit) as the smoldering Ross Poldark and Eleanor Tomlinson (Death Comes to Pemberley) as the fiery Demelza, follows the thrilling story of solider Ross Poldark after his return to Cornwall from fighting in the American Revolution. Once he is back in Cornwall he realizes that his life at home has been completely turned upside down – his father is dead, his lands are gone, and the love of his life has agreed to marry someone else. Ross comes to find that his fighting days are far from over. Will he be able to return his crumbling estate to its former glory? Will an unexpected romance change his life forever? Follow Ross Poldark’s journey and watch the whole saga unfold in the 44 episodes that comprise the complete series.

The box set has a run time of approximately 42 hours on 15 discs and an SRP of $199.99. The complete collection will be available November 12, 2019."

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Berenstain Bear Fans Will Go Crazy for the Recent DVD Release, "The Berenstain Bears: Tree House Tales, Vol. 1" (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now on DVD from Amazon for only $8.69

I have been meaning to share this DVD review with you all for over a month now.  But, thanks to my youngest daughter, who is a big Berenstain Bear fan, she kept taking it off my office desk, making me forget to post about it.  I just realized yesterday after finding it next to the Christmas tree with my daughter's Brother Bear plush, decked out in a Santa hat, that I forget to share a review.  So, while this DVD came out the end of September, it is still relatively new to share, and also with the holidays fast approaching, this new PBS release would make for a great stocking stuffer idea, of gift paired with a Berenstain Bear plush, like the one my daughter is holding below to showcase the new The Berenstain Bears: Tree House Tales, Vol. 1 DVD, she can't get enough of. :-)

With more than 5 hours of stories featuring everyone's favorite bear family, the Berenstain Bears, this DVD release, which is under $10 (a steal if you ask me for the content on this DVD), features 26 stories to delight fans young and old.  Like I said above, my youngest daughter is a huge Berenstain Bears fan.  I used to read these books to her when she was younger, and when she stumbled upon the animated series, she was hooked and wanted to start collecting DVDs to start a Berenstain Bears DVD collection, thus allowing her to watch her favorite bear family whenever and wherever she wants.  Even though we own other previous Berenstain Bears DVD releases, I have to say that this one contains the most stories (340 minutes in total spanning 2 DVDs).  Each and every story is a delight to watch, and will entertain kids of all ages.  

My daughter couldn't choose a favorite story when I asked her for one, as she said they were all good.  She did say, though, that this DVD collection contained a really good assortment of stories, that fans would love to watch, time and again.  We have only had this DVD for a little over a month, but that hasn't stopped my daughter from watching it over and over again, at home and in the car.  The stories keep her entertained, and also share important life lessons that she picks on and can talk to me further about, which I love.

If you have a Berenstain Bear in your life, then you will definitely want to check out the new The Berenstain Bears: Tree House Tales, Vol. 1 DVD available now, and for under $10!


About this DVD release:

“Tree House Tales Volume 1” contains 26 stories from the beloved Bear family, which includes Visit the Dentist, when sister gets her first loose tooth! Brother teases her and tells her the dentist will remove the tooth with a big yanking tool. Sister becomes afraid of sitting in the dentist chair until she watches Brother get a cavity filled. She discovers she was afraid for no reason. In Mama’s New Job, Mama opens her own quilt shop. Papa and the cubs wonder how they will cope around the house without her, but once they band together to support Mama’s new endeavor, the Bear family makes it work! In the episode, Out for the Team, Brother and Sister try out for Bear Country’s baseball team, The Cardinals. There’s only one problem: there’s only one spot left on the team! Brother is worried he will lose to his kid
sister, so he backs out of the competition. Sister steps up with some encouraging words for Brother, which inspires him to stick with it. Then in Lost in a Cave, Papa and the Bear Scouts are on a spelunking expedition, which scares Cousin Fred because he’s afraid of dark, spooky caves. While the cubs help Fred realize there’s a logical explanation for everything that may seem scary, the group gets lost. Will they find their way back to Bear Country?"

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Catch Up With Or Relive Your Favorite Moments from PBS's Hit British Drama, Jamestown, Season 3 - Available Now to Own on DVD! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now on DVD from Amazon for only $22.98

I hate when the DVR fills with the kids' shows, as that means all the shows I have been meaning to catch up on are erased to make room for all their stuff.  And, by the time to realize this, I have already missed a few episodes, and feel like I have to give up on a show, or wait until a complete season arrives to DVD.  This is what happened with Jamestown, Season 3 from PBS.  After getting hooked on Downton Abbey and binge watching all the episodes to this British drama, I found myself looking for a new show to watch.  A friend recommended Jamestown, and after the first few minutes of the first episode, I was hooked.  

I was able to keep up with the first two seasons, but then life got busy and I found myself missing an episode here and there from season 3.  And, by the time I went to sit and play catch up they were gone from the DVR.  So, I headed to Amazon to see when the complete 3rd  season would be available to own on DVD.  I found that it would release on August 6th, so I marked my calendar, as  a reminder to buy it when it became available.  But, before my reminder was sent to me, the folks at PBS Distribution reached out to see if I wanted to review it.  I jumped at the opportunity, and for the past couple weeks I have been playing catch up with this hit British drama from PBS, watching each and every episode -- yes, all 345 minutes of it. :-)  Last night I watched the final episode, and am glad I waited to see all the episodes, and didn't give up on this show, as it got really good the last few episodes of season 3.  I found myself thinking back at the previous two seasons, to compare to season 3.  I have to say that the third season is by far my favorite so far.  I can't wait to see what happens in Season 4, and can't wait to add this complete season to my growing Jamestown DVD collection from PBS Distribution.

If you are a fan of Jamestown, or love British drama and have been looking for a new series to get hooked on, you should really check out this show.   You can stream all three seasons online, or purchase each season's complete DVD collection online.  I know that once you start watching this series, you will get hooked, and love it, like I do!

More about this recent DVD release:

"From the producers of Downton Abbey, this exciting and dramatic series follows the lives of three courageous, dynamic women who decide to leave their dark pasts behind in England and make the journey of a lifetime across the ocean for a new life in 17th century America. In Season 3, it’s boom time in Jamestown but success brings the scrutiny of the Crown and there are few in the settlement who have nothing to hide. 

Relations with the Native Americans offer hope and advancement for the settlers until greed for land and want of power corrupts those with influence. What ensues is devastating conflict; the fallout of which will shape the New World for centuries to come.

 

 
The ensemble cast includes: Naomi Battrick, Sophie Rundle, and Niamh Walsh as the leading female roles. The male leading roles include Max Beesley, Jason Flemyng, Stuart Martin, Kalani Queypo, Abubakar Salim, and Raoul Trujillo. The series is written and created by Bill Gallagher (Lark Rise to Candleford, The Paradise)."

Street Date: August 6, 2019
Run Time: 360 Minutes on 2 discs
SRP: DVD, $39.99
Format: DVD, Digital
Genre: Arts: British Drama

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About PBS Distribution:

PBS Distribution is a leading distributor of public media content around the world, reaching audiences through multiple platforms and formats including direct-to-consumer subscription video-on-demand (DTC-SVOD), transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) licensing, and physical products on DVD and Blu-ray. In addition, the company operates three streaming channels — PBS MASTERPIECE, PBS KIDS, and PBS LIVING — all on Amazon Prime Video Channels, with PBS LIVING also available on the Apple TV App. Other divisions of the company include: theatrical releasing, educational, non- theatrical, in flight and international licensing businesses.

PBS Distribution offers consumers and educators the highest quality factual, scripted and children’s programming, including films from producer Ken Burns, hit dramas from MASTERPIECE, entertaining and educational children’s series and award winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and many independent producers. For over 20 years, the company has extended the reach of programming beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system, stations and producers.



Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Explore the Planets in Our Solar System with the New “NOVA: The Planets,” DVD Release, Available Now! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now on DVD for only $19.89 from Amazon

(Also available on Blu-Ray)

It is only fitting to have a sci-fi person like Zachary Quinto voicing this Nova "The Planets" five-episode series.  Lending his voice to this amazing journey around the Solar System learning about the different planets, fans of this actor from Star Trek, will find themselves learning things about the planets they never imagined.  Through stunning footage, that will have you rewinding or slowing down the video, you will be captivated to learn about the mysteries of the planets, including their weather patterns, haunting landscapes, and so much more.  

I just got done teaching my girls about the solar system as part of school this past spring, and can say that nothing in this 5-part series was found in books I researched and shared with my girls.  I found the series so interesting, that I had my girls sit for it, after my husband and I watched it. Like my husband and I, my girls were amazed at what they were learning and seeing from extraordinary orbiter, lander and rover captured footage.  My youngest was quick to point out that I didn't share any of what she saw in this series as part of our schooling, and wished I did as it was so interesting. I told I was learning about this stuff for the first time when I sat to watch it, and that is why I was sharing it with them, as I knew they would find it fascinating, too!

If you are into space and astronomy, you will definitely want to pick up the new “NOVA: The Planets,” DVD to get a better understanding of the planets in our Solar System. Each planet has a fascinating story that will have you pondering the thoughts of life on other worlds. :-)

More about this recent PBS Distribution DVD release:

"Narrated by Zachary Quinto (Star Trek), this series takes viewers on a 4.5-billion-year journey through the incredible story of our solar system, which is brought vividly to life in stunning new detail revealed by the latest and most daring space missions.

In five one-hour episodes, “The Planets” combines dazzling CGI imagery, the latest planetary science research, and extraordinary footage captured by orbiters, landers, and rovers to reveal the beauty and grandeur of each planet like never before. The series treats viewers to an unimaginable, up-close look at awe-inspiring sights across the solar system—from haunting landscapes, to colossal weather systems, to strange environments of fantastic scale.

Each planet has a fascinating story - from the rocky inner worlds of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, to the massive gas giant, Jupiter; to the mysterious, ringed Saturn; to the cold, remote ice worlds of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, and even beyond. The program explores what their extreme features can tell us about how our solar system formed, and asks if they can provide us with clues about the possibility of life on other worlds."

Street Date: August 27, 2019
Run Time: 300 Minutes on 2 discs
SRP: DVD, $29.99
Blu-ray, $34.99
Format: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital
Genre: Science & Nature: Astronomy & Space


Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Available to Own on DVD -- MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD: Would You Be Mine Collection -- Contains 30 Classic Episodes from 1979-2000 (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now on DVD from Amazon for only $13.29

I grew up watching Mister Roger's Neighborhood, and shared the series with my girls when they were younger.  They were quick to fall in love with this beloved children's series, and wanted to watch all the old episodes.  Over the years, the girls have watched almost all the episodes, and I have got to relive some of my favorite childhood memories of Mister Roger's and his neighborhood of make believe.  I especially when he would go into town and visit the different business and community helpers, as it introduced me to the different jobs people did, as well as showed how different things were made, which I always found fascinating.

So, when I found out in June that the folks at PBS Distribution were releasing this "Would You Be Mine" collection, I jumped at the opportunity to review it.  Included on this recent (July) release are 30 full-length episodes from 1979-2000.  Some I remembered watching as a child with my brothers, and others were new to me, and enjoy more enjoyable to watch.  Oh, how I wish Mister Roger's was still around, as his show was always so fun to watch.  But, thankfully there are DVD releases like this one that let us adults relive our favorite childhood memories, as well as introduce our kids to shows we loved watching as a child, that were not just fun, but also educational.

More about this DVD:

"“MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD: WOULD YOU BE MINE COLLECTION” is a collection of vintage episodes from the most beloved children’s television host in the world, Fred Rogers. Fans will walk down memory lane with Mister Rogers in these 30 hand-picked episodes to revisit the puppets in the Neighborhood of Make Believe. The collection also includes a bonus episode—a visit to the crayon factory—as well as episodes where performers like the group STOMP and world-renowned cellist, Yo Yo Ma, stop by for a visit. “MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD: WOULD YOU BE MINE COLLECTION” contains more than 14 hours of entertainment."

Street Date: July 16, 2019

Run Time: 906 min. on 4 discs

SR: Format: $19.99 DVD, Digital

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About PBS DISTRIBUTION:

PBS Distribution is a leading distributor of public media content around the world, reaching audiences through multiple platforms and formats including direct-to-consumer subscription video-on-demand (DTC-SVOD), transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) licensing, and physical products on DVD and Blu-ray. In addition, the company operates three streaming channels — PBS MASTERPIECE, PBS KIDS, and PBS LIVING — all on Amazon Prime Video Channels, with PBS LIVING also available on the Apple TV App. Other divisions of the company include: theatrical releasing, educational, non-theatrical, inflight and international licensing businesses.

PBS Distribution offers consumers and educators the highest quality factual, scripted and children’s programming, including films from producer Ken Burns, hit dramas from MASTERPIECE, entertaining and educational children’s series and award-winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and many independent producers. For over 20 years, the company has extended the reach of programming beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system, stations and producers.

Follow PBS Distribution on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Check Out These Recent May DVD Releases from PBS Distribution -- “MASTERPIECE: LES MISÉRABLES” and The Best of the World’s Greatest (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

If you are looking for something new to watch and love British dramas or travel and adventure series, then I have two recent releases from PBS Distribution you will want to check out.  I was recently sent a copy of of the above shown titles, and sat down to watch them with my husband recently.  These new releases didn't disappoint, as they were both engaging and entertaining.  I was surprised at how much my husband really enjoyed the “MASTERPIECE: LES MISÉRABLES” adaption, as he is not usually one to sit for a drama, let alone a British drama.  I had shown him the release and he read it and said it sounded interesting.  He knew many of the actors and actresses from shows and movies he has watched, and always want to read this classic novel by Victor Hugo.

The “MASTERPIECE: LES MISÉRABLES” also contained bonus video that you must check out after watching the movies.  You will get to enjoy the following:

• LES MISÉRABLES: An Introduction
• The Battle of Waterloo
• The Look of LES MISÉRABLES
• Behind the Barricade

This new adaptation is 6 hours in length (2 DVDs), and also English Stereo Audio and English SDS Subtitles.  My husband and I spaced LES MISÉRABLES out over a week, and it was something we both looked forward to watching every evening after the girls went to bed, and gave us something else to talk about at the dinner table the next day, as we wondered what would happen next in the story.  If you are a fan of LES MISÉRABLES and would love to see a powerful new adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel, then you will definitley want to check out the new MASTERPIECE: LES MISÉRABLES Blu-Ray (also available on DVD) out now.

More about MASTERPIECE: Les Misérables:

Buy now on Blu-Ray for only $33.19

(Also available on DVD)

"A blockbuster novel for over 150 years comes vividly to life in award-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies’s multi-layered retelling of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. This enthralling six-episode adaptation (not a musical) stars Dominic West (The Affair, The Wire) as Jean Valjean, the most famous fugitive in literature, David Oyelowo (Selma, Queen of Katwe) stars as his relentless pursuer, Javert, and Lily Collins (Rules Don’t Apply; Love, Rosie) as the tragic seamstress, Fantine; Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals) plays her adolescent daughter, Cosette; Academy Award winner, Olivia Colman (The Favourite) and Adeel Akhtar (Unforgotten) are Cosette’s cruel overseers, the Thénardiers; and Josh O'Connor (The Durrells in Corfu) is the student and reluctant revolutionary Marius, who falls in love with Cosette at first sight.

Joining the extensive cast are David Bradley (Game of Thrones, Harry Potter) as Marius’s formidable grandfather, Monsieur Gillenormand, and Derek Jacobi (Gladiator, Last Tango in Halifax) as the kindly Bishop of Digne, who rescues Valjean at his lowest ebb. The Guardian called it “A rich feast…c’est magnifique!”"

Street Date: May 21, 2019

Run Time: DVD and Blu-ray: 371 minutes on 2 discs

SRP: DVD, $39.99, Blu-ray, $49.99

Format: DVD, Digital

Genre: British Drama

If British Dramas are not your thing, but you like traveling the globe learning about amazing places and animals, without having to leave your couch, then you will love the recent release, "The Best of World's Greatest," which will take you on journeys around the world, introducing you to  the world's greatest cities, natural wonders, animal encounters, journeys and adventures, monuments, and islands.  This recent release is about 300 minutes in length and makes up 2 DVDs to the release.  It offers English Stereo and English SDH Subtitles.  

When you sit to watch this release you will find yourself going on some fascinating journeys, without leaving home.  You will travel to ancient cities, see volcanoes up close, be introduced to some extreme animals, as well as visit lost cities, the coral islands, as well as treks that will have you wanting to back your bags to experience these once in a lifetime journeys to far off yet inspiring places for yourself.  My husband and I really enjoyed this release and added a few new places to our bucket list of places we hope to visit one day.  I love how you can get an up-close view of places and animals with series like this, and be introduced to fascinating places just waiting to be explored.  This is definitely one DVD we will watch time and again, and that will never get boring. :-)

More about "The Best of World's Greatest" DVD:

Buy now on DVD from Amazon for only $12.37

"The world is full of inspiring places just waiting to be discovered and explored. This new, epic six-part series goes on a timeless journey around the planet, revealing the world’s greatest ancient cities, natural wonders, extreme animal encounters, lost cities, journeys and adventures, monuments, and coral islands. 

Viewers get a chance to explore exciting cities such as Venice, Rio, and Cairo, the islands of Galapagos, Hawaii, and the Maldives, and others. Viewers also explore Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, the Taj Mahal, as well as Mt. Everest, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Grand Canyon. In addition viewers get up close and personal with killer whales, grizzlies, and silver-backed gorillas, among other animals in the wild."

Street Date: May 7, 2019
Run Time:  312 minutes on 2 discs
SRP: DVD, $19.99
Format: DVD, Digital
Genre: Travel: Air & Ocean


Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Check Out These New Titles on DVD and Digital from PBS Distribution + Learn About PBS Streaming Options

Disclosure: I was sent screeners from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

This past April the folks at PBS Distribution released a plethora of new
programs on DVD and digitally, including the critically acclaimed, “VICTORIA, SEASON 3,” the
highly-anticipated “MRS. WILSON,” the fascinating “RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR,” and the eye-opening “CHARM CITY.” I had the opportunity to check out many of these new releases, and have to say, out of all the titles I have screened from PBS Distribution over the years, this new batch of releases really are stellar and must see, for fans of NOVA, BBC, NATURE, American Masters and American Experience series and specials.  Here is more about the releases I have been enjoying -- many of which would make for great summer viewing as a family, or used in homeschool learning, or just to fill the void when you can't find something of quality and substance to watch on television or streaming.  PBS Distribution titles are never a disappoint, and provide hours of enjoyment, while also educating both young and old about different topics in history, etc.

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Rent or buy through Amazon Now

"A groundbreaking exploration of a newspaper magnate whose work is largely unknown to wide audiences, though ironically, the prize he endowed in his will has become recognizable around the world. Pulitzer’s personal story is a riveting variation on the American Dream narrative. Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) arrived in the United States during the Civil War as a penniless immigrant who spoke no English and proceeded to create two best-selling newspapers -and a major fortune. This immigrant was famous in his own time for the outsized financial success of his newspapers and his outspoken, cantankerous editorial voice. From the start of his career as a journalist, Pulitzer championed what he regarded as the sacred role of the free press in a democracy."

- Street Date: April 16, 2019
- Run Time: 90 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Biography

Rent or Buy through Amazon Now

"Narrated by Grammy-nominated country singer Tanya Tucker, this new documentary traces the improbable journey of Charley Pride, from his humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son on a cotton farm in segregated Sledge, Mississippi, to his career as a Negro American League baseball player and his meteoric rise as a pioneering country music superstar. Along with exclusive new interviews with Pride himself, the film incorporates original interviews with country music royalty, including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Marty Stuart, as well as on-camera conversations between Pride and special guests such as Rozene Pride (his wife of 61 years), Willie Nelson and fellow musicians."

- Street Date: April 30, 2019
- Run Time: 78 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Biography

Buy now on DVD from Amazon for only $16.59

"Narrated by Golden Globe Award-winner Ewan McGregor, viewers experience the natural world through the eyes of the Vikings, when nature meets history in a journey showcasing the wildlife of the North Atlantic. Combining blue-chip natural history filmmaking and dramatic recreations, NATURE travels from Norway to Newfoundland, just as the seafaring warriors did in 1,000 A.D., to get a glimpse of the Vikings’ world in the Americas hundreds of years before Columbus. Audiences will witness the deep history and cultural respect the Vikings had for the land and sea, from the puffins and otters of the Scottish coast to the vast herds of reindeer in Norway to the eider duck farms of Iceland. Viewers discover how the Vikings practiced the true spirit of the Wild Way of the Vikings: take everything that you need from nature, but value it for as long as you can."

- Street Date: April 23, 2019
- Run Time: 53 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: Science & Nature: Animals

Buy now on DVD from Amazon for only $15.47

"Our planet is bursting at the seams. Around the world, up to 30 volcanoes erupt every day – and hundreds more could explode at any moment. Meet the people and wildlife that live alongside these volcanoes, from Kilauea to Mount Etna. Discover how volcanoes cause destruction but also create and nurture life. At the “burning heart” of this documentary is a daring expedition of scientists and adventurers to one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes, located in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Viewers will take a terrifying descent into the Marum Crater with biologist Jeffrey Marlow, who risks a boiling lava lake to collect and analyze rock samples for signs of life. His discoveries could lead to a better understanding of the origins of life and a picture of what life might look like outside of Earth."

- Street Date: April 30, 2019
- Run Time: 53 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: Science & Nature: Earth

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"Over the past century, scientists have made huge strides in understanding the mind-bending rules that govern the microworld of atoms and subatomic particles. But these rules, called quantum mechanics, contain one particularly bizarre, unexplained phenomenon: quantum entanglement. Imagine two subatomic particles that mirror changes in each other instantaneously over any distance without communicating. Einstein called it "spooky action at a distance" and although no one can explain how it works, scientists have already begun to harness its power. So-called quantum computing could give rise to computers that can shatter existing data encryption in minutes and use the laws of physics to create a totally secure, unhackable network. But even as researchers are poised to transform the digital world with entanglement, a few doubts about it remain, and to rule them out will take a ground-breaking experiment. NOVA takes viewers to a frigid mountaintop in the Canary Islands where physicists will use massive telescopes to catch light from quasars at opposite ends of the universe to control detectors in a record-breaking experiment that might settle the remaining questions once and for all."

- Street Date: April 2, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital

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"In May 2018 the Kilauea volcano erupted, obliterating neighborhoods with devastating force and uprooting thousands of local residents. It is Hawaii’s most destructive volcanic eruption in generations. How can one of the most beautiful places on Earth suddenly transform into a roaring inferno, sputtering molten lava and bombs of volcanic rock the size of refrigerators? On the ground in the early days of the eruption, NOVA joins scientists and residents alike on a breathtaking journey to investigate Kilauea’s recent spike in activity. Along the way, some of Hawaii’s biggest secrets are revealed: Why did these geologically distinctive volcanoes form in the middle of the Pacific? How did life establish itself on the remote islands? What does this tell us about the future of Hawaii? And what dangers lurk for the inhabitants of the island paradise?"

- Street Date: April 16, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: Science & Nature: Earth
- Genre: Science & Nature: Technology & Inventions

Buy now through Amazon

"The 6 million-ton Great Pyramid of Giza is the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. How did the Egyptians engineer the mighty pharaoh Khufu’s tomb so precisely, with none of today’s surveying and power tools? And who were the thousands of laborers who raised the stones? Were they slaves or volunteers, and how were they housed, fed, and organized? DECODING THE GREAT PYRAMID presents the latest evidence from groundbreaking archaeological research that has transformed our understanding of the ancient world’s most ambitious engineering project, revealing a "lost city" and intimate details of the lives of the laborers and officials who toiled on the vast construction. French archaeologists recently found the logbook of a labor team leader that delivered limestone blocks to build the Great Pyramid, yielding crucial insights into the planning and logistics behind the operation. The program also traces how mobilizing the colossal labor and resources invested in the monument transformed ancient Egypt, uniting a nation behind the common goal of ensuring eternity for the pharaoh and continuing prosperity for everyone in this life and the next."

- Street Date: April 30, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Ancient

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"In the spring of 1964, explorers were preparing for a new mission, diving into the sea as one of the Navy’s newly-minted “aquanauts.” Aquanauts were divers who attempted to chart the ocean’s depths and faced barriers that had thwarted humans for centuries: near total blackness, bone-jarring cold, and intense pressure that could disorient the mind and crush the body. Aboard Sealab, explorers would attempt to break through those barriers – going deeper and staying underwater longer than anyone had done before.

An audacious feat of engineering — a pressurized underwater habitat, complete with science labs and living quarters — Sealab aimed to prove that humans were capable of spending days or even months living and working on the ocean floor. Sealab would pioneer what is known as “saturation diving,” which would allow divers to remain undersea — and emerge unscathed — for more extended periods of time. After a tragic accident the Sealab program was subsequently suspended and completely shut down in 1970, however the lessons learned were used in numerous covert Naval operations for years to come."

- Street Date: April 16, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital

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"MARGARET: THE REBEL PRINCESS focuses on Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s beautiful and rebellious younger sister. This program features rare footage and interviews with those who knew her best and offers unparalleled insight into Margaret’s turbulent life and times. Her unique position as the Queen’s younger sister in a changing Britain left her free to experiment and push boundaries, yet she was forever judged by the public and press beginning to question the very idea of a monarchy. While Margaret often followed the rigid rules under which she was raised, she also stepped outside those rules and into scandal."

- Street Date: April 23, 2019
- Run Time: 120 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Biography

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Don't worry, I am not going to take up all your time sharing personal reviews of each of the PBS Distribution titles mentioned, above, as I would just be repeating myself over and over again, as I praise the exceptional content of each title.  I will say, however, that being a cord-cutting family, I have found that the PBS Masterpiece streaming service to be a must have for fans of PBS series, documentaries, etc. And, at only $5.99 a month, you can't go wrong with the price, for all the amazing shows and series you can enjoy with your family.  

With summer fast approaching, I know many families will consider getting rid of cable, but are hesitant as they don't want to lose great quality programming, especially with the kids being home, and needing to be engaged and entertained.  PBS Streaming service has you covered, and will not only entertain your family, but also educate them at the same time.  With each and every NATURE, NOVA and American Masters titles I have viewed (with or without my girls), I have walked away with a better understanding about places, animals and important people in history. I have found that PBS dives deeper into a topic than most textbooks or news outlets, and this is what I love, as I always am eager to learn and love how they share content, in an easy to understand and follow along format, that is also enjoyable to watch.

The above mentioned titles are only some of the newest to the PBS Distribution library. Each and every month, they release more titles, all of which are worthy of picking up to enjoy. Many titles can be viewed through the streaming service, as well as rented from Amazon, so you don't have to worry about accumulating so many DVDs to store.  However, you choose to enjoy these new releases from PBS Distribution, just know that you will be in for an enjoyable viewing experience, and walk away having been entertained and engaged from start to finish, as well as more knowledgeable as a result.  It is hard to say that about many new DVD and digital releases.

Learn more here + start your 7-day free trial now

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About PBS Distribution:

PBS Distribution is a leading distributor of public media content around the world, reaching audiences through multiple platforms and formats including direct-to-consumer subscription video-on-demand (DTC-SVOD), transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) licensing, and physical products on DVD and Blu-ray.  In addition, the company operates two Prime Video channels – PBS MASTERPIECE and PBS KIDS – as well as a theatrical releasing division, and educational, non-theatrical, in flight and international licensing businesses.    

PBS Distribution offers consumers and educators over 4,000 programming hours of the highest quality factual, scripted and children’s programming, including films from producer Ken Burns, hit dramas from MASTERPIECE, entertaining and educational children’s series and award-winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and many independent producers. For over 20 years, the company has extended the reach of programming beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system, stations and producers.

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Disclosure: I was sent screeners from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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