Weekly Must Watch List: Second Edition
THIS WEEK’S PICKS BY SAMUEL SPRYNCZYNATYK
BALKOWITSCH
(Amazon Prime)
This documentary from local North Dakota filmmakers Gregory DeSaye and Chelsy Ciavarella follows North Dakota wet plate photographer Shane Balkowitsch on his journey to preserve humanity and moments in time with his camera. It truly showcases Shane's brilliance and personality on camera. They dug into his work in a way that feels natural and curious. Greg and Chelsy find ways to weave emotion and story into his subjects as they pose for him. Watching Shane work and talk with his subjects is my favorite part of this film. Shane creates friendships with every single "sitter" as they trust him to capture their essence. Shane's work is truly an accomplishment and this film is one in itself as well. A must watch!
View trailer here.
THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW
(Netflix)
This nostalgic look at small town life in the 60s follows sheriff Andy Griffith and his deputy Barney Fife around the charming town of Mayberry. The emotion and heart felt in this series (especially seasons 1-5 before it became color) brings me back to a simpler time. The characters that they encounter through their police work and through living in Mayberry are unforgettable. The town drunk who comes and goes when he pleases, the goofy mechanic, the old time folk band living in the mountains-- they are all people I would want to be friends with. The lessons that Andy gives everyone along the way though are what gives this show its extra special touch. It makes you want to be a part of living in the 60s and live a quiet life with your family and friends. Nothing more. It's a show that will make you laugh and at time cry a bit. There are so many iconic scenes that you will watch over and over for the rest of your life.
View trailer here.
THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA
(Amazon Prime)
I have heart disease and my wife has cystic fibrosis. We both love to travel and have adventures but have been quarantined as of late with this virus. So being able to look at all of these wonderful places in nature has been helpful in making us feel like we are out and about again. It also really really makes us want to travel to our national parks when this is all over. This 6 part, 12 hour series from Ken Burns goes deep into how and why the national parks started in the 1800s all the way up until today. I never realized how much of a struggle it was to secure many of these parks and you realize who the heroes truly are in helping us form what we still have to this day, our beautiful national parks. The shots are beautiful and the colors are vivid. Learning about where you come from is important and this show definitely teaches me to appreciate the natural world we have around us a whole lot more.
View trailer here.
ENCORE
(Disney+)
If you love theater, this show will be fun for you to watch. Each episode follows a group of people from a high school musical production from the past. These people come back together after 5-25 years and recreate their production one last time. The show brings in professionals like Adam Wachter and Kristen Bell to help get everyone back into theater mode since most of them haven't done this in a very long time. We watch them rehearsing over the course of five days before their show. It is full of heart. In each episode they go back and revisit who they were in high school and who they are now as well as the struggles they have overcome since then. At the end of each episode you see their production and it is always so much fun to watch. It inspires you to face your fears and to really go after what you have always wanted in life.
View trailer here.
GROW, COOK, EAT
(Amazon Prime)
I'm a big gardener. I love growing my own food, being self-sufficient, and knowing where everything comes from. I truly believe in growing things that help your body rather than destroy it. Being a gardener, you realize sometimes growing things is hard. This show is from Ireland. There are three seasons and each season has about 7 episodes. Each episode focuses on a different vegetable and how to grow it from starting the first seedlings all the way to harvesting. It will take you step by step and show you how to grow your food better and sometimes show you what not to do. They also teach you a great meal from professional chef to use with your vegetable at the end of each episode. Along the way, they teach you about other important gardening techniques such as composting, community gardens, the importance of eating locally, and helping save the environment through food. All around a super informative and enjoyable show.
View trailer here.
THE GAME CHANGERS
(Netflix)
I am a huge advocate of plant based diets and this documentary film really showed me why going plant based for my health was the right choice. This feature follows many of the best know and highest performing athletes in the world and shows us how they not only are amazingly strong on a plant based diet but how it actually helps them perform better. We hear from many health experts and doctors on how so much of the information we have learned growing up is not true and is actually hurting us. I had two heart attacks a couple of years ago because my arteries got clogged. I was down to 88 pounds in the hospital. Since then I have had to get build up my body and all of my muscles again on my plant based diet. Not only have I gotten back to normal but am now thriving and stronger than I have ever been. I am a true testament as to the validity and truth of this film. This film will change your life in a great way and make you reconsider everything you've known about food, protein, and our health.
View trailer here.
