National Geographic: Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West (2002)

Robo reviews: National Geographic: Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West is one of my top ten documentaries of all time. Not a second is wasted in this production as it paints a historical and visual story and shows us the utter expanse of every panoramic view and horizon in Lewis and Clark's monumental journey across western America. Lewis and Clark's exemplary courage and friendship (with the assistance of Sacagawea) ultimately bear success for the expedition (with the loss of only one member) during its 16-month sojourn west to the Pacific and 6-month return east. I've seen this show three times (IMAX, DVD, instant streaming) and I'll gladly watch it again. 5 stars. (8-7-15)

The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973)

Robo reviews: The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas is a delightful discovery from the 1960s and the DePatie-Freleng studios. Familiar voices from Tom Smothers, Arte Johnson, Barbara Feldon, and Casey Kasem carry along a creative script and nostalgic DPF animation. It seems that the entire bear population sleeps through winter (and Christmas) every year, except for Ted Edward Bear, a curious sort who has heard wonderful things about the holiday of lights and gifts and love. He didn't find Christmas last year but is determined to try this year -- he just doesn't know where to look. We see commercials for Bear Air and a TV news segment about his hippy-dippy quest (including commentary on Santa's technology by a German immigrant rocket scientist) that are classic Sixties and fun to watch. I've thrown this show in with my Christmas favorites from Rankin-Bass that I am willing to watch any day of the year. Netflix clocks this show at 25 minutes, IMDB at 30; I didn't investigate the discrepancy. 4 stars. (8-7-15)