All Entries Tagged With: "giveaway"
Life After People: Season 2 DVD Review and Giveaway
Many people believe that mankind is systematically destroying our planet. But what would happen to the world if man disappeared? That’s the question behind the History Channel series Life After People and it’s fascinating.
The series uses expert testimony and computer generated graphics to show what will happen to everything from landmarks to lambs if people suddenly vanished off the face of the Earth. Each episode is lightly themed (meaning they often stray off track) and follows the same path showing the gradual destruction of each subject after a day, a month, twenty years to a hundred years. As you can imagine, it’s not a pretty sight, though I did think the natural greenhouse that forms inside the Crystal Cathedral was, in itself, a thing of beauty. The series plays into the gloom and doom with graphics and voice-overs that seem more appropriate for a ghost hunting show than a scientific look at the state of the world, and maybe that’s why the series has been labeled nihilistic by many.
It is depressing to see man’s greatest achievements fall to ruin, but instead of taking the images as forgone conclusions, maybe Life After People should be seen as a cautionary tale. In the second season, which recently bowed on DVD, we visit a nuclear power plant on the day after. Worried about the reactors going critical? Don’t be. The nuclear waste will get you long before that. The series outlines the frightening sequence of events that will take place once there is no power to cool the spent fuel rods. These rods usually remain in a cooling tank for 5 to 10 years before they lose their juice, but without cooling, the water they sit in boils away leaving the rods to go critical, contaminating the air for miles around with radiation. Maybe it doesn’t matter since we won’t be here to see it happen.
In some cases, we don’t need a computer graphic to show us what happens after people. Take the town of Kolmanskop in South Africa. Once a diamond boom town, the abandoned homes are now collapsing under the force of desert storms and the sand is climbing higher and higher filling the hallways and living rooms like water from a flood.
Life After People does play heavily into the doomsday machine, but it also presents some fascinating facts for people who like to know things that others don’t. Like how there is an electrical “force field” that protects Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue, that the specific composition of fruitcake makes it one of the most indestructible items on the planet, and why the ancient Roman Coliseum will outlast the modern version in Los Angeles.
Repetitive at times and certainly depressing, Life After People also demonstrates man’s incredible ability to think outside the box, problem solve and create beauty out of stone, wood and glass. You’ll be fascinated by the architectural feats of our ancestors and you’ll wonder what we were thinking when you see Love Canal and Chernobyl. If nothing else, this History Channel series will get you thinking about how we interact with the world around us and how we can make changes so all of the predications won’t have to come true.
Would you like to own Life After People: Season Two on DVD? We have a copy to giveaway thanks to A&E Home Entertainment and the History Channel.
TO ENTER:
Let’s lean toward the positive. Leave a comment stating what you think is one of mankind’s most fascinating architectural achievements.
Deadline to enter is Sunday, August 15 at midnight PST.
US Only. 1 Entry Per Person
Enter the Midnight Express DVD Giveaway – CLOSED
Last night, National Geographic Channel launched a new season of Locked Up Abroad with the story of Billy Hayes, the man who inspired the film Midnight Express.
Released in 1978, the film was a brutal depiction of life in a Turkish prison and it was this realistic portrayal that earned Oliver Stone an Oscar for best adapted screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director, losing out to the equally stunning Deer Hunter.
Midnight Express and Deer Hunter both come off as dark examinations of the human condition but in reality, they’re both stories of how resilient we can be. They’re stories of hope and about overcoming circumstances you never thought you had the strength to survive.
To win Midnight Express: the 30th Anniversary Edition DVD, simply leave a comment on this post before midnight PST on July 9, 2010.
We’d enjoy hearing your thoughts about this movie or any movie that deals with the will to survive, but any comment will do.
Sorry, but the giveaway is only open to those with a US mailing address.
WINNER: The winner has been emailed. We’ll announce the name as soon as we have confirmation.
CONTEST IS CLOSED
America The Story of Us: What Events Made the List?
Last month, we ran a giveaway to promo the new History Channel series America The Story of Us. In order to enter, you had to answer this question:
If you could go back in time to meet a historical figure or witness a historical event, who or what would you choose?
Over one hundred of you replied and we were surprised by the wide variety of answers.
Many people wanted to go back to the signing of Declaration of Independence or meet with well known historical figures such as George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt or Abraham Lincoln.
Others went the more artsy route, like Auriette:
If I could go back in time, I’d love to see Hamlet at the Globe Theatre in London and take William Shakespeare out to dinner afterward.
Joni wanted to go to Woodstock and Angie wanted to spend the day with Walt Disney.
Sarah and Maja were more interested in science listing Albert Einstein, and Nikola Tesla as people they’d like to meet.
A surprising number of people wanted to revisit a tragic day in our nation’s history. Some wanting to greet the survivors of the Titanic, others wanting a chance to return to 9/11.
Others had an interest in meeting Jesus or other religious figures:
Karen said:
I would like to meet Adam and Eve and ask them why they disobeyed God in the Beautiful Garden of Eden? Was Satan really a snake that fooled them or was it a physical person? Was it an apple or something else he tempted them with?
Several people wanted answers to the age old question of how did the Egyptians and the Mayans build their pyramids and at the opposite end of the spectrum, some people wanted to revisit that first walk on the moon.
Dave said:
I would steer my Delorean back to July 16, 1969 and watch Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon for the very first time. These days with the Space Shuttles jetting back and forth between earth and the international space station, space travel seems almost trite. But back in 1969, it truly was science fiction brought to life.
Finally, we have our winner, Leigh from Tennessee:
I would love to meet Amelia Earhart since flying is my dream!
Thanks to everyone who entered. We really enjoyed taking a trip back through time with you as we read over your answers to the question.
America The Story of Us Giveaway – CLOSED
America The Story of Us is an epic 12-hour television event that tells the extraordinary story of America with highly realistic CGI animation, dramatic recreations and thoughtful insights from some of America’s most respected artists, business leaders, academics and intellectuals. Elaborate, ambitious and cinematic, America The Story of Us will take you into the moments when Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress, from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad–the internet of its day–to triumphing over vertical space through the construction of steel structured buildings to putting a man on the moon.
Visit the official site to take the Ultimate History Quiz, watch videos and get more info.
Follow HISTORY on foursquare to unlock the HISTORY in your city. You’ll discover tips about America, unlock our limited edition badge and be entered into the AMERICA THE STORY OF US SWEEPSTAKES!
In honor of this inspiring new documentary, GlobalShift is giving away some History Channel swag. Want to win? Step right this way (we even have golf balls!):
1 Winner will receive a HISTORY Duffel Bag filled with:
-Umbrella
-Stainless Steel Desk Pen
-Ceramic Mug
-Track Jacket
-Golf Balls
To enter, simply leave a comment with an answer to this question: If you could go back in time to meet a historical figure or witness a historical event, who or what would you choose?
Contest Details:
-Open to residents of the U.S. who are at least 18 yrs of age or older
-Prizes courtesy of HISTORY and is valued at $75
-Deadline to Enter is April 30, 2010 at midnight PST.
Win Precious on DVD from GlobalShift.org – CLOSED
If you were watching The Oscars last night you heard all about the film Precious: Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire. The film had already picked up several awards before heading to the Kodak and they left last night with Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain, Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.
The film, directed by Lee Daniels (Producer of Monster’s Ball) from a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher, based on the book ‘Push’; a novel by Sapphire, also stars Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and musician Lenny Kravitz.
The DVD and Blu-ray disc, which hit stores tomorrow, March 9, 2010, feature plenty of bonus materials that include audio commentary with the director, featuretts such as “From Push to Precious” and “Oprah and Tyler: A Project of Passion”, an interview with author Sapphire and director Lee Daniels, Gabourey Sidibe’s audition and more.
Want to win Precious on DVD? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. We’d love to hear about how you’ve been working to fulfill a dream but any comment will do.
RULES:
US Only
Deadline to enter is March 15, 2010 midnight PST.
Winner must respond to notification email within 72 hours or the prize will be awarded to someone else.
Want to learn more about Precious: Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire? Our own Susan Logoreci has a detailed review.
Prize courtesy of Lionsgate, no other consideration was offered in return for this giveaway or review.
Enter to Win Brave New Films 5th Anniversary Activist Collection on DVD – CLOSED
For the last five years, Robert Greenwald and his production company Brave New Films have been at the forefront of the fight to create a just America. Now, the team at Brave New Films has 
compiled virtually everything they’ve produced to date into a colossal, 10-disc box set. Whether you’re an activist, a documentary filmmaker or one person who wants to help make a difference in the world – this is a must have. And lucky you, we have one set to give away.
THE BRAVE NEW FILMS 5TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVIST COLLECTION includes:
– Rethink Afghanistan
– Uncovered: The Whole Truth About The Iraq War + all related antiwar shorts
– Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War On Journalism + all the “Fox Attacks” shorts
–Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price + all related shorts and extras
–Iraq For Sale : the War Profiteers + all the related shorts, Greenwald’s media appearances and more
– The War on Greed: all the shorts including Henry Kravis, Fighting for Our Homes, Starbucks, Bank of America, Burger King and Sick For Profit
– The Political Shorts including The Real McCain series, The Real Rudy, Lieberman Must Go and many others
– This Brave Nation + many more activist shorts
– Brave New Films focus with Arianna Huffington, Larry Lessig, Sam Seder and more
That’s more than 40 hours of material on ten discs. The Brave New Films 5th Anniversary Activist Collection hit stores on January 26 and we’ll have more about this collection and the filmmaker later in the month. In the meantime, here’s your chance to win.
HOW TO ENTER:
Indelible Marks is giving you a chance to win one of two prizes in our sister site giveaway. To enter, visit Students in Europe then come back here to GlobalShift and leave a comment on this contest post about what you saw over there. It could be something you learned or the title of your favorite post.
If you’d like to enter to win a SNAPP CAM5000 Mini HD Digital camcorder, then visit the Students in Europe giveaway page and leave a comment about something you saw here on GlobalShift. (Something other than our contest post, please.)
Deadline to enter both contests is Feburary 15, 2010. Prizes will be mailed to a US address only.
One winner will be chosen from each site. Good luck!
