Top Picks: The documentary 'Citizenfour,' PBS's 'A Few Good Pie Places,' and more
Comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele imagine a world in which teachers get the same attention as pro athletes, Buddy Guy's album 'Born to Play Guitar' reaffirms his status as the blues' greatest torchbearer, and more top picks.
Comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele imagine a world in which teachers get the same attention as pro athletes, Buddy Guy's album 'Born to Play Guitar' reaffirms his status as the blues' greatest torchbearer, and more top picks.
Teen immigrants
The 鈥淧OV鈥� documentary Neuland (鈥淣ew Territory鈥�) follows a group of teenagers who have immigrated to Switzerland. Enrolled in a two-year integration course under the tutelage of Mr. Zingg, the students are prepared for life and work in a new world. Hailing from Afghanistan, Serbia, Venezuela, and Cameroon, the students face the future together. 鈥淣euland鈥� premi猫res on PBS Aug. 17 at 10 p.m. (check local listings).聽聽
Meeting Snowden
Filmmaker Laura Poitras鈥檚 documentary Citizenfour gives viewers an inside look at Edward Snowden as he prepares to release classified government materials. Poitras was one of the first reporters to be contacted by Snowden, whose actions later revealed the extent of the US National Security Agency鈥檚 surveillance program. This thrilling and suspenseful film calls on viewers to think deeply about morality and democracy. 鈥淐itizenfour鈥� is out on DVD and Blu-ray Aug. 25.聽
American pies
Be prepared for your mouth to water (and get the ice cream ready)! In A Few Good Pie Places and A Few Good Bakeries, PBS travels the United States in search of favorite pies and baked goods in local communities. Meet the bakers, and see how it鈥檚 done. The specials air back-to-back Aug. 25 beginning at 8 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).聽
Teacher draft
As a new school year approaches, comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele imagine what it would be like if we paid the same attention to teachers as we do to pro athletes. In a segment for the comedy show 鈥淜ey & Peele,鈥� the duo anchor a fictional TeachingCenter (modeled after ESPN鈥檚 鈥淪portsCenter鈥�), in which a top teacher makes headlines by switching schools. If only teaching methods were analyzed like football plays. Check it out at http://bit.ly/teachingcenter.
Buddy鈥檚 blues
Buddy Guy is keeping the blues alive, and his latest album reaffirms his status as the genre鈥檚 greatest torchbearer. In Born to Play Guitar, the influential and effervescent Guy strikes familiar, toe-tapping riffs while continuing to preserve his musical roots. 鈥淔lesh & Bone,鈥� with Van Morrison, pays tribute to the late B.B. King. 鈥淐ome Back Muddy鈥� is a wistful homage to Guy鈥檚 legendary mentor, Muddy Waters. With his latest effort, Guy triumphantly ensures the blues flame will keep burning brightly.