Recommendations from Our Members! 

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Worth a Watch:

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Here are some films you might enjoy! Please continue to send in your own favorite books and shows to Susan. 

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From Susan Eastwood:

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Sir David Attenborough turned 100 years old in May. He is world-renowned for his long career as a naturalist through his writing, broadcasting, and conservation work. His ground-breaking nature documentary series’ span eight decades and include The Life on Earth Collection, Blue Planet, the Planet Earth franchise, and Frozen Planet. His latest releases continue his uses of innovative camera techniques which allow us new close ups and perspectives on nature and animal life. It seems an appropriate time to recommend his work, really any of it, but especially newer releases which include:

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Title: Ocean with David Attenborough

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Year: 2025

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How to watch: Disney+, others for rental 

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What is this film about? This National Geographic special uses the latest technology to bring us close to the wonders of our Earth’s ocean worlds. 

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Why did you like it? Why should someone else see it? I was especially impressed by the camera footage of the deep (very deep!) canyons of the Seamounts, including the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (NCSNM), designated by President Obama in 2016. Located about 130 miles off Cape Cod, MA, it is the only marine national monument in the U.S. Atlantic, and an important site of scientific research by Mystic Aquarium and Woods Hole, among others. NCSNM is currently threatened by the Trump administration’s Presidential Proclamation 11009 "Unleashing Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic" that reopens commercial fishing on these protected waters. This film clearly shows the devastating impacts of industrial fishing and global warming on marine life.

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Title: Planet Earth III

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Year: 2023

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How to watch: PBS.org, PBS Sir David Attenborough

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What is this film about? The latest in the acclaimed series on animals and their habitats in a changing world.

 

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Title: David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

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Year: 2020

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How to watch: Netflix

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What is this film about? This biographical documentary is a personal and reflective message of hope about the future of our natural world. 

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We now have a better understanding of the natural world than ever. We know how best to protect it for future generations. I can only hope that we will.  - Sir David Attenborough

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From Joanne Cafiero

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Title: The Little Things that Run the World  

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Info of note (director, cast): Directed by Doug Hawes-Davis and Dru Carr; Production Company: High Plains Films

 

Year: 2025

 

How to watch: YouTube, Bullfrog Films

 

What is this film about? This 105 minute documentary focuses on the critical role of insects and invertebrates in ecosystem sustainability and their rapid decline. The film explores the urgent need to understand and reverse the extinction crisis facing these small organisms.

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Why did you like it? Why should someone else see it? 

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It is profound both in its relevance to the decrease in biodiversity but also in its prescient nature. This is probably the most important film on biodiversity and the risk we as humans are facing because of our damage to it.

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From Christine Feely

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Here’s a great film that I can heartily recommend.

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Title: The Biggest Little Farm

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Info of note (director, cast): John Chester, documentary filmmaker, and his wife, Molly.

 

Year: 2018

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How to watch: YouTube, Fandango at Home, Google TV, Apple+ (OK, Amazon Prime too, but I don't use Amazon)

What is this film about? John and Molly Chester transform a depleted, arid, industrial farm into a diverse wildlife habitat and working farm over the course of 7 years. 

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Why did you like it? Why should someone else see it? Their ambition, the tremendous effort it took, the setbacks (a plague of large snails is one), and the beauty and bounty of the farm that resulted from the efforts is amazing. Their belief in the importance of restoring a diverse ecosystem and the amount of sheer hard work is remarkable, and the results of their work and perseverance are inspiring. (Also, there are dogs!)