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Top Picks: Ken Burns' 'Jackie Robinson,' 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' on DVD and Blu-ray, and more

Michelle Obama helps bring musicians together for the fundraising song 'This Is for My Girls,' National Geographic's series 'The Story of God' explores unifying and differing beliefs across religion and science, and more top picks.

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  • By Staff

Seeking answers

Why does the human race believe what it does about God, life, and death? Morgan Freeman narrates National Geographic’s six-part series The Story of God, which explores unifying and differing beliefs across religion and science. The series debuted April 3 with “Beyond Death” and will encore on April 10 at 8 p.m. before the second episode, “Apocalypse,” airs at 9 p.m. on the National Geographic cable channel.

Concord Music

Sparkle and magic

Innovative jazz pianist Hiromi and The Trio Project, with guitarist Anthony Jackson and drummer Simon Phillips, have combined their unquestionable artistic chemistry to deliver Spark. Energetic and effusive, “Spark” also has an ethereal quality to it, particularly “Wake Up and Dream” – a seamless combination of Hiromi’s classical training and innovation, which has made her one of today’s most exciting jazz performers. 

Support girls

With the new track This Is for My Girls, music fans can check out a great song that’s also for a good cause. Diane Warren of the Oscar-nominated track “Til It Happens to You” penned the song, and the revenue benefits the Let Girls Learn program, a joint initiative by first lady Michelle Obama and the Peace Corps that assists young women in seeking secondary education. “This Is for My Girls,” featuring such singers as Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monáe, and Missy Elliott, is available on iTunes. 

Baseball history

Documentary master Ken Burns co-directs a new look at baseball player Jackie Robinson with the program Jackie Robinson. The two-part series tells the story of Robinson’s life, from his going up against segregation at a movie theater as a teenager to becoming the first African-American player in the major leagues in the 20th century. The program debuts on PBS April 11 at 9 p.m.

‘Star Wars’ at home

The newest return to a galaxy far, far away pleased fans and critics, and now viewers can watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens in their own home. Like the original “Star Wars” films, this new installment has spirit and inventiveness. New actors, such as Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, star alongside franchise veterans, including Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray on April 5. 

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