biography – Anomalous Cinema

The Mauritanian (2021)

December 5, 2025December 4, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is a dramatized version of the story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a Mauritanian man who was imprisoned for years with no charge in Guantanamo Bay. Critics did not like this film for some reason. I found it to be very effective. All performances were great, particularly the lead played by Tahar Rahim (from the previously recommended A Prophet). Things get surprisingly dark and weird during the interrogation segments. Some of the torture used was shocking even compared to what made the news at the time. It’s stunning that a human being endured it all. The Mauritanian is uncomfortable viewing, but I suggest you watch it anyway.

Available on Blu-ray from Universal.

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Love+War (2025)

November 28, 2025November 25, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

This excellent doc follows Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Lynsey Addario capturing the Ukraine war while looking back on her career. Both her photography and the video of her life look so alternately beautiful and potent the overall effect is mind blowing. This should come as no surprise as it is a National Geographic production. There is a lot of disturbing content, as Addario is a conflict photographer, but that is balanced with her family life. The mix makes Love+War a well rounded documentary that I highly recommend.

Not available on Blu-ray

Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg (2023)

September 19, 2025September 18, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

I first became aware of Anita Pallenberg from seeing the film Performance (1970) for the first time. I watched it on the IFC cable channel back in the ’90s, and they also aired the documentary Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance (1998). That doc truly expanded by understanding of the film, and about Pallenberg’s life at the time. Up until seeing Catching Fire, that was the extent of my knowledge of this person. There is so much more to know. What a life! Do yourself a favor and check out Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg, she’s someone every weirdo should know about. I also highly recommend you get a hold of the Criterion 4k / Blu-ray of Performance. It looks and sounds better than ever AND features a restored version of The Ultimate Performance.

Not available on Blu-ray

My Mom Jayne (2025)

July 4, 2025July 3, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

Mariska Hargitay does a deep exploration of the life of her mother Jayne Mansfield. What could have easily been a straightforward fluffy biographical documentary is anything but. Hargitay holds nothing back. Many uncomfortable facts are revealed over the runtime. I’d say if you have even a passing interest in the tragic life of Mansfield, you need to watch. This is heavy stuff, and handled very well by the director.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Insider (1999)

June 13, 2025September 18, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a dramatization of the true story of Jeffrey Wygand’s exposure of Big Tobacco in 1996. Yes, that does sound dull, but I just watched this for the first time recently and really enjoyed it. This is an intense and dark thriller that is well worth your time. It turns out that greedy corporations will go to extreme lengths to protect their interests. The more excessive retaliation by the bad guys has never been fully proven, but it all makes for a damn good film. Russell Crowe is at the top of his game here too.

Available on Blu-ray from Mill Creek

Gonzo (2008)

May 30, 2025August 29, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Hunter S. Thompson was one of America’s most iconoclastic writers, and his life of excess is legendary. This recommendation is for any of you readers that may only be slightly familiar with the man and his work. I personally rate his best writing on par with William S. Burroughs and Kurt Vonnegut. Aside from his books, Thompson made his life into a strange mix of comedy and performance art. There are far more of his antics on video than this documentary could contain, but thankfully most of them are available on YouTube (here’s a personal favorite). Gonzo is a solid overview of his life, and a fun watch too. I strongly suggest you read “Hell’s Angels” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” if you have not had the pleasure. Also if you haven’t seen Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing… adaptation, watch that before you read the book. I don’t think the other way around would be very satisfying.

Not available on Blu-ray.

SLY LIVES! (2025)

March 21, 2025March 20, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

(AKA The Burden of Black Genius) If you are already a fan of Sly and the Family Stone you have probably seen this. My recommendation is for those of you that know little or nothing about Sylvester Stewart or his music. This documentary is director Questlove’s follow up to the excellent Summer of Soul. Here he does a great job of mixing old footage with new interviews that together tell the story of Sly’s life and music. The good news is that there is no attempt to gloss over the negative aspects of the man’s behavior and bad decisions. You get the bad, the good, and everything in between. SLY LIVES! also manages to reveal larger truths about Black artists and the music industry. Even if you are not a fan of soul music, you are likely to enjoy seeing this film. I liked Sly and the Family Stone before, but have gained a much deeper appreciation after watching.

Not available on Blu-ray at this time, but you can pre-order the soundtrack here.

Nr. 24 (2024)

February 14, 2025February 13, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent docudrama on Gunnar Sønsteby, who worked his way up to be the leader of a group of resistance fighters in Norway during World War 2. He went on to become that country’s most decorated war hero. The film balances action, tension, drama, and ethical issues throughout in a really intelligent way. I found myself surprisingly invested in what was happening. Nr. 24 taught me about a part of WW2 history I was totally unaware of, and I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

The Imitation Game (2014)

January 10, 2025April 9, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I really try to avoid Oscar winners here, but this one is pretty damned Anomalous, so I’m giving it a pass. This is the dramatized version of Alan Turing’s battle to crack the Nazi Enigma code, as well as events that occurred after WW2. The man was a genius on an epic level, and his complicated story is well handled in this film. As usual with historical movies, there are several factual errors, but none that are unforgivable. I am just happy Turing’s tale has been told in a way that reached a large audience. I avoided watching The Imitation Game for years because it is a PG-13 drama. That was a mistake, as I definitely appreciated seeing it recently, and I hope that you will give it a try.

Available on Blu-ray from Starz / Anchor Bay.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

December 6, 2024March 6, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I don’t play video games anymore, but as a kid growing up in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s I sure as hell did. Many hours of my young life were burned up playing stand up video games in the mall or the 7-11 near my house. I’m not exactly proud of this, but it does bring back fuzzy memories. Anyhow, this is a fantastic documentary about folks that compete on vintage arcade games. The director has managed to make King of Kong far more entertaining than it has any right to be. It helps that our “hero” is a charming nerd, and his nemesis is a weirdo egomaniac that is straight out of an ‘80s teen movie. They battle over the title of The King of Donkey Kong, and it is a ton of fun to watch. You get some good background on the arcade game craze too. If you want even more related history, you should also check out the doc Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade.

Not available on Blu-ray.