Tag: documentary

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

I’m breaking my rule about Criterion yet again, but this is a film I believe everyone should see. All the Beauty… is an excellent documentary on visual artist Nan Goldin and her fight against the family behind OxyContin. I once saw an interview with artist Anselm Kiefer where he was asked if art can cause meaningful change in the world. He said no. I love Kiefer’s work, but Nan proved him dead wrong.

Available on Blu-ray from Criterion.

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Ghost Elephants (2025)

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Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

At first I was a little skeptical about the latest Werner Herzog documentary. It focuses on Steve Boyes’ search for the largest living species of elephant. At the beginning of the film I wondered how this strange scientist and his quest could possibly hold my attention for the run time. Naturally Herzog saw something that normal humans cannot, and by the end I was wishing the movie was longer. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I’ll just say if you watch, do it with caution. There is a bit of disturbing animal footage, including very graphic antique film of an elephant hunt. There’s also some flat out gross living nature moments that had me cringing. If that warning doesn’t scare you off, you’re in for a deeply moving cinematic experience.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

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Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

Detroit singer songwriter Rodriguez put out two albums in the early ‘70s and then disappeared. His music never found an audience in the USA, but it turns out he was very popular in South Africa. Two die hard fans from there get together to track down this mysterious musician. Did he really kill himself on stage? If not, what made him stop performing? They find out, and it’s a fascinating journey. I was unfamiliar with Rodriquez until just recently, and I was pleasantly surprised at how truly good his music is. In spite of that, I don’t think you need to be a fan of edgy folk music to appreciate this documentary.

Available on Blu-ray from Sony.

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Genocide (1982)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

As you know, I avoid recommending Oscar winners, but this one was not on my radar at all, so I bet you missed it too. This is a very well made documentary on The Holocaust narrated by Orson Welles and Elizabeth Taylor. The art direction and use of animation is flat out excellent. I also learned some things I did not know, in spite of being relatively well educated on the subject. Genocide is rated PG, but does feature a lot of extremely graphic images. I suggest you don’t look away. This is a part of history that every person should know about, and learn from.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Cover Up (2025)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is a gripping documentary on the career of investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. You may know him from such scandals as the My Lai massacre, Watergate, and torture at Abu Graib prison, among many others. His name is not as well known as some who reported on these stories, but he was the reason they didn’t remain covered up. I found this a fascinating watch. It also benefits from an excellent ambient experimental score by Maya Shenfeld. This doc is very graphic at times, so if you’re squeamish about images of real-life violence, stay away.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Love+War (2025)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | 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

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State of Silence (2024)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Here is a seriously heavy documentary on Mexican journalists working against drug cartels and government corruption. The brave people featured here I found to be incredibly inspiring. This whole film is informative and extremely well constructed. The director opted to use artistic live action shots instead of the usual bullshit documentary animation. I wish more movies in this category would do the same. State of Silence would have been a rock solid film if it had a standard ominous synthesizer score, but no… they got BEAK> to do the music. If you are not familiar with the band, check out their latest studio album here, and a digital version of the excellent score here. I saw them live earlier this year and they cemented the fact that they are one of my favorite current music groups. I was impressed that the score was mixed tastefully low, the director must have been tempted to have it be more prominent. I give this film a 10/10, and strongly encourage you to watch in spite of the difficult subject matter.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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The Alabama Solution (2025)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent documentary on how inmates from multiple prisons in Alabama united to fight against abusive conditions. It is definitely a rough watch because of footage of horrific abuse and institutional conditions alone. On top of that, seeing the way that Alabama’s government has gamed their prison system is absolutely infuriating. Need I say this is not a movie for everyone? If you are not afraid to learn about some dark truths for the sake of greater knowledge, I highly recommend this doc. I also highly recommend you stay the hell away from Alabama if possible.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg (2023)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | 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

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Desolation Center (2018)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Stuart Swezey is an important figure in my life. When I was 18 I rented the found footage VHS compilation Amok Assault and it blew my fucking mind. Check it out for yourself on Internet Archive but proceed with caution. The pictures are very graphic and you may not want to watch. Anyhow, Amok started as an infamous LA book store and then began publishing books. My favorite title is “Amok Journal: Sensurround Edition” which is somewhat like Amok Assault in book form. Mr. Swezey opened my eyes to a strata of counter culture that I didn’t know existed. Little did I know that years before Amok existed he also organized three legendary music and performing arts events as Desolation Center. I was much too young and far away to witness any of these happenings in person. Thankfully this amazing human being directed a pretty much flawless documentary on the whole story. I will make it simple for you… If you are interested in counter culture in any way, this movie is mandatory viewing. Thank you Stuart.

Not available on Blu-ray BUT you can get a DVD and other merch here.

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 or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.