documentary – Page 2 – Anomalous Cinema

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.

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Lakota Nation vs. United States (2022)

January 24, 2025May 1, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent documentary on the Lakota Indians fight to reclaim The Black Hills. I was reasonably aware of this struggle, but still learned a lot here. The way the movie is constructed is really quite an achievement. Beautiful footage, poetic narration, and seriously detailed history, all combine for a moving experience. This is information that EVERY American should learn.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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.

Baghdad ER (2006)

November 22, 2024November 22, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Max | imdb | no trailer available

This is a short but excellent documentary filmed during The Iraq War. It is extremely graphic right from the start, so if you are squeamish you will want to stay far away. The filmmakers managed to make a very honest and objective film, that avoids bullshit politics, and just tells the story of a frontline hospital and the people in it. There are moments that are legitimately poetic here too. I give Baghdad ER a 10/10.

Not available on Blu-ray.

Surviving Edged Weapons (1988)

October 4, 2024October 3, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on YouTube | imdb (current rating 8.4!!!) | (Funny Clip – not the trailer)

This is a documentary made for the police that is surprisingly entertaining for civilians. The people who produced it somehow did not realize that the majority of this video is hilarious and ridiculous. The historical and reenactment scenes will leave you in amused disbelief. There is some good info peppered in there too, so you’ll be more prepared for your next street fight. Amazingly Surviving Edged Weapons also features famed martial artist Dan Inosanto, who you may have seen in Big Trouble in Little China (or a bunch of lesser films). This video does show some pretty gruesome real-life injuries so don’t watch if you can’t handle that. Everyone else please enjoy this slab of inadvertently entertaining Anomalous Cinema.

Not available on Blu-ray.

Donyale Luna: Supermodel (2023)

September 20, 2024September 19, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

Here is a really good documentary on the life and career of a model that I was totally unfamiliar with before. Luna had a groundbreaking career in late ‘60s Europe but was passed over for big opportunities in the USA because she was black. Her lack of a larger success was part of what led to her tragic end. This is a movie that I chose specifically because it is off the beaten path and shines a light on a human story that is worth knowing about. At this time there are very few user or critic reviews on IMDb, which I find terribly sad. Challenge yourself to watch this film and learn a little something, instead of turning your brain off with simple entertainment. Anomalous Cinema is often not easy cinema. Donyale Luna is a person worth knowing about, and this is a very well made movie that is absolutely worth your time.

Not available on Blu-ray.

Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (2017)

August 30, 2024August 29, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | No YouTube trailer available (sorry)

I was only just barely aware of Joan Didion before seeing this documentary. That is precisely why I am recommending it here. I watched the film and then read her non-fiction work “Slouching Towards Bethlehem.” That book was a real revelation and I am looking forward to reading more. Fun fact: The Center Will Not Hold was directed by Didion’s nephew Griffin Dunne (American Werewolf in London, After Hours, etc).

Not available on Blu-ray.

The Salt of the Earth (2014)

July 12, 2024October 18, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent documentary on photographer Sebastião Salgado. Famed director Wim Wenders co-directed the film with the man himself. Salgado’s work is in a powerful documentary style that can be touchingly beautiful. However his self-assigned protects often shine a light on victims of progress, famine, genocide, and war. Yes all this is very heavy, but I give the film a 10 out of 10, and consider it essential viewing. Art combined with journalism can reveal a deeper understanding of the human condition and bring attention to hidden truths. Don’t look away.

Available on Blu-ray from Sony Pictures.

Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV (2023)

April 30, 2024May 3, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Nam June Paik was the king of video art back in its infancy. Every major art museum owns his work, and much of it still looks impressive today. This doc does a good job of reviewing his life and career. It does feel a little long, but there’s so much information to get across that the runtime is justifiable. This inspiring documentary is essential viewing for anyone interested in visual art. Using Steven Yeun (Beef, Nope, etc) for the voiceovers is a nice bonus too.

Not available on Blu-ray.

A Revolution on Canvas (2023)

April 26, 2024April 23, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

Sorry I got my wires crossed and have done two Max posts in a row. I will do my best to avoid that in the future.

The Iranian visual artist Nickzad Nodjoumi exhibited 100+ artworks at the beginning of Ayatollah Kohmeni’s reign in 1981. He had to flee the country due to controversy the exhibition stirred up, and his work has been held by the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art ever since. This documentary was made by his daughter and deals with Nickzad’s life, career, family, as well as his attempt to reclaim his work. I was unfamiliar with the artist before seeing the film and I am now a fan. His art is often dark, brave, and scathingly critical, but always beautiful. The story of his family is engrossing as well. I tip my hat to Max for releasing this film. I learned things, and so will you.

Not available on Blu-ray.