Tag: documentary

A Revolution on Canvas (2023)

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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.

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The Territory (2022)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

In this documentary indigenous people struggle to save their protected land in the Brazilian rainforest. It also shows the other players involved so you get an overall understanding of what is going on. This is a gorgeously shot movie, so much so that National Geographic acquired it. As you would expect, things get very heavy towards the end. You might be tempted to avoid The Territory for your own comfort. You should watch it anyway. Sometimes the truth hurts. Mildly painful awareness is better than comfortable ignorance in my book.

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.

Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (2021)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | no real trailer available – sorry

I grew up in the ‘70s and early ‘80s so Bob Ross was very familiar to me. In fact when I took up oil painting I used some of his videos to help me get started (no happy little anything was painted by my hands though). I knew very little about the man other than his TV show. Wowza this documentary was an eye opener. It turns out Bob was a pretty dynamic person, and the drama around his “empire” and legacy is infuriating but weirdly compelling. Seriously. This movie is a lot more fascinating than you would ever imagine. You will never joke about Bob Ross Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia Pets ever again.

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.

Navalny (2022)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

This recommendation is for those of you that did not see this before Alexei Navalny’s death. The importance of this documentary cannot be understated. Navalny was Vladimir Putin’s strongest critic in Russia and it cost him everything. The filmmakers managed make a thoughtful and intelligent doc that also holds your attention. It’s heavy stuff, but has some surprisingly entertaining moments too.

Not available on domestic 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.

Fire of Love (2022)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a beautiful documentary on the lives and work of a married couple of volcanologists. Dull? No way. Their story and the stunning footage they captured make this essential viewing. It sounds great too, especially if you have a subwoofer.

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.

They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is Peter Jackson’s documentary on World War I using restored historic film footage. That sounds pretty dull, but trust me people, that definitely not the case. Jackson used every bit of technology available at the time to make the images look as if they were shot recently, including adding accurate color, sound, and dialog. This all makes the WWI footage far more real and visceral than anything seen before. The process of restoration itself is very engaging on its own, and the end results are stunning. I give this doc a 10 out of 10.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Archives.

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.

Collective (2019)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This bleak documentary starts with a devastating fire at the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest, then goes into the corrupt Romanian healthcare system and the evil elements that support it. The footage of the fire is horrifying, but things get even worse as you see what happens to hospitalized survivors. This doc is not uplifting in any way whatsoever, but shows the importance of investigative journalism. It is also extremely well constructed. Collective is a film most would be unwilling to watch, but I rank it among the most essential issue-oriented documentary movies of the last ten years.

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.

Sr. (2022)

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Streaming on Netflix in 4K UHD | imdb | trailer

Chris Smith is one of my favorite documentarians, and while this is not his best, it’s well worth watching. Robert Downey Sr. directed some of the edgiest American films of the ‘70s (Greaser’s Palace is highly Anomalous viewing). You get to learn all about his career and about his relationship with his much more famous son. Things get a bit fluffy for my taste, but really overall, Sr. is a very good film. Hey Netflix, where is Senior’s version of the movie?!?!

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.

Life of Crime 1984-2020 (2021)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

This is an extremely powerful documentary that compiles the first two parts of the HBO series with a 2020 conclusion. The lives and struggles of drug addicts are shown first hand over the course of 36 years. Yes, it’s just as depressing as you would imagine. I often try to recommend films that I think people SHOULD see, not just fun-time entertainment. Not only should you watch Life of Crime, I think it should be shown to every high school kid in America. Maybe there would be a few less tragic stories like these.

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.

President (2021)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a documentary on the 2018 presidential election in Zimbabwe. 40 year old Nelson Chamisa runs against the corrupt candidate the followed ousted dictator Robert Mugabe. I had a vague recollection of events from BBC News at the time, but otherwise went in cold. That is probably the best way to watch this movie for maximum impact. If you think things were crazy in the last couple of US elections, wait until you see this. Events get very intense. President is an important experience, but definitely not a pleasant one. However I prefer to look at the world with my eyes open. If you don’t, go watch a superhero movie.

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.