Tag: documentary

El testigo (2018)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (in Spanish – no subtitles – sorry)

In this excellent documentary journalist Jesús Abad Colorado revisits his photographs of the war in Colombia and the people connected to those images. There is as a lot of darkness and some hope to be seen. The only potential flaw of this film is that it’s rather short. Considering how so many movies are unnecessarily over two hours long, maybe it shouldn’t be considered a flaw to be less than 90 minutes. This feels like it was edited down just right. At the time I am writing this, El testigo has zero critic or user reviews on IMDb. That’s a damn shame as I give this doc my most enthusiastic recommendation.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures (2016)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent documentary on controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. His work was primarily in the academic art world, but also filtered into commercial and fashion photography. I have been a fan of the artists’ work for most of my life, so I obviously loved this film (I watched it twice when it came out). I give Look at the Pictures a perfect score. WARNING: some of Mapplethorpe’s work is extremely sexually graphic, so squares should stay far away.

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 Silence of Others (2018)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is an outstanding documentary on the victims of Franco’s regime in Spain (1939 – 1975). I knew next to nothing about the horrors that went on during this period, so this was a real eye opener. Yes this movie is depressing. However it is very well made, and contains a ton of important human stories. It’s crucial to learn about the dark aspects of history that are hidden. Still to this day many people in Spain do not want this period brought up at all, including those in power. Do the victims a small favor and learn about what happened.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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I Know What I Saw (2009)

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No high resolution image was available, so I improvised – ha ha.

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Most shows and movies about UFO / AEP sightings are unwatchable cheese. They use spooky music, melodramatic narration, and very little actual evidence. Well, this is the polar opposite, in fact I Know What I Saw is a very convincing documentary. The quality could be a little better, but honestly the information is so compelling it doesn’t matter. This film focuses on intelligently presented details from reputable sources. I’m not going into further detail, but if you want to remain a UFO skeptic, do not watch this 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.

Phil Tippett: Mad Dreams and Monsters (2019)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent doc on the man behind so much amazing creature / FX design and stop motion animation, including the OG Star Wars trilogy, RoboCop 1 and 2, Starship Troopers, Jurassic Park and much more. I had no clue the depth of his career until seeing this film. It also covers a bit of his passion project Mad God (recommended).

Bonus: Many short films mentioned in the doc, including the fantastic Prehistoric Beast, plus tons of behind the scenes videos, are on Phil Tippett’s YouTube channel.

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.

Girl in the Picture (2022)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

A young woman is murdered, her son is kidnapped, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg in this very disturbing crime documentary. It’s based on two books by Matt Birkbeck, A Beautiful Child and Finding Sharon. I’ve heard that they are arguably superior to this film, so if you’re a true crime buff you may just want to read those instead. Girl in the Picture is a well constructed doc, and the overall look of the movie is very good. You get your usual bits of true crime reenactment, but they’re not too bothersome here. WARNING – things just keep getting more and more dark as it moves along, so if you’re on the sensitive side stay away.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

The Z Channel was an early pay cable network that was very much like the current Criterion Channel (but began years before Criterion was even releasing laser discs). The story of it’s rise and fall, plus the channel’s influence is fascinating. You also get the tragic story of programming chief Jerry Harvey. I first saw this back when the movie was originally shown on the IFC cable channel. I never would have thought this doc would get remastered and made available again, but I’m glad it was. The filmmakers managed to get so many great interview subjects it’s amazing. The segments with Tarantino are particularly interesting. I didn’t understand the depth and range of his cinema obsession before seeing this movie. If you love independent and arthouse cinema, this documentary is essential viewing. I recall chasing down titles I hadn’t seen for years after.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art (2020)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is a documentary about $80 million in forged abstract expressionist art that was sold through a major NY art dealer. If you have little to no interest in art, then this will bore the hell out of you. I found it to be very well made, and engaging throughout. It is mostly one-on-one interviews, peppered with some high quality documentary photos and appropriate video / film footage. Oh yeah and there’s that one element that you’ll see in 99% of contemporary documentaries… the animation. There seems to be a rule that there MUST be at least one section featuring animation in every doc. It’s as if there’s a big scary enforcer that shows up in the editing process and says “I ain’t seen no cartoons in dis here picture yet” while showing the director his bloodstained baseball bat. I get why documentary makers feel it’s necessary, but it’s become a cliche. If you just have to do it, please do something really interesting like the animation in Gimmie Danger. Sorry, I had to get that out. Where was I? Ok, here’s why Made You Look is worth your time: you get to learn about rich and powerful people becoming victims of their own stupidity and greed. Enjoy the schadenfreude my friends.

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.

I Am Divine (2013)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Here’s a very well made documentary on John Waters’ muse Divine (Glenn Milstead). The film does not hesitate to show the raunchy stuff, which is great, but they also interview his mother, and show several thoughtful archival interviews with Divine. I’d even call it “sweet” overall. I appreciate that it’s edited to keep the viewer engaged, and gives a thorough picture of his career, and life, in a tight 90 minutes. There’s plenty of exclusive interviews with John Waters, and many of Milstead’s co-stars. I learned things, and was entertained. You will be too.

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.

Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time (2021)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a very good documentary on one of the 20th Century’s most important and iconoclastic writers. It also deals with the struggle that Robert B. Weide (Curb Your Enthusiasm) had in making the film over the course of decades. He co-directed this with Don Argott, the man that brought us Last Days Here and Art of the Steal (all of his films are worth seeing). There was a ton of stories and footage to fit in here, so the movie feels a tiny bit long. However it’s all very well edited together, and absolutely worth your time. If you’re a fan of Vonnegut’s work, you will be delighted. I have been for many years, and I learned a lot.

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.