Tag: documentary

Sad Hill Unearthed (2017)

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You will need to see The Good, the Bad and the Ugly before you watch this, as fans restore the set from the climax of the film. I had my doubts that this would be interesting, especially since it opens with Metallica in concert. I’m a die hard fan of the Cliff Burton years and not into much of their output since, some of which is downright shameful. The band is included because they have used the featured scene as their live opening video for a long time. I saw the tour they first used it, and yes, it was very effective. James Hetfield actually does say some very thoughtful things in this movie too. Anyhow, I had forgotten how big and beautifully designed the Sad Hill set was, and this documentary goes into a lot of detail about it. None of it is dull, and by the end, it all gets surprisingly emotional. They also talk about the making of the movie in general, so if you’re a fan, this is a must-see. I was psyched to see Sergio Salvati interviewed in this as well. He’s why the classic Lucio Fulci movies look so good. My only real complaint is that the filmmakers animated almost all of the still photographs. I despise that technique. Leave photos alone people! Ahem… In spite of a couple of blemishes, this is a damn good documentary.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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Witkin & Witkin (2017)

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Joel Peter Witkin is an influential photographer while his twin brother Jerome is a less celebrated, but excellent painter. This documentary talks about their lives, relationship, and a Mexico City exhibition of both artists’ work. Witkin & Witkin is not for sensitive viewers as it contains a lot of nudity, people with deformities, and dead bodies which make up the majority of Joel’s photographs, as well as some of Jerome’s source material. Overall this is a well made and revealing film that should appeal to anyone interested in contemporary visual art with a dark edge.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno (2009)

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Henri-Georges Clouzot is responsible of two of my favorite European movies of the ’50s, The Wages of Fear and Diabolique. In 1964 he was given a huge budget to create an experimental drama combining his usual black and white photography with candy-colored hallucinatory sequences. The bad news is, pretty much everything went wrong, and the film was never completed. The good news is, we have this fantastic documentary. This is worth watching to see the trippy color scenes alone, but the rest of the story is absolutely engrossing as well. If you’d like to see another excellent unfinished movie, check out Andrzej Zulawski’s On the Sliver Globe.

Blu-ray available from Arrow Academy.

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The Rape of Europa (2006)

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We all know Hitler was an asshole. Did you know that the cherry on top of his asshole behavior was stealing and destroying great works of art? It’s true. You can learn all about it in this excellent documentary. I honestly give The Rape of Europa my highest recommendation.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Mosul (Documentary – 2019)

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This is a flat-out excellent documentary on the Iraqi fight against ISIS in 2016-17. The camera is actually IN the battle at one point. Need I say that squeamish folks should avoid this one? Nah. You know that by now. As harsh as this films is, it’s a real eye opener, and highly recommended.

Available on Blu-ray from Gravitas Ventures.

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Last Breath (2019)

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This is a very good documentary about a saturation diving accident. That may sound boring, but this is a seriously intense viewing experience. The movie is very well made, including excellent moody soundtrack work. I’ll be steering clear of any under sea adventures, thank you very much.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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For Sama (2019)

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I do my best to avoid Academy Award nominated films, but this documentary is just too good to not share. Almost every bit of footage was shot by one woman during the fall of Aleppo, Syria. Right off the bat, if you are squeamish or sensitive to real life violence and/or emergency medical footage, skip this one. It is brutal at times, but manages to be very uplifting in the end. I am blown away by how courageous Waad al-Kateab and her family are. Do not miss this movie.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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An Honest Liar (2014)

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The Amazing Randi was a stage magician, escape artist, and enemy of all paranormal fakers. The man’s life story is enhanced by a few totally unexpected turns. I was entertained, and I learned a thing or two. R.I.P. Randi.

Available on Blu-ray from Passion River.

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Sergio (2009)

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Here’s a sad but informative doc about the life and death of UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello. I was skeptical of the importance of this man at first, but it becomes clear quickly that he was trying to make the world a better place. Sergio was murdered in a bombing in Iraq, and the filmmakers do not shy away from the disturbing details. Netflix produced a dramatization of this story, it did not get good reviews, so I am going to stick with this very good documentary.

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.