Tag: history

The Impossible (2012)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Here is a drama based on the real-life 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that killed over 200,000 people. I watched this one shortly after it came out on my little iPod Touch during a flight. I remember appreciating it at the time, I rated it 8/10, but I was a little reluctant to recommend it here because of the small screen I viewed it on, and the heavy use of older CG. I just rewatched a bit of it on my current 4K TV and noted that the CG isn’t flawless, but it still looks convincing. I think The Impossible does an effective job at dealing with this disaster and does not fail to graphically show how grim it was. If you can handle the heavy subject matter, can endure some big-budget melodrama, and aren’t a CG snob, I think you will get into this.

I’d like to close this recommendation on a serious note. One of the victims of this tragedy was Swedish grindcore musician and producer Mieszko Talarczyk. His band Nasum is a personal favorite, and his production on the album “Murderworks” by Rotten Sound is arguably perfect. I know he is still missed by thousands of friends and fans. RIP Mieszko.

Available on Blu-ray from Lionsgate.

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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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Argentina, 1985 (2022)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a historical drama about the trial of the men responsible for Argentina’s “Dirty War.” Between 1974 and 1983 over 20,000 people considered part of the opposition to the military dictatorship were disappeared. Lead actor Ricardo Darín (The Secret in their Eyes, Nine Queens) is excellent as the chief prosecutor, but all the performances are top notch. Argentina, 1985 is simply a fantastic and riveting courtroom drama that deserved its win of the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Chalk this up to another movie that shined a light on a mostly overlooked chapter of world history.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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The Captain (2017)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

My friend David recommended this one to me out of the blue. Wow. I have no idea how The Captain escaped me when it came out, but I was very glad to finally experience it. Well maybe “glad” is a poor choice of words. This is the dramatized story of real life German army deserter Willi Herold who just happens to get his hands on a captain’s uniform. He manages to fool enough people to cause a ton of mayhem in the last two weeks of WW2. Not good mayhem either. Yet somehow this dark as hell film manages to be funny at times too. If you’re not scared of some bleak fact-based viewing, give this one a try.

Available on Blu-ray from Music Box Films

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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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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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The Insider (1999)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a dramatization of the true story of Jeffrey Wygand’s exposure of Big Tobacco in 1996. Yes, that does sound dull, but I just watched this for the first time recently and really enjoyed it. This is an intense and dark thriller that is well worth your time. It turns out that greedy corporations will go to extreme lengths to protect their interests. The more excessive retaliation by the bad guys has never been fully proven, but it all makes for a damn good film. Russell Crowe is at the top of his game here too.

Available on Blu-ray from Mill Creek

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Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes (2022)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

The Chernobyl mini-series got a ton of well-deserved attention. However I have a feeling that only a small fraction of viewers also watched this fantastic documentary. It is just as sad and grim as you can imagine, but I think this is essential viewing for anyone not afraid to look at the dark side of history. I am astonished this was even made, as the sheer amount of source film and video footage must have been daunting. Director James Jones and crew did an amazing job assembling a tasteful and coherent documentary that succeeds in making the story of the Chernobyl disaster comprehensible. 

BONUS: You can watch an interview with the director discussing the making of the film here.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Nr. 24 (2024)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent docudrama on Gunnar Sønsteby, who worked his way up to be the leader of a group of resistance fighters in Norway during World War 2. He went on to become that country’s most decorated war hero. The film balances action, tension, drama, and ethical issues throughout in a really intelligent way. I found myself surprisingly invested in what was happening. Nr. 24 taught me about a part of WW2 history I was totally unaware of, and I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

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.