Top 10: Documentaries

For this week's installment into the 'Top 10' canon, I'm taking a look at some of the best documentary features I've ever seen. Documentaries have a special ability to give their audiences a view at a real subject in the real world, and the best ones will still prove to be just as entertaining - and often times more informative - as their scripted counterparts.

My days of watching documentaries are relatively small as I've only recently (as in, the past few years) gotten into the habit of giving them a view. At the current moment, that will be reflected in this particular list. You'll notice that most of the inclusions are recent pictures, but that shouldn't deter you from giving any of them a view. And as with my other 'Top 10' lists, this one will be ever-changing based off the new films I see.

And so, without any further delay, here's a look at the top ten documentaries I have ever seen:


10. Zombie Girl: The Movie (2009)

Over the years, the making of a number of films has been chronicled through documentary features, but I'm not quite sure that any has taken on the task of displaying the directorial debut of a twelve-year-old girl. When Emily Hagins started working on her zombie flick, Pathogen, a crew of documentarians took interest and gave the world an insight into the making of her first feature-length venture. What results is an honest look at the world of independent filmmaking, and it's going to make you root for Hagins from start to finish.

9. Cropsey (2010)

Billed as a documentary that delves into the concepts of urban mythology, Cropsey ultimately proves to be a blend of the documentary, courtroom and horror genres. By taking the real-life events of missing children cases in Staten Island, filmmakers Barbara Brancaccio and Joshua Zeman create an always-engaging piece that's going to leave you wondering. It's going to haunt you for a while, and I think that was the film's intention all along.

8. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)

Speaking of films that are going to stay with you... Dear Zachary is one of the most emotionally exhausting films you are ever going to see. It tells the tragic story of one man's attempt to create a film for the infant son of his late best friend, who was murdered in cold blood. Although you always know it's a documentary, Dear Zachary is edited in a way that it almost seems like a dramatic thriller. What makes it so emotionally responsive is the fact that it is a true story. I'd dare anyone to try and watch this without shedding a tear or two.

7. Waking Sleeping Beauty (2010)

Many of my readers will know that I'm a bit of a Disney fanatic, and when given the opportunity to watch a documentary about Disney, you'll be sure I'll jump right in. Add the fact that this particular gem follows the brilliance of the Disney Animation "renaissance" period, which created films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, and you've got yourself the makings of something that everyone in my generation is going to love and enjoy.

6. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

I've never been much of a video gamer, but I do tend to enjoy your classic arcade games. The King of Kong showcases a number of hardcore gamers attempting to stamp their name in the record books as the best of the original "Donkey Kong" arcade game. What makes this film so engaging is the fact that, despite it being a documentary, we're given a clear protagonist and antagonist. We know who we want to cheer for and who we want to root against, and that makes it all the more entertaining and emotionally powerful.

5. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

One of the first documentaries I ever watched based off its critical merit, Exit Through the Gift Shop took me into a world I knew nothing about and made me care about it immensely. It tells a very interesting story about one man's dream to become one with the street artists around the world, and he manages to do so, even if it means bringing the art down to his own level. With a finale that's going to evoke a number of emotions, this one's definitely one to keep your eye on.

4. The People vs. George Lucas (2010)

Any fan of Star Wars is going to want to take a look at this particular endeavor. It managed to capture my own personal feelings about George Lucas and his take on the original films in comparison to the more recent prequel trilogy. We're seeing a very strong love-hate relationship from fans in relation to Lucas, and I think that these emotions carry quite well throughout the film. Once again, if you love Star Wars and you haven't seen The People vs. George Lucas, do yourself a favor and watch it right now.

3. Jesus Camp (2006)

Although this film was released in 2006, it took me a few years before I actually sat down and gave it a view. Having spent nearly eight years working with the teenage youth program at my own church, I was shocked to see just how differently some organizations and religions take their camps. Of all the films on this particular list, Jesus Camp might be one of the most horrific. It's going to leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, but I think that's just what the filmmakers intended. It's a hard watch, but in a way, it might be a necessary one.

2. The Bridge (2006)

When I re-watched this film last night, it spurred me to create this particular list. The subject of suicide is generally taboo and often times off-limits, but The Bridge handles it with the grace and respect it rightfully deserves. It's not an easy film to watch - you're going to see snippets of jumpers plunging to their deaths - but if you can stomach that, then the stories from family and friends should shed a lot of light on the emotions that people face when suicide enters their lives.

1. The Cove (2009)

Arguably the most angering and emotional documentary I've ever seen, The Cove details the story of a rag-tag group of activists attempting to shut down the dolphin slaughters in Taiji, Japan. To do this, they covertly set up a number of cameras in the cove where the slaughter takes place in order to show the world the atrocities that occur each year. All animal lovers beware: you see the slaughter in full, and that was the film's desire all along. The images may be horrifying, but they may be the only way to pull people into action in order to stop this annual act.


And that concludes my 'Top 10' list of the best documentaries I've ever seen. I hope you enjoyed it! Check back next Tuesday for the next list!

Top 10 Films of 2009

The year is 2009, and a lot has happened in the movie world. To help take you back in time, here's a look back at some of the film-related events that took place:

The Academy announces that their Best Picture field will now hold ten nominees, marking the first time the category has had more than five nominees since 1943.

Avatar becomes the year's highest-grossing film, earning over $2.78 billion at the worldwide box office.
The Hurt Locker wins the Academy Award for Best Picture as well as five other awards, including Best Director (Kathryn Bigelow) and Best Original Screenplay.

The world loses the likes of Patrick McGoohan, Natasha Richardson, Bea Arthur, Dom DeLuise, David Carradine, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, John Hughes, Patrick Swayze and Brittany Murphy.

I've been able to see 130 films released in 2009, and from those, I've compiled my own top ten list. As one can imagine, some great films had to be left off the final list. Here's a look at some of the movies (listed alphabetically) that just missed the cut:

Away We Go
The Hurt Locker
Mary and Max
Paranormal Activity
Zombieland

But enough about the runners-up; here's the list you've been waiting to see! Counting down from number ten to number one, I've listed each film and have given the principal cast list as well as if and how fared at the Academy Awards. Also, I've listed the film's rank on my "Best Films of All-Time" list, if applicable. So without any further delay, here's my top ten movies of 2009!

*****

10. The Secret of Kells
Rated: Not Rated
Directed by: Nora Twomey, Tomm Moore
Starring: Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Brendan Gleeson, Mick Lally
Academy Awards: 1 nomination
***
It took me a while to see this little Irish gem, but I have to say that it completely blew me away. From the highly original story to the beautifully-crafted animation, there's quite a bit to like about this film. We also get a clear sense of right versus wrong and good versus evil, and although this film does manage to delve into the darkness from time to time, there's always that beacon of light shining at the end of the tunnel. It's as emotionally and spiritually pleasing as it is visually astounding, and it's definitely worth a watch if you have the time.

*****

9. Up in the Air
Rated: R
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride
Academy Awards: 6 nominations
***
While many people were citing the social issues that Up in the Air posed to its audiences, I was getting lost in the spellbinding performance by Mr. George Clooney. For the first time that I could remember, he was shedding that oh-so-famous Clooney bravado, instead offering a more sensitive and vulnerable character to whom we could actually relate. It started a trend that's carried over to his work since, and although he's complemented well by great turns from Farmiga and Kendrick - as well as spot-on cameos from Zach Galifianakis and J.K. Simmons - it's Clooney's performance that really makes this one worth watching.

*****

8. Up
Rated: PG
Directed by: Bob Peterson, Pete Docter
Starring: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger
Academy Awards: 5 nominations, 2 wins
All-Time Ranking: 84
***
You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that leaves this sentimental Pixar classic off any top ten list, but I'm sure that I'm leaving a bit lower than most might expect. While I do accept its merit as a fantastic film, I don't think it's quite as good as other Pixar fare as WALL-E or Finding Nemo. The montage of Carl and Ellie's married life together is utterly spectacular, though, and it will always manage to bring tears to my eyes. It's arguably one of the greatest sequences of cinema I've ever seen, and I don't know whether that will change any time soon.

*****

7. Dark and Stormy Night
Rated: Larry Blamire
Directed by: Not Rated
Starring: Jim Beaver, Jennifer Blaire, Larry Blamire, Dan Conroy, Robert Deveau, Bruce French, Betty Garrett, Brian Howe, James Karen, Alison Martin, Fay Masterson, Susan McConnell, Kevin Quinn, Daniel Roebuck, Christine Romeo
All-Time Ranking: 72
***
From the people that brought us The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra comes a murder mystery in the same vein as 1985's Clue. Most of the cast from Cadavra is back, along with plenty of new faces to boot. Dark and Stormy Night offers a laugh a minute, and the pitch-perfect acting in this low-budget comedy only enhances the overall appeal. It's dorky in its own fantastic way, but it still manages to offer a decent, albeit rather predictable, twist.

*****

6. Brothers
Rated: R
Directed by: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bailee Madison, Carey Mulligan
All-Time Ranking: 71
***
A few people may end up scratching their heads about the inclusion of this film, but let me explain. While it may not have been terribly well-received by the critic community as a whole, I personally found Brothers to be a very honest look at post-traumatic stress. Tobey Maguire gives the best performance of his career, and it's frightening how good he actually is. When his character finally cracks and he lets loose, it's a devastating sight to behold, and I have never felt emotions during a movie like the ones I felt while I watched Brothers. It's that good. Also be on the watch for the young Bailee Madison and her great supporting role.

*****

5. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Rated: PG
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Wes Anderson
Academy Awards: 2 nominations
All-Time Ranking: 63
***
Wes Anderson's first foray into the realm of animated cinema was a "fantastic" success. His stop-motion adaptation of the children's novel of the same name offers laugh after laugh while keeping that quirky tone and feel that all of Anderson's previous films have held. Aided by a stellar vocal cast, Fantastic Mr. Fox is definitely not a film anyone should miss. It was vastly underrated when it first hit theaters and was overshadowed by the computer-generated efforts released around it.

*****

4. Moon
Rated: R
Directed by: Duncan Jones
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey
All-Time Ranking: 41
***
I've been a fan of Sam Rockwell since I first saw him in 1999's Galaxy Quest, but he had never produced a performance that stood out as his best, or even one that could be considered career-defining. All that changed with Moon, a dramatic sci-fi flick that featured him and him alone. It tells the story of a man who works for a company that drills on the moon, but his solitary existence has finally gotten the best of him. We see the man delve into the depths of madness, and it's quite a sight to behold. Rockwell is utterly brilliant in the role, and he's aided by fantastic direction from first-time director Duncan Jones. Be on the watch for both of them in the future.

*****

3. Inglourious Basterds
Rated: R
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, Daniel Brühl
Academy Awards: 8 nominations, 1 win
All-Time Ranking: 35
***
I had never been much a fan of Tarantino's work. I had seen Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs and the Kill Bill films, but none of them had ever truly moved me or stuck with me. And I don't want to say that all that changed with Inglourious Basterds, but this film was so damn good that it at least made me want to go back and re-watch Tarantino's previous efforts to see if I could earn a better understanding and respect for them. This screenplay is absolutely exceptional, and when you have actors like Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz and Michael Fassbender bringing some of their finest work, you'll be hard-pressed not to find this one enjoyable.

*****

2. The Cove
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Louie Psihoyos
Academy Awards: 1 nomination, 1 win
All-Time Ranking: 26
***
If there were ever a film that I think everyone should see, it would be The Cove. Easily one of the most brutal films I've ever seen, it's also one of the most honest and sincere stories about a group of people doing everything they can to stop something they find unjust and inhumane. The film talks about the dolphin slaughters that take place in Taiji, Japan, and the group of people involved are essentially working towards proving that these alleged slaughters are actually happening. Even though you know where you're headed, you're never really ready for what's going to take place on-screen, and if you're a lover of animals, it's going to destroy you. All that being said, however, I hold the fervent belief that everyone should see this film and be educated about the atrocities taking place. It may be a devastating experience to watch this film, but it's a necessary evil if it's going to call people to action.

*****

1. (500) Days of Summer
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Marc Webb
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz, Clark Gregg
All-Time Ranking: 25
***
When I first heard about (500) Days of Summer, the main draw point for me was the reunion of Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel on-screen for the first time since they had appeared in 2003's Manic together. What I actually got was one of the best romantic comedies I had ever seen, and I feel like it was geared more towards men than women. Because we're getting most of our information from the male perspective, the film offers a storyline opposite that of most rom-coms, and I think that's what made it so appealing to me. I've talked to many an individual about this film, and the overarching idea I've gotten is that guys liked (500) Days of Summer a lot more than girls did, and I'm almost positive it's for the same reasons that girls will like your average romantic comedy more than a guy will. Still, this one's brilliant - and it offers an "Expectation vs. Reality" scene that's simply superb - from the writing to the acting to everything else as a whole.

Ten Movies I'm Most Thankful For: A Thanksgiving Special

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Today's holiday is a time to take pause and think about everything for which we are thankful. As we celebrate with family and friends, I thought I'd take a look and see what films I was most thankful for. While I'm sure I could come up with dozens of films that I love just as much as the ones in the following list, I think these are the ten films I'm most thankful have been made over the years. So while you sit back, eat turkey and watch football, give this list a view. Once again, happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

*****

The 400 Blows
1959
This French film (originally titled Les quatre cents coup) was a bit of an eye-opener for me. I think it's one of those films that everyone needs to see at least once in their lifetime, but it's only going to have an emotional impact if you watch it at just the right time in your life. Fortunately for me, I watched it at exactly the right moment in my life's journey. The story tells of a boy who's looking to find meaning in his own life, and after a series of trials and tribulations, he is able to break away from conformity only to find himself wondering where to turn next. I was in a similar situation when I watched this film, and the boy's inner turmoil reflected my own almost exactly. While it didn't offer any explanation or advice, just seeing my own conflict portrayed so beautifully was enough to leave me in tears.

*****

2001: A Space Odyssey
1968
2001: A Space Odyssey is not a film to be enjoyed. It is a film to be watched and admired and thought about for ages. Every time I watch this film, I always get the urge to spend a month watching the movie over and over again. While I'm sure there's been countless interpretation of Stanley Kubrick's film, we may never know if any of them are actually correct. And I think that's what makes this film so brilliant. You can sit down and watch it a dozen times, and you could easily have a dozen different ideas and interpretations. It's definitely not a film for everyone; if you can't find a way to get into it, it's going to be a long, drawn-out experience for you. But for those of you who are able to see the beauty in the film, you'll realize that it isn't just a movie: it is an experience that should be taken by any true fan of film.

*****

Brokeback Mountain
2005
There's actually a fundamental and personal reason for me to be thankful for Brokeback Mountain, and I think the story will suffice as explanation. I was raised in a strict conservative household, and although I don't remember any overt concessions or statements against the homosexual community, I immediately opposed this film upon its release, claiming it was just a "gay cowboy" movie. I went so far as to cheer against it at that year's Academy Awards despite having not seen the film. It took me three more years to sit down and watch the film, and I found it to be one of the most beautiful romances I have ever seen on-screen. It may not have been the only driving force, but it completely changed my views on love and who should be allowed to love one another. In a way, I have this film to thank for my overall tolerance, and for that, I think we can all be thankful.

*****

The Cove
2009
Much in the way Brokeback Mountain opened my eyes to the world, The Cove did the same in terms of animal cruelty. I had not been much for documentaries until a few years ago, and when I heard about The Cove and its subject matter, I have to admit I was a little hesitant to give it a watch. I knew exactly what I was going to see, and that alone would be enough to keep a lot of people from watching this film. However, I will take the stance right now and say that every person - man, woman and (maybe) child - needs to see The Cove. It needs to be universally known exactly what's happening around the world in terms of animal cruelty, and even though this film only focuses on one specific happening, it talks about how prevalent such cruelty has become around the world. It made me want to rise to action, and the best way I know how to do that is to draw attention to this film's existence.

*****

Gone with the Wind
1939
This is the classic film to top all classic films, and it's also the first film to use "foul" language (although by today's standards, the use of the word "damn" isn't all that shocking). While it blazed that particular trail, it also set the standard in terms of romantic dramas, and I have yet to see a film that surpasses it in its magnitude and sheer force. It's a long film, so there may not be many people who have the patience to sit through it nowadays, but true film aficionados will know this to be one of the greatest films ever to grace the silver screen. Even seventy-two years later, it's still one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen, and it ranks very highly among my favorites.

*****

Happiness
1998
One particular friend is going to scoff at the fact that I've included this film on this list. She claims it's one of the grossest movies she's ever seen, but I can see where she's coming from with her statement. However, the dark comedy and sarcasm in which the subject matter is portrayed is so brilliantly done that I can't begin to hate this film in any regards. The reason I'm thankful for Happiness, however, is it's the first film to show me that there really are no boundaries in the film medium. In a day and age where so much is controlled by the Motion Picture Assocation of America, it's refreshing to see a film that pushes the taboos aside and just lets it all go. (Disclaimer: this film definitely isn't for everyone; it deals with a lot of sexual content that shouldn't be viewed by younger audiences, so be forewarned.)

*****

Jaws
1975
How could I possibly leave my favorite film of all time off this list? You can read my post about the film itself linked above if you want to get all my insight about the film (it's a longer post, just so you know), but at a very basic level, I think everyone has to be thankful for their favorite movie. It's a film I can come back to any day and be able to sit down and watch it in its entirety and be thoroughly entertained. What makes this movie so great for me is that it is so thoroughly entertaining, and it always finds a way to make me re-fall in love with it. It's simple yet so perfectly brilliant in its methods of filmmaking that it's hard not to like. But most importantly, Jaws reminds me that film is supposed to be about entertainment. While I can go on for ages nit-picking films in my reviews, it really comes down to whether or not a movie is entertaining. Jaws will always find a way to keep me engaged, and for that, I am thankful.

*****

No Country for Old Men
2007
When No Country for Old Men was released in 2007, I was living in Santa Cruz, California, and it was playing at my favorite particular theater. I remember the experience vividly: the moment the film ended, I and the eight other people sitting in the theater sat silently through the final credits. The moment the lights returned in the theater, I ran out to buy the original novel in order to understand it. The reason I'm thankful for this film is the fact that it's the movie that made me want to start writing reviews. The amount of thought I put into No Country for Old Men and exactly what it meant spurred me towards this blog, which I ultimately started three years later after I had finished my undergraduate schooling. So, for all of you who enjoy my reviews and this blog in general, you should also thank No Country for Old Men for getting me started down that path.

*****

Psycho
1960
Much in the way I couldn't leave Jaws (my favorite film) off this list, there was no way I could leave Psycho (the best film I've ever seen) off this list either. (To get the whole story behind my viewing of Psycho, check out the link given above because it's a doozy of a story.) Alfred Hitchcock's most iconic film set the tone for the rest of cinematic history. Without this film, who knows where the evolution of movies would have taken us. There are so many movie "firsts" in Psycho that it's a little bit overwhelming. It broke through taboos that filmmakers had refused to break previously. I honestly believe that the face of the cinematic landscape would be drastically different had Hitchcock not released this film back in 1960. Solely based on that, I think there's enough reason to be thankful for this film. The fact that it's also brilliant is just one more plus.

*****

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
1937
There's two reasons I'm thankful for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. First, it was the first feature-length animated film ever created. Had the film proven to be terrible, there's a chance that animation might never had made much of an impact on the cinematic landscape. Fortunately, it was met by rave reviews, and only three years later, Pinocchio was released to similar reviews, forever stamping the presence of animated films The second reason I'm thankful for Snow White is that it stamped Walt Disney as a legitimate presence on the feature-film stage. While he'd had success with his short films, the success of Snow White put him at the forefront of animation - a place he, as well as the Disney company, have managed to stay until this day.