Listmania!
THE BEST IN DOCUMENTARY FILMS
By an Amazon.com customer
American MovieAmerican Movie
Buy new: $17.49 / Used from: $10.24
What happens when two rednecks (well at least they're pink) from Minnesota decide to live their life's dream and make a movie? A really good documentary, that's what.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Family Portrait RevisitedThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Family Portrait Revisited
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $1.86
Facinating recollections by most of the cast of this ground breaking horror film. I didn't like the movie, but I love this video!
Porn Star - The Legend of Ron Jeremy (Uncut & Unrated Edition)Porn Star - The Legend of Ron Jeremy (Uncut & Unrated Edition)
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $3.74
I haven't seen the unrated version, but this one (with a slight exception and lots of breasts) is squeaky clean. A portrait of a man who is trapped by his own success.
Pumping Iron II: The WomenPumping Iron II: The Women
Buy used from: $94.99
This is unintentinally hysterical. Stereotypes are turned upside down. One contestant wants to win so her man doesn't have to strip anymore. Rachel MacLeish comes across as a haughty egomaniac who'll do anything to win.
Why We FightWhy We Fight
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $5.95
President Eisenhower's exit speech warned us to watch out for the military-industrial complex, but do we? Hell no! And look at the mess we're in! Watch after almost any Moore film.
Document of the DeadDocument of the Dead
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $7.99
Need to have some fun? How about a behind the scenes look at George (I never met a flesh eating zombie I didn't like) Romero and his partner in crime Tom (just call me splat) Savini.
Aileen Wuornes: The Selling of a Serial Killer - The 1992 InterviewsAileen Wuornes: The Selling of a Serial Killer - The 1992 Interviews
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $2.11
You almost feel sorry for this cold blooded killer after watching this documentary. Abused by everyone in her past, and sold down the river by everyone in her present for a piece of the action including the Christian who "adopts" her and her lawyer who spends most of his time singing.
Grizzly ManGrizzly Man by Timothy Treadwell Werner Herzog
Buy used from: $2.99
I feel sorry for anyone who didn't see this in the theater. Herzog uses Treadwell's own footage of Alaska and his beloved grizzlies to best advantage in this portrait of obsession and insanity.
The Man Who Listens To Horses - The Story Of A Real-Life Horse WhispererThe Man Who Listens To Horses - The Story Of A Real-Life Horse Whisperer by Monty Roberts
Buy used from: $3.00
I WAS looking for the video of this book but couldn't find it listed. I haven't read the book, but I can only imagine that if its anything like the video it must be fascinating. Roberts has also taken what he's learned from working with horses & APPLIED IT TROUBLED KIDS.
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph HillThe Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.45
If you think Ahnold is for the birds you might try this one instead. I was surprised to learn that even Chicago has a flock of wild parrots!
The Sci-Fi BoysThe Sci-Fi Boys
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $3.37
Get this one while all of these guys are still alive! Its got them all from Forry Ackerman to Ray Harryhausen to Ray Bradbury.
Woodstock - 3 Days of Peace & Music (The Director's Cut)Woodstock - 3 Days of Peace & Music (The Director's Cut)
Buy used from: $13.65
I didn't get to Woodstock, but I did make it to the Atlanta Rock Festival (in Macon?) which was only 250,000! QUITE AN EXPERIENCE.
Crumb (Special Edition)Crumb (Special Edition)
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $6.54
A revealing documentary about the very weird artist best known for "Mr. Natural" and his even more weird family.
Brother's KeeperBrother's Keeper
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $11.49
Talk about weird families. This one is about two mentally deficient brothers who may or may not have killed their brother and the town that rallies around them.
Born into BrothelsBorn into Brothels
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.98
I'm really uncertainly whether to include this or not. Its an Oscar winner, but its quality is doubtful. Beautiful to look at definitely, but ultimately shallow and unrewarding. The film more or less follows Briski's attempts to save 8 children of Calcutta's prostitute's by teaching them photography, then attempting to get them into private schools.
Roger & MeRoger & Me
Buy new: $18.49 / Used from: $3.97
The one that started it all for Michael Moore. Centers around his attempts to talk to Roger Smith head of General Motors which was closing down plants in Moore's hometown of Lansing, Michigan. I DECIDED TO JUST PUT IN ONE OF MOORE'S FILM'S SINCE EVERYONE KNOWS HIS WORK SO WELL.
Janis: The Way She Was [VHS]Janis: The Way She Was [VHS]
Buy used from: $14.70
You think Janis Joplin was tough, right? Look for the scene where she goes back to Texas for a class reunion and the film makers are interviewing her about not having a date for the prom. It turns into a joke, but if you look carefully you'll she that just before that she's on the verge of tears. Yeah, high school was a bitch for everybody. A few months later she was dead.
The Kid Stays in the PictureThe Kid Stays in the Picture
Buy used from: $0.95
Robert Evans, the Man Who made Paramount what it is today. Just ask him. The king of self promotion at the top of his form! Its a joy to see him work it.
Hoop Dreams - Criterion CollectionHoop Dreams - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $27.49 / Used from: $12.50
Did you know that pro basketball teams are scouting middle schools? Watch in fascination and disbelief as two kids from the projects fight their way through high shool with their eye on the prize and big checks being waved in their faces.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of QuartersThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $5.76
Now this is exciting stuff! TWO OLD STYLE video game rivals square off and everything is on the line! YOU WON'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH YOU ARE GOING TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS ONE, EVEN YOU'VE NEVER WANTED TO PLAY A VIDEO GAME IN YOUR LIFE!
My Kid Could Paint ThatMy Kid Could Paint That
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $4.24
This documentary started out in the filmmaker's mind as a commentary on the quality of abstract art and turned into something quite different by the time it was over. Did the little girl's father help her with these paintings or not?
Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce LeeDeath by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $6.76
Includes interviews with former students of Bruce's who have seldom faced the camers, Jessie Glover and Ed Hart. More interestingly, it also includes lenghty interviews, with or commentaries by, doctors who attended Bruce or conducted his autopsy. May be difficult to hear sometimes, in more ways than one, but still a must.
The Slanted ScreenThe Slanted Screen
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $16.84
An overview of the history of Asian actors in American cinema.
Jesus CampJesus Camp
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $7.96
Scary people going way overboard with innocent kids. Our freaky fundamentalists can beat your freaky fundamentalists!
Enron: The Smartest Guys in The Room (2-Disc Set - WMVHD DVDs)Enron: The Smartest Guys in The Room (2-Disc Set - WMVHD DVDs)
Buy used from: $28.99
I don't know that they were the smartest guys in the room, but they were most assuredly the greediest guys in the room! Too bad they all didn't get what they REALLY deserved!
The U.S. vs. John LennonThe U.S. vs. John Lennon
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.68
It seems a bit like overkill , but the government went to a great deal of time and expense to make certain that Lennon and Ono kept their seditious selves out of our God fearin' flag wavin' country. Of course the government lost in the end.
Fast, Cheap & Out of ControlFast, Cheap & Out of Control
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $6.24
Errol Morris' engrossing quick studies of four diverse people (a lion trainer, a topiary gardner, a man studying the shrew mole, and a roboticist) with one thing in common--they're obsessed.
The Up Series (Seven Up / 7 Plus Seven / 21 Up / 28 Up / 35 Up / 42 Up / 49 Up)The Up Series (Seven Up / 7 Plus Seven / 21 Up / 28 Up / 35 Up / 42 Up / 49 Up)
Buy new: $92.49 / Used from: $134.87
British series that follows the same disparate group of children throughout their lives and interviews them every 7 years. So far they're up to 49. Give me the child until he's seven and I'll give you the man.
Kinski: My Best FiendKinski: My Best Fiend
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.02
I haven't seen this yet, but given the fact that it Werner Herzog's film about nutso actor Klaus Kinski, it HAS to be worth watching!
Capturing the FriedmansCapturing the Friedmans
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $0.85
Charges of child molestation are leveled against an entire family that gives piano lessons in their Long Island home in this documentay. Who really did it?
The Eyes of Tammy FayeThe Eyes of Tammy Faye
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $6.89
The blurb on the box says "you'll be surprised at how much you like her" and its true,
The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter - Criterion CollectionThe Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $15.29
The Rolling Stones ill-fated concert at Altamonte that some say ended the hippie era.
The Life & Times of Secretariat, an American Racing LegendThe Life & Times of Secretariat, an American Racing Legend
Buy new: $44.99 / Used from: $34.97
Not by any means the film it should be, it is still the only one that exists. The quality of the footage is bad. You'd think that they'd take the time to clean it up, they certainly wouldn't have any problem selling it.
Paper ClipsPaper Clips
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $9.74
How do you convey the concept of six million dead Jews to white Protestant teenagers in Tennessee?
SpellboundSpellbound
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $1.70
As tense and emotionally engaging as a movie about spelling could ever conceivably be.
Paradise Lost - The Child Murders at Robin Hood HillsParadise Lost - The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
Buy new: $19.49 / Used from: $8.70
Three 8 year old boys were found dead and mutilated in a small town in Arkansas. Three teenagers were arested and stood trail. Were they guilty, or were they scapegoats because they were different?
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low PriceWal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
Buy new: $12.95 / Used from: $8.45
You may pay low prices at Wal-Mat but your taxes etc will be higher in order to pay for all the social services their employees need as a result of the corporation's refusa; to pay them decent wages. Can anyone spell UNION!
Kurt and CourtneyKurt and Courtney
Buy used from: $16.73
Why is it so hard for fans to accept the fact that a guy who sang about being depressed all the time finally killed himself? In our society everything is a conspiracy. This is a fascinating documentary. Though given the people who surrounded Cobain, I would have killed myself if I were him too!
The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl [VHS]The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl [VHS]
Buy used from: $5.52
Hitler and Goebbel's favorite film maker was still alive and kicking when this documentary about her life was made. Oddly enough she claims not to have known what was going on in Germany during the Nazi years. Did anyone?
Burden of Dreams -  Criterion CollectionBurden of Dreams - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $35.49 / Used from: $24.48
The story behind the filming of FITZCARRALDO, complete with all the famous legends--including the natives who offered to kill Klaus Kinski!