Today's Oscar themed list is Top 5 Documentaries. Once again, I haven't gotten a chance to see all the nominated films so the list probably isn't as researched as it should be, but oh well. I've seen Exit Through The Gift Shop and Restrepo and Gasland is next in my queue, so hopefully I will get to it before the awards. Anyway, here's my favorites from 2010...
5. Casino Jack And The United States Of Money
This movie tells the story of Jack Abramoff and all the super corrupt dealing he had. Pretty interesting stuff. It was well told and covered all sides issues. The film makers were able to get interviews from most of the people involved like ex-Congressman Bob Ney. Its a must see if you are interested in the inside dealings in Washington.
4. The Tillman Story
As the title suggests, the documentary tells the story of Pat Tillman, safety for the Arizona Cardinals who quit pro football to enlist in the army. For those of you who didn't know, Tillman ended up dieing in Iraq and this is where the movie spends most of its time. The movie is interesting and important not so much because of Tillman but for showcasing how corrupt our military truly is. The movie tries to shine a light on the insular nature of the military and to what extent they will go to shut civilians out. The movie is a scary warning to what an unchecked army can become.
3. Art Of The Steal
I'm not sure how bias this documentary about the biggest private collection of art in the United States, the Barnes Collection, actually is, but that doesn't take away from its entertainment value. The way the movie presents the information, it seems to be very clear what Mr. Barnes wanted down with his collection, so the movie becomes a tragic telling of the long journey city politicians took to take it over. The movie does a great job of making you both long to see the collection and hate the greedy politicians who ignored the will of a dead man. Even if you aren't a huge art fan this is a great movie about unchecked power and the uselessness of a will.
2. The Lottery
I talked about this is my Top 5 Oscar Snub list. I'm not sure why Waiting For Superman got all the press. This documentary on charter schools and our failing public school systems was far superior. It does a better job of presenting the issues and isn't afraid to show all sides of the arguments. Even though it takes an obvious side, it's much less of a propaganda film and much more of a documentary of issues we are facing educating in poorer neighborhoods.
1. Exit Through The Gift Shop
In all honesty, I'm not so sure I would call this a documentary. When the movie comes to a close, one isn't sure if everything seen was real or if Exit is as much a documentary as Spinal Tap. But, the Academy calls it a documentary, so I include it in this list. I can't really give justice to how much I enjoyed this film. I was talking about it weeks after seeing it. Very informative, very funny, absolutely mind boggling. It's everything a good movie should be and a little more. There are as many questions to be asked at movie's end then there are questions answered during, the biggest being, What is real? One point the movie makes perfectly clear, people will spend tons of money just to be considered cool.
Honorable Mentions: Blood To Wine, Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work
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