Documentary Question

Smitty · July 22, 2008

Another great filmmaking documentary is "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmakers Apocalypse". It's the story of the making of "Apocalypse Now". It was shot by Coppola's wife, I believe.

Another vote for "Hearts of Darkness." It is incredible to see what they went through - and what they put themselves through - in making that movie. You are correct, it was photographed by Coppola's wife.

As to the documentaries of Ken Burns, I have heard baseball historians and Civil War historians say he got a lot of things wrong. I enjoyed watching them, but they are apparently not completely accurate.

"Band of Brothers" is not a true documentary, but it is based on the non-fiction book by Stephen E. Ambrose and is apparently faithful to the true story of Easy Company, 506th, 101st Airborne in World War II. Riveting.

If you're interested in great non-fiction literature:

Anything by Mark Bowden, author of "Killing Pablo" (spectacular telling of the story of drug lord Pablo Escobar) and "Black Hawk Down." His new book out this year is "The Best Game Ever: Giants vs. Colts, 1958, and the Birth of the Modern NFL," which I am about to read.

"Public Enemies" by Bryan Burrough, about the crime wave of Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Bonnie and Clyde, who rose and fell in a short two-year span that saw the development of the FBI.

Simon Winchester's "Krakatoa, The Day The World Exploded." Spectacular.

"To Hell and Back" the autobiography of the little Texan, Audie Murphy, the most highly decorated G.I. of World War II.

Cornelius Ryan's great works about World War II, "The Longest Day," "A Bridge Too Far," and "The Last Battle."

"Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II" by Robert Kurson. Wonderful book.

"Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond

And if you want to read a really, really wild novel that is written like non-fiction, try "World War Z" by Max Brooks, an account of the Zombie War.

Buford_Julep · July 22, 2008

Osama is not a true documentary but is based on a true story and used amateur actors and a budget of less than $50,000. It was written and directed by an Afghan.

It is about a young girl in Afghanistan during the period of Taliban rule. Women are not allowed to leave their home unless they have a male escort. All of the little girl's male relatives have been killed in the never-ending fighting. She pretends to be a boy so she can support the women in her family, and she assumes the name Osama.

This movie will make you cry.

Edited July 22, 2008 by Buford_Julep

GoMeanGreen1999 · July 22, 2008

Sounds interesting!
The class of all football films. I have not seen a better movie, scripted or documentary that moved me as much as this one did. The great Pat Summerall is truly in his element as the narrator. TWO THUMBS UP!!

Where did you rent or see this doc - I couldn't find it at Hasting's.

Baby Arm! · July 22, 2008

Where did you rent or see this doc - I couldn't find it at Hasting's.

I was given a copy as a gift, I attached a link in my post where you could get a copy.

It's worth the price...

http://www.ppgthemovie.com/

LongJim · July 23, 2008

Where did you rent or see this doc - I couldn't find it at Hasting's.

I have seen this at Best Buy for sale. Amazon probably has it, as well. It is awesome.

Censored by Laurie · July 24, 2008

Just watched a BBC doc on the Glastonbury Music Festival in England...you'd probably have to be a music fiend and/or dirty hippy like me to really enjoy it, but I'm just throwing it out there.

Also...don't watch it with you kids.

greenminer · July 24, 2008

Just watched a BBC doc on the Glastonbury Music Festival in England...you'd probably have to be a music fiend and/or dirty hippy like me to really enjoy it, but I'm just throwing it out there.
Also...don't watch it with you kids.

As a fellow Fry Street-er, can I join you in your quest to beat the 'dirty hippy' stereotype to no end?

My pot-smoking friends and I live in a van down by the river due to relocation, and I am in the midst of a major identity crisis. Two weeks ago, I was certain I could bring my heterosexual life-mate and some lady friends to the upcoming CVS alley, create a porn and cause a traffic jam all in one parking-lot jamming, 37 BJ remake of Clerks.

Nowadays I am trapped in an endless loop of corporate collared work flow and slow computers, tirelessly clinging to the dirty, street monger past I relished in my early 20s, when I was balancing Cool Beans burgers, Shiner pitchers from The Tomato, and little trinkets from Voyagers Dream that I could take back with me to the Music Practice North building.

Edited July 24, 2008 by greenminer

Censored by Laurie · July 24, 2008

As a fellow Fry Street-er, can I join you in your quest to beat the 'dirty hippy' stereotype to no end?

Stereotype?

I haven't showered since Sunday

Boomer23 · July 31, 2008

Just finished "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills" in our Criminal Justice class. IMDB

Gotta say it was really good. Gonna go check out "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations" and they are currently filming the 3rd installment.

The films deal with triple murder case in West Memphis, Arkansas. This film had me going back and forth during the case.

July 31, 2008

Just watched:

"China's Stolen Children" and "The Recruiter"

Both were good.

JayDub · July 31, 2008

I have watched Be Here To Love Me, about the life and craziness of songwriter Townes Van Zandt, two or three times over the course of the last couple of weeks. The guy is just amazing to me.

Even if you're not a Townes fan, it is a very interesting watch to see the fall into and attempts to rise from madness of such a prolific songwriter.

Edited July 31, 2008 by JayDub

GoMeanGreen1999 · July 31, 2008

I have watched Be Here To Love Me, about the life and craziness of songwriter Townes Van Zandt, two or three times over the course of the last couple of weeks. The guy is just amazing to me.
Even if you're not a Townes fan, it is a very interesting watch to see the fall into and attempts to rise from madness of such a prolific songwriter.

Thanks, I will check this out. I just finished watching "King of Kong" and it was pretty good. That one dude needs to move on though - he dresses like he is still in the 80's.

CMJ · July 31, 2008

Give something by Errol Morris a shot GoMeanGreen1999. As Tasty mentioned earlier, the man is a genius. Probably my favorite Documentary Filmmaker.

Green Mean · February 2, 2009

I finally got a chance to watch Cocaine Cowboys yesterday and all I can say is FREAKING AWESOME. Its about 2 hours and it is engaging from the very beginning til the very end. It is about the Cocaine era of Miami during the 70's and 80's. One of the people in it that is interviewed is a complete badass and his name is Jorge Ayala. Just a genius documentary and there is a part 2 out that focuses more on Griselda Blanco. I have not seen the 2nd one yet but know it is out on DVD.

I recommend for EVERYBODY to watch it but I think all guys especially will absolutely love this film.

Edited February 2, 2009 by Green Mean

Censored by Laurie · February 2, 2009

Since we're re-hatching the documentary topic...Man on Wire is breathtakingly amazing. Tight rope walking between the World Trade Center...just watching it makes you dizzy and gives you drop-stomach

CorinthEagle · February 2, 2009

Spirit of the Marathon

Running the Sahara (currently on Showtime)

Combover......yes it's a documentary about the hairstyle.

Dancing Outlaw if you like watching the train wreck that is Appalachia

Green P1 · February 2, 2009

I suppose it all goes back to my lack of cable, but I've become addicted to the Monday night documentaries on KERA(PBS.)

The American Experience

Last weeks on the trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer was bitchin and the upcoming weeks look just as promising.

EagleD · February 3, 2009

Watching Ken Burns' 'Lewis and Clark' right now. It's excellent. The 'Planet Earth' series is fantastic, also.
A couple of others that are worth checking out if you are a 70's glam/punk rock and roll fan: "End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones". "The Filth and the Fury: A Sex Pistols Film", and "All Dolled Up" by Bob Gruen.

Dude,

Have you seen "24 hour party people"? It's shot documentary style, and it does document music from Manchester in the 80's, but it's completely staged. It is amazing!

oldguystudent · February 3, 2009

What!?!?

No Michael Moore recommendations?

Thirded on Fog of War, When we were Kings, and Hearts of Darkness

EagleD · February 3, 2009

What!?!?
No Michael Moore recommendations?
Thirded on Fog of War, When we were Kings, and Hearts of Darkness

I'm actually a pretty big Michael Moore fan, but thought I'd avoid the arguments. I think "The Big One" is underrated. "Sicko" had it's moments, but I was actually let down.