Documentaries

What more is there to say about a documentary such as this? It is truly required viewing to anyone who wants to comprehend the complexities of war.

I've heard derision of this film over at IMDB, partly over the minor connection it draws between the sports-culture in America and the connection with wartime machismo. I believe it is an interesting and not entirely false connection to make. There IS a connection between War and Sport, and I believe the film was not saying anything new by briefly liking the two together, and it only does so on two occasions... specifically, right before a particularly graphic montage of the Tet Offensive.

This movie presents both sides, although not always fairly.. but at the same time, it is hard to present the pro-war side fairly when many of their arguments are obviously absurd, callous or evidence of their desire to mitigate their sense of loss, embarassment, or guilt.

One of the best, or at least most popular, war documentaries ever made.

Powerful, short, and disturbing. Looking back over half a century later, this is a vivid primary reminder. A reel of images that capture the immensity while it was still too recent to analyze... it was something to be seen and quietly observed, the mouth was too slack-jawed to form a response. There is no way to analyze a film which simply lays bare the image and nothing more.

This is a film not merely about the concentration camps, not merely about any time or place, but inhumanity wherever and whenever it has occured.

A disturbing fictional account of a nuclear attack on Britain. The level of detail this "documentary" goes into would be called "enlightening" if it wasn't for the positive connotations that word implies.

The grim newsreel style documenting the horror of a post-nuclear emergency is firmly based in factual extrapolations based on the Dresden Bombings as well as Hiroshima. The film moves fluidly and effectively from the blast all the way to food riots, disposal of bodies and corpse identification.

Amazingly effective for a low-budget TV movie, with amazing acting for a cast of total unknowns.

Graphic and socially unnerving. One of the few films that transcends the age of Atomic Paranoia in which it was made and focuses upon.

Yes, it was highly staged. But for the time period, this was perhaps the closest one could get to Cinema Verite. The clunky camera necessitated the staged aspects of the film, and the filmaker emphasizing spears over the guns that had become prevalent in Inuit culture at the time, was instead a move by Flaherty to capture a part of the culture that was already of the verge of being forgotten.

The film lends firm authenticity to its events, and gives solid and truthful insight into its subject, even if the context is off, flawed, or contrived. A very important early work of cinema, not only for its subject matter but for being perhaps the first feature-length documentary ever made.

Of course, a must see. A requirement on both sides of the political spectrum, this movie is about Gore, yes... but don't let yourself be fooled that it is about Gore as a politician. He has used his status to launch himself into a career as a private citizen of the Nader's Raider archetype. Scoff all you want at the style or the presentation... this movie is unparalleled in its message.

Of course it isn't entirely accurate, nor is it comprehensive. It is a slide show, among other things, but is a much needed place to start. Unless you are already knee-deep in climate change issues, this movie can be an excellent refresher or a convincing introduction.

The directors really know their stuff, and focus on keeping everything from Nader's perspective. Word has it from the directors that Nader enjoys the movie himself, but mostly spent his screening thinking about other ways of helping society. I'm sure most intelligent people will do the same during the course of this picture. Less Nader biography, more "One Man Can Make A Difference" moral.

It's pro war! It's anti-war! It's pro-war... well, not really. It's just about McNamara, and his uncanny ability to avoid both of the previous questions.

Some might find the neutral tone refreshing, regardless. Not about miltiary strategy, but the morally-neutral engineering of military PR and morale in the late 20th century.. the day-to-day business of an unpopular war.

A heartening look into the grassroots campaign trail, and dynastic and unbreakable incumbency politics in the United States. Can actual people prevail over polls and politics?