Love me a good documentary, so here are some thoughts on a few favorites for anyone interested...
Cameraperson (2016) was recommended to me by someone on RT/Corrie (was it you, @
SpelingError?) Anyway, it is a semi-biographical account of the career of director/cinematographer Kirsten Johnson. The way she splices bits and pieces of the films, shorts, and documentaries she has worked with slices of her personal life is nothing short of beautiful. One of my favorite films of 2016, and all-time, period.
Hoop Dreams (1994) is known by a lot of people and was probably mentioned here, but anyway, it follows the lives of two young and aspiring basketball players as they try to get out of their neighborhoods and into stardom. Probably thought by some as a "sports documentary", this is so much more as it crosses into the grounds of racial and socio-political struggles, the matters of goals and purposes, and what we do in life. Equally harrowing and inspiring.
Back to Bosnia (2005) Saw this one earlier this year. It follows a young, aspiring filmmaker as she chronicles her family's return to Bosnia after the 1990s war, while trying to reclaim their place (literally and figuratively). As I saw it, I didn't think it was as great as the above, but towards the end something clicked and it hit me hard. The way you see this family trying to regain what little they could get from their past and how wars can break families apart, it's just something else.
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016) is a very insightful piece on the early years of the greatest band on Earth. From their rise to fame, to the mass hysteria that followed, I think it perfectly captures the way the mindset from each individual member and the group as a whole changes. I appreciate Howard's decision to focus on these years, however, I was left wanting to see a bit more from *after* that period, considering it's what one would say their most experimental and controversial period. Still, a must for Beatles fans.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007) is probably one of the most engaging and entertaining documentaries I've seen. Following the rivalry between two video game players, it succeeds not only in perfectly capturing their tension and clashes, but also serves as a snapshot of that 80s video game craze. Much have been said about the way certain "characters" are portrayed, but I think time has set that score straight. Even if it's not my favorite documentary, it's probably the one I would mostly recommend, if that makes any sense.
Three Identical Strangers (2018) should be seen knowing as little as possible. The documentary follows three teenagers that discover by accident that they're identical triplets that were somehow separated at birth. However, what starts as a crazy happy reunion turns quickly into a disturbing mess as they discover more and more about their past.
Catching Hell (2011) This documentary follows the events surrounding the infamous Steve Bartman and the Chicago Cubs run for a championship in 2003. I suppose that the enjoyment of this one would depend on your enjoyment of baseball, but being a fan and having lived this episode, I'm always amazed by the events around it. I love how the documentary uses the incident to examine the way fans talk about curses and scapegoats. I think what amazes me more is the mystery behind Bartman himself and the way he has handled the situation, which I strongly admire.
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