Director - Mark Hartley
The title says it all, this is a wild, fast-paced doc about Australian b-movies from the late '60s through to the start of the '90s. Leaping through porn, car-porn, horror and comedy director Hartley obvious not only knows his subject but is head-over-heels about it. By the time the end credits roll you’ll have scribbled down a huge list of ‘must see’ films. Really entertaining.
Directed - Robert J. Flaherty
Hailed as the first real documentary then later booed for being scripted and faked. Flaherty’s most famous film is this documentary about a family of Eskimos. Made long before there were rules for documentaries this deserves applause for Flaherty having the balls to take his camera out of the studio and onto the tundra. If you don’t like seeing animals killed on screen (which I don’t) then this might not be your cup of tea.
Director - Errol Morris
Morris’ breakthrough documentary about a murdered policeman and the trial that followed is chock full of OH-MY-FUCKING-GOD moments. If you like documentaries, and modern documentaries in particular then this is a must see. Essential viewing.
Director - Alex Gibney
Superb in-depth documentary about the church of Scientology, how it came about, what it does, and ultimately just how damn creepy their whole set up is. Gibney doesn’t go for the jugular in the tacky way that Michael Moore would, but instead lets everything play out over two hours of interviews with ex-Scientologists. Not a balanced argument in shape or form, since the subject refused to be involved in the documentary. An absolute must see. You'll feel like a shower afterwards though.
Director - Stephen La Rivière
Aces documentary about Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s groundbreaking puppet shows (Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds etc). If you’re a fan then this is essential viewing since just about every name you can remember from the end credits of those shows is interviewed. From the steamboat Mickey like beginnings of Torchy, the Battery Boy right the way up to the disastrous The Secret Service, pretty much everything is covered in as much detail as you’ll ever need. If you’re not a fan then stay away as this will probably bore you rigid.
Directors - Derik Murray & David Ray
Hugely underwhelming documentary about the Elvis of motorcycle stunts. What could and should have been a fascinating look into what drove Robert Knievel to obsessively attempt impossible motorcycle jumps, most ending with him in hospital, actually ends up being a macho love fest. There is very little in the way of balance on screen and most of Knievel's dark side (womanising, thieving and drinking) is brushed off as male bravado. There’s a great doc to be made about Evel Knievel, one that doesn’t shy away from the dark aspects of his life. Sadly this isn’t it. Don't bother.
