A week ago, DZ posted a sweet roundup of the documentaries he’s seen and loved this year. Here are a few more from me.
5. I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale. John Cazale was one of the great actors of the 70s — perhaps of all time. You may know him from playing Fredo in The Godfather (the title of this documentary is a famous line between Al Pacino and John Cazale.)
I Knew It Was You is a touching look at this gifted artist, who’s stunning performances in The Godfather, The Godfather II, The Conversation, The Deer Hunter, and Dog Day Afternoon affected the lives of so many people, and which were rooted in part in his extraordinary connectedness to his own past and suffering. It’s also a story about how the man himself could be so deeply loved by some of the greatest names in the acting world, who’s interviews form much of the movie.
John Cazale was a “patient of great significance” for those of us growing up in the 70s and 80s.
4. Forbidden Lie$. Stunning true story about deception, justification by works, and the bound will. Alternately gripping and hilarious.
3. Sound and Fury. “Josh Aronson’s documentary takes an unexpected approach to the “medical miracle” film by examining the political and emotional turmoil that erupts between brothers over the cochlear implant that might allow their deaf children to hear.” (Netflix)
A penetrating look at how the same “word” can be heard as Law (judgment, condemnation, attack) or Gospel (promise, good news) depending on who is hearing it. Fascinating window into the world of deaf people and a universal study in how judgment and love play out in families.
2. Winnebago Man. See DZ’s commentary on this. Not to be missed.
1. Exit Through The Gift Shop. Only just released on NetFlix, it is making the Top 10 lists of movie critics all over the country. It starts out slow, and gets better, and better, and by the end I was alternatively on the edge of my seat and laughing harder than I had in months. A wonderful story about the street art movement of the last decade (and the late 90s), but even more about obsession, friendship, and charity gone awry.
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3 responses to “Best of 2010: Favorite Documentaries of SD”
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funny, i discovered this blog just now after Googling "The Kayak and Spaceship" as i've been trying to find a copy of the book Kenneth Brower wrote about George and Freeman Dyson for a long time. i then through this blog discovered his recent fascinating article in Atlantic Weekly. Then i found you highlighted "Exit through the gift shop" as a highlight of this years Documentaries. I just saw this a few days ago and was just blown away. totally original and fascinating. havnt been able to stop thinking about it. Destined to be a classic.
So glad you found us, Nick!
I noticed that you are a fan of the David Foster Wallace novel INFINITE JEST. Dave Zahl (Mockingbird director DZ) is a big DFW fan, and there have been a load of posts about him in the last year or two.
I just watched Exit Through the Gift Shop and although I'm unsure of its status as a legitimate documentary, at least of what it is supposed to be a documentary of, it was absolutely fantastic. Regardless, Banksy is pretty much a genius.