BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE
(2002) D: Michael Moore.
This is activist filmmaker Michael Moore at his best, mixing socio-political commentary with comic observations that are, of course, not funny at all. One’s criticism of this film usually lines up with one’s political leanings, but one thing is definite: Moore has brought the documentary form back into the mainstream. And that can only be considered a good thing.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: In 2003 became the first documentary to be nominated for and then to win a Writer’s Guild of America Award for its screenplay.
THE COVE
(2009) D: Louie Psihoyos.
Impossibly difficult to watch, but impossible not to see.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: Kerner Optical, previously the Industrial Light and Magic model shop, created special camouflaged (rock-like) cameras that helped capture some of the footage in the cove.
FAHRENHEIT 9/11
(2004) D: Michael Moore.
Considering I’m a raging liberal, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m a fan of this film. But beyond the message Moore tries to convey, I love the issues he brings up and his style of film-making has brought the documentary art form to the masses, which can only be a good thing. No matter how you feel about his politics, when a movie gets you to look differently at the world and your government, then it has succeeded.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: Moore hired outside fact-checkers of The New Yorker to vet the film.