DECEMBER 28TH, 2009
Editors’ Picks: Best Documentaries
Sometimes reel life is stranger than fiction. Herewith, our top doc picks.
American Teen
Like The Breakfast Club
brought to life, the film follows five teens in their final year of
high school. All the usual suspects—jock, nerd, princess, rebel and
heartthrob—are present to reminisce about in this spirited Sundance
winner. www.americanteenthemovie.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Back
in the ’80s, the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil was set for stardom
but came up short. They never gave up on the dream though, and this
funny and heartfelt movie picks up where their fame left off. www.anvilthemovie.com
Joy Pecknold,Vancouver editor
Enlighten Up!
A
story of one man’s skeptical and hilarious journey to find the true
meaning of yoga. The film includes interviews with renowned gurus and
stunning shots of Northern India. http://enlightenupthefilm.com/
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
Paper Heart
Part
documentary, part scripted film (which part is up to you to figure
out), this road trip film chronicles the quirky Charlyne Yi’s quest to
discover if true love really exists (Yi herself is skeptical). Along
the way she begins a relationship with aw-shucks Canadian actor Michael
Cera, but The Notebook this ain’t. www.paperheart-movie.com
Maria Tallarico, managing editor
Surfwise
Vanity Fair
editor Graydon Carter produced this profile of America’s “First Family
of Surfing,” the Paskowitzs: 8 brothers and a sister who grew up in a
28-foot camper with their sex-obsessed parents, teaching surfing and
never going to school. A fascinating study in bohemianism, megalomania,
and crazy family dynamics (makes the Royal Tenenbaums look like the
Cunninghams).
www.surfwisefilm.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief
The Cove
On
the Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary Feature, this story of a group
of filmmakers who employ rogue methods to bring to light a covert
dolphin hunt on the shores of Taiji, Japan unfolds like a suspenseful
thriller. www.thecovemovie.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
Tyson
A
heartening look at the life and career of one-time champ Mike Tyson,
from his formative relationship with his boxing mentor to his
self-destructive and decadent tendencies. Tyson's insight and angst is
disarming. www.sonyclassics.com/tyson
Maria Tallarico, managing editor
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
With
the infamous director back in the headlines for a crime he was charged
with decades ago and consequently fled the country from, this
Emmy-winning doc is a provoking view into the past. A follow-up film is
in the works. www.romanpolanskiwantedanddesired.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
