Trouble the Water

This documentary was released in 2008 and was an Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary. This was filmed just before, during and after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2006. It stars Kimberly Rivers Roberts, an aspiring rap artist and ex-drug dealer and her husband Scott Roberts. Kimberly and Scott filmed themselves and their neighbors trying to survive the hurricane and the aftermath. They filmed while they were in their attic trying to survive the storm. They lived in the Ninth Ward, which was the area of New Orleans that was hit the hardest by the storm and the brokens levees. Kimberly and Scott continued to film the coming weeks as they struggled to find shelter and help from the government. Their struggle was like so many others in that area. Below is a picture of Kimberly and Scott outside of their home in the Ninth Ward.



There are several reasons to watch this documentary and become more educated about Hurricane Katrina and the mess that is still being cleaned up 5 years later. This film shows people how difficult of a time that was for the citizens of New Orleans and the tragedy that struck their homes. Another issue is that New Orleans continues to suffer from the devastation caused by this storm. The city still needs help, but many have forgotten about their needs. It is important that New Orleans continues to get help and by watching this documentary the audience is able to see why. Below is a link to watch the trailer for Trouble the Water and learn more about the affects Hurricane Katrina left behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq426VjZD1E

Exit Through the Gift Shop

This is a documentary that was released in 2010 and is about street art and some of its greatest producers. This film is also nominated for an Academy Award this year. This movie was actually directed by one of the most famous street artists’ that goes by the name Banksy. Not only is he the director, but he is also a main character. Another main character in this documentary is Thierry Guetta, also known as Mister Brain Wash. Theirry is a documentary film maker, but he has never actually made a film. All he has ever done is tape people, and he is telling everyone he is making a documentary about street art. He wants more than anything to find Banksy and film him. Once he is introduced to Banksy by another street artist, he is allowed to film him. The fact that he was able to film Banksy was unprecedented because Banksy would never let anyone besides the people he works closely with know who he is in order to protect himself from the law because his street art isn’t always legal. During the film Banksy’s voice is altered and his face is blurred out. Towards the middle of the documentary Thierry starts creating street art and becomes obsessed with it. He wants to open an art show after he was inspired by the large success of Banksy’s show. At this point it seems a few other street artists are annoyed with Theirry because he is obsessed with getting attention for his artwork and not so much the artwork itself which isn’t the goal of most street artists. Theirry’s show was a huge success and he made a good chunk of money selling his paintings at the show. Banksy has created many controversial pieces of art and has also put a spin on famous art pieces, and they all make a clear statement. Here are some of his pieces:

This is a great documentary to watch and can inspire the artist in you. There are great visual pieces in this film and you get an exclusive inside look at what it is like to be a street artist.

Here is the link for the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsnX63KK2y0

The Cove

This is a documentary released in 2009 about the slaughtering of dolphins in a Quasi-National Park in Taiji, Wakayama, in Japan. Activist Ric O’Barry, who used to work on the show Flipper, has been trying to expose Taiji’s actions for years. This film states that 23,000 dolphins are killed every year due to Japan’s whaling industry. The killing of these dolphins takes place in a cove that is surrounded by high cliffs on 3 sides. Some dolphins are bought for entertainment parks for $150,000 each and whichever dolphins are not picked are slaughtered in the cove with spears. Also, dolphin meat is sold to people of Taiji and much of the meat contains extremely high levels of mercury. The meat is also a part of the school lunch program in Taiji. The Taiji government is doing all it can in order to cover up this issue, including paying other countries to back them on this issue.

O’Barry’s goal is to expose the killings and spread the word of what is happening in Taiji. He has a lot of help from others to document and gather evidence of the killings. His team camouflaged cameras in fake rocks and places them all around the cove area to collect proof. The footage they captured is quite disturbing, yet incredibly eye opening and reveals Taiji’s biggest secret. This film is intriguing the entire time it is being watched and can inspire people to do something about this issue. O’Barry’s team took major risks in all that they did to make this film and it shows how time and dedication to an issue can bring about change. Find out how to help by visiting the website: TakePart.com/TheCove

http://www.kreateam.no/myspace/dolphinslaughter_japan.jpg

The Thin Blue Line

The Thin Blue Line is a documentary made in 1988. Not only did this film win several awards, but also brought the release of an innocent man on death row. This movie is hailed as the first mystery movie to actually solve a murder.

This film is about the murder of Dallas police officer, Robert W. Wood, on November 28, 1976. Wood was pulling over a car for not having headlights on. Once Wood walked up to the car, the man driving pulled out a gun and shot Wood to death.

The only information the Dallas Police Department had was the model of the car, and they weren’t able to make an arrest. Then 16 year old David Ray Harris gave the police information. Harris told his friends he was responsible for the crime. Later Harris told police he was just bragging and that he didn’t really commit the murder.

Harris led police to the car that was driven from the scene of the crime and the revolver that he identified as the murder weapon. Harris blamed the murder on a man he spent a little time with during the evening of the murder named Randall Dale Adams who was 28.

Adam’s car ran out of gas and Harris offered to give him a lift. The two parted ways before the murder occurred. Both were questioned about that night and their timelines didn’t match up. Although there wasn’t much evidence against Adams, it was easier to convict him because he was older than Harris and could be given the death penalty for the crime. A few witnesses came forward and claimed to have seen Adams shoot the officer. Adam’s was convicted and given the death penalty.

The film’s investigation showed that five witnesses had committed perjury. Adams had his conviction overturned and the case was returned to Dallas County for a retrial. The case wasn’t prosecuted again and Adams was subsequently ordered released as a result of a habeas corpus hearing in 1989.

Adams was on Death Row before this documentary was released. If this film was never made there is a very good chance Adam’s would have died and been wrongly convicted his entire life. This documentary made a huge impact in the film world and to Randall Dale Adam's.