Documentaries You May Have Missed

I love perusing the new release section as much as anyone, whether it is online at Netflix or at my local Blockbuster store. But, I do temper that pleasure by delving a bit deeper into the plethora of sub-categories, "special interest" sections, and old Roger Ebert archived reviews, and have consequently found some gems over the years because of it. Most filmophiles will be quite familiar with the 10 recommendations to be found in this article; they are not exactly obscure, but they are certainly not hugely marketed, large-budgeted mega hits for the masses, either.

Several of these documentaries are full-fledged or budding cult films, some are award-winning, but all are wildly thought-provoking, compelling, memorable and entertaining. So, if you saw An Inconvenient Truth, Super Size Me, or Spellbound recently, and are on the lookout for more great, but lesser known documentaries to add to your Netflix queue, this is the guide to get you on your way!

In no particular order:

1. Marjoe This documentary/expose won the 1972 Academy Award for best documentary, but has remained largely unwatched. The tent-revivalin', child-evangelin' Marjoe Gortner rocks to the Lor-duh and rolls in the money, literally. Priceless, and fairly new to DVD, finally.

2. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills Three 'outsider' teenage boys are accused of an unimaginable crime; as the documentary radically unfolds, however, it is obvious that all is not as it seems, and the truth may be as elusive as it is obvious. Fans wanting more will be happy to find a sequel, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations, and an extensive, official fansite.

3. Brother's Keeper From the same directors as Paradise Lost. A complex and more than slightly creepy, satisfying crime story surrounding the mysterious circumstances of one back woods' brother's death.