Documentaries You Should Be Watching

I know, I know...you come to video stores to pick up your favorite action flick and zone out, not to learn. But by passing by the documentary section, you are missing out on some extremely interesting and, dare I say, awesome films. Here's a short list of my favorites that you shouldn't miss!

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
Before Joanie loved Chachi and Lucy 'splained to Ricky, there was Mrs. Goldberg, leaning out her kitchen window to gossip with the neighbors. Released this August, this documentary by local filmmaker Aviva Kemper and featuring interviews with our very own Potomac Video customer Mindy Weisel is a biography of Gertrude Berg, the first powerhouse woman in television. Berg created the radio show The Goldberg's, which was a staple in American life during and after World War II. Upon the advent of television, she produced, wrote, and starred in the sitcom version of the radio show, which became the first true family sitcom. This touching documentary follows Berg's career, family life, and eventual anonomity as Lucille Ball took over as the first lady of television. Absolutely worth a look, and easy to find-it's still on the New Release wall!

Every Little Step
Broadway has some of the best dancers in the world. And you can watch them sweat, stress, and put their best foot forward in this documentary following the auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. Following the auditions from the beginning preliminaries to final callbacks almost a year later, this film will make you laugh and touch your heart as you watch these dancers do everything they can to make the cut. Great pick for anyone who loves great dancing, real drama, and good old-fashioned reach-for-the-stars inspiration. This one is also a good one to watch with the kids!

Paradise Lost
This real-life courtroom drama follows the West Memphis Three, a trio of teenaged boys in West Memphis Arkansas convicted of the brutal murder of three children, through their trial and eventual encarceration. You will feel as if you're watching a top-rate John Grisham thriller-except this one is entirely real. And making this film even more nail-biting is the fact that Damien Echols, one of the convicts in this case, has his last appeal for a re-trial a week from today before the Arkansas Supreme Court, and will serve out his sentance on Death Row should his appeal be rejected. Are they guilty or are they not? Decide for yourself as you watch the court proceedings unfold, but watch it when the kids are in bed-crime scene photos are displayed without any editing or censorship.

Deliver Us From Evil
Another nail-biter, this documentary follows a Catholic priest convicted of sexual abuse as he attempts to reconnect with and apologize to all the children (now adults) that he hurt over his long career as a parish priest. You will find yourself crying along with the victims as they express their pain and face their demons. An absolutely incredible film, but it's not for the weak at heart-this film doesn't make any attempts to mask the victims' pain or sugar-coat the situation. Definitely one to watch after the kids are in bed.

Paperback Dreams
This documentary is about the downfall of the independent bookstore and it's effect on the literary world. Thoroughly depressing for lovers of indie bookstores, the film follows an independent chain as it is hit with the realities of the recession and bargain-book superstores. Fascinating and extremely relevant, this film will make you want to run right out to Second Story Books and buy out their stock!

-Posted by Colleen

Sidewalk Sale!

Need some new DVDs to add to your collection? Kids watched your copy of Scooby-Doo so often it looks like it got run over by a truck driven by zombies? Rented your favorite Steve Martin flick so many times you could have bought it twice and still spent less money on it? Then come on down to our Sidewalk Sale! This Saturday and Sunday, September 25-26, from 11-4, we will be selling our surplus inventory for uber-cheap out in front of the store! So take advantage of the ridiculously warm Fall we're having, and take a stroll down to our MacArthur store this weekend.

See you there!

-Posted by Colleen