Arts & Entertainment
Doc Watch at the Des Plaines Public Library
Submitted by Cathy Friedman, Readers' Services.
Documentary films rack in a minuscule amount of theater box office receipts compared to feature films, but those that do make it to the big screen are worthy, and usually have garnered lots of praise. Seems that as soon as the word is out though, the film is ending its run at the local theater. If you have missed them, be sure to check out some of 2010's most popular documentaries on DVD at the Des Plaines Public Library.
Inside Job offers a riveting look at the global financial collapse of 2008 - 2009 with a focus on the greed and power of Wall Street. Director, writer Charles Ferguson, an economist himself, interviews business school deans, federal reserve honchos, and government officials to define the fault line of that financial earthquake. This film won the 2010 Oscar for Documentary Feature.
Freakonomics is the film version of the popular, approachable book of the same name. The two personable authors steer us through vignettes of human behavior and their effects on the economy. Lively, and full of ah-ha moments, it will inspire you to read the book if you haven't already done so.
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Exit Through the Gift Shop is a truly artsy film lover's film, but also a box office hit by documentary standards. Graffiti street artist, Banksy, is the topic of an avid videographer's attention. The exploration of street art and the obsessive characters involved is enlightening. Watch carefully as the subject and director change roles and the filming becomes as colorful as the art itself.
Waiting for Superman provides a provocative look at public education and the need for reform. Filmmakers focus on the roles of teachers' unions, teacher effectiveness and educational change.
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A list of other 2010 documentaries is available on our catalog, and the Readers’ Services Desk is always happy to help at 847-376-2840.