Documentary Movies 2013 List

With Lucien Castaing-Taylor • Verena Paravel

A documentary that takes you deep inside the dangerous world of commercial fishing. Set aboard a hulking fishing vessel as it navigates the treacherous waves off the New England coast—the very waters that once inspired Moby Dick—the film captures the world of the fishermen in starkly haunting, yet beautiful detail.

With Gregory Marquette

Story centers on Walter L. Shaw, a prolific inventor in the telecommunications field who turned to the mob, whose bookies used his "black box" to run their gambling operations and wound up destitute before passing away in 1996. His son, embittered by his father's destruction, turned to organized crime in the 1970s and 1980s before attempting to set the record straight about his father.

With Jeff Bridges • Lori Silverbush • Kristi Jacobson

49 million people in the U.S. – one in four children – don’t know where their next meal is coming from, despite our having the means to provide nutritious, affordable food for all Americans. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine this issue through the lens of three people who are struggling with food insecurity.

With Neil Barsky

Former Mayor Ed Koch is the quintessential New Yorker. Still ferocious, charismatic, and hilariously blunt, the now 88-year-old Koch ruled New York from 1978 to 1989—a down-and-dirty decade of grit, graffiti, near-bankruptcy and rampant crime. First-time filmmaker (and former Wall Street Journal reporter) Neil Barsky has crafted a revealing portrait of this intensely private man, his legacy as a political titan, and the town he helped transform. His three terms included a fiercely competitive 1977 election; the burgeoning AIDS epidemic; landmark housing initiatives; and an irreparable municipal corruption scandal. Through candid interviews and rare archival footage, Koch thrillingly chronicles the personal and political toll of running the world’s most wondrous city.

With Ramona S. Diaz

Follows the real life rock-n-roll fairy tale story of Filipino Arnel Pineda, who was plucked from YouTube to become the front man for iconic American rock band, Journey, thereby becoming the latest performer to go from the Internet to real life celebrity. Having already overcome a life full of painful obstacles and now saddled with the immense pressures of leading a world renowned band and replacing a legendary singer, the film follows Arnel on this personal journey.

With Daryl Hannah

Hurricane Sandy. Wildfires in the West. "Brown-Outs" in the East. Farmers losing crops to the worst drought since the Dust Bowl. Climate change is no longer a prediction for the future, but a startling reality of today. Yet, as evidence of our changing climate mounts and the scientific consensus proves human causation, there continues to be no political action to thwart the warming of our planet. “Greedy Lying Bastards” investigates the reason behind stalled efforts to tackle climate change despite consensus in the scientific community that it is not only a reality but also a growing problem placing us on the brink of disaster. The film details the people and organizations casting doubt on climate science and claims that greenhouse gases are not affected by human behavior. From the Koch Brothers to ExxonMobil, to prominent Senators and Justices, this provocative exposé unravels the layers of deceit threatening U.S. democracy.

With Steven Feinartz

The film takes an unconventional journey with a true “comic’s comic”. Eddie Pepitone, a startling voice in the alt-comedy scene, has been battling on-stage for over 30 years. Now in his fifties, he is attempting to take his comedy to the next level. Throughout the film, we follow Eddie as he struggles to break through his cult status while dealing with self-doubt, sobriety and a challenging past.

Original animation, stand-up material and hilarious interviews with Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Marc Maron and others help us gain insight into this fascinating character. Above all, “The Bitter Buddha” is an unhinged portrait of creativity, enlightenment and rage.

With Snoop Dogg • Dr. Dre • Andy Capper

Follows Snoop Dogg on a spiritual journey as he immerses himself in Rastafari, explores musical and religious histories deeply rooted in Jamaica, and reemerges from his experience as "Snoop Lion."

With Eric Walter

For the first time in 35 years, Daniel Lutz recounts his version of the infamous Amityville haunting that terrified his family in 1975. George and Kathy Lutz's story went on to inspire a best-selling novel and the subsequent films have continued to fascinate audiences today. This documentary reveals the horror behind growing up as part of a world famous haunting and while Daniel's facts may be other's fiction, the psychological scars he carries are indisputable.

With Scott Mactavish

Murph: The Protector is a feature-length documentary based on LT Michael Murphy's life of honor, courage and commitment, as told by his friends, family and teammates. Michael was raised in Patchogue, New York, attended Penn State University and then joined the U.S. Navy to serve in the SEAL Teams. Well-known for his selflessness, Michael gave his life for his men in 2005 and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2007. His legacy now lives on in this moving portrait of a real American hero.

With Rodney Ascher

In the 30 years since The Shining's film release, a considerable cult of Shining devotees has emerged, fans who claim to have decoded the film’s secret messages addressing everything from the genocide of Native Americans to a range of government conspiracies. Rodney Ascher’s Room 237 fuses fact and fiction through interviews with cultists and scholars, creating a kaleidoscopic deconstruction of Kubrick’s still-controversial classic.