1. BROTHER'S KEEPER

Documentariens Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky bring us this tragic story of the murder investigation surrounding the death of William Ward in rural Munnsville, New York. The illiterate farmer lived as a hermit on the impoverished land he shared with his three brothers. After an autopsy suggested that William's death was not natural, police stepped in and began investigating his brother, Delbert as chief suspect. The film details how the townspeople came together in support of the Wards and against the "big city" police. A great film, not to be missed.

2. HYPE!

Everything you could ever want to know about the grunge revolution. Great interviews with the people who really created the music that springboarded the megabands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Some may be disappointed by the lack of screen time given to the marquee bands, but that is exactly what this film is trying to avoid. We get a serious history lesson on bands like Green River, The Melvins and Screaming Trees. It's great to see the ardent disdain these musicians and producers have for all the fortune and fame they stood to make. A must see for any serious music buff.

3. WAITING FOR GUFFMAN

Christopher Guest's ridiculously funny film was created primarily through improvisation by his talented cast. Eugene Levy, Fred Willard, Parker Posey and Larry Miller join him as the locals of Blaine, Missouri who attempt to "get discovered" when they put on a pageant celebrating the small towns history. Funny damn film.

4. HEARTS OF DARKNESS: A FILMMAKER'S APOCALYPSE

Legendary behind the scenes look at Francis Ford Coppola's masterwork APOCALYPSE NOW. You get a unique glimpse at all the infamous goings-on during the making of this film. The near death of star Martin Sheen, the inflated budget, the teetering sanity of Coppola and the 300 pound gorilla that is (the slightly heavier) Marlon Brando. Essential viewing for film geeks around the globe.

5. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT

The backlash has been fierce, but the juggernaught was fiercer. Though it was released only a few years ago (1999), many have accused the film of being gimmicky and not rewatchable. In truth, it does lose a bit upon multiple viewings, but the it remains a well made and wholly original undertaking. The marks against it really are external, those who were disappointed to learn it wasn't a true story and that dreadful sequel. Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez gave young, poor filmmakers hope, as BLAIR WITCH became one of the most profitable films in history and has made studios and producers think twice before dismissing quirky projects by a bunch of unknowns.

1. WAITING FOR GUFFMAN

The small town of Blaine is having their 150th anniversary. The local drama teacher is writing and directing the big stage musical to celebrate. Such is the premise for one of the funniest films ever made, an entirely improvised parody of amateur theater, from director Sir Christopher Guest. If you have ever been involved with a play at any time, you must see this movie. If you haven't, it's still pretty good.

2. HEARTS OF DARKNESS: A FILMMAKER'S APOCALYPSE

See "Apocalypse Now." Next watch this documentary about the making of the film, if you can find it, then watch the movie again. Then tell Martin Sheen actors have cushy jobs, and let him punch you in the nose. Next, call Dennis Hopper and ask how someone could get so burnt. Once he is done breaking your legs, and you lie in the hospital reflecting on your day, you will reach an epiphany, and forgive Coppola for making "Jack."

3. THIS IS SPINAL TAP

Spinal Tap is not a real band. They are made up. Yes, they have appeared on talk shows. Yes they officially have two albums. They have had several tours, successful ones, though it doesn't seem so in this film or its follow up. But they are not a real band. A real band would never get lost at their own show, stuff vegetables down their pants, or try and expertly explain why, of course, 11 is louder than 10. Actually, maybe they are a real band.

4. THE BIG ONE

Roger & Me was great, but this is where Michael Moore was really able to show corporate American's grim truth. His notoriety played roles in both getting him banned from certain places, and granting him access in able to show that the richest people in this nation seem to get that way by making sure the money doesn't go to you. There's a priceless scene where the head of Nike offers Moore a special pair of shoes: the only Nikes ever made in America. And he seemed proud of the gesture.

5. BEYOND THE MAT

Can you SMELLLLLLL...what the Rock is cooking?!? Well if the Jabroni don't get that movie career started, it's gonna be a steamin' helpin' of painkiller pie. This film lays a smackdown on the wrestling industry, showing that more often than not the illegal ojects in the ring aren't the chairs. Terry Funk, Jeeeeesus Christ! Mick Foley's stayed clean, but has less original parts than the average Bossk figure. And I seriously think you would need a fair sized pool filter robot to properly detox Jake the Snake. This film may just put your notions of how fake pro wrestling is into a figure four leg lock until they need to tag out.

1. SHOWGIRLS

This gritty, ultra-realistic documentary blew the lid off of the sleazy underworld of Las Vegas show dancing, following the success story of starry-eyed dancer Nomi Malone in her emotional odyssey through hardship and cruelty to rise to the top of the world of seminude dancing.

2. BATMAN & ROBIN

This gritty, ultra-realistic documentary blew the lid off of the sleazy underworld of Gotham City crime fighting, following the success story of eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne and "friend" Dick Grayson in their emotional odyssey through hardship and cruelty to vanquish third string cartoon criminals.

3. GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS

This gritty, ultra-realistic documentary blew the lid off of the sleazy underworld of Long Beach car theft, following the success story of starry-eyed car thief Randall "Memphis" Raines in his emotional odyssey through hardship and cruelty to rise to the top of the world of car theft, while inexplicably rescuing his unpleasant semi-retarded brother, Kip.

4. CRUMB

This was actually a documentary, and an awfully good one, if really depressing and fucked-up.

5. URBAN LEGEND

This gritty, ultra-realistic documentary blew the lid off of the sleazy underworld of ... oh, fuck it. I listed this movie as script-free - and all of these, for that matter - because it clearly didn't have anything resembling a screenplay, teleplay, novel, biography, telegram, postcard, phone number on a cocktail napkin, or a doodle on a steno pad of a guy riding a horse, or anything coherently or intelligently written associated with it at all.

I think documentaries are cool. I have a lot of respect for documentaries, and the people who make them, like ... that guy who won an award. And that other guy, who did the Civil War one. And ... you know, other people. I even took a class on documentaries once. We watched a lot of documentaries, but I usually spent most of the time reading a book or something. When it all comes down to it, documentaries are really neat, but I couldn't think of five of them that I really liked. Or had seen. So I listed other things, as you can see.