Reality DVD

Who would have thought a trailer advertising HBO Documentaries before the feature film Crazy Heart would be a smart move? But some ad exec must have done some research on academy award winning films and documentary film viewers, and bingo, hit the target with me in the audience. I knew nothing about the ten week HBO Documentary summer series until then. Catching the shows on Monday nights will be a challenge, but I like knowing they are there.

Conveniently checked out from our library though, I recently watched three documentaries on DVD. As it happens, none were produced by HBO.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed with Ben Stein questions freedom of speech in the intelligent design debate. Academics and scientists from around the world argue passionately in this controversial satirical film.

Cover Girl Culture, a film produced by Women Make Movies, interviews the staff of Teen Vogue, therapists and teenage girls to understand our society's obsession with beauty.

Lastly Afghan Star. This is a film about an American Idol type competition in Afghanistan. The imitation of our show is delightful but then the implications of men and women singing in public for a nation in conflict with the Taliban become apparent.

New documentaries are added to the collection every month and some will probably be from this summer's hbo series. If you need help finding a good one, just ask.