Darcy Staniforth

What happens when a man begins to investigate a case as a journalist, but then becomes so engrossed in the investigation that it takes over his whole life?

“What television could do if it loved people instead of trying to sell to people.”

All five of these nominees are powerful works in their own right.

This adaptation tries to fill in the spaces left to the imagination, but they don’t translate well to the screen.

How the USPS helps make Christmas happen every year.

A holistic picture of the complex poet and musician Shane MacGowan.

A heartbreaking story about searching for the truth that lies between reunion and grief.

If you are well-versed on this red-eyed harbinger of doom, you may not gain a lot of new insight.

A documentary that explores the history of the ground-breaking show Soul! and its creator Ellis Haizlip.

A revealing tale of success in the face of cruel genius.

The compelling documentary about the life of actor, businessman, and activist Danny Trejo.

A beautiful story of courage in the midst of fear.

The life of Roman poet, Ovid, set in modern Detroit.

A way to unite the “weirdo” community of the paranormal during this time of physical distancing.

Based on the work of John Green, this tale of teen love and loss engages its audience from start to finish.

A fun, funny, and informative read. (Of course, that is, if you like reading about serial killers.)

What began as a series of emails for Greg Newkirk has become so much more than he or the rest of the team ever expected.

Alexakis took his audience through an intimate evening of songs interspersed with personal stories and anecdotes.

A collection that Williams fans will return to time and time again.

The powerful history of one family’s search for justice in the face of centuries of terror.

The story of the most important woman in film you have never heard of.

A beautifully curated addition to the Criterion Collection.

Zabrecky details his journeys into art, failed employment, music, addiction, and ultimately, recovery.

Interesting subject matter wrapped into a not-so-interesting series.

UFO’s and government cover-ups that don’t come off as exciting as they should.

For his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper has done a wonderful job with this film.

This film is also about Freddie Mercury’s life and his struggle to live in his true identity.

And the nominees are…

While some aspects of this film are dated, most of it still holds up in this tale of addiction and grief avoidance.

The characters come across as flat and unlikable, so it was difficult to invest in any of them.

Director Lisa D’Apolito does a wonderful job of bringing in the audience on some of the toughest parts of Gilda’s life.

A film about Dr. Vasant Lad, the man who brought Ayurvedic medicine to the United States.

“It’s hard to cope and do normal human being stuff of you’re wearing your trauma on your sleeve.”

There are some great action scenes and some fun surprises, but those were not enough to win this fan over.

Besides being a great documentary, I can see this film being taught in classrooms across disciplines in the future.

While there are some things about this documentary I liked, overall I came away disappointed and angry.

And the nominees are…

An important look at unchecked power, racism, nativism, and violence though the eyes of a dictator.

A film about the first thing you never get over.

Lemle discusses his intimate portrait of what is on the heart and mind of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at 80 years old.

A somewhat interesting but skewed documentary about the future of jobs and mortality.

A coming-of-age film with events you can see coming from a mile away.

Director Raoul Peck gives the audience a lot to consider and to question.

The rundown on the five nominees for the documentary short subject category.

An uplifting and magical story of a little girl and her unlikely friend.