The Armstrong Lie
2013 really was a terrific year for documentaries; there was a whole of host of exciting and bold movies that really did light up the big screen.
It looks like 2014 will continue that fine run of films, as there are a whole host of exciting projects on the horizon.
We take a look at some of the documentary movies that you cannot miss over the next twelve months
- The Armstrong Lie - out now
The great documentary year kicks off this week as Alex Gibney returns with The Armstrong Lie.
Gibney has delivered movies such as Taxi To The Dark Side during his career, and now he is back with another incredibly engaging film.
In 2009, Alex Gibney was hired to make a film about Lance Armstrong's comeback to cycling. The project was shelved when the doping scandal erupted, and re-opened after Armstrong's confession.
"The Armstrong Lie" picks up in 2013 and presents a riveting, insider's view of the unravelling of one of the most extraordinary stories in the history of sport.
This is a powerful film from start to finish as we really do get an insight into this fallen icon. Gibney has delivered a detailed portrait of Armstrong that will leave you angry as well as a little sad.
- 20 Feet from Stardom
20 Feet from Stardom is already one of the most talked about documentaries, as Morgan Neville is back in the director's chair.
Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century.
Triumphant and heart breaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others.
This is a movie that doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the music industry, at the same time Neville really does pay tribute to background singers the world over.
20 Feet from Stardom has already been Oscar nominated for Best Documentary and is not to be missed when it is released in March.
- Last Days in Vietnam
Last Days in Vietnam premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and is the latest movie from Rory Kennedy.
During the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese Army closes in on Saigon as South Vietnamese resistance crumbles. The United States has only a skeleton crew of diplomats and military operatives still in the country.
With the country under fire, American soldiers and diplomats take it upon themselves to save as many South Vietnamese lives as possible.
This movie mixes incredible footage from the time with modern day recollections from those who were there at the time.
It is an interesting film as it raises a great moral question - should the American soldiers follow orders or follow their conscience? It really is an incredibly compelling watch.
- Rich Hill
Rich Hill was another movie that really did stand out at the Sundance Film Festival; it went on to scoop the grand jury U.S. documentary prize.
Directed by Andrew Droz Palermo and Tracy Droz Tragos, Rich Hill intimately chronicles the turbulent lives of three boys living in an impoverished Midwestern town and the fragile family bonds that sustain them.
Rich Hill really does seem to be striking a chord with audiences, as it is a raw and honest portrayal of American poverty.
There is an incredibly melancholic feel to this film, as the directors really do portray the difficulties and struggles the film's protagonist’s face on a daily basis.
- To Be Takei
George Takei is one of the most recognisable stars, having enjoyed a career that has spanned decades.
During his career, actor and activist George Takei boldly journeyed from a WWII internment camp, to the helm of the starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans.
Join George and his husband Brad on this star's playful and profound trek for life, liberty, and love.
Jennifer M. Kroot is in the director's chair and takes us on this interesting journey into the life of Takei.
George Takei has always been a great personality, and this documentary really is a salute to the man.
- Bears
Disneynature has brought us some terrific documentaries in recent years, and Bears is that latest addition to that list.
Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, Bears takes us on a journey into the lives of a family of grizzly bears living in the coastal mountainous ranges of Alaska.
Disneynature always deliver such beautiful movies, and Bears promises to follow in these footsteps.
Fothergill and Scholey are no strangers to this genre as they worked together on African Cats; Fothergill also brought us Chimpanzee last year.
The Armstrong Lie is out now.