Double Dose of Documentary!

We're going to take a look at two absolutely fascinating documentaries. Each is similar in terms of their themes of overcoming extraordinary obstacles but what each subject must overcome is radically different.



The first, Pray The Devil Back To Hell, talks about a group of Liberian women who risked their lives in the name of peace. This story is at once heartbreaking and inspirational as we're presented with their story of courage in the face of almost certain death.

Liberia was in a seemingly never ending civil war with death tolls in the thousands when Leymah Gbowee and the other Liberian women decided to rise up and demand peace so that they could stop the bloodshed, rape, and other atrocities that by now were common place.

The bravery these women display is nothing short of staggering. At any moment the president could have had them shot dead and yet they found the courage to fight this battle.

It is a fascinating story and one that is presented unflinchingly in this documentary. It is at times hard to watch as the camera captures everything.

It is an important film about perseverance of the human spirit that will be a welcome watch for any documentary or even general film fan.


Our other doc today is Dear Jack, which chronicles Something Corporate/Jack's Mannequin front man Andrew McMahon's battle with Leukemia.

While Pray focused on a group of women fighting against a man, Dear Jack is about a man fighting against an enemy he cannot see and one that ravages him to the point of death.

McMahon was diagnosed the day he finished his debut solo album, "Everything in Transit" and it is from here that we follow him as his life hangs in the balance and he battles cancer.

The documentary is narrated by Tommy Lee (yes that Tommy Lee) and we see nearly every aspect of McMahon's battle. It's extremely powerful and his music only increases that power. McMahon is the voice of a generation that anyone would do well to listen to. His words are so captivating, his music beautiful and watching him on this journey only makes me more appreciative.

Dear Jack looks at life, loss, and even love in such a touching and realistic way. It is an inspiring and deeply personal journey that never shies away.

The film is only made better by the Dear Jack EP available on iTunes, which features the simple yet stunning music box version of Swim.

The incredible documentaries Pray The Devil Back To Hell and Dear Jack are available right now and I would highly recommend checking them out. They are inspiring, horrifying, and most of all, important.