It’s the last Documentary Roundup of the year… and it’s a good one! We had a hard time picking our recommendations this month, we’ve enjoyed just about everything on this list so we hope you’ll give more than a few of these a try…

The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins (2007) - A conceptual artist sparks controversy when she attempts to adopt two orphaned twins and incorporate them into her artwork. – [imdb]

The Battle of Chile (La batalla de Chile) (1975) – Patricio Guzmán’s seminal documentary captures the country’s open and peaceful socialist revolution, and of the violent counter-revolution against it. (France) – [imdb]

The Botany of Desire (2009-TV) – An eye-opening exploration of the human relationship with the plant world — seen from the plants’ point of view. Narrated by Frances McDormand. – [imdb]

The Cove (2009) – Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health. – [imdb] – read our review!

Facing Ali (2009) - Directed by Pete McCormack, this documentary looks at the career of boxing legend Muhammad Ali from the perspective of his opponents, including George Foreman, Joe Drazier, and Larry Holmes.- [imdb]

Herb & Dorothy (2008) - A unique chronicle of the world of contemporary art from two unlikely collectors, whose shared passion and discipline defies stereotypes and redefines what it means to be a patron of the arts. – [imdb]

It Might Get Loud (2008) - A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: The Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White. - [imdb] – click here to read our review!

Johnny Mercer: The Dream’s On Me (2009-TV) - A fascinating portrait of the legendary songwriter. – [imdb]

Know Your Mushrooms (2008) -  Filmmaker Ron Mann investigates the miraculous world of fungi with this documentary shot largely at the Telluride Mushroom Festival in Colorado. – [imdb]

Motherland (2009) - Six American mothers, each grieving the death of a child, journey to South Africa to volunteer with impoverished children. – [imdb]

Rebuilding Hope (2009) - Three ‘Lost Boys’ return home to South Sudan for the first time since they fled as small children, twenty years ago. – [imdb]

(Thanks to IMDB, RottenTomatoes, and Metacritic for help with parts of these synopses)