This is another really good week for opening documentaries.

Errol Morris' highly anticipated Standard Operating Procedure, a Sony Pictures Classics release, has been making the festival rounds for the past year and, at last, is opening in select theaters this Friday. The film expands on the infamous 'torture' photographs that were taken by U.S. military personnel of their colleagues who were torturing suspected terrorists in Abu Ghraib. The film, in which Morris interviews men and women soldiers who participated in the 'standard operating procedure' of terrifying, humiliating and sexually harassing the prisoners, is a shocking revelation about our government's behavior--and how it dehumanizes not only the prisoners, but the soldiers, as well. Since none of America's military leaders nor high government officials have been indicted for these crimes against humanity, the soldiers, deemed 'bad apples,' have taken the fall. The film raises questions about how we, as a people and nation, became this way and what the behavior bodes for the future. Morris, one of the world's most masterful documentary filmmakers, uses special effects and extreme angles to deliver images with tremendous impact. The film is disturbing, shocking--and it should be required viewing on Capitol Hill. Read my review.

Judging by its title, Bomb It (2007) might be a terror-related expose, a film perhaps related in theme to the likes of Standard Operating Procedure. But this film explosive film has nothing to do with war and terror. In fact, it's a film about art and culture, a film that follows graffiti artists as they pursue their art on five continents. Directed by Jon Reiss, the film paints the worldwide picture on contemporary graffiti, setting its roots back to ancient rock paintings, and tracing its development through history and up to its prevalence in hip-hop culture in New York during the 1970's.

In his Without The King, filmmaker Michael Skolnik takes us to Swaziland, the world's last absolute monarchy. It's one of the few African countries that's never had a civil war, but as the extended royal family--the king has more than one wife--enjoys a lavishly opulent life style, impoverished Swazi citizens are nearing the rebellion. The film is a fascinating study of a culture that is entirely different than our own, but faces issues we can identify with--as they near critical mass. In case you miss this excellent film at a theatre near you, it's due to release on DVD on July 22, from First Run Features.