The year 2010 has seen an extraordinary number of fine documentaries released theatrically, on television and online, either on demand or streaming for free, and many of them have been released on DVD very shortly after their theatrical and broadcast premieres. The range of subjects and styles has been extraordinary, too.

The choice of bests is, of course, subjective. My list includes films about men at war, circus lifestyle, artists, animals and history, and includes three epics originally presented episodically.

After reading my choices, list yours at What Are Your Favorite Documentaries?

•A Film Unfinished (2010)

A Film Unfinished is comprised of long-forgotten, previously unedited footage shot by Nazis during World War II, ostensibly as propaganda, chronicling life in the Warsaw Ghetto to show rich Jews reveling in pleasures, ignoring the plights of poor Jews starving in the streets. However, the footage has multiple takes of events 'documented,' revealing that they were staged. In fact, life in the Warsaw Ghetto was so severe very few of the 400,000 Jews confined there lived to tell of the suffering. This painful-to-watch film really sets the record straight on Nazi propaganda. Five stars. It's a must see!More »

•Circus (2010)

Circus is six hours of pure enjoyment! The PBS documentary series follows Big Apple Circus for one year on tour. From setting the show in Upstate New York and changing it for the first performance in Virginia, through the most important (and longest) run at NY's Lincoln Center, to difficult in Queens, we see tent rigged in calm and stormy weather. Performers, one more fabulous than the next, strive for perfection, experience joys, challenges, romance and lonliness of circus life. Founder Paul Binder hands over the job of artistic director to Guillaume Dufresnoy, the next generation. We meet circus kids, see the emotional finale. The series is magical and moving, beautifully shot, and the music is perfect. Five Stars. Must see!More »

•Great Migrations (2010)

National Geographic pulls out all stops in filming wild animals migrating around the globe, following routes miraculously embedded in their memories to places where they mate and bear young in an eternal cycle of species survival. In constant drama, red crabs survive attack by crazy yellow ants on Christmas Island, wildebeests cross the Mara River where crocodiles await them, and elephants endure agonizing dehydration. At sea, sperm whales guard their young. It takes butterflies four generations to travel their entire route. Six hours of encounters with wildlife supported by suberb cinematorgraphy and noteworthy narration. a major achievement in documentary. Five stars. Must see!More »

•Have You Heard From Johannesburg? (2010)

Connie Field's comprehensive and galvanizing eight and a half hour documentary about the defeat of Apartheid in South Africa is divided into seven episodes -- The Road To Resistence, Hell of A Job, The New Generation, Fair Play, From Selma to Soweto, The Bottom Line and Free At Last -- each focusing on a different aspect of how the international Anti-Apartheid movement brought down the government that enforced violent and heinous racial discrimination and abuse. The monumental achievement is a must see for anyone who's interested in world politics and current affairs, and the art and process of documentary filmmaking. Five stars.More »

•Enemies of The People (2010)

Before escaping from Cambodia in 1979, at age ten, Thet Sambath witnessed the murder of his father, forced marriage of his mother to a Khmer Rouge soldier and disappearance of his eldest brother. In 1998, Sambath, by then a journalist in Phnom Penh, embarked on a personal journey to uncover truths about the genocide in his country under the Khmer Rouge. After years of getting to know former Khmer Rouge soldiers and gaining their trust, Sambath got to meet and interview Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's second in command. Sambath's quiet demeanor and objectivity make Nuon Chea's shocking revelations all the more heartbreaking. Five stars. Must see!More »

•Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010)

Joan Rivers has been a public figure for so long, you probably think you know all about her. In Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg follow the comedienne as she assails the seasons of her 75th year. With fly-on-the-wall observations and close-up-and-personal interviews, they reveal that Rivers flows deeper than her brashly funny truth-and-trash-talking face-lifted blonde public persona normally allows us to see. Yes, Rivers is bleached, brazen, outspoken, restructured and all, but she's also absolutely brilliant, disciplined, generous and caring. She's ceaselessly entertaining, and she's also a wonderful friend. Big surprise. Five stars. Must see!More »

•Nuremberg: Its Lessons For Today (2010)

Completed in 1948 but not shown until 2010, Nuremberg: Its Lesson For Today is an extraordinary cinematic document of one of the most important trials of the Twentieth Century, the post-World War II trial of Nazi officials for crimes against humanity. The 2010 edition is the work of Sandra Schulberg, daughter of Stuart Schulberg, who prepared archival Nazi footage for use as evidence in the trials. In addition to that footage, the film has footage shot at the trial, showing Hermann Göring, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Albert Speer and other big name Nazis in the dock. The chilling film makes for a fascinating comparison to documentaries about current truth and reconcilation -- and war crimes -- trials. Five stars. A must see.More »

•Restrepo (2010)

Filmmakers Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger follow a platoon of US soldiers, the Second Platoon, Battle Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade, during their 15-month deployment to Afghanistan's remote Korengal Valley, where their mission is to build a road. In order defend themselves, they must establish a high ground fire base outpost which they name Restrepo, after the platoon's much admired-medic, Juan "Doc" Restrepo, who was killed in action shortly after they arrived in the war zone. Without comment or personal intervention, the filmmakers show what it's like to be at war. The soldiers are in constant danger, under extreme stress and always fearful. The film is absolutely gripping. Five stars. Must see!More »

•The Tillman Story (2010)

Pat Tillman left his multimillion dollar pro football career, became an Army Ranger, went to war in Afghanistan. He was killed by friendly fire, a fact that the military covered up until Pat's persistent mom uncovered the truth. Using footage and photos from Tillman's family, the NFL and news sources, plus on-camera interviews with family members, friends and soldiers who witnessed Tillman's death, director Amir Bar Lev presents a comprehensive and compelling tribute to Tillman, while questioning the military's tactics and, in doing so, challenging the efficacy of the war. Five stars. Must see!More »

•Waste Land (2010)

Acclaimed Brooklyn, NY-based artist Vik Muniz returns to his native country of Brazil, where he embarks upon a remarkable creative journey with a group of men and women who toil as catadores (garbage pickers) at Jardim Gramacho, a Rio de Janiero landfill. The catadores spend their work days digging through muck and gore, extracting stuff they can recycle, earning $20 to $25 per day to support their families. Working with Vik, they use garbage to create huge works of art depicting themselves and, in the process, transform their lives. Beautifully shot in verite style by Lucy Walker, the film is pure inspiration. Five stars. Must see!More »