Alarma! (2008) Online

Alamra is one of, if not the world's, leading shock magazines. A magazine that covers supernatural events and unknown phenomenon, to beautiful women in lingerie, to even a section devoted to women searching for men in the hopes they can move to the good ole U.S. of A. I'm sure there are other aspects to the magazine as well, but they all fall by the way-side to the magazine's bread and butter. Or should I say, dead in the gutters. Alarma's biggest seller is their graphic photos of real-life human accidents and death. To the average person this is a vile and sickening depiction of care-free people trying to cash in on the misfortune of others. To others, it's a fascination, and a wake-up call to the daily life that surrounds us all.

I hesitated going into this documentary. I didn't want to see real-death footage, as I've seen plenty from decapitations and maniacal murders, and the result of each viewing is nothing but an uneasy feeling for myself. So, going in here, my hopes were of intrigue and curiosity, but not pertaining to the pictures, but the men who take the pictures.

This documentary really surprised me at how informative it was. Of course, there was plenty of graphic video and pictures on display, as that no matter, had to be showed; it's their livelihood. But the biggest thing here for me was just how utterly serious this profession is.

The photographers for Alarma are not the only people interested in such morbidity. There are many media outlets who strive to find the freshest mishap. And would you know, these photographers, whom are educated and professional, all collaborate together with team-work and kindness for one another. And with all the dangers they face, it's almost a necessity for the success of their job. With grieving emotional family, patience-less police, and a slew of other types of people, the risk of being attacked is high, and the stories these photographers speak of only solidify my statement.

I strongly recommend this documentary to anyone with a interest in bizarre professions. It's without question one-of-a-kind and one that only specific types of persons could tackle. If you have an open-mind, and an iron-stomach, which is also needed, I again, very much recommend this film. You'll get a wake-up call to the daily horror that surrounds you.