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1 | Your name | Your Twitter handle (optional) | Documentary suggestion | Where is it available? (optional) | What makes it great? | Comments from others | Email (optional) | Genres/Tags | Country of Origin |
2 | Tina Cook | The Clash: Westway to the World | A well-done doc that takes you right back to the Clash as they were just hitting NYC. | super sweet! | |||||
3 | Megan | Peru Sabe | ? | About how young people in Peru are aspiring to be chefs instead of football players, and how Peruvian cuisine is becoming one of Peru's biggest exports. If you've been to Peru, it's particularly interesting, and also has a really nice focus on the human stories rather than just being food porn. | |||||
4 | Spencer Post | Freeway: Crack in the System | Al Jazeera America or on torrent | Snoop Dogg soundtrack! No really, it's a great documantary about the rise and fall of a hustler, as well as the involvement of the CIA in the crack epidemic of the 80s. Gripping moment: a former billionare crack dealer crying, remembering how his daughter was born small enough to fit in his hand due to crack exposure. | I saw this at the Downtown LA Film Fest - definitely worth a watch! - Emily | ||||
5 | James Ramsay | Word Wars | Amazon | Scrabble! And the bizarre folks who play it extremely well. They're not cultured literary types but obsessive puzzle solvers with all sorts of psychological issues. Fascinating and made me feel much better about being a mediocre player (I'm an editor, not a programmer). | Hands down my favorite doc. Nice pick! // This one stuck with me for weeks. -@michaeltapp This one haunted me! - Melissa B | ||||
6 | Bob K. | If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise | Amazon | Director Spike Lee returns to New Orleans five years after Katrina, to see what happened to the people he interviewed in "When the Levees Broke." He looks at the lasting effects of the storm on the city and its people, and the effects of subsequent events: the BP Oil Spill, the Saints Superbowl win, the Haiti earthquakes. It's fascinating to hear the major players (and regular people) speak about Katrina with clarity and perspective of five years' distance from the event. I learned so much--it was like a "behind the scenes" guide to what really happened, and how it led to the changes New Orleans is facing today. | |||||
7 | Charlotte S. | Vernon, Florida. | Amazon | A puzzling, awful/lovely portrait of a small Florida town by Errol Morris. It simultaneously presents a bubble containing a group of very strange people but also has that sense of universality and human connection that really intimate documentary makers can capture. | LOVE this one! - @emishki | Love this one too!! sharinole@gmail.com | |||
8 | Hillary Buckholtz | @theotherhillary | Driving Me Crazy | Amazon | Both uproaringly funny and unerringly cautionary, Broomfield's behind-the-scenes document of the making of a musical becomes a ceremonious unmaking-of as egos, budgets and general calamity conspire to ruin the best efforts of all involved in the New York rehearsals for an extravangant, glitzy production. | ||||
9 | Holly Edgell | @hollyedgell | Open Secret | Amazon | Family secrets can be toxic, and this doc shows how through the experiences of a man who, at age 18, learned the truth about his adoption--a truth most everyone in town already knew about. The filmmaker shows great care with his relatives, as he tries to understand their decisions. We also learn, poignantly, about the context in which the choices were made. | ||||
10 | Maria Fortiz-Morse | Southern Comfort | Amazon | perfect for sex death money: NY times and trailer say it all, http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B01E5DC1639F932A15751C0A9679C8B63 | Sundance in 2001 and truly an independent doc film, and made by a female director. Comment 2: saw this movie when it premiered at film forum in nyc, and absolutely loved it, still think of it to this day. - Anna | fortizmorse@gmail.com | |||
11 | Maya K. | How To Draw A Bunny | Amazon | I remember watching this documentary as part of an art history class in college; it was funny and a little bit dark and very fascinating. Memorable! Here's a clip https://youtu.be/8x-1_uBGWEg | |||||
12 | Megan | Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement | Amazon | About the life, joys and struggles of a lesbian couple who met in the 60's. Prepare to laugh and cry. | |||||
13 | Michael Tapp | @MichaelTapp | The Ghost Army | Amazon | Wonderful film with archival footage about an unknown unit in WWII the Army 23rd who used visual, sonic, and radio deception to mislead the Germans. | If you're interested in finding out more I can link you up with the filmmaker. -MT Phenomenal! Unique look at a soldiers perspective on war. - Jess F. | |||
14 | Michael Tapp | @MichaelTapp | The Ambassador | Amazon | Using hidden cameras, filmmaker Mads Brugger exposes the ease with which he obtained a fake passport and smuggled blood diamonds out of the Central African Republic. | ||||
15 | Mike Andrick | @MikeAndrick | The Vivian Maier Mystery | Amazon | Uncover the story behind the woman behind the camera in this fascinating doc that chronicles the life of a street photographer who remained unknown until after her death, when thousands of negatives were discovered. | Good one!; Such an amazing documentary about an endlessly complex and fascinating woman. - Shannon H. Yes, really cool and great story - Megan | |||
16 | Nick Andersen | @nicktheandersen | Waiting for 'Superman' | Amazon | The lives of five Harlem and Bronx families in the high stakes lottery for access to New York City's best charter schools | Double LOVE. Emily / The best working people/labor movie of all-time! - @Ian_CNY; Same here, lots of love for this doc! - Shannon H. Triple love - really heart-breaking, eye-opening and inspirational. Megan | |||
17 | Wild Horse, Wild Ride | Amazon | A handful of unforgettable characters set out on a 100-day quest to tame wild mustangs for a Texas competition. The interaction between these people and the wild horses they aim to tame is stunning. | ||||||
18 | The Woman who Wasn't There | Amazon | A woman's harrowing and inspiring tale of surviving the 9/11 terrorist attacks... which all turns out to be a lie. | ||||||
19 | Maria Fortiz-Morse | Crazy | Amazon (DVD) | "Very unobtrusive directing by dutch master Honigmann and the recollections -- often tearful, as she keeps the camera on the veterans while the music plays -- are as powerful and damning an anti-war indictment as you're likely to see." | Formally brilliant, genius filmmaker underappreciated in USA. Woman director! | ||||
20 | Michael Heintzman | Gideon's Army | Amazon and Netflix | Folows the struggle of 3 public defenders in the South. An official selection in the prestigious U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, GIDEON’S ARMY was awarded the editing prize at the festival. The film premiered on HBO in July 2013. | |||||
21 | Maya K. | Rivers and Tides | Amazon DVD | Simple and beautiful, follows site specific nature sculptor Andrew Goldsworthy. Rich and vivid. | |||||
22 | Alexandra Florea | @alleyah | Times of Harvey Milk | Amazon Instant or DVD | Won the Oscar for best Documentary in 1984. Narrated by the great Harvey Fierstein. It's a really well done film by Rob Epstein. Very moving with a wonderful haunting score. | setzler.terra@gmail.com | |||
23 | RJ Schmidt | @rjschmidt | No No: A Dockumentary | Amazon Instant, Netflix, Google Play,Youtube, etc | 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Premiered at Sundance. Topical for the current racial tensions --Helping make this documentary changed my life. "In the 1970s Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter on LSD and his outspoken style courted conflict and controversy, but his latter years were spent helping others recover from addiction. No No: A Dockumentary weaves a surprising and moving story of a life in and out of the spotlight." | ||||
24 | Dan | Art & Copy | Amazon video, Netflix disk | ART & COPY is a powerful film about advertising and inspiration. | |||||
25 | Beth Naumann | @bethnaumann | Paradise Lost | Amazon, HBO GO | Three installments in this docu series trace the imprisonment and eventual release of "The West Memphis Three" -- teenage boys in rural Arkansas who were wrongly convicted of murdering neighborhood children in satanic ritual. | Yes! This is a great one! "West of Memphis" is also a grat doc abou the case. - Maria | laurachristine.garrett@gmail.com | ||
26 | Alexandra | King of Kong | Amazon, hulu, google play | The film follows Steve Wiebe in his attempts to take the world high score for the arcade game from Billy Mitchell, who the film presents as reigning champion. The film has some very funny parts and some parts that are quite touching. You don't have to be a video game lover to enjoy this film. I reccomend it! | I reccomend it also, I watch this all the time. - Maria | ||||
27 | Hillary Buckholtz | @theotherhillary | Art and Craft | Amazon, iTunes | Totally captivating. When one of the most prolific art forgers in US history is finally exposed, he must confront the legacy of his 30-year con. | Just watched this and loved! Mark Landis is a true character and you kinda root for him in a way. Heard about this from NPR story which you might also want to listen to (they interviewed him for the story). Basically, I couldn't get enough of him. | |||
28 | Carling McManus | @carlingmcmanus | New York: A Documentary Film | Amazon, PBS Store | This film was originally released in 2003 - but it's splendid and so worth watching if you haven't seen it. Director Ric Burns does an amazing job, weaving together narratives from notable historians, architectural critics and urbanists. In particular, I love the episodes that explore Robert Moses as well as those detailing the horrible impact of Titles I and II of the Housing Act of 1949 (i.e., urban renewal). As a longtime resident of San Francisco, I've seen the aftermath of that massive mistake in public policy here - much like that experienced in New York. | ||||
29 | Joe Morgan | @egonull | Somm | Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Netflix | Four wine stewards prepare to take the Master Sommelier Exam, one of the world's most-difficult tests, presided over by the notoriously secretive Court of Master Sommeliers. Over the past 40 years only 200 or so people have ever passed the test to become a Master Sommelier | Changed the way I look at wine and the industry. Excellent documentary. | fortizmorse@gmail.com | ||
30 | Christian Schwarz | Biggie and Tupac (Nick Broomfield) | Amazon/Hulu | The narrator/director is bizzare. Some amazing footage of Tupac and Biggie "out of character". Suggests deep involvement of Suge Knight/Death Row/LAPD in the murders of B&T. | |||||
31 | Catherine D. | She's Beautiful When She's Angry | Cinemas in selected cities and VOD soon I hope! | Important history of the birth of the women's liberation movement from '66-'71. Covers the early years of 2nd wave feminism, tackling issues of intersectionality with race, class and sexuality. Has great archival footage. And inspiring examination of the far-reaching effects of grass roots activism on changing social norms. | I watched this premiere at SVA earlier this year and it was incredibly powerful. I think they did a good job at looking at the intersectionality of the feminist movement and admitting that there were problems, but that they still had similar goal. This should be required for ppl in high school to watch during their civil rights movements discussion. I also learned a lot that I didn't know. Amazing film! - E. Estrada | ||||
32 | Kim K. | Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief | Currently on HBO and HBO Go, possibly YouTube | A bright light is shined on the shadowy beliefs and structure of a "spiritual philosophy" composed by a mentally-ill science fiction author whose biggest passion was "smashing my name into the mountains of history". WIth incredible interviews with several ex-members who held high positions of power before they "blew" (slang for leaving without permission), what looks like a benign practice of psychoanalysis quickly becomes an organizations that does much more than just drain people's bank accounts. | I've watched this three times and still can't believe it. | ||||
33 | Chelsea | @bondchelseabond | FRAME BY FRAME | Film festivals, opening LA/NY this Nov | The film follows four Afghan photographers working in what's been called a media revoution: when the Taliban ruled, photography - even wedding photos - were banned. Now, through gorgeous cinematography and the perspective of their own, they navigate an emerging and dangerous media landscape, reframing Afghanistan for the world, and for themselves. What makes it great is the way it challenges our perception of what we know to be true about a country and people. | ||||
34 | Hezekiah Harris | @HezekiahHarris | Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief | HBO | It takes a dark look into a religion formed from a controversial viewpoint and how it stands to make money continuously even though it does not qualify for a church background. From the creator to its biggest rockstar, the documentary goes in depth to explains the money marketing scheme used to bankroll the churches profits. | ||||
35 | Mel Carlisle | The Jinx | HBO | A docuseries that delves into the mind of Robert Durst, one of America's most notorious murderers who keeps escaping justice. Durst was just arrested again in March due to the events that unfolded while the series was being made over several years. Even if you have read all of the headlines, the series tells so much more than you think you know! Seriously, one of the best docs I have ever seen. Mesmerizing. | I was spellbound throughout. Do watch! - Leanne "I just finished this and was completely absorbed and surprised by it. A must-watch!" - Angela | ||||
36 | Stefanie Atwood | University of Sing-Sing | HBO | A touching look into the education of inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in NY. This movie shows how the power of knowledge can create transformations within, often, violent criminals and give them second chances. | |||||
37 | Stephanie B. | Thought Crimes: The Case of the Cannibal Cop | HBO (Maybe HBO Go) | Details the case of Gilberto Valle and explores the issues surrounding prosecuting individuals for thoughts and ideas. While it seems easy to want to find him guilty of something, the film makes it clear that his actions aren't so clearly criminal. For people who live outside of New York, where this case may be well known and the issue it raises thoroughly discussed within the context of the case, it's a facinating test of our dedication to personal freedom. | |||||
38 | Alejandra S. | @alesierra2424 | The Case Against 8 | HBO GO | It's the story of taking the fight against California Prop 8 (banning same sex marriage) to the Supreme Court. A very real story of love, equility and the Court system. Won at Sundance. And directed by my former roommate doesn't hurt either. | ||||
39 | Mark Gilsdorf | @mgblacksmith | 50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. And Mrs. Krauss | HBO GO | The previously untold story of a Jewish lawyer and his wife who in 1939 embarked on an improbable plan to rescue 50 children from Nazi controlled Vienna. | ||||
40 | Hillary Buckholtz | @theotherhillary | Remembering the Artist, Robert De Niro | HBOgo | Robert De Niro, Sr., was a celebrated painter obscured by the pop-art movement. His life and career are chronicled in the artist's own words by his contemporaries and, movingly, by his son, the actor Robert De Niro. | ||||
41 | Hillary Buckholtz | @theotherhillary | Southern Rites | HBOgo | Southern Rites seems like its going to one movie then totally becomes another movie altogether. The film visits Montgomery County, Ga., one year after the town merged its racially segregated proms, and during a historic election campaign that may lead to its first African-American sheriff. Acclaimed photographer Gillian Laub, whose photos first brought the area unwanted notoriety, documents the repercussions when a white town resident is charged with the murder of a young black man. The case divides locals along well-worn racial lines, and the ensuing plea bargain and sentencing uncover complex truths and produce emotional revelations. | This one will stay with you. | fortizmorse@gmail.com | ||
42 | Lauren Mitchell | An Honest Liar | http://anhonestliar.com/wp/ | Documents James Randi's transition from stage magician to scientific skeptic of the paranormal, all the while examining the many layers of dishonesty in society and his own life. | loved this. | ||||
43 | Adam Lipkin | @tsalmoth | Girls Rock! | http://girlsrockmovie.com/ | Fantastic girls coming of age story centered around 4 tween / teen girls at the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls in Portland and featuring interviews with fantastic indie rockers who teach at the camp. | I LOVE this one - Good choice! @tanyadapkey :) | |||
44 | Alysha Balog | @alyshaba | Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox | http://magicsoapbox.vhx.tv | Dr. Emanuel Bronner was a master soapmaker, self-proclaimed rabbi, and, allegedly, Albert Einstein’s nephew. In 1947, after escaping from a mental institution, he invented the formula for “Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap,” a peppermint-infused, all-natural, multi-purpose liquid that can be found today in every American health food store. On each bottle of his soap, he printed an ever-evolving set of teachings he called “The Moral ABC.” A movie about the eccentric man who lives up to your expectations after seeing a bottle of Dr. Bronner's! "It's like a peppermint in your pants!" | Saw this a while ago, but yes amazing!! | |||
45 | Amy Kaufman | AmyKinLA | Witch Hunt | http://witchhuntmovie.com/ | Exec Produced / Narrated by Sean Penn, this film features a 1980's McArthtyism in Bakersfield, CA and centers on a wrongly accused man and who served over 20 years in prison. | ||||
46 | Amy Kaufman | AmyKinLA | Eyes on the Prize | http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EE2WUKI/ref=avod_yvl_watch_now | Groundbreaking civil rights documentary, out of print for many years but now back. Wonderful interviews, excellent music, very moving. | This changed the way I view race and racism. It fleshed out my understanding of the civil rights movement. | |||
47 | Andrea Brown | @canonicsonata | Country Boys | http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/countryboys/ | Filmed over three years (1999-2002), "Country Boys" tracks the dramatic stories of Chris and Cody from ages 15 to 18. With intimate cinematic technique and sound design, the film bears witness to the two boys' struggles to overcome the povertyand family dysfunction of their childhoods in a quest for a brighter future. This film also offers unexpected insights into a forgotten corner of rural America that is at once isolated and connected, a landscape dotted with roughshod trailer homes and wired with DSL. | I loved this one too!- Susan | |||
48 | Barbara S. | The Salt of the Earth | http://www.pelis7.com/2015/04/le-sel-de-la-terre-la-sal-de-la-tierra-2014.html#tab2 | Beautiful documentary about the work of photographer Sebastião Salgado (has done social documentary photography, war photography, as well as doing projects on nature), done by Wim Wenders & Salgado's son. | |||||
49 | Andrea R. | Harlan County, USA | http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/harlan_county_usa | It's kind of a depressing movie (strike at a gritty, impoverished Kentucky coal mine in the 70s) but the stories they find and the people they talk to in this stunning (and relatively short) piece are truly inspiring. Plus, it has INCREDIBLE music. | |||||
50 | Luke | @midnightskytalk | To Spring From the Hand | http://www.springfromthehand.com | "It's not a way of making a living, it's a way of making a life." - Paulus Berensohn. I find it inspiring to see another artists process. To get inside how they balance their drive to create with the need to take care of basic things like food and shelter. It's an excellent insight into the "life and philosophy of an acclaimed artist who, for the last 40 years, has chosen not to sell his work." | ||||
51 | Andy Sauer | @AndySauer | The Great Happiness Space | http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/JShRlvagXmk | The Great Happiness Space explores Osaka's underground love scene. The doc centers around a host club, which is a basibally a strip club for women, but the boys in the host club sell companionship to women, not sex. There's a twist in the middle of the movie that makes it incredibly fascinating. This is by far one of the most fascinating docs I've ever seen. | Oh Yeah! - this was fascinating, taking a look at the "love industry" in Japan. Sidenote: if you like this, you should read the book by Jake Adelstein called "Tokyo Vice" - @niftytastic | |||
52 | Antony B. | Stevie | http://www.videobash.com/video_show/stevie-2002-2251991 | Director revisits the troubled boy, now grown up and accused of a sex offense crime, that he met in the Big Brother program 10 years ago. Dour, very long, but amazingly complex | Yes, this is a remarkable movie, one of my favorites. | ||||
53 | Barb Kielhofer | @Barbie_Janice | Chasing Ice | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-G5mC5WTDY | A look inside Britain's highest security psychiatric hospital, examining the medical and social aspects of healthcare for the acutely and severely mentally ill. | Chasing Ice is a great film, but...different from your suggestion? | |||
54 | Benjamin Franklin | @namoneugene | Streetwise | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lTQgfXb87k | This is about homeless kids squatting in abandoned places in Seattle in the 1980s. I like that this is a portrait of a city that I don't know much about beyond Nirvana, coffee brands and Microsoft. It didn't feel too editorialized. It was just their voices. Oh -- I liked this one too, James! Emily | ||||
55 | Carla P. | End of the century | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSc70sZlFy4&list=PLQ4m3YbI-PmsbpUZsNMVJJ85ZRmg22-fQ | End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones is a 2003 documentary film about highly influential New York punk rock band the Ramones. The film tells the wild story of the people behind the band and isn't meant just for hardcore fans | Tremendous film. John B; I agree - Susan F.; THANK YOU for this rec'! Fantastic film. - Lori C | ||||
56 | Tim Minchin Rock'n'roll nerd (2008) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuC94mhWOAI | Every 20 something who is struggling professionally can learn a thing or two from Minchin's story. Or at least get inspired :) I loved it. | I was going to suggest this. Great soundtrack - Michael Newman (@dvdmon). I love this, too. Amazing how compelling it is, even though we know he survived the walk -- Terry C. Definitely worth a watch - Bruce M. Agree - amazing, beautiful piece of work - @stribs// I want to give an honest review, hated this movie. I've seen it twice. Its a man who screwed over all of his friends, telling a story, glorifying himself.-Terra S. | |||||
57 | Day & Night: The Story of Plaza Anibal Pinto | https://youtu.be/D5GBicuQLhU | Short student documentary filmed over 2 weeks in the winter of 2009 that focuses on the difference vibe one plaza in the Chilean city of Valparaiso exudes between day and night. Features 4 local businesses and interviews with artists and owners. Spanish audio with english subtitles. | Two thumbs up! (third thumbs up, it's a classic - @oneanabee)Agreed! -@michaeltapp. ....... BEST DOCUMENTARY EVER! I could not love this more. @pasinina | |||||
58 | Cody Mims | This Way of Life | Hulu | Portrait of a New Zealand family working to build a self-sustaining life and be good to one another. Very inspiring. | This is a good one! Well done movie about tech, which is really hard to do. @michaeltapp | ||||
59 | Maria Fortiz-Morse | Children Underground | Hulu | "Children Underground follows the story of five street children, aged eight to sixteen who live in a subway station in Bucharest, Romania. The street kids are encountered daily by commuting adults, who pass them by in the station as they starve, swindle, and steal, all while searching desperately for a fresh can of paint to get high with." | This film inspired me to become a documentary filmmaker. | ||||
60 | Maria Fortiz-Morse | Hotel Monterey | Hulu | Chantal Akerman's hyperrealist documentary. "Hôtel Monterey is an enthralling and original documentary, with no commentary, no sound at all, relying entirely on its evocative and mysterious images to communicate the sense of life in this hotel. The effect is disarmingly hypnotic and powerful." | Simple, powerful. | ||||
61 | Corinne V | "A Married Couple" (Allan King, 1969) | Hulu Plus | Arguably the first "Real World" verite documentary film where the filmmaker embeds himself into a marriage on a daily basis. Over time the marriage changes and the people change. It reveals how people grow together and apart, and makes you think about the possibility of objectivity in a documentary. | |||||
62 | corinne v | Sans Soleil | Hulu Plus | Poetic and Philosophical, Chris Marker's Sans Soleil explores the differences between western,European culture and the cultures of Guinea-Bissau and Japan. Includes amazing sequences depicting television, cultural views of sexuality, death, oppression, and leadership. All filmed as a travelogue using the Bealieu r-1 16mm camera. | |||||
63 | Nancy Asin | Amy | In movie theaters | Heartbreaking documentary about the life of Amy Winehouse. Will totally change your perception of her if all you knew about her, as I did, was what you read in the tabloids. | I sobbed. I really felt like I got to know the real Amy. -MM | ||||
64 | Danielle Drees | Call Me Lucky | In theaters Aug 2015 | Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait and featuring interviews by comedians like Patton Oswalt and Marc Maron, this documentary is about the life and career of comedian/activist Barry Crimmins. I didn't know anything about Barry when I saw the movie, and because of that, the reveal halfway through was all the more shocking. Recommended for those interested in comedy history and/or social activism. | Saw this in the cinema and alternated between dancing in my seat to crying at the warehouse scenes, what a rollercoaster! -Sarah | bill@kiwiyanks.com | Palistine, Isreal, Hamas, Shin Bet, spy | ||
65 | Jena M | martinberg.jena@gmail.com | Somewhere Between | Itunes | This film follows the lives of four teenaged girls adopted from China and now living in the United States. Nuanced portrayal of the lives of 4 Chinese adoptees as teenagers. Gripping plot twists and insights into identity in America. Fun now to follow these girls in real life after this film has made them well-known (in adoption circles). - See more at: http://www.somewherebetweenmovie.com/#sthash.TnchuLf4.dpuf | mariaclarab@gmail.com | |||
66 | Amelia Searle | I Am Secretly An Important Man | iTunes, Amazon | Steven Jesse Bernstein is an incredible poet and writer, one of Seattle's most celebrated voices and an integral part of the city's late 80's early 90's rock scene. This documentary takes a close look at Bernstein's life and really shows his work as the raw, ugly, truly human stuff that it is. | |||||
67 | Daria H. | Blood Brother | Itunes, Amazon Instant, Netflix | All Filmmaker Proceeds Are Donated to the Children Seen in the Film and to HIV/AIDS Initiatives. ‘Blood Brother’ is a story of friendship. It’s a story of a life, stripped down to its essence. Most of all, it is a story about love, enduring in the face of death. Rocky Braat, a young man from a fractured family and a troubled past, went traveling through India without a plan. Then he met a group of HIV positive children living in an orphanage — a meeting that changed everything for him. | I saw this at the Sundance Film festival. It was touching. I enjoyed it. | ||||
68 | Haley Koch | @lezgetpregnant | Public Sex, Private Lives | iTunes, Amazon, Google Play | An intimate look into the personal lives of female porn performers in San Francisco's Kink scene. The film goes deep, revealing the benefits and complications that come with being a porn perfomer. It's the most authentic documentary about women in the porn industry ever made. Given the stigma that comes with being a porn performer, the film portrays these women as complex individuals with their own unique dreams, love lives, families, and challenges. | ||||
69 | Del Tashlin | @sexgodsrockstars | Unfinished Spaces | iTunes, Amazon, Hulu | It tells the story of the unfinished National Art Schools in Cuba, begun in the early 60s, under the durection of architect Ricardo Porro. The idea for the school, built on the grounds of a formerly exclusive golf course, was hatched by Castro and Guevara during a game of golf at said course. Porro sought to develop a truly Cuban architectural vocabulary that would express the headiness of the early days of the revolution. Due to changes in the political climate in Cuba, only two of the five planned school buildings were completed. The two that were finished are some of the most unique and interesting buildings you'll ever see. The documentary does a good job of presenting a balanced view of the history of the school, the conflicts around it, as well as the positive and negative aspects of the Cuban project in general. | ||||
70 | Maya K. | Pina | iTunes, Google | My favorite documentary, and possibly my favorite film ever, stikingly gorgous, touching, at moments funny. Follows the work of choreographer Pina Bausch. Brought me to tears and inspired curiosity about dance and art. | agreed. I need to go home NOW I think. And watch documentaries. Emily ; This one is so good! - Do-Hee. Excellent documentary! This is one of my top 5 favorites. This is one of the few films tackling abortion that I would recommend to a pro-lifer. -Heidi T | haddenist@gmail.com | |||
71 | Diana Kim | @missdianakim | Dinosaur 13 | iTunes, Netflix DVD, Amazon | In case you need more dinosaurs this summer -- the premise sounds like it would just be 'okay' but I promise things escalate quickly! A documentary about the discovery of the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever found and the craziness that ensues when the US Government steps in... | Yes - we liked it. Crazy insight into the trials (literally) and tribulations of dinosaur hunting and paleontology. Megan | 504daria@gmail.com | Education | |
72 | Darby B | 51 Birch Street | iTunes, SundanceNow Doc Club | In the wake of his mother's sudden, unexpected death the filmmaker (Doug Block) discovers his parent's 54-year marriage wasn't nearly as happy as they made it out to be. The evidence? Within a few months his dad has moved in with his secretary from 40 years before. And the discovery of 40 years worth of his mother's diaries, which opens a whole Pandora's Box of family secrets. A personal doc that plays out more like a spellbinding detective story, the film brilliantly answers the question: Do you really want to know your parents? | |||||
73 | @toejben | The Black Power Mixtape | Netflix | Swedish journalists document the evolution of the American Black Power Movement from 1967 - 1975. Includes interviews and commentaries from Black American figures from Stokely Carmichael and Angela Davis to Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli. It's interesting to see journalists from another country document such a pivotal time in American history. | michaelwtapp@gmail.com | ||||
74 | Amy Kaufman | AmyKinLA | Evolution of a Criminal | Netflix | Darius Clark Monroe directs this autobiographical documentary about how he robbed a bank with a few high school friends. It documents the events through interviews with Clark's friends and family, along with very well directed reenactments wtih actors. This is a great story, directed with a strong sense of style and honesty. I'd expect some great films to come from this director and probably a narrative film version of this story, hopefully not ruined by Hollywood. | A great doc. Very heartfelt.Honest, interesting and memorable | |||
75 | Amy Kaufman | AmyKinLA | How to die in Oregon | Netflix | The characters are what make this story. The way that they face death and process what is happening. We all have this image of the person who would choose death with dignity as a person who is strong and stoic. The subjects are just as I would be, afraid of every option, trying to understand their day to day. It's beautifully done and flows perfectly. The only problem is that the drug they show in the film is no longer used. That drug was gentle and put someone into a coma very quickly. But the state used it for executions so they European producers stopped sending it to the US. | ||||
76 | Andrew Belinfante | @andrewbdotcom | Brother's Keeper | Netflix | This powerful piece about family and relationships and the lengths we are willing to go to heal our siblings' illnesses coupled with a microscopic focus on illiterate people is fascinating. All of that alongside a discussion on law and the government taking advantage of simple and nice down-to-earth people. This is an amazing look at a world so many of us are unaware of. | ||||
77 | Ann | purlingswine | We Were Here | Netflix | A story of the people in the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. This one is about the community in San Fransico and how it handled the emotional and social aspects of the epidemic. It is so beautiful that watching the trailer again made me cry. | It's just. so. good -Malissa O. It stays with you as you wander the streets with so many fonts that define our lives, our relationships with brands, and our feelings--@rosemariochoa | |||
78 | Anna Sale | @annasale | Tig | Netflix | This documentary really gives you the feeling that you're watching Tig Notaro's life unfold in real time. It's funny, touching and surprising -- which is remarkable given that I thought I knew a lot about her story. | Agreed! The movie was both heartwarming and surprising and allows the viewer to tag along on Tig Notaro's journey. - Jodi | |||
79 | Anna Sale | @annasale | What Happened, Miss Simone? | Netflix | The archival performance footage is a treasure trove. The things that are the most powerful to me in hindset, though, are Nina Simone's daughter's unflinching honesty about the domestic violence between her parents, and Dick Gregory describing why it was so powerful to have a black woman singing Mississippi Goddamn against the backdrop of racial terror aimed at black men. | ||||
80 | Bev | @niftytastic | Born Into Brothels | Netflix | A photographer visits the slums in Calcutta, India to talk to children of prostitutes and they are captivated by her camera. Soon they get their own cameras and magic happens. There are updates on the Born into Brothels' site that follow the kids and their whereabouts up until 2009. | Heartbreaking, in a good way. Stays with you. - Shannon H. | |||
81 | Chanah | Hava Nagila: The Movie | Netflix | Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy, Regina Spektor, and many others discuss one of the world's most beloved Jewish folksongs. | |||||
82 | Chanah | The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story | Netflix | The composers of the songs we've grown up with share their story of fame, accomplishment, and estrangement. Directed/produced by cousins Gregory Sherman (Richard's son) and Jeffrey Sherman (Robert's son). Especially interesting in light of the "Siblinghood" DS&M episode. | music, 70s, mystery | ||||
83 | CHayter | Stories We Tell | Netflix | Sarah Polley dredges up family secrets of who her real birth father is. This is fascinating look at family, memory, and storytelling. | Loved this-LaBrea: I agree and think it's actually a good documentary and the strengths and limitations of documentaries. #2 - I agree. Just watched it over the weekend and it provides an interesting perspective on memory and perspective. | ||||
84 | Corinna Scott | @atotalbooker | Five Broken Cameras | Netflix | Palestinian's experiences of Israeli occupation is rarely represented in western media outlets, whose bias is typically Zionist. It is an especially relevant testimony today given Islamaphobia in, especially, America and France. | ||||
85 | Daria H. | Long Way Round series | Netflix | A very bromantic documentary follows Ewan Mcgregor and his best mate on a motorcycle tour from London to NYC - the long way round - appealed to me as a guy's guy thing coming to terms with fame / aging / family / roots - oh and also motorcyles :D | |||||
86 | David Knecht | Fed Up | Netflix | The story of how corporate America is trying to poison our children in the pursuit of profit is staggering. Most of the story is not known or understood even by people who are knowledgable about nutrition and the obesity epidemic. Should be required watching for all parents and anyone concerned about their weight and health. | |||||
87 | Deirdre Hayes | Tabloid | Netflix | As with most great documentaries, the viewer thinks Tabloid is going one place, and it ends up taking us elsewhere. In this case, it veers into absolute APESHITISM (forgive me), and the director is Errol Morris, so you cannot go wrong. PLUS, we learn a bit about Mormonism. A subject which in and of itself would be enough to dilate one's pupils for at least long enough to freak out the dog. | . | ||||
88 | Drew Taylor | @drewbentaylor | I Know That Voice | Netflix | If you're a fan of cartoons -- past or present -- this is an amazing look at the people behind those classic voices. It's narrated by John DiMaggio (Bender/Jake the Dog), and stars dozens of folks you've heard, but (with the occasional exception like Mark Hammill) might not have heard of unless you're a voicework nerd. It's both entertaining and informative. | such a good choice One of the saddest movies I've ever seen - Sheila C. Be prepared - this is heartbreaking. Amazing, but a tough to watch - Lydia Incredible film, but unbelieveably heartwrenching. Just watch (don't read much about it beforehand), and bring some tissues. -Corina It's been a while since I've seen this film, but the story will stick with you for years to come. Tragic and heartbreaking but also SO beautiful.- Jess F. I watched this in February and still think about it regularly. Watch this please - but be prepared to be devastated. - Katy | |||
89 | Ed Kuyper | @DutchStallion | Chasing Ice | Netflix | IF you love stunning photography and cinematography, you'll love how photographer James Balog (full-disclosure, he's my second cousin) and his Extreme Ice Survey team document the earth rapidly vanishing glaciers. THe most fascinating part of the documentary is the fact that my cousin James didn't really believe in climate change and global warming until he started documenting these changes in the ice. Many have criticized him for doing it for the money, but when you see the pain, work, and money loss (much in cameras lost or breaking in the extreme conditions) you can genuinely see a doubter change his mind when the evidence is set before him. | i just watched this last weekend...I kept wanting to yell 'MORE LEVON!' at the screen -Anna | |||
90 | Eliot Thomas | @eliotcthomas | Blackfish | Netflix | Maybe you saw "Free Willy" when you were a kid, or had a memorable visit to SeaWorld. Many of us feel an inexplicable connection to orcas, and this documentary seeks to explain why. The film follows the tragic lives of killer whales in captivity and shows how conditions at SeaWorld lead to the death of a trainer a few years ago. Essential viewing for any animal lover. | loved this one, makes you reconsider all your physical bullshit. Seconded - this is a really lovely film - it's great to think about other ways of living. Great fim and v please to see the negative impact it has had on SeaWorld's business. - Char M | |||
91 | Elizabeth Janeczko | Watchers of the Sky | Netflix | Beautiful documentary exploring the way the modern world has come to define, understand and respond to the act of genocide. | |||||
92 | Elzemieke | The Queen of Versailles | Netflix | This film follows the story of an incredibly wealthy family living in Florida who have the dream of building their own Versailles -- a tacky, over-the-top mansion. But when money troubles plague the family business, building stalls, and the family's Real Housewives-esque matriarch struggles to tone down her spending. | Agreed, this doc is amazing, heartbreaking and fascinating all at once. The extreme lack of self-awareness exhibited by this couple is shocking, and comes along with a mind-blowing level of cognitive dissonance on their part. Has taken on a tragic turn since their eldest daughter recently OD'd. - Shannon H. | ||||
93 | Emily Hope | @emilyjoyhope | Lost Angels | Netflix | A real look at the people that live in LA's Skid Row. It's fascinating. | ||||
94 | Emily Hope | @emilyjoyhope | What Happened Miss Simone | Netflix | Nina Simone was an amazing pianist, jazz singer, and civil rights leader during the civil rights movement. Her music was powerful and compelling in the '60s and '70s and is still very relevant today. This documentary is worth the watch. | ||||
95 | Ena | free the Mind | Netflix | This film follows the organization Music and Memory as they provide Alzheimer's and dementia patients with iPod shuffles filled with their favorite songs from when they were young. It is extremely touching to see how previously unresponsive patients come back to life when they hear something they connect with deeply. | The best documentary I have seen this year. So moving | ||||
96 | Ena | Love Me | Netflix | This doc is about lonely men on their quest for love through the modern mail-order bride industry of Ukraine. | Thanks for the rec. I loved it! | karlapwallace@gmail.com | |||
97 | Errol Dunlap | @erroldunlap | Sherman's March | Netflix | or, A Meditation On Possibility Of Romantic Love In The South During An Era Of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation. In 1981, documentarian Ross McElwee sets out to explore the lasting effects of Sherman's march to the sea during the Civil War, but a romantic break-up causes him to turn his attention to personal matters. Notable and fascinating in part for his first-person filmmaking style in a time before the proliferation of inexpensive video devices. It's amazing the intimate moments he captures using what would ordinarlly be an obstrusive 16mm camera and audio recording device. "Time Indefinite", also on this list, could be considered the sequel to "Sherman's March." | A nice flow between science, politics, history, and real life stories.- Terra Setzler | Artists, Biography, Art, Creativity, Dance, Pottery, Visual art. | ||
98 | Fiona | Taxi To The Dark Side | Netflix | Everything Alex Gibney does is gold in my book. This is one of his early documentaries and it is one of his best (in my option) and it won him an Academy Award in 2007. It examines the USA's policy on torture and interrogation in general, specifically the CIA's use of torture and their research into sensory deprivation. Like all Gibney films it has a definite point of view but is fair and balanced and looks at the topic from many sides. Warning: it is gut-wrenching and a total tear jerker and will (potentially) make you very angry at our military system. | |||||
99 | Gabrielle Rosenfeld | @cestmoigab | The Flat | Netflix | A documentarian cleans out his grandparent's apartment in Israel to find a complicated Nazi connection - great story telling! | Excellent! -@michaeltapp So funny! One of my favorites- Jess F. | |||
100 | Gautam Hans | @dispositive | Madonna Truth or Dare | Netflix | "Truth or Dare" captures Madonna at the heart of really understanding and knowing herself as an artist. Her fearlessness is inspring. | Loved this- Terra Setzler // Phenomenal, especially if your AIDS history is a bit rough -Eliot // punch in a stomach, but an important one - ana bee // Oh wow! This is one I need to check out. - Benjamin Franklin |