I Love Documentaries - Part 5

It has been too long.  It has been 28 months and it is time for another list of documentaries.

It is my annual (or bi-annual or periodic) list of documentaries I have seen since last time I did this and that I would label as "Bob-Approved" or strong to quite strong.

I absolutely love watching documentaries and over the course of time I have become a bit of a source for some of you on what documentaries are worth seeing and which are not.

Rather than ripping some that I found to be a waste of time, I have assembled lists that I think if you select, you will enjoy your documentary experience.  I think many of these can be found on Netflix or Itunes, but since rights to these films change rather frequently, I will make you figure that out on your own because by the time you read this, the information about where to find them might be outdated.

Now, before we enter our 5th edition list, please find here the 1st 4 versions of this list.

1. I Love Documentaries - Part 1 - From August 2008
2. I Love Documentaries - Part 2 - From March 2010
3. I Love Documentaries - Part 3 - From March 2012
4. I Love Documentaries - Part 4 - From May 2013

And now, all of the documentaries (27 in all) that I think are worth your time that I have seen and enjoyed in the last 28 months - with a short (some are extremely short) summary courtesy of IMDB.  I admit that this is a lengthy list, but they are all good films in my opinon.  I will bold the best 5, but beyond that I don't want to rank these because they are all so different and are worthy films.

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Craigslist Joe - 2012

In a time when America's economy was crumbling and sense of community was in question, one guy left everything behind to see if he could survive solely on the support and goodwill of the 21st century's new town square: Craigslist.

Which Way Is the Front Line from Here? The Life and Times of Tim Heatherington - 2013

Documentary about deceased photojournalist Tim Hetherington directed by Sebastian Junger. Together with his friend and long-term collaborator Sebastian, Tim had travelled the world documenting conflicts in Afghanistan, Liberia and Libya among other locations. Best known for their 2010 film 'Restrepo' which was nominated for an Academy Award, the two strived to capture the humanity within conflict situations and with their images they focused on the individuals involved and their experiences of the violence surrounding them. Unfortunately, in 2011 Tim was killed by a mortar blast and this film is a tribute and celebration of the legacy he has left behind and includes Sebastian conducting interviews with those who knew Tim best.

Central Park Five - 2012

A documentary that examines the 1989 case of five black and Latino teenagers who were convicted of raping a white woman in Central Park. After having spent between 6 and 13 years each in prison, a serial rapist confessed to the crime.

I Am - 2010
Director Tom Shadyac speaks with intellectual and spiritual leaders about what's wrong with our world and how we can improve both it and the way we live in it.

The Woman Who Wasn't There - 2012
The Woman Who Wasn't There is a psychological thriller that goes inside the mind of history's most infamous 9/11 survivor.

Sound City - 2013
A documentary directed by Dave Grohl on the fabled recording studio that was located in Van Nuys, California.

Boys of Summer - 2010
Story of how Curacao has sent their little league team to the World Series for seven consecutive years. While these children carry a nation's pride, they're also athletes competing at the highest level and having a great time.

The Crash Reel - 2013
Fifteen years of verite footage show the epic rivalry between half-pipe legends Shaun White and Kevin Pearce, childhood friends who become number one and two in the world leading up to the Vancouver Winter Olympics, pushing one another to ever more dangerous tricks, until Kevin crashes on a Park City half-pipe, barely surviving. As Kevin recovers from his injury, Shaun wins Gold. Now all Kevin wants to do is get on his snowboard again, even though medics and family fear this could kill him. We also celebrate Sarah Burke who crashed in Park City and died January 19, 2012.

Knuckleball! - 2012
A documentary that showcases baseball's most unpredictable pitch.

Dancing Outlaw - 1991
This documentary short, produced for West Virginia public TV's "Different Drummer" series, introduces us to Jesco White, a hard-living, tap-dancing Boone County resident whose repeated run-ins with the law have interfered with his dream of becoming as renowned a "mountain dancer" as his late father, D. Ray White. We meet Jesco's three distinct personalities; the gentle and loving Jesse, the violent and dangerous Jesco, and the extremely strange Elvis. We also encounter various members of Jesco's family, all nearly as eccentric as Jesco himself. You will ask, "Are these people for real?" Yes, they are.

Blackfish - 2013

A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.

Hot Coffee - 2011
How the infamous McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit and similar cases were exploited as part of a right wing crusade to weaken civil justice.

Burn - 2012
A documentary about Detroit told through the eyes of firefighters charged with the thankless task of saving a city that many have written off as dead.

Schooled: The Price of College Sports - 2013
A documentary that examines how college sports in America became a billion dollar enterprise built on the backs of its unpaid athletes.

Touching the Void - 2003
The true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.

David Beckham: Into The Unknown - 2014
After 22 years of playing for the world's greatest football teams, David Beckham has retired and he has the freedom to do whatever he wants. To mark the occasion he's going on an adventure. He's chosen Brazil, and he's taking 3 of his closest friends to join him on this once in a lifetime experience. Starting with a beach foot-volleyball game in Rio, they travel deep into the Amazon, ending up with the remote Yanonami tribe, with David desperately trying to explain the beautiful game.

One Night In Turin - 2010
Before the Premier League and multi-million pound salaries, in England 'football' was a dirty word. The game was in disgrace, the fans, hooligans, the nation, it seemed, were all played out. Then there was Italia '90 - The World Cup - a shot at redemption. But this was no ordinary World Cup and no ordinary time. The manager, Sir Bobby Robson, was under intense media scrutiny, and his team described as 'donkeys'. Yet over six short weeks, through their heroic exploits they united a nation, coming within a heart beat of reaching the World Cup Final. Narrated by Gary Oldman, featuring match action - from Platt's last-gasp winner against Belgium to the silky skills of Gazza and the cool finishing of Linekar - and previously unseen footage, this is the definitive story of England's greatest footballing adventure on foreign soil....so far.

Battered Bastards of Baseball - 2014
The Battered Bastards of Baseball is one of baseball's last great, unheralded true stories. In 1973, Hollywood veteran Bing Russell (best known for playing Deputy Clem on "Bonanza") created the only independent baseball team in America at the time, the legendary Portland Mavericks. Bing operated without a Major League affiliation while playing in a city that was considered a wasteland for professional baseball. Tryouts for the Mavericks, which were open to the public, were filled with hopefuls who arrived in droves from every state in America, many of whom had been rejected by organized baseball. The Battered Bastards of Baseball is as much about the independent spirit as it is about baseball. The Mavericks' in your face attitude was contagious to fans, and during their short reign, they - and Bing Russell - basically held up their middle finger to the sports establishment and said we're playing this game on our terms, not yours. They were the real life Bad News Bears.

Somm - 2012
Four sommeliers attempt to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier exam, a test with one of the lowest pass rates in the world.

Into the Abyss - 2011
Directed by Werner Herzog, Conversations with death row inmate Michael Perry and those affected by his crime serve as an examination of why people - and the state - kill.

Citizenfour - 2014
A documentarian and a reporter travel to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with Edward Snowden.

Florida Man - 2015
Ok, weired people are everywhere. But in this documentary short you will get to know some real characters based in the sunshine state Florida. No beaches, theme parks and plastic women, this film shows us a landscape of convenience stores, drug stores and supermarkets.

McConkey - 2013

An examination of the legacy one athlete left to the progression of his sports.

Marley - 2012

A documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.

An Honest Liar - 2014

The life and career of the renowned stage magician turned scientific skeptic of the paranormal, James Randi.

Jack To A King: The Swansea City Story - 2014

Jack to a King. The remarkable true story of a rag tag group of football fans who saved their club from oblivion and took them to the richest game in World Football. The Championship Play Off Final, with the ultimate prize being a place in the Premier League.

Champs - 2015

A documentary on boxing greats Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Bernard Hopkins examines their lives in and out of the ring.

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There you have it.

That is now, with all 5 lists, 114 documentaries for you. Stay Thirsty, my friends.

I Love Documentaries - Part 4

One thing this blog tries to do is to write about sports on a very regular basis.  However, to assume that this is all that I do is only 91% true.  Occasionally, I write about the other 9% and since I am on a 4 hour flight right now, I thought that I better try to cross one of my many projects off my list.

It is my annual (or bi-annual or periodic) list of documentaries I have seen since last time I did this and that I would label as "Bob-Approved" or strong to quite strong.

I absolutely love watching documentaries and over the course of time I have become a bit of a source for some of you on what documentaries are worth seeing and which are not.

Rather than ripping some that I found to be a waste of time, I have assembled lists that I think if you select, you will enjoy your documentary experience.  I think many of these can be found on Netflix or Itunes, but since rights to these films change rather frequently, I will make you figure that out on your own because by the time you read this, the information about where to find them might be outdated.

Now, before we enter our 4th edition list, please find here the 1st 3 versions of this list.

1. I Love Documentaries - Part 1 - From August 2008
2. I Love Documentaries - Part 2 - From March 2010
3. I Love Documentaries - Part 3 - From March 2012

And now, all of the documentaries that I think are worth your time that I have seen in the last 12 months - with a short summary courtesy of IMDB.  I admit that this is a lengthy list, but they are all good films in my opinon.  I will bold the best 5, but beyond that I don't want to rank these because they are all so different and are worthy films.

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Pelada - 2010

Away from the bright lights and manicured fields, there's another side of soccer. Two players, twenty-five countries, one game.

One Day in September - 1999

The 1972 Munich Olympics were interrupted by Palestinian terrorists taking Israeli athletes hostage. Besides footage taken at the time, we see interviews with the surviving terrorist, Jamal Al Gashey, and various officials detailing exactly how the police, lacking an anti-terrorist squad and turning down help from the Israelis, botched the operation.

From The Sky Down - 2011

In the terrain of rock bands, implosion or explosion is seemingly inevitable. U2 has defied the gravitational pull towards destruction; this band has endured and thrived. This documentary asks the question why.

Winnebago Man - 2009

Jack Rebney is the most famous man you've never heard of - after cursing his way through a Winnebago sales video, Rebney's outrageously funny outtakes became an underground sensation and made him an internet superstar. Filmmaker Ben Steinbauer journeys to the top of a mountain to find the recluse who unwittingly became the "Winnebago Man."

Being Elmo - 2011

The film traces Kevin Clash's rise from his modest beginnings in Baltimore to his current success as the man behind Elmo, one of the world's most recognizable and adored characters. Millions of children tune in daily to watch Elmo, yet when Kevin walks down the street he is not recognized. Pivotal to the film is the exploration of Jim Henson's meteoric rise, and Kevin's ultimate achievement of his goal to become part of the Henson family of puppeteers. In addition to puppeteering Elmo, Mr. Clash is arguably the creative force behind today's Sesame Street, producing, directing and traveling around the globe training other puppeteers.

Four Year Plan - 2011

In 2007 Queens Park Rangers, a small Football Club of West London, were bottom of England's Second League and 2 hours from bankruptcy. Just as the club faced liquidation, they were bought by billionaire businessmen. Filmed in an observational fashion from a poetic distance, the documentary follows the larger than life and high profile characters who put their money and reputations on the line through 4 tumultuous years of enormous ups and downs. For 98 dramatic minutes we are given unprecedented access and remarkable insight into the worlds of sport, business, finance, power and ego - culminating in success in 2011, when QPR won promotion to the Premier League and the four year plan - set out by the owners in 2007 - was spectacularly achieved.

I Think We're Alone Now - 2008

Every celebrity deals with his or her share of obsessed fans. "I Think We're Alone Now" is a documentary that focuses on two individuals, Jeff and Kelly, who claim to be in love with the 80's pop singer Tiffany. Jeff Turner, a 50-year-old man from Santa Cruz, California has attended Tiffany concerts since 1988. Diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, he never had a girlfriend. Jeff spends his days hanging out on the streets of Santa Cruz, striking up conversations with anyone who has a moment to spare. Kelly McCormick is a 38-year-old hermaphrodite from Denver, Colorado, who claims to have been friends with Tiffany as a teenager. She credits Tiffany as the shining star who has motivated her to do everything in her life. Both Jeff and Kelly have been labeled stalkers by the media and other Tiffany fans. This film takes you inside the lonely lives these two characters, revealing the source of their clinging obsessions. This age-old story of unrequited love takes a comedic and emotional trip.

Uprising - LA Riots - 2012

The People Vs George Lucas - 2010

Uses a courtroom debate approach to explore the issues of filmmaking and fanaticism around one of the industry's most famous franchises and its creator. The innovative film combines filmmaker and celebrity interviews with fan films - submitted via the film's site - to make this the world's first digitally democratic feature documentary.

Game Of Honor - 2011

Extremely entertaining documentary taking a look at the rival football game between Army and Navy. Most sports documentaries might dig into the history of the rival, the fans hatred of each other or some sort of other events but this one here is quite different because the players themselves are different. We see the full 2011 season for the two squads but the football stuff is actually the least interesting bit. What makes the film worth watching is the behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to play football at these places. Not only do they have to train to play football but they are also full-time students, training for deployment and of course knowing that their five years after graduation will possibly put them into a war zone.

Trouble The Waters - 2008

A redemptive tale of an aspiring rap artist surviving failed levees and her own troubled past and seizing a chance for a new beginning.

Sonicsgate - 2009

"Sonicsgate" is a feature documentary film exposing the truth behind how Seattle lost the SuperSonics after a heated legal battle in 2008. The perfect storm of corporate greed and political impotence formed to rob loyal Seattle sports fans of their oldest professional franchise.  As NBA salaries skyrocketed following the 1999 player lockout, the league's business model changed to require expansive new buildings paid for with taxpayer dollars. Seattle's KeyArena, built in 1995 as a remodel of the old Seattle Coliseum, just wouldn't cut it anymore according to NBA Commissioner David Stern.

God Bless Ozzy Osbourne - 2011

Ozzy Osbourne's four decade track record as a culturally relevant artist is unprecedented, but his personal struggles have been shrouded in secrecy, until now. Featuring never before seen footage uncovered from the archives and interviews with Paul McCartney, Tommy Lee and others, God Bless Ozzy Osbourne is the first documentary to take viewers inside the complex mind of rock's great icon. Emerging from a working class family in war torn England, Osbourne and his neighborhood friends formed Black Sabbath and invented heavy metal. Plagued by self doubt, Osbourne the solo superstar went on a binge that lasted 40 years. God Bless Ozzy Osbourne will relive the highs of his triumphs as well as his journey to sobriety, which Ozzy regards as his greatest accomplishment.

Hearts of Darkness - 1991

Documents the sensational events surrounding the making of 'Apocalypse Now' and Francis Ford Coppola's struggle with nature, governments, actors, and self-doubt. Includes footage and sound secretly recorded by Elanor Coppola, wife of Francis.

An Unreasonable Man - 2006

A look at the career of consumer advocate Ralph Nader from wannabe presidential candidate to public pariah.

Jiro Dreams Of Sushi - 2011

In the basement of a Tokyo office building, 85 year old sushi master Jiro Ono works tirelessly in his world renowned restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. As his son Yoshikazu faces the pressures of stepping into his father's shoes and taking over the legendary restaurant, Jiro relentlessly pursues his lifelong quest to create the perfect piece of sushi.

Pulling John - 2009

John Brzenk is troubled by when to call it quits; should he retire when he is on top or wait until someone takes his title. After twenty-five solid years of total world domination, John Brzenk, is aware that his dethroning may be near, he just doesn't know the cause. As the prodigal arm wrestler, Brzenk excelled in a way that seemed humanly impossible. Hungry for the best arm wrestling competition, Brzenk traveled the world beating every opponent. With a humble and understated character, his legend supercedes him in the hearts of arm wrestlers in over 120 countries. Among the super warriors of arm wrestling are 2 titans from opposite ends of the world, bonded by one defining goal, to beat John.

Occupation: Fighter - 2011

Eight months in the life of a fighter, the film provides the opportunity to discover the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) sport in a fresh and striking new light, revealing the life of a dedicated fighter on his way to the top. In times of hard labor and an infamously tough economy, this film inspires the very spirit of our existence... to never give up. Over the course of 8 months, we learn about the amount of sacrifice and suffering professional fighters have to go through in order to stay competitive. Moreover, the challenges of life such as dealing with stereotypes, financial situations, relationships, and injuries are portrayed as seen through the eyes of a top athlete and the people surrounding him. The storyline continues to intensify as we approach what happens after the 8th month: Fight day! Occupation: Fighter is a feature length documentary film by Andre Enzensberger and Bavayou Films featuring WEC veteran Chad 'Savage' George.

Jens Pulver: Driven - 2011

Jens Pulver: DRIVEN is an intimate feature documentary film about legendary mixed martial arts champion, Jens Pulver, who rose from a childhood laced with violence and substance abuse, to become one of the most loved and respected mixed martial arts fighters of all time. The film presents an in depth look into the fighter, and his life, past, present, and future as we follow his last march toward what could be his final bout.

Queen Of Versailles - 2012

A documentary that follows a billionaire couple as they begin construction on a mansion inspired by Versailles. During the next two years, their empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis.

The Imposter - 2012

A documentary centered on a young Frenchman who claims to a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for 3 years.

Project Nim - 2011

Tells the story of a chimpanzee taken from its mother at birth and raised like a human child by a family in a brownstone on the upper West Side in the 1970s.

The Staircase - 2004        (warning: 10 hour documentary)

Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial. In 2001, author Michael Peterson was arraigned for the murder of his wife Kathleen, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the stairway of their home. Granted unusual access to Peterson's lawyers, home and immediate family, de Lestrade's cameras capture the defense team as it considers its strategic options. "The staircase" is an engrossing look at contemporary American justice that features more twists than a legal bestseller.

The Last Gladiators - 2012

In ice hockey, no one is tougher than the "goon". Those players have one mission: to protect the star players at any price.


As I usually say at the end of these lists, that should keep you busy for a while.

I Love Documentaries - Part 3

I am a man of few interests outside of sports, it seems. Just about everything I do other than being an All-American dad and husband seems to relate in some way, shape, or form to the wonderful world of sports. I have no regrets nor apologies for this truth, just thankful that I found a living where that makes some sense.

However, somewhere very high on my list of hobbies that do not involve sports (usually) would be watching documentaries. Pretty crazy, right? Documentaries to me are simply the non-fiction department in your bookstore, and they simply remind me that real life is better than 90% of stories that are imagined and created.

What you are about to read is my 3rd list of "Bob's approved documentaries". These are not all 5 stars out of 5, but rather documentaries I have seen since last time I did a list that I deem to be worth your time. I watch quite a few more than these, but the following 24 docs passed my test for keeping me properly entertained for 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Please note: There are no 30 for 30's, HBO Sports documentaries or any other sports films, really, on this list. I may do sports docs at another time, but I didn't want to include them on this list, because there are already 2 dozen films on here.

Also, Please note: I don't have a "Top 10" of all-time list. Again, maybe somewhere down the road, but I don't know how to compare drastically different films and ideas against each other real well. Maybe later.

List #1 from August, 2008 is here: I love documentaries, Part 1. That list includes 25 films.

List #2 from March, 2010 is here: I love documentaries, Part 2. And that list includes 14 more.

So, add in these 24 and you now have 63 films to watch next time you are looking for a good documentary. Many of them are available right now for instant streaming on Netflix or iTunes, so I don't want to hear you are bored again.

The New List - Docs I have seen in the last 24 months that I really like (in no particular order):

Good Hair (2009) - Chris Rock explores the wonders of African-American hairstyles.



Taxi To The Dark Side (2007) - An in-depth look at the torture practices of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, focusing on an innocent taxi driver in Afghanistan who was tortured and killed in 2002.

Superheroes (2011) - A journey inside the world of real life caped crusaders. From all over America, these self-proclaimed crime fighters, don masks, homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere.

God Grew Tired of Us (2006) - Four boys from Sudan embark on a journey to America after years of wandering Sub-Saharan Africa in search of safety.



The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005) - Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.

Inside Job (2010) - Takes a closer look at what brought about the financial meltdown.

Catfish (2010) - Filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost document a story involving Ariel's brother, Nev, a 24-year-old New York-based photographer, and Abby, from rural Michigan who contacts Nev via Facebook, asking for permission to make a painting from one of his photographs.

Food, Inc (2008) - An unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010) - The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner.



WalMart: The High Price of Low Cost (2005) - A look at the impact of the retail giant on local communities.

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) - A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.

The Cove (2009) - Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned 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.



Deep Water (2006) - A documentary about the disastrous 1968 round-the-world yacht race.

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (2009) - A year in the life of the White family, well known for Jesco White, the star of the "Dancing Outlaw" documentary.

Pearl Jam 20 (2011) - A documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.

Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (2011) - Michael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows this innovative and influential band to this day.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010) - A documentary on the life and career of Joan Rivers, made as the comedienne turns 75 years old.

Restrepo (2010) - A year with one platoon in the deadliest valley in Afghanistan.



Page One: Inside the NY Times (2011) - Unprecedented access to the New York Times newsroom yields a complex view of the transformation of a media landscape fraught with both peril and opportunity.

Senna (2010) - A documentary on Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 world championship three times before his death at age 34.

Dig (2004) - A documentary on the once-promising American rock bands The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, and the friendship/rivalry between their respective founders, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor.

Waste Land (2010) - A social documentary based around the lives of garbage pickers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as a man by the name of Vik Muniz creates art out of recycled material.



Tyson (2008) - A mixture of original interviews and archival footage and photographs sheds light on the life experiences of Mike Tyson.

The Thin Blue Line (1988) - A film that successfully argued that a man was wrongly convicted for murder by a corrupt justice system in Dallas County, Texas.

That should hold you for a few days.

I Love Documentaries - Part 2 (14 more)

I really do. I consider myself such a fan of docs, that I now attempt to provide a service to you by watching as many as possible - and then telling you about the ones I think are worth your time.

If you did not read version 1 of this endeavor, Please do so before proceeding . That was from August 2008, and although a lot has changed, those are most of my all-time favorites.

In that essay, I wrote the following:

Anyway, in my love of documentaries, I am constantly bombarded with doc emails. Half of them have recommendations for me. These recommendations have proved helpful from time to time, so keep them coming.

The other half of emails want to know my favorites. Of course, my favorites can encompass so many, but I did want to release my list of 10 “essential documentaries” for the genre I would try to describe here – which I have decided to alter to Top 12 since I couldn’t narrow it to 10.

Now, I am eliminating all Ken Burns-type, historical, and educational documentaries. I love those, but those would automatically be rated higher than the silly types – so let’s just do our best to leave those out of this mix. I am compiling this list entirely of the absurd, the odd, the weird, the uncomfortable, and the off-the-beaten path films. The documentaries that likely would never make the PBS cut, but surely are worth your time, and will have you talking about them with your buddies for years to come.

NOTE: I am not including a list of favorite sports documentaries (except for my top one ever - Do You Believe In Miracles). Someday soon, I will do a sports-only list, but for now, this is more of the non-sport variety.

Anyway, assuming you are familiar with the first 25 in this series, here are another dozen for you to consider:


Anvil: The Story of Anvil - 2008



A very enjoyable movie about Anvil, a group that almost made it in the early 1980's on the metal music scene, but for whatever reason, it didn't work out. This Doc follows them in the present day, as guys in their 50's still are following that rock-n-roll dream. They seem awfully beaten down at times, and yet cannot walk away from what they love. Good stuff.

Bigger, Faster, Stronger - 2008



This one is really interesting in that it is a look at steroids in a way you likely have never considered. From all angles, the effects of roids are considered, and it they talk with all sorts of people involved in one way or another. I am pretty sure Mark Cuban's production company put this one out, but don't hold me to that.

Biggie and Tupac - 2002



Nick Broomfield's first movie on this list that examines the deaths of the two hip-hop superstars. By the end of the movie you are certainly buying into each and every conspiracy issue, but spending quite a bit of time eyeballing Suge Knight. I am sure there are flaws in the way Broomfield presents stuff, but if his goal is to place doubt in the minds of his viewers, then he is really good at this.

The Bridge - 2006



A Documentary that tells the stories (and shows them) of people who have decided to use the Goldon Gate Bridge to execute their suicides. It will certainly not cheer you up, but you likely will be glued to the screen. On one hand, you wonder how the man got all of this footage, and on the other hand, you wonder why he didn't try to stop the people that were jumping.

Chasing Ghosts



If you loved King of Kong (which I think you should) then you will likely enjoy Chasing Ghosts. It is much the same subject matter, but done in a more traditional documentary style, rather than KoK's story of the Billy Mitchell record. This basically tells the history of video games without any good guy/bad guy conflict. Still worth seeing, in my estimation.

Cocaine Cowboys - 2006



Cocaine Cowboys tells the story about how Miami and cocaine got together to make Miami the most feared crime city in America. Well worth a viewing if you are interested in Scarface, Miami Vice, or the countless other ways that Miami's unique combination of beauty, guns, and drugs is glorified.

Dirty Driving - 2008



This movie is from HBO's awesome Documentary series that has given us so much over the years. This one, in particular, is about race care driving in Indiana on the local scale. About people that certainly do not appear to have much going in just about any other department of their life, but it all comes together on Friday night, when they haul their beaten down race car to the local track and try to win that week's race. You meet some very odd characters in this one. Might be tougher for you to find, but well worth it.

Do You Believe In Miracles - 2001









If you agree with me, that the Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid in 1980 is the greatest sporting upset of our lifetime, then you must see this awesome HBO Documentary that tells the story of the miracle in a way that will absolutely have you glued to the screen. To me, there is no better sports Doc, and that says a lot.

Order it here .

It Might Get Loud - 2009



Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White sitting around talking guitars for 90 minutes may sound like something that you are not interested in, but the way the film is put together is captivating. I absolutely loved it, but it should be noted that I love U2, and I also enjoy trying to play my guitar.

Kurt and Courtney - 1998



Like Biggie and Tupac after it, Nick Broomfield uses this documentary to investigate Kurt Cobain's death and follow all of the conspiracy threads that might turn this from a suicide into a murder. Again, I am not sure this "investigation" holds up in court, but it is riveting film.

Man on Wire - 2008



Phillippe Petit was insane. And the story of his decision to walk from one of the World Trade Center twin towers to the other on a tight rope is absolutely one of the craziest and most interesting life decisions I have ever seen. But, a great story is one thing, to make it a great film is often quite another. Here we have both. Amazing stuff, and the Academy Award for best Documentary in 2008.

Pond Hockey - 2008



This may be one that appeals more to us who love hockey and grew up in the north, but I would like to find out if it appeals to you as well. A very simple doc that interviews the very famous (Gretzky, Crosby) to the not so famous about what hockey outside is all about and what it means to them. I loved it. But then again, I have skated on a pond before.

Running the Sahara - 2008



Running is sometimes considered crazy (marathon length or more), so what do we do with a group of 3 guys who have decided to run a marathon every day for months and months across Africa? From trying to get access to certain countries to dealing with your body breaking down makes it a fabulous 2 hours. I have no idea what makes someone want to do this, but I am happy to watch a story about it.

Young @ Heart



The description of a chorus of senior citizens that sing pop music might not sound like a wonderful documentary. You just need to trust me. This Documentary is one of my favorites of all time. Maybe top 5.

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And there you have it.

I Love Documentaries

I love documentaries. I am not sure I have told you that (fewer than a million times) so I wanted to make that clear again. Anyway, in my love of documentaries, I am constantly bombarded with doc emails. Half of them have recommendations for me. These recommendations have proved helpful from time to time, so keep them coming.

The other half of emails want to know my favorites. Of course, my favorites can encompass so many, but I did want to release my list of 10 “essential documentaries” for the genre I would try to describe here – which I have decided to alter to Top 12 since I couldn’t narrow it to 10.

Now, I am eliminating all Ken Burns-type, historical, and educational documentaries. I love those, but those would automatically be rated higher than the silly types – so let’s just do our best to leave those out of this mix. I am compiling this list entirely of the absurd, the odd, the weird, the uncomfortable, and the off-the-beaten path films. The documentaries that likely would never make the PBS cut, but surely are worth your time, and will have you talking about them with your buddies for years to come.

Also, because they are so difficult to differentiate, I have chosen to list my 12 in Alphabetical order, rather than ranking them 1-12. Like my children, I love all 12 of these docs equally. So here they are.

MY 12 ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTARIES

American Movie – 1999

One of our earliest obsessions on our radio show, the lives of Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank will amuse you as Mark has a quest to make a movie. Mike has a quest to tell stories of his unfortunate drug experiences. I really love it. Although the idea that they are two burnouts from Wisconsin no doubt affects my judgement.

Watch the Trailer Here



Comedian - 2002

A look at the world of the standup comedian. Jerry Seinfeld is a big player, as are a few spare comedians trying to make it in the big leagues with varying levels of failure. Writing jokes, practicing, travel, and the whole bit is examined in this film.

Watch the Trailer here



Confessions of a Super Hero – 2007

This is a great look at the life of those who stand on Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood dressed as various comic book superheroes and the lives that go with them. Many are there because they are on the road to stardom (they hope) and it is the more realistic outcome of the “Hollywood dream”. Fascinating and wonderful all at the same time.

Watch the Film here from Snagfilms.com



Dogtown and Z-Boys – 2001

A fabulous historical account of something I have no use for…Skateboarding. Sean Penn narrates the story of empty pools, stunts, and the wheels-off life of Jay Adams. Loved it.

Watch the Trailer Here



Grizzly Man – 2005

Without question, one of my absolute favorites. The Werner Herzog look at the incredibly odd Timothy Treadwell and his relationship with the Grizzly Bears in Alaska. They loved him, he loved them, they ate him. So crazy, that most think this is not a real documentary. But alas, it is.

Watch the Trailer Here



Hoop Dreams – 1994

Two Chicago kids are followed as they follow their big time basketball dreams. Reality ensues, and it is somewhere between sad and amazing. One of the true documentary classics.

Watch the Trailer Here



King of Kong – A Fistful of Quarters – 2007

I wasn’t sure about this one, but when I gave it a chance it absolutely got a great review from me. Love Steve Wiebe, hate Billy Mitchell, love everything about Steve and Billy’s quest to out Donkey Kong eachother. The amazing real people who surround the governing bodies of video game record keeping is too great to believe. A very solid film.

Watch the Trailer Here



Roger and Me – 1989

Like Michael Moore or not, the fact is that he is a pioneer of making great documentaries. His critics don’t care for his insistence on making himself the star of his films, but I kind of like it. Also, he will be ripped for injecting his views into his films, but isn’t that the whole point of a documentary? The Film maker has a blank canvas and a chance to say what he wants the world to hear for 90 minutes. In Roger and Me, he attacks the big corporation for forgetting the little guy. I still say it is his finest work.

Watch the Trailer Here



Some Kind of Monster – 2004

This is about the only documentary in the whole lot that centers around really famous people, because usually really famous people do not allow cameras to show every wart and reality about them. Well, Metallica obviously was not worried about that. They agreed to do it, and the filmmakers hit a home run. What an amazing account of life in a huge rock band.

Watch the Trailer Here



Spellbound – 2002

A doc on the national spelling bee and all of the study, obsession, and work that goes into that. Just another look into a segment of society we would never see otherwise, but it once again is wildly entertaining to me.

Super Size Me – 2004

Morgan Spurlock’s amazing look at why America is fat..and getting fatter. His experiment of eating nothing but McDonald’s for 30 straight days may in fact shorten his life, but it was very entertaining. A very good job of experiments inside documentaries that proved solid.

Watch the Entire Film Here from SnagFilms.com



Trekkies – 1997

A good documentary to me is one that focuses on a corner of civilization that you would not otherwise see, and then just let the cameras tell the story. This film is about those who are obsessed with Star Trek and all things that go with it. I especially enjoyed the lady who wore her Star Trek uniform to her jury service for the Whitewater Trial. So many documentaries have basically used this as a template for their film, and it works quite well.

And, the Honorable Mention of Documentaries that I rate as worth watching:

Bowling for Columbine

Cowboys Del Amor

Darkon



Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Gates of Heaven

Hands on a Hard Body

Heavy Metal in Baghdad



Lost in LaMancha

Murderball

My Kid could paint that

Okie Noodling

Wordplay

Year of the Yao