Documentaries

[zetroc]

I forgot to mention some of my favorites:

"Gates of Heaven" by Errol Morris, about a pet cemetary in Los Altos

"Burden of Dreams" by Les Blank, about Werner Herzog filming Fitzcarraldo

"Grey Gardens", a classic (if depressing) look at an aging and isolated family

"Ed Hardy: Tattoo the World" - a really interesting look at a guy most people only know of from t-shirts and baseball caps.

[bcm119]

As far as indie rock documentaries, I really liked "Tell me do you miss me", about Luna's breakup c. 2005

[72gmc]

Correcting my 30 for 30 reference: it's called Hawaiian. "30 for 30" Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau (TV Episode 2013) - IMDb

[chasea]

"Muscle Shoals" is a must-watch.
Followed by "The Wrecking Crew."
Followed by "20 Feet from Stardom."

Also, Ken Burns's "The Civil War" and "Baseball" series.

And "Brother's Keeper."

Lots of stuff on PBS and HBOGo too.

[C.Dyer]

Available on Netflix right now is "What Happened, Miss Simone?", a doc about Nina Simone. She was mesmerizing.

[ericpmoss]

I'm watching PBS's The Bomb right now. Those guys know how to make a good show.

[Lowdown]

White Light Back Rain. Timely for August and something that should not be allowed to pass from cultural consciousness. Extremely well done but a soul crusher.

[Dave Wofford]

anything by Jem Cohen...
documentaries that push boundaries/bend things. aka expiremental.

Dude's work is amazing. not readily available on netflix.

most well known possibly for ten year project on Fugazi (which I liked even though not a big fan of the band)
Jem Cohen Films ›

[nahtnoj]

I doubt it is available on NetFlix, but Root Hog or Die is essential, especially since you just got back from D2R2.

DER Documentary: Root Hog or Die

I know the filmmaker and have a spare copy or two if anyone is interested.

[alexis]

The Act of Killing
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Nothing Can Hurt Me
Man on Wire
Hiro Dreams of Sushi
Waltz with Bashir

There's a couple dozen more here that I haven't seen but really, really want to: The 100 Best Documentaries of All Time :: Movies :: Lists :: Paste

This is a great thread. And count this as another nod for Man on Wire. It's maybe a little quirky in the way they tell the story, but my god, it still blows my mind that they pulled it off. It is also a refreshing look back a time when things didn't immediately go viral.

[DeeDub76]

I subscribed to Netflix just because of this thread!!

So last night I had the pleasure of watching Bones Brigade Autobiography. Wow so much nostalgia for me!

Tonight I'm asking the wife if I can build a mini half pipe in the backyard.

[Matthew Strongin]

Tonight I'm asking the wife if I can build a mini half pipe in the backyard.

Mine said no, but she's probably aware that I'm not nearly as good a skater as I remember.

The recommendations are coming in way faster than I can keep up. I think we'll be watching Man on Wire soon.

[monadnocky]

I think we'll be watching Man on Wire soon.

Terrific.

Recaps a news conference with a NYPD officer holding a press conference after the stunt was pulled off. Imagine a prototypical early-70's NYC cop saying "well, I wouldn't say he was walking on the wire, he was more like dancing on it."
Just a beautiful moment.


[potential spoiler alert, but it's really kind of old news]

And, to show how amazing we can be sometimes: All charges were dismissed against Petit in exchange for his doing a performance in Central Park for children.

[dgaddis]

The recommendations are coming in way faster than I can keep up. I think we'll be watching Man on Wire soon.

Ditto.

While the Netflix original shows are often really good (Orange is the new black, House of Cards, Peaky Blinders, Sense 8, and others I'm forgetting at the moment...Marco Polo...) the documentaries are one of the best draws, there is so many I would have never seen otherwise.

[Gummee]

Lots of good ones already mentioned!
I'll add Muscle Shoals

The west coast version: The Wrecking Crew. I'm :205, but it was a good watch.

While its an interesting look behind the scenes, I've lost some of the magic involved in music.

Ken Burns' The War was really good too. Very specific in following a few people from a few towns.

Suprisingly the documentary about Green Day was enjoyable. Never was really a fan, but knowing the 'why' behind some of the music makes it make more sense. Ditto with the singer from Bikini Kill (forget her name). I've never been a Punk, so its a look inside a strange culture. (Imagine them listening to cyclists!)

M

[davids]

The west coast version: The Wrecking Crew. I'm :205, but it was a good watch.

While its an interesting look behind the scenes, I've lost some of the magic involved in music.

Ken Burns' The War was really good too. Very specific in following a few people from a few towns.

Suprisingly the documentary about Green Day was enjoyable. Never was really a fan, but knowing the 'why' behind some of the music makes it make more sense. Ditto with the singer from Bikini Kill (forget her name). I've never been a Punk, so its a look inside a strange culture. (Imagine them listening to cyclists!)

M

I meant to mention this one: The Punk Singer, about Kathleen Hannah. A well-presented story of a very compelling person.

[zeroking]

Hecho en Mexico

Here's a taste:

P.S. The Netflix version has subtitles that'll make you less clueless about all the double entendres in these songs.

[bironi]

I will concur with
Man on Wire
The Civil War
and I wish I could find a copy of
The Great Chess Movie - here is a review from 1982

Movie Review - Jouer aa vie - 'GREAT CHESS MOVIE' AT FILM FORUM - NYTimes.com

[doomridesout]

An Honest Liar-- about stage magician and professional debunker James Randi.
The Final Member-- about the quest of the Icelandic penis museum to get a human specimen.
Last Days Here-- I don't think this is on Netflix any more, which sucks, but it's a great music documentary about one of my favorite musicians. I was at the Baltimore comeback show in the movie and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen.

[EliottS]

I'll pile a few more on:

Objectified -- Helvetica was already mentioned, and Objectified was their next documentary about design in more of a general sense.
Going Clear -- just in case you needed more evidence against Scientology...

A few already mentioned I would echo:
An Honest Liar
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Werner Herzog could narrate anything and I would watch it)
Waltz with Bashir