OT: Favorite Documentaries

[Dixi]

With all the posts about TV series lately, I was looking for some documentary film recommendations. It's difficult for me to get interested in fictional shows, but I'm pretty much game for anything on the doc side (science, math, literature, history, social issues, sport, music, art, crime, etc.). I'll throw out a few that I've really enjoyed:

The Art of the Steal (Barnes foundation)
The last man on the moon
Knuckleball

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

Laurel Canyon. Currently on Epix. Two parts. Excellent doc on 60s and early 70s Cali sound music

 

[AWS1022]

With all the posts about TV series lately, I was looking for some documentary film recommendations. It's difficult for me to get interested in fictional shows, but I'm pretty much game for anything on the doc side (science, math, literature, history, social issues, sport, music, art, crime, etc.). I'll throw out a few that I've really enjoyed:

The Art of the Steal (Barnes foundation)
The last man on the moon
Knuckleball

Ken Burns has some really good ones. I like Baseball and Civil War by him.

 

[Nitt1300]

Ken Burns has some really good ones. I like Baseball and Civil War by him.

I've met Ken Burns, he's really devoted to his work, which you have to admire. There is a bit of a sense that he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room- but since he is the smartest guy in most rooms, that's understandable.

 

[MtNittany]

Billy Corben stuff is usually very good. Cocaine Cowboys and Square Grouper were both great imo. I also have a soft spot for The King of Kong.

 

[Nitwit]

Woodstock

I believe it’s on Netflix.

 

[MattMC223]

With all the posts about TV series lately, I was looking for some documentary film recommendations. It's difficult for me to get interested in fictional shows, but I'm pretty much game for anything on the doc side (science, math, literature, history, social issues, sport, music, art, crime, etc.). I'll throw out a few that I've really enjoyed:

The Art of the Steal (Barnes foundation)
The last man on the moon
Knuckleball

Searching for Sugarman was excellent

 

[wbcincy]

Billy Corben stuff is usually very good. Cocaine Cowboys and Square Grouper were both great imo. I also have a soft spot for The King of Kong.

I’ll second the King of Kong. I liked American Factory a lot, on Netflix still I believe. The HBO doc on Robert Durst was great, as was the Staircase on Netflix (if you’re into real crime stuff).

 

[wbcincy]

I've met Ken Burns, he's really devoted to his work, which you have to admire. There is a bit of a sense that he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room- but since he is the smartest guy in most rooms, that's understandable.

Love almost all his stuff, though it is difficult to act like you’re the smartest guy in the room if you continue to slander Ty Cobb as mercilessly as he did in Baseball without taking the time to learn the facts.

 

[fairgambit]

Ken Burns has some really good ones. I like Baseball and Civil War by him.

The Civil War is the gold standard.

 

[PSU87]

Connections with James Burke. I believe late 70s vintage but really cool series.

 

[Locolion]

With all the posts about TV series lately, I was looking for some documentary film recommendations. It's difficult for me to get interested in fictional shows, but I'm pretty much game for anything on the doc side (science, math, literature, history, social issues, sport, music, art, crime, etc.). I'll throw out a few that I've really enjoyed:

The Art of the Steal (Barnes foundation)
The last man on the moon
Knuckleball

1. The Most Dangerous Man in America - fascinating story about Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers. You don’t have to know anything about the surrounding events for this to be thoroughly enjoyed. Ellsburg was idolized by guys who are amongst the smartest dudes: Howard Zinn and other strong minds

2. Zero Days - The story of the US’ and Israel’s effort to mess with Iran’s uranium enrichment thru the Stuxnet virus. Amazing.

 

[AWS1022]

I've met Ken Burns, he's really devoted to his work, which you have to admire. There is a bit of a sense that he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room- but since he is the smartest guy in most rooms, that's understandable.

That’s cool that you met him....I love his work.

 

[Dixi]

Billy Corben stuff is usually very good. Cocaine Cowboys and Square Grouper were both great imo. I also have a soft spot for The King of Kong.

Cocaine Cowboys - I forgot about that. Definitely one of my favorites and worth re-watching. Jan Hammer's soundtrack was perfect.
You don't know Bo is another that just came to mind. ESPN should replay some of those older docs / sports century programs in light of the lack of programming, but I suppose they don't appeal to younger viewers.

 

[rudedude]

A profound documentary about the movement towards disability rights and how we view disability in America

 

[sluggo72]

I’ve got 2
Finding Vivian Meier. Fantastic about how they found her and then her work. Unbelievable

Heroin(e)s about the opioid crisis

both on Nexflix

 

[SLion]

If you have not watched "The Last Dance" then I recommend. I respect Michael Jordan even more after watching it. The pressure he placed upon himself (and his teammates) to win is unparalleled. Now, he is aging man, removed from superstar status and freely speaks his mind about his experience.

 

[novaclassof90]

1. Hoop Dreams. Best sports doc I have ever seen.
2. Two Brothers. ESPN 30for30 documentary on Vlade Divac and Drazen Petrovic. Both former Yugoslav BKB nat'l team members whose friendship ended w/ the civil war btw. Croatia and Serbia. Very well done doc. Petro died in a car crash much too young at the peak of his NBA career. Many considered him the best European player ever up to that point.
3. Murderball. Story of the US wheelchair rugby team. Seems like a weird topic, but it is really good.

 

[SLion]

I’ll second the King of Kong. I liked American Factory a lot, on Netflix still I believe. The HBO doc on Robert Durst was great, as was the Staircase on Netflix (if you’re into real crime stuff).

Totally agree. King of Kong is a must see for children of late 70s/80s. Spent alot of quarters on Donkey Kong. Such a trip. That Durst documentary is mind-blowing. How he avoided arrest for 40 years? It is a travesty of justice. He is one unassuming but dead-eyed creep.

 

[rudedude]

 

[Dixi]

Finding Vivian Meier. Fantastic about how they found her and then her work. Unbelievable

Agreed. Terrific example of an unknown but extraordinary talent discovered posthumously under improbable circumstances.

 

[Agoodnap]

David Attenborough's Nature Documentaries. I'd start with The Living Planet, 12 episodes at 55 minutes each. Here's a wiki of all his projects. At 94 years old I don't expect too many more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Attenborough_filmography

 

[doublehaul]

Best That Never Was, story of Marcus Dupree, 30 for 30
Survive and Advance, story of NC State and Jimmy Valvano 30 for 30.
WWII in Color
Rise andFall of the Third Reich

 

[sluggo72]

Agreed. Terrific example of an unknown but extraordinary talent discovered posthumously under improbable circumstances.

A documentary on the late Vivian Maier, a nanny whose previously unknown cache of 100,000 photographs earned her a posthumous reputation as one of the most accomplished street photographers.

 

[AvgUser]

Most any 9/11 and or Bin Laden death documentary I will watch Every time they are on. NatGeo and History channel do a great job, and whomever else runs them.

 

[Ward Hog]

Love the war ones. Vietnam, the 10,000 day war was great. BBC's WWI documentary was great. WWII in color is pretty good. There are a lot of shorter ones that are all over youtube, some very good.

 

[Dixi]

Best That Never Was, story of Marcus Dupree, 30 for 30

Marcus Dupree...another I've forgotten about. That old footage, the music framing the story, the tragic circumstances of his brother, the come back. Perhaps the best example of wasted athletic talent I've even seen.

 

[PSU73]

Ken Burns has some really good ones. I like Baseball and Civil War by him.

Searching for Sugarman was excellent

Great Thread idea. I enjoy documentaries.
Almost anything by Ken Burns...I’ve watched a lot. He uses the remarkable and unforgettable voice of Peter Coyote to narrate many/most of his works.

Searching for Sugarman is amazing. True story of a talented music artist. The album of the same name is one of my favorites.
PBS has two documentaries (part of their American Masters series) to catch if they are ever on the program again or for $.99 on several digital sources:
Janis: Little Girl Blue ( about Janis Joplin and
Jim Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin.

Thanks to all for many great suggestions!

 

[The Stan]

13th
66 Days

 

[91Joe95]

 

[NewEra 2014]

You may also want to check out Documentary Now. It is a satire of some of the more famous documentaries that you may have already seen. Several of the episodes are really funny.

 

[TheBigUglies]

A profound documentary about the movement towards disability rights and how we view disability in America

View embedded media

Thanks for sharing this!

 

[rotzc]

If you like music I can't suggest Sound City on Amazon Prime enough.. Hired Guns on Netflix is really good also..

 

[Lion84]

Marcus Dupree...another I've forgotten about. That old footage, the music framing the story, the tragic circumstances of his brother, the come back. Perhaps the best example of wasted athletic talent I've even seen.

Saw that one and it was really good - really shows that with athletes once the window closes it's closed for good - at least the rest of us can get a second shot or two.