Required Viewing: Documentaries
These in my opinion, are absolutely the best documentaries everyone should see. I find no way to accurately or fairly rank these so they will be listed alphabetically.
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- CreatorConnor SchellBill SimmonsJohn DahlStarsBrent MusburgerChuck DLarry BirdA collection of documentary films focused on sports.I have viewed several of these and do not remember which at the moment. The two episodes that do stick out in my memory the best are "Broke" and "You Don't Know Bo". I suggest both.
- DirectorBryce WagonerStarsAmber LynnAsia CarreraBobby SlaytonAn exploration of the lives of several former adult performers who have retired from the porn industry.Wow! A stone-cold, sobering look at present life for several early generation adult film stars. Those willing to watch with an open mind will be generously rewarded with a lesson in humility, dignity, compassion, and the importance of a strong personal foundation and self-esteem. This documentary cements some of the reasons as to just who and why those enter this business. There's a heavy price to pay when one becomes addicted to vanity.
- DirectorHarry BeneyStarsLeah MillerFive Amish teenagers leave their sheltered community for the first time to spend four weeks abroad in the United Kingdom. It's a trip full of firsts - first time on an airplane, first visit to the ocean and first nightclub. We'll see how they react to the seedy streets of London, street performers and the hedonistic lifestyle of an indie rock band they befriend. We'll also see how their simple life clashes with that of the British upper classes.
- DirectorKevin DunnStarsChris JerichoTed IrvineKevin RumpelFor nearly twenty years, Chris Jericho has stolen the spotlight, becoming one of the most recognized Superstars in sports-entertainment history. Now fans can learn his entire life story, from childhood through his in-ring success internationally, ECW, WCW, and finally WWE, culminating in his becoming the first-ever Undisputed Champion.
- DirectorDamon BrownStarsChristopher AllenRoss AsseltineDavid BestBurning Man: Beyond Black Rock is THE authorized documentary that goes behind the scenes of a social revolution.I have two places on this planet that I would like to visit and experience at least once before I pass on: Ibiza, Spain for it's world renowned culture of electronic music, and Black Rock City for the phenomenon known as Burning Man.
While this documentary is sub-par on production value, the content is what can be salvaged. I know as much as I can from the annual festival doing as much reading I can. However, this does give a true glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes to organize and operate this spiritual event. - DirectorBenjamin FranzenKembrew McLeodStarsD.J. AbilitiesAesop RockSteve AlbiniA documentary that examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling.
- DirectorStacy PeraltaStarsJim BrownTony MuhammadKershaun ScottWith a first-person look at the notorious Crips and Bloods, this film examines the conditions that have lead to decades of devastating gang violence among young African Americans growing up in South Los Angeles.
- DirectorStacy PeraltaStarsSean PennJay AdamsTony AlvaDocumentary about the pioneering 1970s Zephyr skating team.
- DirectorJoe CrossKurt EngfehrStarsJoe CrossAmy BadbergMerv CrossFat, Sick, and Nearly Dead is an American documentary that chronicles Australian Joe Cross's 60-day journey across the United States, where he embarks on a juice-only fast in a quest to reclaim his health.If you want to see how to lose weight and fight obesity in possibly the healthiest way - see this documentary. There is a lot of inspiration packed into this film, all coming from a very personal and honest place.
- DirectorMichael AddisStarsLouie AndersonCriss AngelDave AttellComedian Jamie Kennedy shows just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the darkAn honest study into the psyche of the comedian as well as the heckler and critic. Like many things, this shouldn't be taken for face value. There is a lot to appreciate here that can be applied to life outside comedy.
- DirectorPaul JayStarsBret HartOwen HartBrian PillmanDocumentary focusing on the career of pro wrestler Bret Hart & his controversial exit from the WWF.
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsSteve WiebeBilly MitchellMark AlpigerDie-hard gamers compete to break world records on classic arcade games.What you have here is David vs. Goliath in the world of the King Kong high score record.
- DirectorRicki SternAnne SundbergStarsTim WakefieldDave LennonJim BoutonA documentary that showcases baseball's most unpredictable pitch.
- DirectorAmir Bar-LevStarsBruce AdolpheErykah BaduBerklee Symphony OrchestraThis documentary feature, produced in association with The Grammy's, looks at the history, songwriting, and recording process of five different genres of music through the eyes of 5 of the most influential producers/DJ's in the world as they create new music tracks with influential collaborators from rock, country, classical, R&B and jazz.
- DirectorBrett GaylorStarsCory DoctorowGilberto GilGirl TalkA documentary which examines copyright issues in the information age.
- DirectorCesario Block MontanoStarsDennis HopperTony AlvaJay AdamsThe rise, fall, and rebirth of Christian Hosoi, the young man who helped skateboarding re-emerge as a major cultural influence in the 1980s. The inventive skater and businessman was incarcerated in 2000 for trafficking controlled substances across state lines, and since his parole in 2004, the Born-Again Christian has dedicated his life to being a good father and positive influence on the sport.
- DirectorDoug PrayStarsThe AlliesA-TrakCrazeThe story of the hip-hop DJ from the birth of hip-hop to the invention of scratching and "beat-juggling" vinyl, to the more recent "turntablism" movement. Underdogs and virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear and create music.
- DirectorBrett SullivanStarsRoger SharpeRick StettaSam HarveyWhat made more money than the entire American movie industry through the 50s and 60s? Pinball. Special When Lit rediscovers the lure of a lost pop icon. A product of the mechanical and electrical age, the American invention swept the world and defined cool. Now it is relegated to a nostalgic footnote deserving a better fate. Joining the fans, collectors, designers and champion players from across the globe who share a world many of us didn't know still existed.
- DirectorMichael BliedenStarsBrian UngerGary CohanRobert GoreStand up comedian and marijuana user Doug Benson documents thirty days of pot free living and thirty days of non-stop use to compare the effects of both.
- DirectorMorgan SpurlockStarsMorgan SpurlockDaryl IsaacsChemeeka WalkerWhile examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.
- DirectorDavis GuggenheimStarsCharles AdamsJonathan AlterRobert BalfanzAn examination of the current state of education in America today.
- DirectorJulien NitzbergStarsJ. Parker Bazzle IIBig & RichPonty's CamperA year in the life of the White family, well known for Jesco White, the star of the "Dancing Outlaw" documentary.WOW! A fascinating look at the sociological and psychological aspects of humans and the culture we created.
This is a vividly open and all-access look at the past and current life of the "White" family. Ugly dysfunction at it's finest. Like an automobile accident you can not look away.
While not necessary, I suggest you first check out "Dancing Outlaw (1990)" before diving into this monster. It will provide you with the back story to the most notorious member of the family - Jesco White. - DirectorSteven LawrenceStarsTravis PastranaRicky CarmichaelShaun WhiteFollows six extreme sports stars as they prepare for and then compete in the 2008 Summer X-Games in Los Angeles. Kyle Loza practices a new motocross trick, landing in a pit of foam. Can he do it in front of thousands and land safely on dirt? Travis Pastrana shifts from a bike to a rally car - in part because he's broken so many bones. Shaun White finishes his snowboard season and jumps immediately onto his skateboard. Retired motocross champion Ricky Cunningham takes up a new event. In the finale, after practicing together as friends and competitors, Bob Burnquist and Danny Way face off on the mega ramp.Is flying human's greatest goal?
- DirectorJacob RosenbergStarsDanny WayRob DyrdekTravis PastranaA documentary on pro skateboarder Danny Way's tough childhood and his contributions to the sport, including footage of his jump over the Great Wall of China.
- DirectorStacy PeraltaStarsTony AlvaSteve CaballeroFred DurstWhen six teenage boys came together as a skateboarding team in the 1980s, they reinvented not only their chosen sport but themselves too - as they evolved from insecure outsiders to the most influential athletes in the field.
- DirectorAhmed AhmedStarsAhmed AhmedTed AlexandroSherif AzabThrough the art of stand-up comedy in four countries in the Middle East, this documentary uproots the widely held misconception that Arabs have no sense of humor.
- DirectorKristina BorjessonStarsMerritt BirkyRoy BluntAl DickinsonAn independent scientist is joined by former members of the official investigation into the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 to blow the whistle on the cover-up of the real cause of the crash.
- DirectorDon ArgottDemian FentonStarsBobby LieblingSean PelletierDiane LieblingDocumentary follows Bobby Liebling, lead singer of seminal hard rock/heavy metal band Pentagram, as he battles decades of hard drug addiction and personal demons to try and get his life back.
- DirectorLisa DownsStarsJoey CramerVeronica CartwrightCliff De YoungA documentary that not only celebrates the classic film Flight of the Navigator (1986), but also looks at the life of its child star, Joey Cramer.