25 mind-blowing documentaries
Another quiet day at work, another list...
To give it some order i've arranged it by subject matter. So;
1-5: Religion
6-10: Business
11-20: Music
21-25: Obsessives and eccentrics
To give it some order i've arranged it by subject matter. So;
1-5: Religion
6-10: Business
11-20: Music
21-25: Obsessives and eccentrics
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26 titles
- DirectorStanley NelsonStarsRebecca MooreJanet ShularTim CarterFeaturing never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.For those of you who don't know, Jim Jones and the peoples temple are the source of the phrase "Don't drink the kool-aid".
A fascinating documentary about power and how it can be corrupted in the worst possible way. - DirectorSarah KernochanHoward SmithStarsAgnes BenjaminMarjoe GortnerVernon GortnerThis Oscar-winning documentary explores the life of one-time child evangelist and faith healer Marjoe Gortner. The son of professional evangelists, Gortner was preaching on the Southern tent-revival circuit by the age of 3.Marjoe was a child preacher. Exploited from an early age, he goes back as a grown man to expose just how the church actually makes it's money.
- DirectorHeidi EwingRachel GradyStarsMike PapantonioLou EngleBecky FischerA documentary on kids who attend a summer camp hoping to become the next Billy Graham.A documentary on the manipulation and brain washing the evangelical church have used to become one of the most influential voices in american culture.
- DirectorAmy BergStarsOliver O'GradyThomas DoyleAdamDocumentary about Father Oliver O'Grady, a Catholic priest who was relocated to various parishes around the United States during the 1970s in an attempt by the Catholic Church to cover up his rape of dozens of children.This movie makes me feel ill. Physically ill. Not for the faint of heart.
- DirectorLucy WalkerStarsVelda BontragerMark BontragerDewayne ChuppAmish teenagers experience and embrace the modern world as a rite-of-passage before deciding which life they will choose.A fascinating look into amish culture and their rites-of-passage.
- DirectorMark AchbarJennifer AbbottStarsMikela JayRob BeckwermertChristopher GoraDocumentary that looks at the concept of the corporation throughout recent history up to its present-day dominance.Explains in layman's terms just how the corporation has become the dominant force in our society. Includes interviews with Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky and a bunch of other geniuses.
- DirectorAlex GibneyStarsJohn BeardTim BeldenBarbara BoxerA documentary about the Enron corporation, its faulty and corrupt business practices, and how they led to its fall.The perfect companion piece to the corporation. Tells the story of one of big business's greatest disasters.
- DirectorRobert GreenwaldStarsDouglas CheekWalter CronkiteBob McChesneyDocumentary on reported Conservative bias of the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox News Channel (FNC), which promotes itself as "Fair and Balanced". Material includes interviews with former FNC employees and the inter-office memos they provided.This doco was updated a few years ago and is probably due for another soon. It'll make you question the agenda's of the people who deliver information to the masses.
- DirectorDan OllmanSarah PriceChris SmithStarsAndreas BichlbauerMike BonannoAndy BichlbaumAnti-corporate activists travel from conference to conference, impersonating member of the World Trade Organization.A really funny take on anti-consumerism. A story that you couldn't make up.
- DirectorChris PaineStarsMartin SheenTom HanksMel GibsonA documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future.This ones really something else. Focusing on a particular model of electric car from the early days of the technology, it tells a much bigger story about business, politics and the moral obligations involved in both.
- DirectorD.A. PennebakerStarsBob DylanAlbert GrossmanBob NeuwirthDocumentary covering Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England, which includes appearances by Joan Baez and Donovan.One of the greatest music documentaries ever and probably the best way to get to know one of the most mysterious men in modern culture.
- DirectorJeff FeuerzeigStarsDaniel JohnstonMabel JohnstonBill JohnstonDaniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.A great story about a very troubled, damaged artist.
- DirectorOndi TimonerStarsAnton NewcombeCourtney Taylor-TaylorJoel GionA 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.Same deal as devil and daniel johnston.
- DirectorKeven McAlesterStarsByron ColeyPaul Drummond13th Floor ElevatorsDocumentary about rock pioneer Roky Erickson, detailing his rise as a psychedelic hero, his lengthy institutionalization, his descent into poverty and filth, and his brother's struggle with their religious mother to improve Roky's care.Same deal as both of the last two.
- DirectorSam JonesStarsJeff TweedyJohn StirrattLeroy BachFirst-time filmmaker and award-winning photographer Sam Jones documents the recording of Wilco's album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."This is a movie that explains what's wrong with the music industry... It's the industry part.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsDave ChappelleYasiin BeyLauryn HillA mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes, inspired in part by the 1973 documentary Wattstax.Some of the best hip hop acts out today doing a real community spirted show. All of the non-performance stuff is great too, no small thanks to director Michel Gondry.
- DirectorJulien TempleStarsPaul CookSteve JonesJohn LydonA film about the career of the notorious punk rock band, the Sex Pistols.This movie says all there is to say about the Sex Pistols and a little bit more about the state of england at the time they were around.
- DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsGG AllinMerle AllinBrian Unk HunterDocumentary about notorious punk rock performer GG Allin.A documentary about a despicable human being who totally deserved death. Like watching a car crash.
- DirectorFatih AkinStarsAlexander HackeAhmed UlugCem YegulAward-winning director Fatih Akin takes us on a journey through Istanbul, the city that bridges Europe and Asia, and challenges familiar notions of east and west. He looks at the vibrant musical scene which includes traditional Turkish music plus rock and hip-hop.A film by Fatih Akin about the music scene in Istanbul. Really great stuff, turned me onto alot of music i never would've heard or heard of otherwise.
- DirectorJoe BerlingerBruce SinofskyStarsJames HetfieldKirk HammettLars UlrichThe iconic metal band struggles for two years to create their album St. Anger, dealing with alcoholism, the loss of their bass player, and the challenge of working with a psychotherapist.Like a real life Spinal Tap. I've never been a fan of this band and i don't like them anymore after this. Pretty hilarious veiwing though.
- DirectorChris SmithStarsMark BorchardtMike SchankTom SchimmelsDocumentary about an aspiring filmmaker's attempts to finance his dream project by finally completing the low-budget horror film he abandoned years before.I really wish more people knew about this movie. It's an absolute gem. One guy in search of his own little piece of the american dream, aided by a rag tag group of friends and family.
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsTimothy TreadwellAmie HuguenardWerner HerzogA devastating and heart-rending take on grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard, who were killed in October of 2003 while living among grizzly bears in Alaska.A fascinating documentary about a man who felt more at home in the company of the worlds most dangerous mammal than with human beings. Ultimately tragic, but that's not giving anything away.
- DirectorOndi TimonerStarsJosh HarrisTom HarrisCarlos AlvarezA documentary focusing on the life of dot-com entrepreneur Josh Harris, and his exploits over the last decade.A film about the lure of fame and how destructive it can be on personal relationships.
- DirectorErrol MorrisStarsJoyce McKinneyPeter ToryTroy WilliamsA documentary on a former Miss Wyoming who is charged with abducting and imprisoning a young Mormon Missionary.I'm not even gonna try and explain this one. Too weird. Really entertaining though.
- DirectorJames MarshStarsPhilippe PetitJean François HeckelJean-Louis BlondeauA look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artistic crime of the century".The dedication of this man is mind boggling. So worth it though, i had no idea wire walking could be such an art form.
- DirectorRobert GreeneStarsKate Lyn SheilStephanie CoatneyMichael Ray DavisActress Kate Lyn Sheil prepares to portray the role of Christine Chubbuck, a real-life news reporter who took her own life on local Florida television in 1974.