10 Documentaries That Won't Put You To Sleep
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Written by: Ryan McNally
The days of the dry, boring documentary are happily over. Sure, you'll still see plenty of docs that'll put you to sleep in a matter of minutes, but the last decade or so has seen an onslaught of documentaries that are entertaining, funny and -- dare we say? -- hip. And, of course, they also offer high drama, fascinating insights and powerful social commentary. The following 10 documentaries (listed alphabetically) represent the best in the genre, and all stand up against the finest fiction films you'll see. |
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Crumb
Directed by Terry Zwigoff (Ghost World), this fascinating documentary takes an in-depth look at edgy cartoonist Robert Crumb, best known for creating such off-center icons as Mr. Natural and Fritz the Cat. Sometimes disturbing, often bizarre, always interesting, this doc is a worthwhile sneak peek into the inner workings of this "mad genius."
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Everest
Though you won't be able to reap the benefits of the IMAX format on your home system, this exciting film is still well worth watching. It's a fascinating glimpse into the subculture of mountain climbers who dare to tackle the toughest beast of them all, Everest. Did I mention that the filmmakers play an integral role in a dramatic rescue of stranded climbers? Watch it and see for yourself.
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4 Little Girls
Spike Lee's devastating, masterful doc tells the story of "Birmingham Sunday," the 1963 day on which four young girls were killed at church by a bomb planted by white supremacists. A mournful
song by legendary folk singer Joan Baez, accompanied by unforgettable images from the era and the gravestones of the girls, sets the perfect opening tone for this fantastic film. And the poignant interviews with the surviving family members of the "four little girls" speak volumes about our country's racial history.
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Hoop Dreams
This groundbreaking documentary, directed by Steve James, follows two young, inner-city African Americans through high school as they attempt to break out of the ghetto via their prowess on the basketball court. This entertaining pic explores a fascinating spectrum of issues including the role of sports in society, family dynamics, social stratification and race in America.
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Into The Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport
It's tough to pick from all the worthy documentaries about the Holocaust, but this poweful account of the "Kindertransport" is one of the best. Narrated by Judi Dench, it's the story of more than 10,000 Jewish children who were saved by English citizens who agreed to take them in during the late '30s/early '40s. The joy of this saving is tempered by the devastating recollections of now-elderly Jews as they recount the experience of being torn from their parents.
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One Day In September
This riveting, tense and ultimately disturbing documentary chronicles an oft-forgotten chapter in Olympic history. Narrated by Michael Douglas, it tells the story of eight Palestinian terrorists who took a group of Israeli athletes hostage in the Munich Olympic Village during the 1972 Olympic Games, with tragic results. The film also raises disturbing questions about whether the tragedy could have been prevented if the authorities hadn't been so inept at handling the crisis. Must-see viewing for sports and history fans.
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Paradise Lost: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills
Three teens have been arrested for brutally murdering three young boys as part of a Satanic ritual. But are they really murderers, or victims of a modern-day witch hunt by a deeply religious community that doesn't care for their taste in fashion, music or literature? This haunting documentary and fascinating murder mystery asks troubling questions about our nation's legal system and the judicial process as a whole. The excellent sequel, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations, tells the continuing story of this problematic case.
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Roger & Me
This acclaimed documentary, directed and narrated by Michael Moore (who helmed the recent Rage Against the Machine video "Sleep Now In The Fire"), follows Moore on his odyssey to track down General Motors Chairman Roger B. Smith in the wake of GM's devastating plant closure in Moore's hometown. It's a withering social commentary that manages to entertain while raising poignant issues concerning corporate America.
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The Thin Blue Line
Errol Morris' award-winning 1988 documentary helped free an innocent man. It tells the tale of Randall Dale Adams, a drifter who has been accused of the highway murder of a police officer. This groundbreaking film shows how an overzealous community created an atmosphere
that allowed the jury to find Adams guilty, despite evidence to the contrary.
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| 10. |
When We Were Kings
The great Muhammad Ali gets his due as entertainer, athlete and political crusader in this superb account of his 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" with then-champion George Foreman. As if Ali's stunning upset of Foreman wasn't dramatic enough, the behind-the-scenes footage in Kings
paints a fascinating historical and cultural picture of the era. A must-see regardless of whether you're a fight fan.
Also well worth seeing: The Long Way Home (chronicles the struggle European Jews faced in trying to reach Palestine in the aftermath of the Holocaust); Visions of Light (a doc about cinematography that will help you see movies in a whole new light); Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (the unforgettable behind-the-scenes story of the making of Apocalypse Now, one of the most troubled productions in film history); Brother's Keeper (another riveting courtroom murder mystery from Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, the makers of Paradise Lost); The Brandon Teena Story (real-life doc chronicling the same hate crime as the superb Oscar winning fictional film Boys Don't Cry); A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (a great look back at American cinema from the masterful director of Taxi Driver and Goodfellas); The Last Days (even when his defeat was inevitable, Hitler made this last-ditch effort to kill off Hungarian Jews). Want to sound off about our selections? Drop us a line and tell us which selections you agreed with, and which documentaries you think we missed. You can pick any of these up any of these movies by clicking on the corresponding film image above. |
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