157 replies to this topic

[Mister Pink]

I recently watched some great documentaries, notably Billy The Kid and Exit Through The Gift Shop

I highly recommend both documentaries. Billy the subject in Billy The Kid is an unusual kid with interesting views on the world and other trivial things.

QUOTE

"I'm not black, I'm not white, not foreign, just different in the mind. Different brains, that's all," explains 15-year-old Billy in Jennifer Venditti's provocative coming of age film. Billy's intuitive commentary and intimate verite footage reveal a unique attitude as he responds to a painful childhood, first time love, and his experience as an outsider in small town Maine. By turns humorous and disturbing, this portrait challenges the viewer to understand a triumphant teen on his own terms.

Exit Through The Gift Shop is directed by Banksy the British street artist.

QUOTE

The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. The film contains footage of Banksy, Shephard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work.

The Banksy doc is up for an Oscar but will he attend?

[a cactus]

Saw Jesus Camp last night.



As a whole, it was fine, at first I was a little disappointed by the lack of commentary but later realized why the director had left it out. The eerie silence surrounding the kids' "monologues" is rather appropriate. You think you know how stupid people are, and then you see films like this.

[VercettiCrimeFamily]

I have seen a lot of documentaries lately, on http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/ Great site i recommend it

[Andyzoot]

I recently watched Spike Lee's documentary on Hurricane Katrina called "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts". It's a big 5 hour documentary split into four parts about what happened before Katrina, during and after the hurricane and mostly looks at how the citizens survived (or in some cases didn't), what the Government did about it and how New Orleans is attemtping to recover from the tragedy. The documentary is comprised of a mixture of news footage, amateur footage and interviews with people affected by the Hurricane. I was a little suspicious going into this film because it's directed by Spike Lee and so I thought he might have a bit of an agenda and show that black people were the only victims of Katrina and all that but that wasn't the case. The whole thing is dictated by the people in New Orleans during Katrina and just lays it out flat what happened to them. It's a very good documentary and was an excellent little starter for me as I was about to start watching Treme (saw the first episode last night, loved it!)

[trip]

QUOTE (TheCacti @ Feb 20 2011, 17:30)

Saw Jesus Camp last night. [youtube]6RNfL6IVWCE[youtube] As a whole, it was fine, at first I was a little disappointed by the lack of commentary but later realized why the director had left it out. The eerie silence surrounding the kids' "monologues" is rather appropriate. You think you know how stupid people are, and then you see films like this.

Great movie. Wait - honestly, that movie is scary as sh*t.
Nothing beats when she was asking jesus to bless the powerpoint presentation.

I live on documentaries. I like to recommend the documentary series 'Brain Sex' to people. It is a nice scientific break down of the differences between men and women. It is one of those documentaries where you find yourself saying "ahhh yeah that DOES make sense".

[Tyler]

That Doors documentary 'When You're Strange' is absolutely wonderful. It's a magnificent insight to how Jim and the rest of the band actually acted and preformed in their time together. I love documentaries, but I rarely get to watch them any more, with the removal of my Netflix. Any recommendations that could be found on the Science Channel or Nat Geo any time soon?

[Fnorg]

QUOTE (Unoriginal44 @ Feb 20 2011, 22:33)

That Doors documentary 'When You're Strange' is absolutely wonderful. It's a magnificent insight to how Jim and the rest of the band actually acted and preformed in their time together. I love documentaries, but I rarely get to watch them any more, with the removal of my Netflix. Any recommendations that could be found on the Science Channel or Nat Geo any time soon?

Hot damn, I knew I was forgetting something! That damn documentary! I was planning on watching No Direction Home, the Bob Dylan documentary tomorrow. I'm sure it's gonna be great - Marty Scorsese and Bob Dylan can't be bad. Gonna have to watch When You're Strange ASAP. Can't believe it slipped my mind for six months. It Might Get Loud is supposed to be good too. Anyone seen it?

[Blackadder.]

Funnily enough we watched Exit Through the Gift Shop and studied Jesus Camp in my Media class. I enjoyed the former, but the latter somewhat annoyed me, how they were pretty much brainwashing children.

Also watched a short excerpt from Koyannisqatsi, it's weird at first but after you settle in a bit it turns out to be a bit interesting. I intend to watch the whole thing some time.

[Lithium]

Bigger, Stronger, Faster.

As many of you may know, I have a strong interest in the gym. I have studied different types of steroids and their effects on the human body, but have never used them, so naturally this documentary really interested me.

It's mainly a documentary about steroids and their use in pop culture and sports. Even for people who don't have any interest in the gym/steroids, I believe it's still worth a watch!

[darthYENIK]

I just saw Exit Through the Gift Shop the other day, and I saw some of Mr. Brainwash's work on the side of a building, today in L.A.

Anyway, my favorite doc of all time is Anvil: the Story of Anvil. It's got all sorts of drama, and parallels Spinal Tap in a few ways, so it seems almost unbelievable when you watch the first five minutes or so. But then it's just a harrowing tale of redemption. And the guys in the band, are so lovable, especially Lips. And you go through this journey with them, watching them get stiffed at crappy clubs, and drawing only a couple people at others. Then the struggle of getting a new album released. And at the end, when they think they're getting another sh*tty turn out, thousands of people come out to see them in Tokyo. I was nearly brought to tears for these guys who only want to play their music for a living, had a chance in the 80s (one more chance than most everyone else trying to make it in music), and then get another chance twenty years later. And the best part is the story after the movie. They get a wide release of their album, and then they go on tour with bands like AC/DC. It's just a great feel f*cking good story.

[Canofceleri]

QUOTE (Pandazoot @ Feb 20 2011, 16:08)

I recently watched Spike Lee's documentary on Hurricane Katrina called "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts". It's a big 5 hour documentary split into four parts about what happened before Katrina, during and after the hurricane and mostly looks at how the citizens survived (or in some cases didn't), what the Government did about it and how New Orleans is attemtping to recover from the tragedy. The documentary is comprised of a mixture of news footage, amateur footage and interviews with people affected by the Hurricane. I was a little suspicious going into this film because it's directed by Spike Lee and so I thought he might have a bit of an agenda and show that black people were the only victims of Katrina and all that but that wasn't the case. The whole thing is dictated by the people in New Orleans during Katrina and just lays it out flat what happened to them. It's a very good documentary and was an excellent little starter for me as I was about to start watching Treme (saw the first episode last night, loved it!)

I spent a day watching When the Levees Broke and his follow-up (and equally long) If God is Willing and the Creek Don't Rise. Quite a day. I think it's great that he did these and if I'm not mistaken is going to do another follow-up in another five years. Really emotional and anger-inducing stuff.

Another great doc is Hoop Dreams.

[a cactus]

A documentary topic wouldn't be complete without mentioning The Devil and Daniel Johnston.

Upon my first viewing of it, I was completely blown away. Not only is it an intriguing account of an artist/musician/song writer all trying to put the pieces together while battling his inner demons, but it's just a downright amazing story! It's essentially about this young man who is insanely talented and obsessed with The Beatles growing up in a Christian, nuclear family in Texas in the seventies, and eventually believes that the Devil is the sole reason for everything that goes against him, and so the battle is on...music/crayons the weapon of choice. Insanity the result. This documentary seems to have it all: pain, humor, happiness, awkwardness, inspiration, and memorable moments galore.

If you're even remotely into the visual arts and/or music, you need to know about Daniel Johnston. This guy sh*ts art.

[Brown Sugar]

I'm looking forward to the Ayrton Senna documentary which has been released but won't be ut here until June. I've heard good things about it and I only really watch documentaries about Formula 1 or if it's by Louis theroux. Speaking fo Louis Theroux, The Ultra Zionists was a very interesting documentary, not like a lot of his other ones but still well worth a watch.

edit: how could I ofrget Heavy metal Parking Lot, absolutely hilarious

[Iminicus]

QUOTE

Restrepo is a 2010 documentary film directed by American journalist Sebastian Junger and British photojournalist Tim Hetherington. The film explores the year that Junger and Hetherington spent in Afghanistan on assignment for Vanity Fair,[3] embedded with the Second Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (airborne) of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in the Korengal valley. The 2nd Platoon is depicted defending an outpost (OP) named OP Restrepo, for PFC Juan Sebastián Restrepo, a Colombian-born naturalized U.S. citizen platoon medic who was killed earlier in the campaign.[4]

Source: Restrepo


And from the guy who brought us 'An Inconvenient Truth,' not Al Gore, a film that pissed of his friends in the media.

QUOTE

Waiting for "Superman" is a 2010 documentary film from director Davis Guggenheim and producer Lesley Chilcott.[2] The film analyzes the failures of American public education by following several students through the educational system.

Source: Waiting For Superman

I watched these recently and they are brilliant docos. You actually feel for the children in Waiting For Superman, and their parents. They simply want something better for the children. However, thanks to the stupidity of the Teachers Union and other Government influences, the kids are being left behind. This pre dates Obama and Bush.

Restrepo shows you a very real account of what the men and women in Uniform are doing in Afghanistan. You need to watch it.

[Otter]

I missed it when it was in town, and I'm kicking myself.

[trip]

My boss asked me the other day if I have seen "The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia".

I got my hands on it along with the two PBS documentaries(Dancing Outlaw) that the above title was based on.

This particular docu was produced by the guy who does JackAss by the way.

It's about the large, very crazy, family in West Virginia.

I have to wait to watch it with my wife, but I did check out the first 15 minutes before the title credits. I was more than glued and I can't wait to watch the whole thing.

QUOTE (imdb)

Shoot-outs, robberies, gas-huffing , drug dealing, pill popping, murders, and tap dancing - what do these all have in common? These are just a few of the parts of being a member of the Wild and Wonderful White Family. The legendary family is as known for their wild, excessive criminal ways as they are for their famous mountain dancing members, including Jesco White, the star of the cult classic documentary "Dancing Outlaw." Exploring both the comic and tragic sides of life on the other side of the law, this stylish, fast-paced family portrait exposes the powerful forces of corruption, poverty, and West Virginia's environmentally and culturally devastating coal mining culture that helped shape the White family, a dying breed of outlaws preserving a dying form of dance.

Link

trailer:



EDIT:
Watched it last night. Holy crap, that family is crazy. Now I'm excited to watch the 2 documentaries that led up to this one.

[Josh]

QUOTE (Canofceleri @ Feb 22 2011, 22:29)

Another great doc is Hoop Dreams.

Yes.

Also the boy who's skin fell off is a great documentary. It follows the story of a man who suffers from a very rare skin condition which is ultimately killing him, as he contemplates death and flies in a glider for the first time. The fact that he died during the documentary's filming just makes it all the more poignant for me.

Not sure if the following link works for people outside of the UK. And there are quite a few adverts to sit through before it stars anyway. But if you can't watch it there or stomach the adverts it is on youtube.

http://www.channel4....off/4od#3131855

[AlexGTAGamer]

The only documentaries I watch are those about nature or natural disasters/weather. But a memorable documentary that I have watched is "An Incovenient Truth", that really moved me and my parents.

[Mister Pink]

Nearly forgot about this topic!

@Unorigina: Love The Doors and loved When Your Strange. Must watch it again sometime.

@DarthYENIK: Really enjoyed that one! But.. Funny you seen some'Mr. Brainwash' but you know Banksy created the whole thing as hoax of course?

@Trip: I've been meaning to catch that flick for ages since I made a topic on it. My friends said it was great.

@TheCacti: That Daniel Johnston doc looks great.

@karuma: Looks hilarious. "I'm on acid, that's where I am!"

Great recommendations everyone. Having a look at all those ones you posted.

Last doc I watched was Planet B-Boy about break-dancing and about a competition that brings all the different dancers to represent their country to the event. Shows some of the backgrounds to the dancers and stuff. Interesting watch.



I also recommend Scratch if any of you are interested in DJing, Turntablism or Hip Hop culture.

[Sanjeem]

The Only Documentaries I usually watch are one's that feature Organized crime and politics, because that's just one of the subjects that Intrigues me the most I suppose. There are a whole load of Organized crime documantaries I have watched on the Italian Mafia, American Mafia, Russian Mafia, Colombian cartels e.t.c. I'll post a few Links to them. If your into crime and corruption they are very, very interesting pecies of imfomation.

The Ten Commandments of the Mafia 1/9 and Mafia Takedown: In my own words explains how alot of the Rules of America's most complex and powerfull dynasty of mafia crime families were made, and how alot of them ever since then, and especially today are Broken. Sheds light on the fact that although the Mafia today is not as Powerfull as it used to be in it's Hayday, it still casts a darkness over areas of America and is a powerfull force in Organized crime.





The Code of the Camorra : This is another very good Documentary which focuses on the not so Nice and beautifull side of Italy. The Camorra one of Italy's four main mafia groups which are the well heard of Sicilian Mafia or Cosa Nostra, The Neapolitan Mafia or Camorra, The Calabrian Mafia or Ndrangheta and the Puglian Mafia or Sacra Corona Unita. Out of all those the Camorra reamins the most powerfull, Laundering it's proceeds in much of controlling parts of the Economy, corrupting Politicians and commiting upteen crimes.



The Russian Mafia : Although not as active and as dangerous as it was in the mid 90's when this documentary was roughly produced, the Russian or Red Mafia an informal term describing any form of organized crime in the whole of the Former Soviet Union still remains a powerfull force in the underworld today. Russian mob is a term to describe corrupt police forces, corrupt politicians and also traditional mafia groups in the former USSR.

[Mister Pink]

Thanks for posting them. Looking forward to watching the one of the Russian Mafia. They scare me!

[TenaciousD.]

QUOTE (Otter @ Mar 3 2011, 05:00)

I missed it when it was in town, and I'm kicking myself.

Just a heads up to everyone, Marwencol is out on DVD now.

And it is brilliant.

[Mister Pink]

Missed it when I was going through the topic. Looks great. I'll give it watch.

[Sanjeem]

QUOTE (ThePinkFloydSound @ Apr 16 2011, 18:01)

Thanks for posting them. Looking forward to watching the one of the Russian Mafia. They scare me!

Watch all of them, They are all very good at pointing out the Organized crime at each end of the globe. They arn't too long either, when you have time all of them are a good watch. The Russian Mafia one is a very enjoyable watch aswell, Very grim too.

[Mister Pink]

QUOTE (Sanjeem @ Apr 16 2011, 19:38)

QUOTE (ThePinkFloydSound @ Apr 16 2011, 18:01) Thanks for posting them. Looking forward to watching the one of the Russian Mafia. They scare me! Watch all of them, They are all very good at pointing out the Organized crime at each end of the globe. They arn't too long either, when you have time all of them are a good watch. The Russian Mafia one is a very enjoyable watch aswell, Very grim too.

This is interesting too if you're in to that Mobs aswell...

[Sanjeem]

QUOTE (ThePinkFloydSound @ Apr 16 2011, 19:15)

QUOTE (Sanjeem @ Apr 16 2011, 19:38) QUOTE (ThePinkFloydSound @ Apr 16 2011, 18:01) Thanks for posting them. Looking forward to watching the one of the Russian Mafia. They scare me! Watch all of them, They are all very good at pointing out the Organized crime at each end of the globe. They arn't too long either, when you have time all of them are a good watch. The Russian Mafia one is a very enjoyable watch aswell, Very grim too. This is interesting too if you're in to that Mobs aswell...

The Irish mobs don't interest me as much as the other Organized crime groups in America and throughout the globe, however I watched it, and it was quite entertaining.

[trip]

QUOTE (TenaciousD. @ Apr 16 2011, 18:09)

QUOTE (Otter @ Mar 3 2011, 05:00) I missed it when it was in town, and I'm kicking myself. Just a heads up to everyone, Marwencol is out on DVD now. And it is brilliant.

Totally.

I didn't know squat about this film and I just borrowed a copy. Since I didn't know anything about it, I just watched the opening few minutes and skipped through a bit. This looks like a totally interesting story and I can't wait to watch it tonight.

Honestly, I was skipping over anything about this film based on the stills here. I had no idea what it was about. I thought it was just going to be some hokey robot chicken/world police type of thing. I'm very glad I took the 2 minutes to look into.

[Tyler]

Morgon Spurlock is back again. This time around he'll be showing us the ploys and unsavoury effects of Product Placement, advertisement and marketing - specifically in the entertainment industry. It'll be coming out 22 April publicly, but was shown at Sundance earlier this year.



Looks like a interesting watch, I'll definitely try to catch this within the week. Anyone else?

[Mister Pink]

Looks good.^

How could I forget The King of Kong. Probably the best documentary I've seen in the last few years. You don't have to be in to gaming to enjoy this. It's just a good story.

[trip]

^^^^^
You have no idea how much I hate Billy Mitchel.

I happen to have an account at Twin Galaxies. I also happen to have a top 10 DK average highscore. I've been planning a trip up to Fun Land to make it official for the past bunch of years. Someday I will get my ass up there and hope I don't choke - I'm not a big fan of having people watch me play.