Documentaries - Almost like reading books
These are my favorite documentaries. We are living in the age of excellent and mediocre true-crime docs but most of these came out before the tidal wave Netflix unleashed. Give yourself a nice pat on the back after your finish one; You’re learning stuff!
Hoop Dreams
I think this is one of the best movies of all time in any genre. Welcome to one flavor of the American dream. This film was originally going to be a 30min short but ended up lasting over 8 years of filming. Roger Ebert said, "A film like "Hoop Dreams" is what the movies are for. It takes us, shakes us, and make us think in new ways about the world around us. It gives us the impression of having touched life itself.”
Rotten Tomatoes (98%) | Pirate Bay
Pairs well with South Side
Bonus: Benji - The spiritual successor to Hoop Dreams. Follows a kid from Simeon in the South Side of Chicago in his pursuit of basketball greatness. Rotten Tomatoes (NA%)
The Act of Killing
I’ve never seen anything like this. One of my favorite docs of all time. Watch a serial murderer who starts the movie bragging about the atrocities he’s committed and recreating his killings as part of a faux documentary. Eventually through reenacting these events, he begins to feel empathy for those he disposed of. Emotionally taxing but brilliant.
“War crimes are defined by the winners”
Rotten Tomatoes (95%) | Netflix
Pairs well with bleach
Requiem for the American Dream
If you haven’t read any Noam Chompsky and want a taste of his views on America this is a solid place to start. It may make you think differently about our place as the #1 global superpower. Start your journey down the democratic socialist rabbit hole.
Rotten Tomatoes (92%) | Netflix
Pairs well with a mocktail and freedom fries
Bonus: Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?: An Animated Conversation with Noam Chompsky - This is a hand drawn labor of love by Michael Gondry who animates an entire conversation with the legendary linguistician and political theorist Noam Chompsky. Rotten Tomatoes (92%)
Red Obsession
What kind of Movies and Wine website would this be without it.
Rotten Tomatoes (86%) | Pirate Bay
Pairs well with 1986 Chateau Lafite
Bonus: Somm - Wine movie about the grueling process of becoming a master somm. Rotten Tomatoes (79%)
Double Bonus: Sour Grapes - Part Frank Abagnale, part wine snob, this tale of fraud involves some of the richest people in the world. Rotten Tomatoes (95%)
List of More Popular Must-Sees
Watch these if you haven’t already. They are all FANTASTIC but most are listed on the Top 100 Docs on RT. But the point of this site is to help you sift through the madness! So again, these are some of my favs.
Inside Job - Best doc about the financial crisis. Rotten Tomatoes (98%)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi - Heartwarming doc about the worlds greatest sushi chef and the dedication required to get there. Rotten Tomatoes (99%)
Deliver Us From Evil - Called the Catholic Watergate, this film about the church sexual abuses with leave you furious and nauseous but is an important film to watch. Rotten Tomatoes (100%)
Jodorosky’s Dune - A film about the making of the greatest Sci-fi movie that never was. During the creative process they built so many elements of future sci-fi classics. Really fun to watch before the “remake” comes out! Rotten Tomatoes (97%)
Spellbound - Super touching film about the national spelling bee contest. You’ll feel like a parent in the crowd white-knuckling it through every word. It will also make you feel really stoopid. Rotten Tomatoes (97%)
13th - Everyone in America should watch this film about the our fucked up prison system. You will think a little different about the world around you. Rotten Tomatoes (97%)
West of Memphis - A good partner film for 13th. If Making a Murderer got your panties in a bunch this film will get them all the way up your b-hole. Sorry for that, i’m just angry.