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Today's Monday Movie Meme from The Bumbles is all about documentaries. Every Monday, my topic is always a surprise, but today's was especially exciting. I love documentaries! They are probably my favorite genre. I have seen all the Michael Moore ones, as well as the Morgan Spurlock ones (ex: Super Size Me) and liked them, but here are some others that are much deserving of a mention.
Taxi to the Dark Side - Seriously sobering facts about the mismanagement of the war in Iraq. I believe this was nominated for the Oscar in 2007.
Please Vote for Me - Eight year olds in China experience a taste of democracy when they campaign for the role as class monitor. Hilarious, adorable.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster - Compelling peek into the dynamics of a band making a new album, St. Anger. You get to see their genius, but also their dysfunction, addictions and ego.
Capturing the Friedmans - Home movies and interviews from various participants document the downward spiral and collapse of one of the most messed up families you'll ever see. I actually walked away feeling a bit sick. Nominated for Oscar in 2003.
Grizzly Man - A young man becomes disenchanted with society and lives in the Alaskan wilderness to study grizzlies. It all sounds fine until you realize that this guy has some serious issues. He almost sees himself as a grizzly as well, and ends up being eaten by one. I had some dreams about this one for awhile after I watched it.
Man on Wire - Oscar winner for this year. French tight-rope walker decides he is destined to tight rope walk between the Twin Towers. Obviously this is poignant for numerous reasons.
What are some of your favorites?
11 comments:
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Great list. Heard of most of them, but never seen them, although some of them I wouldn't mind watching (guess I'm not as apathetic towards documentaries as I thought I was). Your mention of the school documentary, reminds me that I forgot to include that one about a pelling bee contest on my list (although the fact I can't now remember the name of it would have hampered me too).
I love documentaries,too! I am always so puzzled when I talk about a documentary and people roll their eyes and groan,"Oh,it's a documentary. ugh". It's one of my fave genres.
Man on Wire is sitting by my TV,waiting for me to watch it :)
I have not seen Taxi to the Dark Side yet either. It's on the list.
I do NOT like Metallica and get hate mail from fans because I have talked bad about them on my blog LOL... and i am curious about Some Kind of Monster. We'll see how I feel then,eh?
I did enjoy the Metallica one - though I think I only saw part of it.
Funny - I couldn't remember the name of the Friedmans one when compiling our list. I think I blocked the name out of my mind - that was one disturbing family. The movie was very effective.
Grizzly Man sounds messed up - right up my alley!
Desert Rose - thank you!!!! I'll share the love here in the next day or so.
Eerie Tapestry - I know I'll think of more documentaries that I've forgotten. If you get a good one, they can be fabulous; when I watch them, I always say "they can't make this stuff up!"
Jupiter - no hate mail from me! Metallica isn't for everyone. I listen to them only in certain moods, like when I feel like I want to beat somebody up! The doc is enjoyable, even if you don't like them. It gives you some incredible insight to the creative process.
Bumbles - Yeah, the the Friedman doc was over, I just sat there and said "Whoa. That is really creepy and sickening." I feel a doc that affects me to that extent is always good. With regards to Grizzly Man, to me the most disturbing thing was watching the director listen to the bear mauling the guy. WE don't hear or see it, as friends and family didn't want that publicized. But watching the reaction of someone who did is blood chilling.
Terrific list. I need to put Man on a Wire in my queue at Netflix.
The spelling one is Spellbound. There are many older docs out there when you run out of new ones. I like just about everything Errol Morris ever made. There's an excellent one called Brother's Keeper about these very reclusive brothers who were accused of murder. I also loved Confessions of a Dutiful Daughter which is one woman's very funny take on her mother's memory loss.
And, of course, The Times of Harvey Milk is very tough to beat.
I don't think I've ever watched a documentary...
Sandy, I love documentaries too! For a fun one check out L'Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio. There's a great one called Helvectia we watched recently. Also check out My Kid Could Paint That, I found it kind of disturbing. If I think of more I'll let you know.
My pup is just fine now, though she gave us a good scare.
I loved Spellbound, and found Grizzly Man extremely fascinating and disturbing. I also liked 51 Birch Street, which was about a son who finds out some family secrets after his mother dies.
James - See this is like striking gold for me. I get all these great recommendations, of which will all go on my Q in about ten minutes. Thanks!
Melissa - just try one that sounds good to you and I swear you will be hooked.
Gavin - I will put them in my Q along with James'. I'm sure I'll love them. Thanks for the tips! Glad to hear that puppy is OK!
Carrie - Grizzly Man WAS disturbing. It isn't often that a movie makes me have dreams (nightmares in this case). But I'll take disturbing over boring any day!
So you're the one I should come to for documentary recommendations, I see! Please Vote For Me has caught my attention. And Man on Wire is one I've been hearing great things about. I should probably add that to my netflix queue!
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