Friday, May 27, 2011

Because Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

As a crafter, I spend a lot of time alone at home working on my items. I don't know about you, but I can't work in silence for hours on end, just me and my thoughts, so I watch A LOT of tv to keep me entertained. As a big movie buff, I've got all the usual sources - cable, Netflix, DVDs, etc. - and one of my favorite selections from these are documentaries. In the same vain that I love to read biographies, I love to watch documentaries.

There are the well-known ones like Supersize Me, March of the Penguins, Inconvenient Truth or anything by Michael Moore, or even the classic ones like Endless Summer, but I've also seen everything from documentaries about drinking water, to surfing, to porn, and even one about a gay British mobster. I don't have an official top ten list or anything, but I thought it might be fun to list the ones I find myself watching and recommending over and over.

1) Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father


Such an amazing, unbelievable, and tragic story. I originally saw this at a free screening my local theater was having along with a q&a by the filmmaker. I cry every time I see it and if you're not moved by it, you might be literally missing a heart.

2) The Business of Being Born


I admit, this film totally feeds my west-coast hippie-dippy side. As a teen I imagined that when the time finally came for me to pop out a kid, I would want the process to be as quick and painless as possible. Knock me out, cut me up, ta-dah! This movie made me think twice and genuinely research more about what I want my "birthing experience" to be like someday. See? How hippie-dippy is that? Be ye forewarned: lots of graphic birthing scenes. It's the miracle of life, folks! Comes with the territory.

3) Crazy Love


The title says it all. This story couldn't be written, it's so unbelievable. A tribute to the power of love. Or psychosis. Special note: fantastic soundtrack.

4) Beer Wars


I am not a beer drinker for when I imbibe, I like flavor. And sweetness. And maybe a little umbrella or cherry or both. However, this movie is so informative and engaging it gets tacked right up there with all the reasons I love to hate "The Man". As a direct result of this film, The Doomed, who is a huge beer drinker, no longer buys any beer from or distributed by any of the big three American breweries. Succesfully brainwashed!

5) Mad Hot Ballroom
Just a feel good movie. 'Cause I like watching kids dance. And I like kids with New York accents. Super enjoyable - saw it in theaters and leave it on everytime I catch it on cable.

Do you guys have any documentaries you like? I'm always on the look out for the next great thing to see!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

5 comments:

  1. i LOVE the business of being born! I was already planning on a home birth before I saw the doc, but it really drove home how I felt (I did end up with a ride in an ambulance and an emergency c-section at the end though... next time!) Have you seen The Garden? It's the most recent docu I've seen and although really pissing me off, I loved it!

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  2. Isn't it a fantastic movie? The Doomed thinks I'm crazy for wanting to birth a baby in the middle of our living room one day, but he finally gave in to the conceptmod home deliveries when I explained that it is far from barbaric or unmonitored.

    I've never even heard of The Garden! I'm totally gonna look it up now - thanks!

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  3. Whoops, I lied. Once I read the description, I realized I have seen it. I was still living in LA when those events were occurring and I remember it being all over the news that Darryl Hannah was hanging off tree. I agree, it was infuriating to see how the farmers were treated.

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  4. Yeah. I'll look up the other ones you recommended. The only other one that comes to mind is Babies - which I would only watch if you like to see babies. It's really neat.

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  5. When I give birth how about when the water breaks and all is well with the baby, can't they just use a teleportation machine to have the baby come out of me — From the belly to my arms in a few seconds, tada!
    :)

    I was with my sister when she gave birth, I saw it ALLL. Incredible, but yes I'm sure a bit painful

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