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Watch 25 Documentaries

Finished 11/21/17

I've always enjoyed a good documentary. I guess it is the history buff in me. I am constantly amazed by other people and their circumstances. I often walk away from a documentary reflecting on my own life and choices and how things have played out for me. Again, there are more than 50 on this list, but I wanted to give myself a bit of wiggle room.  I've made the mistake of backing myself in a corner with the movies and books lists and with this I wanted to add a few that just looked interesting to me. I'm selfish that way.

• Amy (2015)

• Best of Enemies

• Blackfish (2013)

• Don't Stop Believin'

• Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

• Escape from a Nazi Death Camp

• Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)

• How to Survive a Plague (2012)

• Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2012)

• Last Train Home (2010)

• Seymour: An Introduction (2015)

• Slingshot

• Sound City (2013)

• The Square (2013)

• We Were Here (2011)

• The Champions

• The Great Alone

• The Interrupters (2011)

• The Look of Silence (2015)

• The Sex Changes that Changed the World

• Bill Cunningham New York (2011)

• Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2011)

• Barkley Marathons

• 41 on 41

8/27/16 Hoop Dreams was good.  I've heard of it and thought about watching it so many times, but always steered clear in favor of a romance or a thriller. It followed two urban African-American boys as they were entering high school on scholarship at a private school across town. Both boys had great promise and talent. Both ended up going to college. Both ended up having children way before they should have, one at 17. I wanted them to succeed. Several times I found myself thinking they weren't succeeding because of their own choices, which is true. But there is way more to it than that. There is the environment they grew up in and the ideals passed down from generation to generation. One thing that is consistent is the parent love for their child and the desire for him to do better, be better, succeed.

8/27/16 I forget how much I really like documentaries.  (Dis)Honesty was not on any Top 100 list, but it was available with Netflix and it looked interesting and I loved it.  David watched it with me & Jeremy watched some of it too.  It was all about how we are all total liars. Liars to ourselves and liars to others.  We lie more when we think it is socially acceptable, when others are doing it, when we think we can get away with it, or when we think it will do someone some good.  

I have struggled with lying all my life, probably because I am actually good at it. Not all kinds of lying, mind you.  I am good at storytelling.  From an early age I was embellishing stories to get a laugh and I find myself doing it as an adult even when it isn't actually necessary. Sometimes I find myself asking, why did I just say that? And if I am honest (Ha!) I have found myself trying to manipulate a situation with not the full truth because I think I deserve something or I've earned it. That sounds awful, but it is true.

When I was a kid, I lied to get out of trouble and of course when I was caught, it was way worse. Not because my punishment was worse, but because I felt bad about lying. It didn't stop me from lying though. I was a wee bit on the scared side of my step-dad and I would lie to avoid what I expected his wrath to be if he found out the truth. I'm not sure how old I was when all that turned around. I do remember a time in college when I basically cheated on a test in Old Testament Theology class (Yes, that is correct. I cheated on a religion test.Pathetic). We had to take a geography of the Old Testament biblical world. He told us we could take the test as many times as we wanted until we got the grade we wanted. Problem was, he didn't give us a study guide. Well, to me that meant I would not study at all and would take the test knowing I would fail it. While in the test I wrote down all the places I needed to study for the next time I took the test. Worked like a charm. Passed with flying colors on the second try. Bad thing was I felt so guilty for doing it. I mean how could I cheat on a religion test? So, what did I do? Yep, I tattled on myself. Wrote my letter of confession to the professor over the summer. He didn't do anything about my cheating and in fact commended my for owning up to it. Well, that taught me, didn't it? 

What I really liked about this documentary was the real people who were telling their stories of lying and the impact it made on them. These were people who suffered major consequences like jail time and being publicly fired and humiliated. I loved that they all owned their lying and took the consequences. They were ashamed and repentant and forgiving of other liars like themselves, which is basically all of us. Overall the film was well done, interesting and I would probably watch it again.

8/29/16 Walking with Destiny was a disappointment. I have read a biography on Winston Churchill and have studied him as a historical figure. I think I've even watched another documentary on him, but this was not a good one. It was more about WWII than about him. Of course he was entwined with WWII, but it wasn't everything about him. He is a fascinating individual and this did not capture him at all. Phooey!!! 

8/29/16 Started watching Long Way Down with David. Jeremy and I really liked Long Way Round. I say Jeremy and I, but it might have just been I who liked it (yes, I know that is poor grammar). This time Ewan and Charley are starting in northern Scotland and going all the way to the tip of South Africa. Twist this time is Ewan's wife wants to join them and has never ridden a motorcycle. I love that we get to meet her because she is just a regular mom and she is married to a movie star. He probably isn't a movie star to her. This is actually a series so it will take a while for us to watch the whole thing, but I am looking forward to spending time with David.

8/30/16 It is truly sad that Robin Williams took his own life. I'm not sure of all the details and I still can't imagine what true depression feels like. I want to live to desperately I can't fathom purposely stopping. I supposed he had lived a full life though. I have so much left to do. I talked with my mom tonight and she said something about how she hopes she is around in ten years. It struck me because she said it so flippantly. It is really possible she won't be around in 10 years. I am getting a wee bit freaked out by getting close to 50 and the idea of thinking it all might be over in 10 years is horrifying or at least sobering. I so want to experience all I can and make the most out of what I have left. Watching this show and listening to my mom makes me think about my own life. Am I living it the way I want to live it? What and who are important to me? Do they know how important they are? This also reminds me I need to write my letters to friends and family.I don't actually look forward to doing it though and I can't put my finger on what holds me back. It is something that is easier after you start it. That is the hardest part of so many of the things on my list...starting, deciding now is the time, not tomorrow.

9/5/16 Man on Wire was amazing. I had no idea this guy tight roped between the twin towers without permission. Wow! Documentary was so well done too. It wasn't until the very last few minutes that I found out the man who was so confident and talented was also just a man who makes mistakes and poor choices. What confidence though. I hope he is happy and so are the rest of the team of people who were involved. Two thumbs up and five stars! 

11/28/16 Maybe I can use some of these for my Sunday Church Movies. It could work.

1/31/17 I didn't actually watch this today, but I can't remember when I did and it isn't worth struggling over. Minimalism was a documentary on just that...living with less. Not necessarily living in a tiny house or without electronics or off the grid, just living in a way that does not encourage excess. It inspired me to get rid of 20 things a day for two weeks. Of course, I only lasted four days, but that is still a lot of stuff. I made several trips to Salvation Army. And BOOM! There's 20 more. Just culled 17 books from the shelf and 3 pair of sunglasses. If Jeremy would let me cull his books, I could have gotten rid of 20 more. He has a lot of business and technical books (Boring!) I liked the show. Made me remember that I really have way too much stuff and probably don't need more than half of it. I just keep it around for just in case.

2/8/17 Finally finished Long Way Down today and just in time because I think Netflix removes it next week. I really did like it. It makes me want to take an adventure like that with Jeremy. I don't really care so much about learning to ride a motorcycle, but Eve, Ewan's wife, learned to rid so she could join Ewan and it looked like they really enjoyed the part of the trip she took with them. Might be worth it to learn.

2/10/17 Mortified Nation is so hysterical. I had no idea what it was going to be about, but I am so glad I chose this one to watch. It is about the rise of events by the same name where people pull out their old journals and letters and poetry from adolescence and childhood and read them out loud in front of an audience. It is amazing to think of where we came from and how much angst in involved in growing up. It makes me feel a little bit of sympathy for my kid, but not much. I'm giving him material for adulthood. It's really a gift. I'm a giver.

2/11/17 I feel very small after watching 13th. I really have no idea how privileged I am as a white person in this world. The things that people of color are subjected to for no reason all the time is astounding. I so rarely stand up for anything. I don't protest. I don't even share my views on Facebook, which is the least threatening thing I can do. I would like to think I would stand up if I saw oppression in front of my face, but since it is rarely in my face, I do nothing. If something doesn't impact me on a daily basis, then I just move along with the crowd. How weak!

10/26/17 I have watched three documentaries none of which are on my list. The Keepers was really good. It was about an unsolved murder of a nun that brought to light a clergy child abuse issue. There is a special place in hell for Father Maskell. Amanda Knox was a good documentary as well. It is a highlight of how perception and media can taint and twist people and convince them of someone's guilt without actual proof. The whole thing never made any sense. What motive did Amanda ever have to murder her roommate in cold blood? It just didn't make sense. The last one I watched was The Ultimate Penny Pinching Guide and although I like to save money, these people are over the top. It is good not to be focused on money and I so agree that it is more important to focus on spending time together doing simple things, but going out to dinner or a comedy show or on a weekend getaway is nice to. If you save, save, save and never spend, then what is the point of making the money. I'm always drawn back to Howard Culbert, missionary chaplain at SNU who said you can't take it with you so you might as well spend it all.

Oh, I just realized I was looking over the list of possible documentaries that I have already seen on called Alive Inside and it has been one of my all time favorite documentaries because it chronicles the use of music on Alzheimer and Dementia sufferers and how it brings them back to life. They are able to remember and connect and feel again. It was so amazing to watch. Loved it! The picture below is of a man who was basically catatonic who changed in an instant the moment the headphones were put on his head. He was singing and remembering bits and pieces and for a moment in little snatches, he was himself again. Right now Mena is not doing well. She is having pains and not eating well. This happened recently, but she bounced back rather quickly and I'm hoping she does the same thing now. And then today my mom reminded me that I really don't know how it feels to be alone or lonely. And she is right. I do spend a good piece of my time at home by myself. But at night my family comes home. My mom is lonely and my answer is for her to go explore new worlds. The last two examples was a personal realization to focus on who and what is important.

And lastly is An Idiot Abroad which just made me laugh out loud. Now not the whole time but the dry British humor just gets me every time.  Ricky Gervais and another British comedy writer/producer/actor who I can't think of his name at the moment, send this guy around the world.  He is a homebody and has all kinds of excuses for not wanting to travel. They call him an idiot and basically it seems like them bullying him with his permission. It is very similar to what Conan O'Brien does with one of his producers, Jordan. It seems wrong, but it is funny and you just can't stop watching. Of course, they put him in all these outlandish situations that I would just love and he basically hates every moment of it and is complaining in the dry British fashion. Enjoyed it.

10/31/17 Finished another documentary today. Chuck Norris vs Communism, which is an amazing marketing strategy. The boys even watched most of it because they thought Chuck was going to be kicking some communism ass. It was a good documentary on how the bootleg and underground video copying industry in Romania helped lead a people to rise up against its oppressive government to claim freedom. It chronicled the lives of ordinary people who were impacted by movies from the West depicting images of a word void of the shadows they lived in. We are so blessed. I have nothing to complain about. Again, my world compared to that of most of the world is more than charmed. It is full.

11/11/17 I have been on a tear with the documentaries. I can see by the ones I choose that I much prefer documentaries that are positive and motivate me rather than highlight something negative. I keep hopping over things that look depressing or highlight negative experiences. I know they have great value and educate and inspire, but I only have so much energy and I would rather spend it on something positive. It is probably why I hate horror movies. What a freaking waste of my time! I guess it is a bit hypocritical since I do like the mysteries and true crime. Whatever! So I have watched two documentaries on people who challenge themselves physically to do amazing things. One was Inspired to Ride and told the story of people who follow the Trans Am bike trail which starts in Astoria, Oregon and ends in Richmond, Virginia. As much as I would like to take an epic journey, I do not think this one would be for me because it is on roads and highways the entire trip. I am good with roads, but riding on the highways of Kansas does not sound good. And maybe it all sounds good until you get on the road and realize just how stinking far it is. It is amazing how these people push themselves and one lady who finished but took her time finished in 46 days. That would be more my speed. That would be a slow and steady wins the race journey. In fact, I think an electric bike might make that journey even sweeter. The older I get, the more I want to take an epic journey. Part of me wants to just go to the gym today and try to tackle my duathalon, which would be totally stupid because my body is not ready, but who knows if it ever will be. I just don't want to waste my time here on earth.

I also watched the Barkley Marathons and these people are looney tunes. They basically complete 5 consecutive marathons in the mountains of Tennessee. All of it in a 60 hour time period which means they have to run/hike/crawl day and night. The race has been running for over 20 years and only 18 people have even finished the races. They put themselves through torture and many of them are just pleased as punch to make it a single loop. I would be thrilled to make one loop. The guy I really loved watching was the one that finished with 18 minutes to spare. That is cutting it close. He had great things to say about why he was doing it too. He is just a regular guy who says I can and I will. He has an indomitable spirit. The creator of the race is some backwoods guy who probably has something on blocks in his front yard. He is a chain smoker who asks racers to bring something different every year that he needs, socks, underwear, flannel shirts. That is the entrance fee with a non-refundable application fee of $1.60. Quirky and fun. Well, not the race itself, just the idea of the race. OK, I need to go to the gym to train for my physical challenge that pales in comparison to this one, but is big for me.

No dates on the next documentary viewings. I have watched quite a few and was not updating along the way. Any dates would be total fabrications. Another great documentary was 41 on 41 about President George H. W. Bush. It was 41 people talking about memories, experiences, traits, flaws, etc. I can't remember the first time I realized I liked H. W. It was a story I heard about pranks he pulled and jokes he told and how he was just a fun person to be around. One of the things that I really admire from this documentary was the relationship he has with Barbara. They seem like true friends and they have passed that loving spirit and heritage down to their children and grandchildren. It says something when people want to be around you. Makes me wonder if my family will want to be around me when I am older. It is probably one reason I always want to be growing, independent and moving forward. 

The Overnighters was about a pastor of a small town in North Dakota experiencing exponential growth due to the oil boom and how he reached out to all the men coming to town hoping to make their fortunes. He was kind to them and gave them a place to stay but he also seemed a bit over the top with it and throughout the entire film I had an uneasy feeling about him. He allowed a convicted sex offender to stay in his house even though he had children. He was not forthcoming with information about what he was doing, like he was hiding. That is never a good trait in a pastor. In the end there was a bomb dropped when he said someone from his past had come forward to accuse him of homosexual experiences. They actually filmed him telling his wife about it. It was awful. I wanted to yell at the camera for her. They had four children and she had basically done all kinds of things and put up with so much and for what? For what?

The Women's List was short interviews with women from all walks of life, politics, acting, pilot, singer, entrepreneur and many others. They talked about their lives and their experiences as a woman in their fields and families. They spoke of what inspired them and what they were proud of and even some lessons learned. Not an earth shattering film, but it reminded me that everyone has a story to tell and we are all just real people doing the best we can with what we have been given.

Life Itself was a film about Roger Ebert's last days well I guess about his whole life. He had cancer in his jaw I think and had it removed so his chin just hung down and his mouth was wide open all the time. Amazingly, he seemed upbeat most of the time. He could only speak through a computer or with a pad of paper. The documentary told the story of how he because a movie critic and about the relationship he had with Siskel who died of brain cancer (I think). They really fought like cats and dogs but had quite a love and respect for one another anyway. The truly amazing part of the story was his wife who stood right by his side through all of the surgeries and changes. She exhibited great love and compassion and strength. I hope I never have to experience anything like that from either side.

I Am was a great documentary about who we are in the grand scheme of things and how we are all connected somehow. Of course, It was on Gaia, my yoga website, which means it had a lot of touchy feely stuff in it, but I like that. There were several parts that focused on the science behind the spiritual and the connections. That I loved even more. My spiritual journey has taken several twists and turns, but I have enjoyed the scenery along the journey. And I can't wait for the next leg. I like to discover new things and try to be open-minded through it all.

Iris was great. It was about this woman in her 90s who has just always been herself. She was a fashion designer and home interior designer. She and her husband who turned 100 during the film, lived life to the fullest and she was still doing it. One of the things that struck me was what she said about not having children. She said women today think they can have it all, but it isn't true. If you want to see the world and focus on your career, then inevitably your family will suffer. They will not be getting all they need from you. That is why she chose not to have children. She wanted a different life and knew that life would not be fair to any children. I admire that decision and honesty.

Food, Inc. of course was disturbing. It showed all kinds of stuff I didn't want to see about how chickens are raised and how beef is supplemented with only God and these crazy companies know what. Did it stop me from eating frozen chicken from a bag this week or eating two big macs? No, it did not. And I don't want any judgment from anyone reading this, which is probably nobody anyway. Ha! It did shine a light on how money is truly power. When you have it, you can throw it around and get what you want or bully others into doing what you want. And our legal system is not set up to honor the little guy. Totally skewed.

11/18/17 Cave of Forgotten Dreams was interesting of course because it is about history, but I am not a huge fan of caves. I don't mind cave tours which I know will have lights and some walkways and some open spaces. I can't imagine being the first people to discover this cave with all the drawings because it would have been pitch black and they would have had to go down a vertical drop without knowing where it went. No thank you. The drawings are actually very good which is fun to think that human nature and talent have existed and been utilized for expression since human time began. The fact that they have mapped the whole cave with lasers is super cool. Oh, the cave is in France. Forgot to mention that. Ha! And one of the archaeologists used to be a circus performer. I love that they stopped to listen to the silence of the cave. What a wonderfully scientific thing to do. To observe and not to disturb. There are so many bones down there that remain untouched. What do I miss in life because I am moving too fast?

11/20/17 The Sex Changes that Changed the World and Bill Cunningham New York are the two I watched today. Both were very interesting and about people being who they want and chronicling those who push the envelope. I love stories about old people who are doing something the love and never give it up. Makes me want to do that too. And then the people who led the way on sex changes is amazing. They had no idea if they would live or die or how any of it would turn out. They showed videos of early plastic surgeries and talked about the doctor who performed the first operations. He was a plastic surgeon and I never thought about why he would have experience in creating a new penis for someone. You often here of men who lose a limb when at war, but I never thought about those who lost their genitals. How horrific! And the doctor had to practice the construction of the vagina on a borrowed corpse, which takes me back to the book Stiff.

I find all the documentaries interesting, but honestly, I want to finish this adventure because I want to get onto the real living. Watching and reading about things does not feel like living. It feels like observing, which I guess that is what Bill Cunningham has been doing all of his life...observing and capturing. I have learned that I want to be unapologetically me in life. I do not care so much about my fashion and I don't want to all of a sudden start just because I see a couple documentaries on it. I am not interesting because of what I wear. I am interesting because of who I am.  

11/21/17 As you will see on the movies and books posts, I am throwing in the towel on this one. Well not really. I can still watch these, but I am not going to require it for a goal. It is no longer an adventure, but a chore. If there is one thing I have learned from these documentaries, it is that I need to follow my heart.