Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#1

Post by rblion » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 3:50 AM UTC

I am out of documentaries to watch and am bored. Does anyone know any great documentaries that you can recommend?

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#2

Post by phaet0n » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 4:21 AM UTC

Darwin's Nightmare, if you want a reality check.

Baraka, if you want inspiration.

The Class (Entre les murs), not a documentary, but a hyper-real film about youth and the possibilities of education.

Seven Up!, as to what may come.

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#3

Post by keiferski » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 4:40 AM UTC

The Smartest Guys in the Room - about Enron

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#4

Post by liuhenry » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 4:49 AM UTC

Art & Copy - similar to Helvetica and Objectified. Good documentary about advertising and design's power, effect, and influence.

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#5

Post by sainib » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 5:11 AM UTC

Try the movie - The Startup or it may be just "Startup".. you may find some good stuff to watch on - www.biznus.tv - which is a Startup and Business related video aggregator..

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#6

Post by arctangent » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 5:16 AM UTC

Here's one I saw recently that is worth a mention:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mugabe_and_the_White_African

(Disclaimer: Nothing to do with hacking whatsoever.)

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#7

Post by zmitri » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 5:16 AM UTC

Anything by Louis Theroux is generally fantastic. Watch the one on "Medicated Children" if you can't choose where to start.

"Exit Through The Gift Shop" - Banksy fucks with everyone, and makes you appreciate just how brilliant he is.

"King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters" - If you think start up nerds think they are all that, you won't believe it when you see just how cocky former arcade game world champions can be.

"I Think We're Alone Now" - I wouldn't call it "great," but its definitely weird. It follows two unusual people who believe they are connected to Tiffany, the 80s singer.

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#8

Post by wayneyeager » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 5:26 AM UTC

If you've missed these, here are a few on Netflix Streaming that I really enjoyed: Restrepo, Brother's Keeper, all the "Up" (7 Up, 35 Up, etc.) documentaries, Harlan County USA.

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#9

Post by fourspace » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 5:40 AM UTC

"Blood Into Wine" - Maynard James Keenan, lead singer of Tool, makes wine in Arizona

"180° South" - About retracing a 1960's trip to Chile by two rock climbing friends who went on to found Patagonia and The North Face

"Exit Through The Gift Shop" - Amazing work by Banksy about the state of street art and those who attempt to commercialize it

"Crips and Bloods: Made in America" - About the context and history of gangs in LA

"Man on Wire" - The story of Philippe Petit, a tightrope walker who eventually walked across a high wire between the World Trade Center

"The Rape of Europa" - Explores the history of famous works of art in Europe during the 12 years of Nazi destruction

Re: Ask HN: Good documentaries to watch?

#10

Post by tmachinecharmer » Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 6:08 AM UTC

You can watch some about Aliens, Bermuda Triangle, Conspiracy theories, Pyramids.