I’ve done a piece like this a few years ago; however since then I’ve seen many more docs and I feel the need to share them with you. My definition of a must-see doc is, if it’s well-done it can be on any subject under the sun and it will still inform, enlighten and entertain the viewer.
Submitted for your approval; 12 documentaries for your edification.
American Experience: Eugene O’Neill — Ric Burn’s haunting documentary explores the life and works of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill, whose words are made vivid with dramatic scenes performed by actors such as Al Pacino, Vanessa Redgrave, Liam Neeson and others.
His tumultuous life reflected in many of his plays, O’Neill is credited for bringing realism to American theater. His autobiographical “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” won the Pulitzer Prize.
American Experience: The Summer of Love — I know, I’m still stuck in the ‘60s, however this is a time machine look at the beginning of the drug epidemic that spread throughout America. In the summer of 1967, thousands of young people arrived at San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood to join in on the celebrated hippie experience.
But all was not peace and love, and by 1968, the movement had developed some very bad vibes. Using archival footage and interviews with the people who experienced that historic season firsthand, “American Experience” takes a trip back to the Summer of Love.
American Experience: Panama Canal — Finished in 1914, the 48-mile Panama Canal revolutionized the shipping industry by creating a shortcut for vessels headed from one coast of North America to the other.
This documentary chronicles the struggle in creating this engineering marvel. Using archival footage and first-hand accounts, this “American Experience” program shows how the canal was built over 10 years — and how more than 5,000 people lost their lives in the process.
Island of Lemurs Madagascar: Oscar winner Morgan Freeman narrates this visually stunning chronicle of the lives of lemurs in Madagascar, where pioneering scientist Patricia Wright has studied their behavior for more than 25 years.
Neil Young: Heart of Gold: Acclaimed director Jonathan Demme turns his cameras on musician Neil Young in this intimate two-night concert featuring a soul-bearing set from Young’s album “Prairie Wind” and filmed inside Nashville’s landmark Ryman Auditorium.
This is Elvis: Thought you knew Elvis Presley? Think again. This unique biography combines rare footage of the King — including home movies, concert film and newsreels — with dramatic portrayals of Elvis at key points in his life. The two formats are woven together to create a complete picture of the music legend, from his childhood and rise to stardom to his untimely death. Both the original and extended broadcast editions of the film are included.
Finding Vivian Maier: When longtime nanny Vivian Maier died in 2009, she left behind thousands of photo negatives that she’d produced over the years. But the now-famous shutterbug’s unique body of work lay in storage until an amateur historian uncovered the trove.
Joan Rivers: A piece of work: This all-access documentary chronicles a year in the life of Joan Rivers, following the legendary comedian from her posh Manhattan apartment to business meetings and media appearances while revisiting the dramatic highs and lows of her past.
Bears: This captivating Disney Nature documentary follows two mother brown bears as they raise cubs amid the splendor of the Alaskan wilderness. Over the course of a year, the cubs play in the snow, learn how to fish and elude a predatory wolf pack.
The Summit: Combining interviews, archival footage and re-creations, filmmaker Nick Ryan sets out to uncover what went wrong when 11 people died on their way up the infamous K2 — the deadliest day in modern mountaineering history.
Dogtown and Z-Boys: A little offbeat but a fascinating time capsule. Legendary skateboarder Stacy Peralta directed this fast-paced, award-winning documentary that focuses on the Z-Boys of Venice Beach, Calif., who revolutionized skateboarding in the 1970s when they infused surfing techniques into the sport. Credited with founding skating culture as we know it, these young, innovative guys became legends in the field, and the depth of their influence is still felt in a variety of sports — and society — today.
Young @ Heart: This one was in my last article. If you only see one of these films make it this one…FANTASTIC! Coldplay, the Clash and Jimi Hendrix will never sound the same once you’ve heard the Young@Heart chorus, a group of Massachusetts senior citizens who thrill audiences worldwide with their unusual — and unusually poignant — covers of rock songs. Stephen Walker’s humane and heartwarming documentary, which premiered at Sundance in 2008, follows the elderly ensemble as they prepare their latest show for public performances.
Take the time to watch this collection. You will be glad you did!
