Top Docs on Netflix
When you’re too poor for cable there’s always Netflix. It’s a very beautiful thing, but I’ve found that I almost spend as much time surfing through the instant stream menu as I do watching films and shows.
II’m a fan of a good documentary with proper focus and a follow-able story line.
5. Touching the Void- Kevin McDonald (2003)
I always wanted to be more adventurous until I saw this. Touching the Void is a haunting recount of a man trapped on a mountain. Simple enough, right? Through first hand interviews and (non-cheesy) dramatizations I got sucked in.
4. Helvetica- Gary Hustwit (2007)
Yes, this is a documentary about a type face, but it’s a damn good one. Helvetica is every where, and with a great soundtrack from El Ten Eleven Gary Hustwit does a great job spanning different viewpoints like this:
Erik Spiekermann: Most people who use Helvetica, use it because it’s ubiquitous. It’s like going to McDonald’s instead of thinking about food. Because it’s there, it’s on every street corner, so let’s eat crap because it’s on the corner.
and then this
Michael C. Place: For me Helvetica is just this beautiful, timeless thing. And certain things shouldn’t be messed with, you know?
I was a communications major so I think I have to appreciate things like this.
3. Restrepo - Sebastian Jungor & Tim Hetherington (2010)
This is my most recent venture into the Netflix documentary queue, but its definitely one of the best I’ve seen. Restrepo tells the story of an army outmost on a treacherous, foreign border. It’s heavy-like bricks.
2. King of Kong
David knocking out Goliath has never looked so 8bit. It’s an underdog story of an average guy knocking out the champ at none other than Donkey Kong.
1. Dear Zachary
Dear Zachary got to #1 for a reason. To explain this movie is to ruin everything about the story told. I don’t want to say it’s heart-wrenching, but it’s heart-wrenching.
