docthursday

Bill Cunningham

2011-08-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of the Satorialist? Compared to Bill Cunningham he is a hack and a sell-out.

While Cunningham is the original, he is more than just that: he is a guy who lives in a very small apartment with filing cabinets full of his negatives, and who showers in the hallway.

Also, it becomes apparent throughout the film that this guy could care less about money, and personally, that makes me like the dude even more.

Grizzly Man

2011-06-23T23:20:00.000-07:00

Tim Treadwell is clearly mentally disturbed on some fundamental level. He lived among bears supposedly to protect them, but over time it becomes clear that the bears didn't need any protection, in fact, it would seem that Treadwell retreats to the bears to protect himself in some way.

This is a sad film, it is a disturbing film, and I don't think it is a friendly watch. However, it is a notorious story, and close look at an individual who dealt with some real and permeating issues, and if you're human, you should be able to sympathize with that.

Waiting For Superman

2011-06-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

Do you like unions? Do you think the school system is a productive, and self-improving system? If so, this film will literally blow your mind, so out of courtesy to other viewers, watch this with a plastic bag over your head.

Oh, and tenure? As Bill Gates has already pointed out, doesn't make any sense.

Also, after you watch this, you may be interested to see the follow up on their site:

http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/

Inside Job

2011-06-09T16:27:00.001-07:00

I just watched a documentary that I should have watched a long time ago. It is about the financial crash that just happened/is-happening.

The truth is, for most of us, our whole lives have been lived under this unregulated, wild-west form of free financial markets. Does the free-market work? Perhaps in some places, but the financial sector is definitely not one of them. After all, if that wasn't clear thirty years ago, it certainly has become clear in more recent times as Wall Street employees have become notorious for cocaine and hookers -- these are not the people you should trust to take the higher road.

I am going to refrain from ranting about this too much, but the facts are that there is no reason the 2008 collapse should have been allowed to happen. So why was it allowed? The same reason as every other thing in the world: greed. It wasn't just greed on Wall Street, it was greed amongst everyone who was supposed to be regulating Wall Street as well. Otherwise, there would be no way on earth that derivatives, in the way that they were being used, would have ever been tolerated by any rational and breathing individual, because they are ridiculous.

The terrible thing in all of this is that Wall Street cost American's, and citizens of other countries as well, billions of dollars. Meanwhile, many individuals cashed-in to the tune of multiple millions, and a surprising number of individuals cashed-in in the neighborhood of hundreds of millions.

Links:
A Brief History
Definitions
Interview with Director

Albert Fish

2011-06-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

Albert Fish is very arguably one of the most disturbed individuals in the last 100 years. He was a terrible, terrible scar on humanity who molested, killed and cannibalized children across the country. With that said, you should understand that aside from the subject matter of this film, it is terribly done. It is just poor. The directing, the segues, the music -- the entire film was pretty much horribly done.

If you want to learn about Albert Fish, you could watch this, or you could do yourself a favor and just Google the guy. Either way, I assure you that it will be disturbing.

Never Say Never

2011-06-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

I know everyone hates Justin Bieber, I mean, except the entire pre-pubescent female population, but by the end of this film, you'll like the guy. He is quite charismatic, and on top of that, I think it is fair to say that he is a self-made child; and that isn't something that is often said.

Also, just so you understand how big this kid is, at any given time, Twitter has about 3% of it's servers dedicated to Justin Bieber.

The Beautiful Truth

2011-04-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

Here's the short version on this doc:

1. Production/Directing is a 3 out of 5. Not great.
2. Material is fascinating.

So, I think that averages to a 4. Either way, I think you should watch it because it will erase your faith in yet another national administration. I mean trusting the FDA hasn't really gotten you very far has it? Remember those fat free Pringles that tasted great but also gave you diarrhea?

Is the FDA a scam? Basically. Is our food system killing us? It would seem. Are dentist's offices dangerous? Sadly. Here's the trailer:

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers

2011-04-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

I had low expectations going into this film. Not in regards to the quality of the film, but in terms of the content. There is no question that there is some corruption in the US government because it is a huge operation, but the blatancy of it in this case is ridiculous.

Vote: 3/24

2011-03-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

Vote For 3/17/11

2011-03-11T14:44:00.001-08:00

4.

5.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

2011-02-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

The lead role in this documentary is a man who reminds me of a lot of crazy people I've met in my life. The kind of people you worry "aren't going to make it" -- whatever myriad of things that might mean. Street art is an anomaly in our day and age, because it is illegal, but still collected by museums; it is very odd.

That is the thing about street art, it's very nature lends it to being genuine, not many things are like that these days.

Check the preview, and enjoy the show.

Banksy Interview Netflix

Art & Copy

2010-05-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

I've been MIA. You may have noticed. My apologies.

If you have access to this blog, then advertising is about as familiar to you as your best friend. It is business, but it is human. It is manipulative, but it is helpful. It's capitalism, but it's art.

This documentary? It's good.

Netflix.

Tyson

2010-04-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

If you are alive, you probably know who Mike Tyson is, at least superficially. You know he put a tattoo on his face. (He wanted it to be hearts) You know he bit off another boxer's ear during a fight. (His frustrations were more justified than you probably think) And you know he can knock out Zach Galifinakis (not really a surprise, all things considered) Now, don't take this the wrong way, but to be fair, you probably don't have a well founded perspective on Mike. This documentary will help with that. It will also help with making you uncomfortable if you're watching it with your mother but that's something you're on your own with:

Preview:

Cocaine Cowboys

2010-03-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

The two main characters in this film I don't think you'd suspect of being some of the biggest cocaine enablers in Florida, and perhaps this country's history. More like middle to upper management in a name-brand company. Of course you also wouldn't expect the most dangerous person in America to be a woman, but it was.

This wasn't the highest production value, and the music just reinforces that fact, but it certainly is worth watching and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the late 70s, early 80s, Miami was the most dangerous town in America because of the drug wars that were happening and one particular woman. At the same time the schematics that were being used to not get caught were very near genius.

Of the following pics, one of these guys evaded the police by running into a swamp, another was one of the biggest hitmen in the USA's history, another used to bury money in his backyard cause there was nowhere else to put it. Oh, and another was a woman.

Reviews? Preview? Netflix.

Very Young Girls

2010-03-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

Uh...don't google search the title of this movie... This film is about the prostitution operations in NYC. It's something that doesn't really strike as 'real' before seeing it. I lived within an hour of where this stuff was going on for 6 years and it's just shocking. This film is just raw. There isn't high level of production, it's just some cameras and one of the rougher stories I've seen. I apologize for the kind of trend that's been occurring over the last bit, maybe I'll find something pleasant for next week. A "King of Kong" type or something.

Reviews? Preview?

Touch The Sound

2010-03-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

This documentary I've watched a few times, and the music at the end I still reflect on. Legally deaf Evelyn Glennie is a masterful percussionist who earns a living in a spectrum she by traditional measures can't even discern. This is a slow-play in my opinion, but slow-plays are my preference so...

The preview? The reviews? Netflix

The Bridge

2010-02-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

This film documents one of the most famous bridges over the span of a year. The Golden Gate bridge is not only the most popular places to jump from in America, but in the world. People have been known to fly there from all over the world simply to jump. At 245 feet from the water the impact occurs at 76 mph.

This film certainly is a bit macabre, but it isn't just a sequence of watching people fall for four seconds at a time. They explore the individuals that jump, their past, their friends and family, and their life.

Reviews? Preview? Netflix.

I Have Never Forgotten You

2010-02-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

If I was any less manly I would have probably cried like an average man during this film. There really isn't anything else to say I don't think. This man, Simon, in a very real way gave his life to serving justice when everyone around him had already bored of it's pursuit. His life to me was beautiful in a rare and spectacular way.

Reviews? Here at Netflix.

Stranded: I've come from a plane that crashed in the mountains

2010-02-15T22:09:00.000-08:00

This film is one of the most impactful I've ever seen. With one of the worst titles. The individuals stories are so compelling to me. I can't explain it.

The reviews? The preview? Netflix.

The Road to Guantanamo

2010-02-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

This film isn't what I'd call shocking. I think we as humans are past the point of being shocked, but it is sad, and if you have lived the ideal life of only seeing war from the comfort of your couch, well...this will continue that fortune I suppose. It certainly is one sided, but if you live in the majority of places on Earth, then chances are you've already heard the other side and I expect that side has worlds more bs in it than this side does.

If foul language offends you, you should watch this anyways.

The reviews? The preview? On Netflix.

Food, Inc.

2010-02-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

First off: don't watch this. It will ruin you. Second: as an eating human, you have to watch this. Third: whatever you do, don't watch this while eating.

I think this is well done, I have no reason to question the accuracy of it, besides my being skeptical, but even if it is a little off one way or the other I think it's worth a watch, and personally I think it's worth a second watch.

The preview? The reviews? Right here at Netflix.

The Protagonist

2010-01-12T16:55:00.000-08:00

Clearly this blog has fallen apart. But let's be serious. There's only so much I can do. And due to my life condition I even cancelled my Netflix account for a while. That's serious. Anyways, I've started watching again and it's been superb. I watched "Man on Wire" the other day to kick off 2010. That guy has to be the most focused person I've ever seen on film.

I also watched this documentary recently,

I watch docs to expand my mind and see other's perspectives. This does that. It's honest. It's flawed. It's full of regret and bad decisions, but it is real.

Oh, and it's a bit weird. There's these puppets or something, I don't know what they are but, anyways, it might be worth your time. All depends on what your time is worth.

Lake of Fire

2008-11-26T20:20:00.000-08:00

I just finished this documentary. It is about abortion, and regardless of your view on it, I think this is an interesting watch. It shows both sides of the issue, sometimes in more detail than anyone would care to see. But on something so significant I think it is important to at least take some pause to consider, if not seek an understanding. Either way watching this will give you time to think. As with some other documentaries, I looked away now and again with this documentary and you may find yourself doing the same.

Reviews? Preview? HERE

The Devil Came On Horseback

2008-11-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

If you've seen this, you know it's not a fun watch. But genocides kind of are difficult that way. There is a part in the documentary, Born into Brothels, where a boy looking at a picture says, "this is a good picture, we get a good sense of how these people live. And though there is sadness in it and though it's hard to face, we must look at it because it is truth." I feel the same way about this doc. We must look, because it is truth, and it remains regardless of our awareness of it:

The preview? Reviews? Right HERE.

Deliver Us From Evil

2008-06-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Last post was a very pleasant enjoyable documentary so I figure we should juxtapose it. First, this documentary is eye opening, and often eye opening things are disturbing. Such is the case here. This is unquestionably one of the most disturbing documentaries I've ever watched. I stopped it I don't know how many times. With that said though, I do think it is an honest picture of what happened with this man here in California. Don't watch this if you don't care to be disturbed, if you haven't already figured that out I don't know what I'd have to say to convey that message. Also, don't take this as me making a negative stance on the Catholics because that would be stupid. Anyways,

If this pic doesn't creep you out now, rent the movie and try again.

The reviews? The Preview? Right HERE

Spellbound

2008-06-04T18:30:00.001-07:00

This is kind of a stock documentary. Very watchable. Kind of the opposite of last week, and seeing as this yearly event just passed recently, it seems appropriate.

Netflix Reviews and Preview? Right HERE. YouTube preview? HERE

Rivers and Tides

2008-05-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

I saw a preview for this documentary and found it hypnotizing. Andy Goldsworthy has one of the most fascinating lives I've ever partially witnessed. He has a wife, and kids, and a seemingly normal life up to that point, but then you consider that every morning he wakes up, and starts walking outside often not knowing what he is going to do. He's an artist, but hard to catelog. He makes art from rocks, ice, leaves, rivers, and at some point he surely will surprise you. Most art today once finished is final, and more or less permanent but often Andy's pieces end in collapse and creates this strange but captivating story that weaves you along through the film.

Reviews? Here. Preview? Here.

All Apologies.

2008-05-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

Well there's a million excuses but it all boils down to me dropping the ball on this. Travel/weddings/family/taxes/car/blah/blah/blah/blah/blah. It occurred to me that maybe a single person in my position isn't quite suited for a weekly entry. It takes some work. I haven't been able to consume docs at the rate I did a year ago. I travel every week for work, and at the moment, I'm not sure where all my Netflix videos are. I need to create an infrastructure. I need some cohorts. So if you are a doc fiend, and you'd like to participate, send me your resume. Besides that, I'm back on, but I'm taking a lighter commitment. Once a month. This also comes about because the docthursday "club" couldn't sustain itself. Turns out not everyone has the same taste as me in documentaries. Kind of disappointing. I gotta stop hanging out with people who don't agree with my opinions.

Dark Days

2008-03-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

I was in NYC this week. So I am going to select a documentary I've been thinking about but haven't seen yet. Dark Days is about another world in New York's underground.

The preview? The reviews? Right HERE.

Devil's Playground

2008-03-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

If you didn't like last week's doc, well, you're ridiculous. On to this week. The Devil's Playground. First, let me make something clear - I love the Amish. People who don't at least respect them are jerks. (I also love judging people for judging people) I think the whole concept of letting the kids out all in one crazy reckless abandon is a little insane but hey, it's their gig. Either way I think it is worth the watch.

Reviews? Preview? Right HERE.

The KING of KONG - A Fistful of Quarters

2008-03-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

Per trusted recommendation, The King of Kong:

No preview this week, but still reviews right HERE.

mad hot Ballroom

2008-02-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry, this is being posted late. I'll be trying to get a week ahead on this so this kind of thing doesn't happen again. Anyways, on to this week. Mad Hot Ballroom.

The reviews? The preview? Right HERE.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

2008-02-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

Good news. We are going to watch one of the best this week. For me, the best documentaries somewhat blow my mind. It combines parts of reality that are foreign and familiar at the same time. The Devil and Daniel Johnston is without question remarkable.

Reviews? Preview? Right HERE.

My Date With Drew

2008-02-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

Well, just so happens this Thursday is Valentine's Day. What's so great about Valentine's Day? Simple. Reese's produces the excellent peanut butter heart. Not quite the egg but years beyond the cup.

Anyways, in honor of romance, I've selected the enjoyable, and somewhat well known, My Date with Drew:

The reviews? The preview? Right HERE.

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

2008-02-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed Week 5. This week I'd like to go with a little more upbeat documentary. This film has gotten some recognition and I think is genuinely deserved. Not only is it good - it's feel good. So here it is, "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill",

The Reviews? The Preview? Right here.

Unknown White Male

2008-01-28T21:43:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorites. Top 10? Probably. This stirs the mind a bit in a way I am fond of. Unknown White Male:

The Preview? The Reviews? The link.

The question of 'hoax':
There is a bit of controversy out there that accuses that the subject of this documentary is actually just performing an elaborate hoax and that infact he doesn't have amnesia. I suppose this is possible, but I've found that in general, people aren't capable of life-long hoaxes like this. He could be an exception, but I don't think so. Speaking of hoaxes - here's a wikipedia article on it: Wikipedia

Dogtown and Z-Boys

2008-01-21T21:23:00.000-08:00

Last week was Mark Twain, kind of the essence of a documentary is to bring people somewhere else. See the world through someone else's eyes. Comprehend more. Open your mind.

So hopefully week 4 will do just that. Dogtown and Z-Boys.

Can skateboarding open your mind? Uh...yea, because it's awesome. The reviews? The preview? Right here.

Now it's hard to ignore that today in the USA is a holiday. MLK Jr. And even though Martin Luther King Jr. has a national holiday there is still controversy regarding him. Some say he is a womanizer and an adulterer. Others go on to say he was a communist. Personally I always want the truth. I'd prefer the whole picture. Pure honesty, but history, and yes, even documentarys have some falsehoods in them. So was he a womanizer and a communist? Maybe he was. But at the same time was he a revolutionist? Was he a symbol for hope and equality? Yes. So I say take the good and hold on to it and that's why I'm attaching a mini-documentary link to this week.(Unfortunately I can't endorse any particulary MLK doc. from personal experience though netflix has several that look watchable) MLK Jr's "I have a dream". This speech is a masterpiece. To say anymore would be excessive. Watch it:

"I Have A Dream"

Mark Twain

2008-01-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well, week 2 was a little intense, so we're going to lighten it up, but first - if you want to keep up to date on the Memphis 3 link up to their page here.

Ok, on to this week. Mark Twain week. Everyone likes Mark Twain, right? He had fabulous quotes, like, "The report of my death was an exaggeration" or, "Clothes make the man, naked people have little or no influence on society." He made sense. Either way, Samuel Clemens is a notorious character. So here it is:

The reviews? The preview? Right here on Netflix.

Welcome

2008-01-05T13:44:00.002-08:00

Doc. Thursday (short for "Documentary Thursday") is a tradition first started a few years back by a Kyle N**. The torch was carried on by his associates Jenn and Miranda. It was a time set aside, once a week for a Documentary. That's right, educational entertainment. (Which of course is very cool) So it's pretty much as simple as it sounds. Once a week, get some friends, get a treat (I recommend milkshakes) and get a doc. One doc a week is a good New Year's Resolution if you ask me...

Now, we are all about homogenizing society, (not to mention parentheses and sarcastic statements) so every week we'll post the "Doc of the week" right here. Many will be available at your local rental store (Hollywood Video, Blockbuster, etc.) but if not, Netflix is a safe bet for the more obscure. So here it is, week 2, (week 1 was last thursday, we watched "Touch the Sound")

I think this is an appropriate official start, Paradise Lost covers a very current issue. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley are currently in prison consequent of a trial which can only be described as shocking. Recently Damien was on Larry King Live, feel free to watch the YouTube clip below or read more about this film here at Netflix.