Declining by Degrees
- by PBS, talks about the US college/university system. Had an adjunct professor who had us watch this in class. Interesting stuff.
All of the following can be found on netflix:
Trash Dance
- A contemporary dance choreographer has a group of city trash collectors agree to let her coordinate them in a contemporary dance number using trucks and props to highlight what it is they do in their job. Surprisingly good.
It's a Girl
- Looks into Chinese/Indian society that promotes keeping boy babies over girl babies. Interesting stuff. Definitely biased, though (primarily the goal of this documentary isn't to inform but to convince you how bad/shocking these practices are ... still an interesting watch, imo).
Somm
- About a group of sommeliers looking to gain the highest title you can get as a sommelier. If you like food/wine stuff even a little, watch. Otherwise, it's definitely a people-focused documentary; I found myself rooting for each of the guys. They're just eccentric enough to be charming and likeable. It's one of those documentaries I'd watch again with other people.
Red Obsession
- About China's recent obsession with red wine and the status it can convey. Also goes into why this is happening and talks a bit about recent Chinese history. I'm taking an East Asian Civilization class this semester (with a professor who has done extensive study of East Asia, and has lived there for a couple decades in the past), and found quite a bit of it to be pretty damn accurate.
Thunder Soul
- About a highschool soul band from the ... errr, 70s, I think? This band was professional quality, shows them getting back together after several decades, and dips its toes into how politics fucks over students and teachers. If you like music and warm fuzzies, this one is for you.
Dancing in Jaffa
- A man returns to his hometown in the middle east to teach children how to ballroom dance, with the goal of getting children from opposing cultural beliefs (who are taught to hate each other) to dance together. Interesting because of how much cultural differences he had to overcome, though the primary focus is on the kids and his evolving relationship with them. More of a feel good than informative.
Gotta Dance
- A group of senior citizens are hired to train as a half-time dance troupe show for a basketball team. Funny, charming, adorable.
First Position
- This one follows teenagers competing for the Youth America Grand Prix, which is touted as being a pre-eminent competition for aspiring ballet professionals. I don't know how accurate it is, but I was rooting hardcore for the little boy. Dude is a class fucking act at such a young age. Super enjoyable.
Happy
- A small, tiny little dip into not-really-psychology about what makes people happy. I don't care about how informative/accurate this one is -- it's feel good and made me happy.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
- A brief look into the passion of a man who is supposedly (I have no idea how accurate this is) considered one of the tippity top sushi chef masters. Beautifully done. Would watch again.
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's
- A fluff piece about blowing lots of money at a high fashion department store. If you like glimpsing into the life of those who have lots of money and can blow it on fashion, or just like looking at pretty things, or like the fashion industry, watch. This was a guilty pleasure for me.
and aw hell, why not
NSFW 18+ both on netflix:
Neither are particularly ... well, they're more of sort of stark looks rather than something I would trust to be non-biased or meant to be informative. Still interesting, still thought provoking.
After Porn Ends
A scattered look into the lives of porn stars after their careers have ended. How it has affected their lives, how it has affected them. I liked it because it covered a broad range from '10/10 would do again' to 'it ruined my life but I'm okay now' to 'this person is a total mess who needs help'.
Whores Glory
A look into prostitution in a couple East Asian countries as well as Mexico. Mostly follows random prostitutes and shows brief glimpses into their lives without being very thorough (surface glimpses only, no real depth or social commentary, though with what they showed it kinda seems like it was edited to sorta raise awareness about it). Mostly depressing. Depictions of sex acts towards the end.
- by PBS, talks about the US college/university system. Had an adjunct professor who had us watch this in class. Interesting stuff.
All of the following can be found on netflix:
Trash Dance
- A contemporary dance choreographer has a group of city trash collectors agree to let her coordinate them in a contemporary dance number using trucks and props to highlight what it is they do in their job. Surprisingly good.
It's a Girl
- Looks into Chinese/Indian society that promotes keeping boy babies over girl babies. Interesting stuff. Definitely biased, though (primarily the goal of this documentary isn't to inform but to convince you how bad/shocking these practices are ... still an interesting watch, imo).
Somm
- About a group of sommeliers looking to gain the highest title you can get as a sommelier. If you like food/wine stuff even a little, watch. Otherwise, it's definitely a people-focused documentary; I found myself rooting for each of the guys. They're just eccentric enough to be charming and likeable. It's one of those documentaries I'd watch again with other people.
Red Obsession
- About China's recent obsession with red wine and the status it can convey. Also goes into why this is happening and talks a bit about recent Chinese history. I'm taking an East Asian Civilization class this semester (with a professor who has done extensive study of East Asia, and has lived there for a couple decades in the past), and found quite a bit of it to be pretty damn accurate.
Thunder Soul
- About a highschool soul band from the ... errr, 70s, I think? This band was professional quality, shows them getting back together after several decades, and dips its toes into how politics fucks over students and teachers. If you like music and warm fuzzies, this one is for you.
Dancing in Jaffa
- A man returns to his hometown in the middle east to teach children how to ballroom dance, with the goal of getting children from opposing cultural beliefs (who are taught to hate each other) to dance together. Interesting because of how much cultural differences he had to overcome, though the primary focus is on the kids and his evolving relationship with them. More of a feel good than informative.
Gotta Dance
- A group of senior citizens are hired to train as a half-time dance troupe show for a basketball team. Funny, charming, adorable.
First Position
- This one follows teenagers competing for the Youth America Grand Prix, which is touted as being a pre-eminent competition for aspiring ballet professionals. I don't know how accurate it is, but I was rooting hardcore for the little boy. Dude is a class fucking act at such a young age. Super enjoyable.
Happy
- A small, tiny little dip into not-really-psychology about what makes people happy. I don't care about how informative/accurate this one is -- it's feel good and made me happy.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
- A brief look into the passion of a man who is supposedly (I have no idea how accurate this is) considered one of the tippity top sushi chef masters. Beautifully done. Would watch again.
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's
- A fluff piece about blowing lots of money at a high fashion department store. If you like glimpsing into the life of those who have lots of money and can blow it on fashion, or just like looking at pretty things, or like the fashion industry, watch. This was a guilty pleasure for me.
and aw hell, why not
NSFW 18+ both on netflix:
Neither are particularly ... well, they're more of sort of stark looks rather than something I would trust to be non-biased or meant to be informative. Still interesting, still thought provoking.
After Porn Ends
A scattered look into the lives of porn stars after their careers have ended. How it has affected their lives, how it has affected them. I liked it because it covered a broad range from '10/10 would do again' to 'it ruined my life but I'm okay now' to 'this person is a total mess who needs help'.
Whores Glory
A look into prostitution in a couple East Asian countries as well as Mexico. Mostly follows random prostitutes and shows brief glimpses into their lives without being very thorough (surface glimpses only, no real depth or social commentary, though with what they showed it kinda seems like it was edited to sorta raise awareness about it). Mostly depressing. Depictions of sex acts towards the end.
