I’m looking for some new and interesting documentaries. I want to watch ones on religion, conversion (and deconversion), sexuality and gender, abortion, and educational reform. Does anybody have any good documentaries to recommend?
26 responses to “What are Your Favorite Documentaries?”
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hessianwithteeth 
March 3rd, 2015 at 9:25 pm
I was also going to suggest “Jesus Camp”, but someone beat me to it.
Others:
“C.S.A.-The Confederate States of America”-You know how they say that history is written by the “Victors”? This is an example of what a history documentary would have been like had the Confederates won the Civil War. You don’t have to be an American to enjoy it.
“The Science of Evil”-research about what makes good people do bad things. It is from a purely secular, academic standpoint.
“[A]Sexual”-about people who are, well, asexual.
And the series “Taboo” has a very interesting episode about gender. I don’t remember the name right now, but the whole series is cool.
I hope you like them!
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March 1st, 2015 at 9:04 pm
Regarding religion, I found this one on Mormonism and the Bible quite interesting:
And, PBS’ The Mormons:
(For a while I was involved with Mormonism. Yeah.)
I’m sure you’ve seen the one with Bill Maher regarding Christianity.
Best wishes.
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March 1st, 2015 at 11:04 am
Abortion – Vessel. I have yet to watch this one but i have heard it’s very good.
Food Inc. was one of the best i have watched.
Gender – Miss Representation. About women’s miss representation in the media and other positions of power.
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March 4th, 2015 at 6:18 am
I second Miss Representation. It’s worth watching.
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February 28th, 2015 at 11:52 pm
I recommend these documentaries, religion topics. You can watch them online:
The Amish: Shunned. PBS: American Experience. 4 Feb 2014. Web Video.
From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians. PBS Frontline. Parts 1 & 2. Epic story of rise of Christianity. 4 hrs explore the life and death of Jesus, the men and women whose belief, conviction, and martyrdom created the religion we now know as Christianity.
Kumare, 2011, trailer, 2:05m, movie available on Netflix and DVD. True story of a false prophet who encourages followers to find the guru within.
The Mormons. PBS: American Experience: Frontline. 2007. Web Video.
The Nature of Existence, 2010, trailer, 2:05m, movie available on Netflix and DVD. Must see documentary of interviews with spiritual leaders, gurus, scientists, artists, and everyday people answering questions about why we exist.
Rajnesshpuram, Oregon Public Broadcasting. 2012. Web Video.
The Secret Swami – Sai Baba on BBC exposing godman. 2004.
The Story of the Jews. Aired 3/25/2014. Prize winning author and Emmy-Award winner Simon Schama brings to life Jewish history and experience in a five-part documentary series.
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February 27th, 2015 at 9:30 pm
If you’re working your way through anything that looks even potentially interesting available on Netflix, then we’re probably covering the same ground. I doubt I can suggest anything new. I recently added (I think it had just shown up) Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?, simply because, given the competition, why not? I haven’t watched it yet, though, so I’ve got nothing to say about it besides naming the title. Most other things I’ve watched that are pretty clearly in the documentary genre have already been named. For the true confessions moment here, I do actually go to YouTube and look for clips of various people speaking or (my favorite) getting into heated arguments.
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February 27th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
It’s a girl is a good documentary also Jesus Camp; both are on netflix
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February 27th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
don’t known if would be considered a documentary but “The Power of Myth” series with Joseph Campbell was very good about religion. http://www.amazon.com/Power-Myth-25th-Anniversary-Edition/dp/B00A4E8E1O
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February 27th, 2015 at 1:13 pm
A life- and mind-altering documentary is Vegucated. If you have Netflix where you are, you can watch it for free on there. It’s about the food industry, which isn’t what you listed, but I had no idea how important it was either until I watched it.
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
I’ve seen it posted on Netflix, but I’m a bit iffy about watching it. Does it talk at all about GMOs and organics? If so, what’s its position?
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February 27th, 2015 at 7:47 pm
The story is of a lady who gets three average people who are asked to try vegan for a short period of time. the documentary follows their stories and goes in depth into everything they learn along the way with the help of the host
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February 27th, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Jesus Camp is pretty good, mainly because it shows the area that I live in. At least the rest of the world will understand the crazy surrounding me! I enjoyed Psychopath also.
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
I’ve seen Jesus Camp numerous times. If that’s what you’re surrounded by, I pity you. I haven’t seen Psychopath though. What’s it about?
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
It is essentially the background, and chemistry of psychopaths. It opens up certain questions, and stigmas that society has towards psychopaths. It is just a really interesting look at psychopaths. But then again I have a weak spot for anything remotely macabre.
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February 27th, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Sons of Perdition is an interesting one about what happens to the “extra” young men in the FLDS (breakaway polygamous Mormon sect) I haven’t seen Jesus Camp, but have seen The Bible Tells Me So, about homosexuality & Christianity. Very powerful!
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:33 pm
Unfortunately I’ve seen all of those. I’ve watched most of the more mainstream documentaries.
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February 27th, 2015 at 7:35 am
Life of Brian.
The best religious documentary ever made. Honest!
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Lol. I wasn’t aware that that counted as a documentary…
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February 28th, 2015 at 8:38 am
Serious? You mean you truly believed this was simply a funny movie? Oh, you are so going to
Sheol,Hell,Gehenna,Hades… somewhere, for that!”What have the Romans every done for us?”
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February 27th, 2015 at 3:49 am
I second Waiting For Superman. The Invisible War about rape in the military, Jesus Camp, The Queen of Versailles are all fantastic.
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
I haven’t seen the Queen of Versailles. What’s it about?
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
The hubris and delusions of wealthy people just as the economy collapsed. It’s brilliant
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February 27th, 2015 at 2:21 am
“Waiting for Superman” is a great documentary on the school system in America. You should check it out, it should be on Netflix.
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:28 pm
I agree. But I’ve already watched it. Do you know of anything else that’s comparable?
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February 27th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Not sure about any others unfortunately
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March 4th, 2015 at 6:23 am
The Lottery addresses controversy with US charter schools. They follow as families eagerly wait to see if their children will be chosen for the charter school and cover some of the reasons why charter schools may not be the best idea….and how they leave out the majority of kids in the area.
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