A Few Documentary Recommendations For the Weekend
Rolling into the weekend here, going to throw out a few documentary recommendations for anyone in need of content. These three have all caught my eye for various reasons and I think they are all worth a watch.
King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
This niche 2007 documentary follows the lives of Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe as they compete to break the world record high score in Donkey Kong. The final product is nothing short of incredible. Filled with a Tiger King-esque cast of supporting characters and sub-plots, this underdog story manages to deliver plenty of laughs as well as a legitimate emotional connection to its hero. I believe if this were to come out today it would go viral all across Twitter, but alas the 2007 release will have to settle for shoutouts on Filmmakers Anonymous.
Logline: Die-hard gamers compete to break world records on classic arcade games.
Run-time: 1 hr, 19 min
Where to Watch: Amazon ($), Youtube ($), iTunes ($), Google Play ($), Apple TV ($), Vudu ($)
This is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist
This 4 part docu-series takes a look at the infamous, and unsolved, 1990 Gardner Museum art heist, which to this day is the largest art heist in history. The series looks to turn back time and walk through the details of the case through numerous interviews with the people closest to it. If you love heists or crime docs, this is a must watch. The greatest art heist in history that remains unsolved to this day? No brainer, turn on Netflix and give it a go. Additionally, if you’re into Boston crime flicks, you’ll be happy to know that this took place in the thick of Irish and Italian mob activity, so you’re in for many tales of corruption and thick Boston accents.
Logline: March 18, 1990, 13 works of art were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Guards admitted two men posing as police officers responding to a disturbance call, and the thieves tied the guards up and looted the museum.
Run-time: 3 hr, 30 min (4 part series)
Where to Watch: Netflix
Wild, Wild Country
This one is a little more well know, but if you havn’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and queue it up. It follows a relatively under-the-radar story of a commune forming in Oregon and the chaos that unfolded around it. Taking places from the late 1960s to early 1980s, it may seem ancient to modern society, but I personally find it fascinating to learn about historical incidents that would otherwise never be covered in modern schooling. Additionally, I cannot fathom something like this happening in the United States today which is what makes it all the more interesting. Thankfully other documentary filmmakers feel the same way and brought this story to life for our viewing pleasure.
Logline: When Osho, the world's most controversial guru, builds a Utopian city deep in the Oregon country, conflict with the locals escalates into a national scandal.
Run-time: 6 hr, 43 min (6 part series)
Where to Watch: Netflix