List of Fives Part Nine
Five Good Documentary Films:
1. Bowling for Columbine – Yes, Michael Moore is left of center. Yes, he has grievances with the haves. But, he is also a damn good documentary filmmaker in that his documentaries are interesting, humorous and educating. This one is about our collective gun enthusiasm in the United States and how that subculture permeates daily life. (Even though this film was released in 2002, given the current trend of bringing guns to town hall meetings makes it as timely as ever.)
2. The U.S. Versus John Lennon – I recommend this documentary because prior to its viewing, I only knew John Lennon as the former Beatle who was gunned down at the age of 40. I really did not know him apart from his music. This documentary presents John Lennon as a man, a real individual who wanted to spread a message of peace and love and hope. After watching it, I had new respect for this easy-going man who was taken from us way too soon.
3. March of the Penguins – One of the reasons I love this documentary is that it does not shy away from life’s harsh realities (neither does Planet Earth for that matter, but that is about twelve hours of footage). Yet, these resilient creatures survive and thrive in the harshest of all environments. It’s just a beautiful film to watch. If you have the DVD, watch the “Making of” documentary, which is about an hour long itself and fascinating.
4. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price – This one was directed by Robert Greenwald (BraveNewWorld.net). I only begrudgingly went into Wal-Mart on occasion but after watching this film, I simply refuse. From its environmental crimes to harassing of employees to keep from forming unions, this company exemplifies what is seriously wrong with corporate America. Did you know that most employees are forced to work part-time to keep them off the company’s health insurance program and HR execs actively encourage employees to seek out Medicaid.
5. Life After People – I rented this one because I was curious. Boy, it was mind-blowing. The main consensus of this documentary is that, if every last human being vanished from the planet, Nature would heal herself. Tar roads would disappear under new growth. Buildings and bridges would collapse from neglect and the animals would thrive. Breaking down events in five, ten, fifteen, fifty, one hundred, and then one thousand years, the documentary offers an unblinking glimpse into just how fragile all those things we think are so precious really are. Finally got that dream car you always wanted? Sorry, it’s sitting there, rusting and decaying serving as a home from transient rodents.
1. Bowling for Columbine – Yes, Michael Moore is left of center. Yes, he has grievances with the haves. But, he is also a damn good documentary filmmaker in that his documentaries are interesting, humorous and educating. This one is about our collective gun enthusiasm in the United States and how that subculture permeates daily life. (Even though this film was released in 2002, given the current trend of bringing guns to town hall meetings makes it as timely as ever.)
2. The U.S. Versus John Lennon – I recommend this documentary because prior to its viewing, I only knew John Lennon as the former Beatle who was gunned down at the age of 40. I really did not know him apart from his music. This documentary presents John Lennon as a man, a real individual who wanted to spread a message of peace and love and hope. After watching it, I had new respect for this easy-going man who was taken from us way too soon.
3. March of the Penguins – One of the reasons I love this documentary is that it does not shy away from life’s harsh realities (neither does Planet Earth for that matter, but that is about twelve hours of footage). Yet, these resilient creatures survive and thrive in the harshest of all environments. It’s just a beautiful film to watch. If you have the DVD, watch the “Making of” documentary, which is about an hour long itself and fascinating.
4. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price – This one was directed by Robert Greenwald (BraveNewWorld.net). I only begrudgingly went into Wal-Mart on occasion but after watching this film, I simply refuse. From its environmental crimes to harassing of employees to keep from forming unions, this company exemplifies what is seriously wrong with corporate America. Did you know that most employees are forced to work part-time to keep them off the company’s health insurance program and HR execs actively encourage employees to seek out Medicaid.
5. Life After People – I rented this one because I was curious. Boy, it was mind-blowing. The main consensus of this documentary is that, if every last human being vanished from the planet, Nature would heal herself. Tar roads would disappear under new growth. Buildings and bridges would collapse from neglect and the animals would thrive. Breaking down events in five, ten, fifteen, fifty, one hundred, and then one thousand years, the documentary offers an unblinking glimpse into just how fragile all those things we think are so precious really are. Finally got that dream car you always wanted? Sorry, it’s sitting there, rusting and decaying serving as a home from transient rodents.
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