When I was in kindergarten, I was absolutely in love with Elvis Presley. Yes, I was the weird kid who spent her free time watching the Elvis movies her parents and grandparents had bought her, and my favorite Elvis DVD of all time was the documentary I had. My parents got so tired of hearing Elvis' life story, but I found learning about famous people was the coolest thing in the world. Even as a sophomore in college, I love to watch documentaries. I almost always recommend documentaries to people when they ask for Netflix suggestions, and surprisingly, some people have jumped on the biographical film train with me after watching some of the movies I recommended.
Since I have so many, I figured I'd make a list of a few must-watch docs. The films on this list all made an impact on how I see the world. Take a gander and see if they peak your interest!
Cropsey (2009)
Back in high school, ya girl was obsessed with serial killers and paranormal things. This was one of my favorite films about an obscure killer in New York that supposedly dwelled inside an abandoned mental hospital who went by the name "Cropsey." The film features an investigation by pre-Twitter Geraldo Rivera and a metric ton of spookiness. Even though this film is centered around the legend of Cropsey, it also addresses the issues members of the disabled population faced in the days of "insane asylums" and ignorance about mental health. If you're into psychological thrillers or horror films, you'll like this documentary.
Happy Valley (2014)
I recently watched this film at the urging of a friend of mine. I had never heard about the Penn State scandal (probably because I'm all about the SEC), but I was familiar with the name "Joe Paterno." This movie is ridiculously eye-opening and is a must-see for sports fans who want to know the truth behind the scandal. I have mixed emotions about what happened and I don't know how much blame I would put on JoePa, but I am definitely sure that I can't stand the Penn State die-hard kid they interviewed. Once you watch it, you'll understand my aggravation.
A Place at the Table (2012)
I had to watch "A Place at the Table" for my community psychology class, and while it broke my heart into a million pieces, my eyes were opened to the extremely real issue of poverty and hunger in America. If you or anyone you know is skeptical about the true use of welfare and the current state of American poverty, watch or show them the film. It features Jeff Bridges and a slew of information that can shut down most arguments against food stamps in .5 seconds.
Blackfish (2013)
This highly controversial film made me cry on Christmas (I watched it for the first time then and it literally killed me inside). SeaWorld has tried to break down the arguments in this film at least 74 billion times, but the filmmakers' evidence is pretty damning. I love this film, and its hard to be indifferent about the treatment of sea animals after watching the effects of maltreatment right before your eyes.
Southern Comfort (2001)
I watched this film for an anthropology class and it made a big impact on me. This film follows Robert Eads, who was an assigned female at birth and the struggles he, his lover and his fellow community members faced during the late 1990s-early 2000s. Southern Comfort is also the name of a convention held every year where other members of the transgender community fellowship. If you're interested in learning more about the LGBTQ community, this film will give a lot of insight.
Waiting for Superman (2010)
I am extremely passionate about education, and when I was doing my project on the "dark side" of education my senior year, this film was video graphic proof of the decline of public education. The film follows students who are trying desperately to get into charters schools so they can have a chance at receiving a worthwhile education. People who are in disbelief of the failing status of our school system will change their minds after seeing this documentary.
Have any must-see documentaries in mind? Let us know in the comments below!
