Documentaries

Combining public health information with the recklessness of 'Jackass', Morgan Spurlock's insightful documentary remains a vital and relevant watch today. Benjamin Cox orders up a second helping.

Yes, kids, long ago there really was a place called Action Park. From 1978 to 1996, it attracted mainly teenagers primarily from the New York area to a quint little grassy knoll an hour outside of town in the northernmost part of New Jersey. The place was a no-holds-barred, largely unsupervised ...

How much is too much for you to stop appreciating a former Hollywood favorite’s work once distasteful (or even criminal) revelations about him arise? Has The Usual Suspects and House of Cards been scratched from your watchlist in the wake of Kevin Spacey’s sexual assault charges?

For those not among the deep-dive Disney faithful, the name Howard Ashman may only spark the slightest hint of recognition, but if you were told he’s the man who wrote the lyrics to all the songs in The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, you may well light up like a Christmas tree...

With racial tensions being what they are in the US right now, this 2016 documentary from director Ava DuVernay is worryingly prescient and deeply uncomfortable to watch. For Benjamin Cox, though, that is precisely why you need to watch this...

Netflix’s new documentary Spelling the Dream couches itself as an exploration of the spate of Indian-American winners at the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee—which is indeed a remarkable, noteworthy run. South Asian kids have won the event for the past twelve years straight (and 26 of the ...

In July 2016, the interwebs were abuzz with the “TaylorSwiftIsOverParty” hashtag, trumpeting what many thought (and, no doubt, hoped) was the end of an era in pop music. As we have learned in the three years since, however, reports of the singer’s demise were greatly exaggerated...

In the mid-1980s there were few men who could claim rock god status quite like Michael Hutchence. The hugely charismatic lead singer of INXS burst on the scene with his band’s first big hit, 1985’s “What You Need” (though true fans remember as far back as 1982’s “The One Thing” and ...

Possibly the longest film I'll ever watch, Peter Bogdanovich's extensive documentary about an iconic American rock band should be the blueprint for others to follow. Benjamin Cox embraces the nostalgia.

It’s extremely rare for a rock climber to make international headlines, but 31-year-old Alex Honnold did just that when, on June 3, 2017, he scaled the 3,300-foot-tall vertical granite wall of El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park. It’s an impressive enough feat with ropes and pitons...

With the 100th anniversary of the end of the conflict, Peter Jackson was entrusted to come up with a documentary telling the tale of World War One. As Benjamin Cox discovers, what he actually does is send us back in time...

Twenty years on from the Columbine shooting, has America learned any lessons? Benjamin Cox looks back at the film that not only made Michael Moore the face of extreme liberalism but also posed difficult questions yet to be answered.

Peter Jackson, the director best known for the Lord of the Ring and the Hobbit trilogies, used modern technology to bring to life archival footage of World War I in this new documentary.

Michael Moore is at it again with his newest documentary that tackles issues regarding our nation; whether it be in politics or other crises that plague the United States currently, as well as attempting to bring certain information to light about President Donald Trump with how he gained office.

Dinesh D'Souza, once again, releases a "documentary" claiming the Democratic party is full of racism, tyranny, and Nazism. The only way to save our country is to be a Republican.

Unless you’re a child of the 80s, it’s quite conceivable that you’ve never even heard the name Joan Jett. Out of the mainstream for thirty years, Jett’s name has only come up in the past decade in punk rock circles (she’s a well-known producer) and because of her 2015 induction into the Rock and...

It’s no secret that Michael Moore wears his politics on his sleeve. And his pant legs. And around his waist, on his head, and in his shoes. Fourteen years ago he famously skewered the George W. Bush administration in the Palme d'Or-winning documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, followed by 2007’s Sicko...

Eric Bana the actor becomes Bana the director and Bana the race-car driver in this very personal documentary. Benjamin Cox starts his engines and put the pedal to the floor.

These are the top five documentaries on Netflix that you can enjoy while not feeling guilty for wasting time.

Is there a better time than right now for a documentary about one of the most honest, humble, and life-affirming men of the last century? In a day when cynicism is at an all-time high and the country is split wider than at any time since the civil rights movement, Won’t ...

Win Wenders' excellent documentary about the almost-forgotten Cuban music scene is a stunning watch and an even better listen. Benjamin Cox quickly tracked down the album not long after...

Big cat trainer Mabel Stark spent more than 50 years in the ring—doing what circus bosses said a woman could never do. Available for streaming and DVD purchase, Mabel, Mabel Tiger Trainer documents the life of the world’s first lady tiger trainer.

A heartfelt and evocative look at arguably the biggest band in history, Ron Howard takes us on a journey of music, hysteria and history. Benjamin Cox straps himself in for the ride.

Documentary filmmaker Lu Chuan takes us on a journey deep into China's wildlife as he depicts three animal families struggling to survive in their environment.

A rich introspective look at the history and city of Istanbul, as told from the point of view of the cats that live there.

Forget Spinal Tap - this is the rock documentary to end them all! Benjamin Cox turns it up to eleven for a touching and remarkable story about two friends who never gave up on their dreams.

Liberal loudmouth Michael Moore takes aim at his favourite target and gives 'em both barrels. Benjamin Cox examines Moore's explosive documentary and wonders where it stands in today's world.

Looking at the history and trends of documentary films, we seek to uncover just how real is the "real" in documentary films, and what new filmmakers are doing about it.

Seven years. From the time The Beatles entered the collective conscience of American teenagers until the time the group called it quits was just seven years. (By comparison, the relatively-recent ...

A Pennsylvania family's YouTube videos have been turned into a movie called "Fraud" by a famous independent filmmaker. The story about the movie that they unwittingly stared in is quite a tale.

In 1974, French high-wire performance artist Philippe Petit did the unthinkable, he slung a wire a quarter of a mile above the earth and walked between the Twin Towers.

The most controversial, entertaining, best documentaries on Netflix in 2016-17. Best Documentaries on Netflix. Most inspiring documentaries. where to Watch Documentaries online free streaming

Who better to discuss the influence and power of the electric guitar than three masters of the craft? Benjamin Cox throws away the ear-plugs and starts moshing!

Who knew that a run-down, knackered recording studio buried somewhere in Los Angeles would develop a sound that would define a whole generation of rock and roll? Benjamin Cox turns it up loud.

Whether you're looking for famous people with dyslexia or want an educational documentary, these four will do the trick.

My review of the hit anti-Seaworld documentary Blackfish, and some thoughts about zoos and captivity in general.

A list of ten great documentaries about hard rock and heavy metal music, by a diehard metal fan and movie geek.

Cynthia De Moss is an actress and media artist who appeared in We Live In Public, a film about Josh Harris.

Did Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 offer entertainment (emotion) as an effective realm for political criticism and for reaching the voting American public? In his film, Moore argues that America has been fooled by Bush, that the war in Iraq takes advantage of the "have-nots" and that Americans blindly rely on Bush for protection.