Documentaries, Docu-Series, and other Non-Fiction

[Ixo]

Man, I used to have the biggest capacity to binge the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, Animal Planet, and (sometimes) TLC. I probably still would too if they hadn't all turned into My 600lb Ice Road Pawn Shop Restoration Pickers & Co.

No offense to you if that's your jam, but I want to see stuff like...

How It's Made

Mail Call

Modern Marvels

Most Extreme

Whatever One-Off Historical Documentaries Were On

As luck would have it, the History's been adding a steady stream of their back catalog to their Youtube Channel, which I have been happily enjoying.

So anyway, this is the all purpose non-fiction television / streaming / Youtube / whatever thread. Talk about specials you remember watching, cool documentaries you've seen, and where to look for more currently produced media in this sort of vein.

 

[Sprite]

Defunctland has evolved from a dude talking about old theme park rides on YouTube to an awesome documentary series on YouTube focused on children’s entertainment. I love their whole Jim Henson series, with each episode using a different TV show Henson made or produced as a framing device.

 

[Johnny Unusual]

I watched a few of the Henson ones and really liked it.

About a week ago I watched a documentary on Netflix about the history of Martial Arts movies called Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks. Its got a lot of the cheeseball pop-editing you expect from things about pop entertainment (for example "The Toys That Made Us" which is a fun watch but lays it one a little thick) and it doesn't always work (you can tone down the editing even more when discussing Bruce Lee's death, guys. I mean, it was more somber, but you can do better). Despite that, I found it informative into the genre, its evolutions and its global influence, particularly in American black culture. I think it might have been better as a mini-series, though, as I feel a lot of the subjects are worthy of deeper dives and though the last five minutes is about a Nollywood martial arts movie, Nollywood is such its own thing I feel an episode is needed to unpack what it is.

 

[Ixo]

It's snowin' and I got the urge to open the blinds and put on Cosmos: A Personal Voyage while the flakes come down. I remember really liking NDT's sequel Cosmos series, but I've never seen the original. Currently partly through the second episode.

Carl's got an interesting speaking cadence. His doting on the Library of Alexandria in the first episode was endearing. I'm loving the late 70's production and stylistic choices, especially the blending of practical effects and early digital ones. (Please see the original Cosmic Calendar as an example of this.)

 

[ThornGhost]

I'm sorry but I can't get down with a thread whose entire premise is dumping on The Curse of Oak Island.

Yes, actually I can. I love that show but it is so so bad. I both simultaneously want everyone to watch it with me and no one to do so.

Uhm as far as actual answers I do think Bill Wurtz's "History of" videos are both frenetic and amazing.

 

[Ixo]

I spent yesterday watching Modern Marvels episodes, and today I've got No Reservations on. I miss Anthony Bourdain.

 

[Johnny Unusual]

Watched the Last Blockbuster the other night. I liked it OK. I have my issue with it that I have with The Toys That Made Us. Both are well made but skew a bit TOO fanboy cutesy for my taste. Don't worry about seeing Kevin Smith on the promo, he's not in too much of it. Really, you get more Doug Benson so make of that what you will.

 

[Voncaster]

I think the Toys That Made Us - TMNT episode is legitimately great. All the scenes with Eastman and Laird I found entertaining and insightful. It was cool to see the inventors of the Turtles. The part where they talk about the financial success of the turtles causing a rift in their friendship I found very impactful. I wish they would have expanded that episode out into a feature length documentary.

My favorite documentaries are Exit through the Gift Shop and American Movie. Both documentaries are highly entertaining.

I think there is also a Youtube documentary on Batman the Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Its pretty good as well.