Last night I got sucked into watching Hoop Dreams again, which is currently free on Hulu (not sure about outside the US). I've always found it a pretty depressing movie, not so much because of it's depiction of inner city life, but more from the realization that the promise of professional sports is every bit as dangerous as casino gambling, seems to have about the same odds of success, and is peddled to the under 21 as their best chance of a better life. Go figure.
As I surfed around afterwards, I saw that Hoop Dreams had been named the #1 best documentary of all time by the International Documentary Association, who - one would presume - know a thing or two about these things. Somehow it didn't sit right with me that Hoop Dreams was #1, and the more I looked, the more I disagreed:
1. Hoop Dreams (1994), Steve James
2. The Thin Blue Line (1988), Errol Morris
3. Bowling for Columbine (2002), Michael Moore
4. Spellbound (2002), Jeffrey Blitz
5. Harlan County U.S.A. (1976), Barbara Kopple
6. An Inconvenient Truth (2006), Davis Guggenheim
7. Crumb (1994), Terry Zwigoff
8. Gimme Shelter (1970), Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Charlotte Zwerin
9. The Fog of War (2003), Errol Morris
10. Roger & Me (1989), Michael Moore
11. Super Size Me (2004), Morgan Spurlock
12. Don't Look Back (1967) D.A. Pennebaker
13. Salesman (1968), Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Charlotte Zwerin
14. Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance (1982), Godfrey Reggio
15. Sherman's March (1986), Ross McElwee
16. Grey Gardens (1976), Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Ellen Hovde, and Muffie Meyer
17. Capturing the Friedmans (2003), Andrew Jarecki
18. Born into Brothels, (2004), Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski
19. Titicut Follies (1967), Frederick Wiseman
20. Buena Vista Social Club (1999), Wim Wenders
21. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), Michael Moore
22. Winged Migration (2002), Jacques Perrin
23. Grizzly Man (2005), Werner Herzog
24. Night and Fog (1955), Alain Resnais
25. Woodstock (1970), Michael Wadleigh
While I'm sure many movies on the list are excellent (and I only claim to have seen about 2/3 of these), does Michael Moore really deserve three spots, while Wiseman only gets one? No The Last Waltz? No American Movie? No When We Were Kings or Heart of Darkness? Morgan Spurlock beats out Nick Broomfield and Ken Burns to a place on the list?? Jesus, I'd even take Trekkies over Supersize Me. WTF?
I think we can do better than this - I'm taking submissions for the YBNBY Top Ten Documentary awards. Please put your nominations in the comments (including any from the above list that you think still deserve a shot) and we'll have our own vote later in the week.
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Michael Moore's one of those dudes who tries too hard to by funny. Morgan Spurlock has the same problem.
Paradise Lost, about the West Memphis Three was very memorable. I liked Hoop Dreams quite a bit.. Crumb was definitely different, wouldn't say I enjoyed it exactly. Perversely interesting maybe.
Ok, I've seen Hoop Dreams and thought it was really good. Definetly not #1 as I'm sure most of these movies were better than that. I agree with the Ken Burns observation as well. Michael Moore is one of those people who will bitch and complain and moan until he gets noticed (thus why his movies are on the list). Personally, I'm surprised Muderball wasn't on the list. THAT was a kickass movie! Kinda made me wish I was a parapalegic so I could play Wheelchair Rugby. Check it out if you haven't!
The Filth and The Fury - about the Sex Pistols.
Imagine - about Lennon.
The Sorrow and the Pity - WW II.
Funnily enough, I have Crumb here on my desk waiting to watch.
@ BG Good call on MurderBall.
@E Only one of those I've seen is The Filth & The Fury, but it's a great double bill with Swindle.
I'd also add "Stevie" to a recommended list.
I'm surprised Harlan County, USA ranked so high. I was born there, so of course I've seen it, but I didn't know a lot of people elsewhere did.
Paradise Lost is a must see imho.
America Behind the Color Line (a black Harvard professor's study of race relations in the U.S., then and now)
Hard Times at Douglass High (cinema verite-style doc that was recently on HBO)
and Ken Burns' Baseball (though appeal to non-fans is probably minimal)
Let us know how you like Crumb btw scara. That dude be wack!
what about the whole "Eyes on the Prize" series on the Civil Rights movement?
I was glad to see Errol Morris on there....personally FAST, CHEAP, & OUT OF CONTROL is my favorite doc from him. (And MR DEATH a close 2nd...)
To a degree, this list is an exercise in popularity & name-recognition, and in truth those are all pretty informative, entertaining films.
I'm a bit shocked that Ken Burns' CIVIL WAR is missing, though...PBS fund-raising stalwart that it is...
How bout Spike Lee's "4 Little Girls"?
The best music doc is easily No Direction Home: Bob Dylan. It's amazing. I'm also a big fan of When We Were Kings. I saw Gonzo a few weeks ago and it's the bee's knees.
Hoop Dreams is incredible though. My favorite part is when William Gates' older brother talks about how much he knows about basketball. Cracks me up every time.
Finally, Michael Moore's films should be in the comedy section. I've never seen more laughable dreck than Bowling for Columbine.
Among those listed ( I have seen about70%- 80% listed), my favorite is Harlan County U.S.A. (1976) .
Great documentary
I've probably seen like 1/3 of the stuff on there. I didn't see Harlan County, but I did see American Dream, about the 85/86 Hormel meat packer strike. It was excellent. Highly recommended.
#14 Koyaanisqatsi isn't really a documentary. And I agree that Michael Moore doesn't deserve three spots in this list. I personally would choose "Trinity and Beyond" and "Workingman’s Death" somewhere in the top of the list.
Meh, it's not a horrible list, but agreed Moore is getting too much play and that there are a few notable omissions. I've literally seen every film on the list, plus a ton of others, so here are a few (subjective)thoughts.
First off = Supersize Me and Koyaanisqatsi bite, IMHO.
Here's my pics of films not on the list for consideration:
F For Fake (brilliant pseudo documentary by Orson Welles)
American Movie
Mr. Death (less talked about Morris pic, but the central character is FASCINATING)
Burden of Dreams (about Herzog and Kinski trying to make Fitzcarraldo - brilliantly insane)
Gates of Heaven (groundbreaking Errol Morris doc - basically the first doc of note not to feature narration)
General Idi Iman Dada (why watch The Last King of Scotland when the real thing is so much more entertaining/insane?)
Unforgivable Blackness (brilliant Ken Burns doc about Jack Johnson, reasonable length too)
Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back
American Pimp (not necessarily the best doc ever, but hugely entertaining. come on, they spend 90 minutes with real pimps - how wrong can you go?)
Hearts of Darkness
Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Heavy Metal Parking Lot (alright, not that great, but a blast to put on at a party)
Dancing Outlaw (WAY out there, but awesome underground doc)
My Best Fiend (just because I love Kinski)
From the list:
Crumb
Capturing the Freidmans
The Thin Blue Line
Hoop Dreams
Grey Gardens
Gimmie Shelter
Salesman
Roger and Me
Grizzly Man
murderball...enough said
That list sucks. Here's the correct one:
1. Ryan (and its requisite companion Alter Egos) [about Ryan Larkin]
2. American Movie
3. Crumb
4. Last Waltz
5. When We Were Kings
6. Reel Paradise
7. Drakmar: A Vassal's Journey
8. Salesman
9. Fall of the Romanov Dynasty
10. Hoop Dreams
I could swap out Hoop Dreams for Civil War very easily.
I have a hard time not putting Theo Van Gogh's Submission on this list, but it better belongs in a category of creative non-fiction than documentary.
@marion I have to say, your list is SO much better than the official one. I forgot completely about F for Fake, Mr Death and Burden of Dreams, all of which are fantastic.
I second the Murderball suggestion.
Also Bob Dylan dont look back.
super size me was terrifying. I have not eaten fast food since. It was effective.. so much that now McDonalds has a line of salads on the menu. It should hold a spot somewhere on the list.
did no one say March of the Penguins? It was a documentary that even CHILDREN wanted to watch... come on thats hard to do. Its beautifully shot, and was a box office success.
speaking of nature docs.. does Planet Earth count as a documentary? if so.. that has my nomination.
Planet Earth counts Katie. It was amazing.
Thanks Scaramouch. I noticed I forgot to mention Harlan County USA, another one that's on the list that I think deserves to be there. Cheers.
Craven Hussies #2 was pretty good as well.