By About twice a month I get together with a friend to watch a documentary. I know a lot of people tend to look down on documentaries but she and I find them to be fascinating and enjoyable. Not all documentaries are great. Some are boring or extremely one-sided. However, there are some that create a spark and can really penetrate the way you live and perceive the world. If you hate documentaries I ask you to reconsider and start with one of these. If you love documentaries I suggest you put this in your queue stat! These ones have left a large impression on me and have changed parts of my life. Because of these films I ask more questions and seek out better solutions. *This post contains affiliated links.
180° South (2010)
This one is a a travel documentary based on a journey taken by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins in 1968 to Patagonia. Jeff Johnson takes on his hero’s adventures and faces many obstacles. However, despite the hardships he discovers nature’s true beauty. Not only is it interesting it is beautifully shot. Watching this documentary will surely lengthen your bucket list of things to do and places to go.
Click here for the official website and here for the Rotten Tomatoes review.
This documentary is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon
Happy (2011)
What defines happiness? How do we become happy? This documentary explores how people are finding and holding on to happiness. A very light and uplifting documentary. Will certainly change the way you look at different situations in your life.
Click here for the official website and here for the IMDB page.
This documentary is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon
The Cove (2009)
This documentary details a shocking depiction of what humans are capable of doing to animals as well as deceptions about the quality of fish found in some supermarkets. Not for children. May cause you to donate to or join the next animal related cause you see.
Click here for the official website and here for the Rotten Tomatoes page.
This documentary is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon
Food Inc. (2008)
Here in the states I believe we have separated ourselves from the realities of our food. It has become a very harsh and mechanical process. We have stripped down the production of food so much that it seems we have forgotten that animals are alive and plants take time to grow and gain nutrients. A bit graphic at times I believe this is a great presentation of how our food is produced and why we need to change our ways. Although it does come with a PG rating I would be careful showing this to elementary age children. Even I had a hard time watching some parts, but it is a necessary evil in getting the point across. Their tagline is so true… “You’ll never look at dinner the same way again”.
Click here for the official website and here for the Rotten Tomatoes page.
This documentary is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon
Vegucated (2010)
Yes another food documentary, but worthy of your time even if you have Food Inc. This one takes a very different approach and has lots of different information. It does push a vegan or at least a vegetarian lifestyle, but putting your thoughts aside on that, it does teach the importance of knowing where your food comes from and how it affects you both from a nutritional stand point as well as an environmental one. A glass of milk will never be the same for me.
Click here for the official website and here for the IMDB page.
This documentary is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon
Notes: Yes, we still eat meat and dairy. We have decided to receive our meat from a CSA (community sourced agriculture, we have a veggie and egg one too) which tends to be more sustainable, humane and nutrition. We have found a somewhat local and fairly priced cheese source. Still deciding on what to do about milk. (3) Check out this post for a delicious popcorn recipe to go along with these documentaries! (4) Featured image (below) is from stock.xchng and can be found here.
What are your favorite documentaries?
Happy movie time!
Alyssa
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17