I've had some bullshit flu for like this whole week, so the only thing I've been able to really do is get caught up on television and movies. When I'm feeling particularly shitty, I always reach for documentaries and educational content, because I'm a giant nerd and that's what I like. So let's talk about some good documentaries and series, especially ones available on the various streaming subscription sites.
Personally, I love documentaries about travel, art and culture. Especially travel. For some reason I am obsessed with adventure documentaries about travelling the open road. A couple I've been going through recently:
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180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless
A particularly pretty and interesting journey where a guy hops a boat and travels to Patagonia to hike up some crazy mountain, stopping at Easter Island and having basically the perfect life along the way.
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Top Gear UK
I like Top Gear, especially their travel episodes. In particular, however, their Vietnam special was mind blowing. Absolutely incredible. I'd never realized what an incredible and diverse landscape it was, and I must have watched that particular episode four or five times. A friend of mine that I work with was actually inspired by that episode to take the same trip, and completed it a few years ago. Even if you don't care for the Top Gear hosts (and I wouldn't blame you), the Vietnam episode is worth giving it another chance.
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Long Way Round
International Handsomeman Ewan McGregor and his bug-eyed pal Charley Boorman take a 20,000 mile motorbike ride from London to New York by heading east, through 12 countries over the course of 115 days. Still working my way through the series and enjoying it thoroughly. Years later they made another series, Long Way Down, where they basically rode from London to Cape Town, South Africa. Baller as hell. Both series are available on Netflix.
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Feasting on Asphalt
I fuckin love Alton Brown and his work. Feasting on Asphalt is the complete dream for me. Exploring small town America by way of back woods highways and diners. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it streaming anywhere. Anyone know a good source?
Of course, there's other types of documentaries I recommend, including:
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The Other F Word
A look at how a bunch of punk rock musicians deal with raising a family while also trying to reconcile the conflict of their anti-authoritarian lifestyle with being an authority figure by necessity. Frequently hilarious, often heart wrenching. Duane Peters of US Bombs, in particular, is incredibly candid, but Fat Mike of NoFX and Fat Wreck Chords steals the show in every scene he's in. Also for some reason it has a lot of footage of that dude from Everclear, which seems a little out of place. It also follows Jim Lindberg of Pennywise and his personal struggle with touring and being away from his family. I saw it in the theater when it came out in 2011, really glad to see it showed up on Netflix.
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Nitro Circus: The Movie
In the same vein as Jackass with a little less dicks and poop, Nitro Circus is basically Travis Pastrana and his buddies doing dumb-ass stuff to entertain each other, risking life and limb and looking super badass in the process. I can't get enough of this shit.
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Jackass
Of course. The fucking epitome of dumb dudes doing anything for a laugh. Yeah, Bam Margera is a spoiled little asshole, but who cares? Laugh at him when he gets hurt and cries. Marvel at the unique insane genius that is Johnny Knoxville. Wonder what pit of hell spawned the human nergling Steve-O. Watch Ehren McGhehey fail stunts over and over again and get really, really hurt. Watch Dave England take another poop. Miss Ryan Dunn and be mad at him for driving drunk like an asshole. Jackass is basically the perfect fucking American documentary. This is what you fought and died for, Baby Boomers. This is your legacy.
That's a bunch, but there's a shitload more out there. What do you like?
Personally, I love documentaries about travel, art and culture. Especially travel. For some reason I am obsessed with adventure documentaries about travelling the open road. A couple I've been going through recently:
180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless
A particularly pretty and interesting journey where a guy hops a boat and travels to Patagonia to hike up some crazy mountain, stopping at Easter Island and having basically the perfect life along the way.
Top Gear UK
I like Top Gear, especially their travel episodes. In particular, however, their Vietnam special was mind blowing. Absolutely incredible. I'd never realized what an incredible and diverse landscape it was, and I must have watched that particular episode four or five times. A friend of mine that I work with was actually inspired by that episode to take the same trip, and completed it a few years ago. Even if you don't care for the Top Gear hosts (and I wouldn't blame you), the Vietnam episode is worth giving it another chance.
Long Way Round
International Handsomeman Ewan McGregor and his bug-eyed pal Charley Boorman take a 20,000 mile motorbike ride from London to New York by heading east, through 12 countries over the course of 115 days. Still working my way through the series and enjoying it thoroughly. Years later they made another series, Long Way Down, where they basically rode from London to Cape Town, South Africa. Baller as hell. Both series are available on Netflix.
Feasting on Asphalt
I fuckin love Alton Brown and his work. Feasting on Asphalt is the complete dream for me. Exploring small town America by way of back woods highways and diners. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it streaming anywhere. Anyone know a good source?
Of course, there's other types of documentaries I recommend, including:
The Other F Word
A look at how a bunch of punk rock musicians deal with raising a family while also trying to reconcile the conflict of their anti-authoritarian lifestyle with being an authority figure by necessity. Frequently hilarious, often heart wrenching. Duane Peters of US Bombs, in particular, is incredibly candid, but Fat Mike of NoFX and Fat Wreck Chords steals the show in every scene he's in. Also for some reason it has a lot of footage of that dude from Everclear, which seems a little out of place. It also follows Jim Lindberg of Pennywise and his personal struggle with touring and being away from his family. I saw it in the theater when it came out in 2011, really glad to see it showed up on Netflix.
Nitro Circus: The Movie
In the same vein as Jackass with a little less dicks and poop, Nitro Circus is basically Travis Pastrana and his buddies doing dumb-ass stuff to entertain each other, risking life and limb and looking super badass in the process. I can't get enough of this shit.
Jackass
Of course. The fucking epitome of dumb dudes doing anything for a laugh. Yeah, Bam Margera is a spoiled little asshole, but who cares? Laugh at him when he gets hurt and cries. Marvel at the unique insane genius that is Johnny Knoxville. Wonder what pit of hell spawned the human nergling Steve-O. Watch Ehren McGhehey fail stunts over and over again and get really, really hurt. Watch Dave England take another poop. Miss Ryan Dunn and be mad at him for driving drunk like an asshole. Jackass is basically the perfect fucking American documentary. This is what you fought and died for, Baby Boomers. This is your legacy.
That's a bunch, but there's a shitload more out there. What do you like?