The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (IMDB) – This is the documentary that made me like documentaries. A guy loses his job, buys a Donkey Kong arcade machine, and makes a goal to break the game’s world record score. I love classic arcade games so that drew me in. It’s made better by the fact that the hero has a rival. The lesson I got from this is if you want to be the best in the world at something, go where there is no competition. This sounds counter intuitive but this documentary highlights the point. A guy picks an outdated video game that maybe a handful of people still played and set out to be the best at it. It’s still an impressive feat but he only had to beat a handful of people to be the best.
Dear Zachary (IMDB) – A friend of mine recommended this. She said something like, “Do you want to cry? Then watch this…” I won’t say what happens but the story reminds me that life is harsh. Hopefully, you won’t experience what the Friedman family went through, but you will be tested. People will die, relationships will end, jobs will be lost, and it will be out of your control. If things are great in your life, do things that will toughen you up. And, enjoy the time you’ve been given. Because you will encounter trouble.
The Carter Documentary (Vimeo) – Lil’ Wayne was unquestionably the best rapper in the 2000s. His mixtape No Ceilings is still my favorite rap album of all time. However, this documentary put Lil’ Wayne in such a bad light that his team eventually banned it from being sold legally. In the movie, Wayne appears as a type of Sun King surrounded by ‘Yes Men’ who enable a number of destructive habits. Subordinates who question his behavior are cast out of his circle. It’s a warning against ego and surrounding yourself with the wrong people. The other more positive lesson is that success is not an accident. Wayne became the best at his craft because he put in the reps. He doesn’t make excuses for traveling or being hungover. He works at rapping. Everyday. No matter what. Am I putting that type of effort into the things I care about?
Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows (IMDB) – I initially watched this movie because I grew up a pro wrestling fan and Bret Hart was my favorite. But, people who don’t understand the appeal of wrestling would enjoy the movie. It centers around Hart, who at the time is the world champion. He’s a hero both in the make-believe world of wrestling and in his own mind. Bret can’t seem to separate his character from his real self, so when he gets screwed out of his championship and the fans turn on him, his entire life is flipped upside down. Physical strength and toughness helped him get to the top of his profession, but his hard headedness and inability to work well with others brings his downfall. It’s good to be strong. But it’s better to be strong and smart and kind.
Hoop Dreams (IMDB) – I like documentaries because they let you experience what it’s like to be somebody else. Roger Ebert loved the movie so much he named it the best movie of the 90’s. Hoop Dreams is a commentary on race and class. It follows two high school basketball players, Arthur Agee and William Gates, as they navigate school and life in inner city Chicago. The two boys have hopes of lifting themselves and their families out of poverty through basketball. The sad truth is the odds are stacked against them. In one of the more famous scenes, Agee makes the statement:
“People always ask me, ‘When you get to the NBA, don’t forget about me.’ Well, I should of said back, ‘If I don’t make it to the NBA, don’t you forget about me.'”
Hard Times at Douglas High (Amazon) – This HBO original also give good insight on the different levels of opportunity in America. It focuses on the experiences of students and teachers at an inner city Baltimore High School. I became a teacher in part because of watching this movie. My experience my first few years in the classroom was not unlike the teachers in this film.
Dancing Outlaw (IMDB) – I can quote this PBS documentary more than any movie I’ve ever seen. Showtime released a more R-Rated film on the White family, but the original documentary is my favorite. The film follows Boone County, West Virginia resident Jessco White. Jessco has aspirations of becoming a tap-dancing star like his father but continually sabotages his dreams due to drugs and anger. In the movie, Jessco talks about having three different personalities. One is a gentle guy, one a devil, and, well, one is an Elvis impersonator. When I watched this as a kid, it seemed like Jessco was a complete crazy person. The truth is, we all have different sides to us. Some parts of us are good, some bad, some controlled, and some reckless. Know that you are capable of both good and bad, but, also, apply that same thinking when dealing with others.
The Queen of Versailles (IMDB) – This documentary was originally meant to follow the Siegel family through the process of building the biggest house in the US. Fortunately for the plot of the movie, the global economy crashes in the middle of construction and the film goes from a celebration of wealth to a cautionary tale about excess. Queen of Versailles proves that past a certain point, buying stuff won’t make you happy. In fact, it may create more chaos. It’s certainly good to have money. Money solves problems. But, there’s a line in the book Fight Club that seems applicable, “We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.” Even with an almost unending supply of cash, the Siegel family seems to fall into that same trap.
Bigger Stronger Faster (IMDB) – America is obsessed with being the best. This documentary focuses on the lengths Americans will go to win. The plot centers on three brothers who have used steroids to help achieve success. The documentary shows how politicians and news outlets were wrong about steroids, but, in reality, we know politicians and the news don’t care about being right. They care about votes and ratings. Remember that next time you decide to get worked up by Twitter or the local news.
Dealt (IMDB) – I’m not going to tell you what Dealt is about because that’s half the fun. But the lesson is obvious: quit making excuses for yourself and do the work.
This list is in now way exhaustive. In fact, I have several on my list that I want to see. What are your favorites? Comment below.
The House of Improvement 