6 Docs

All this goddamned podcast/blog seems to talk about is goddamned movies. David Lynch this, John Carpenter that, JEEZ! Well, let's not upset the status quo, in this joint post, we will be telling you lovely people about six of our favorite documentaries. Three will be from Dash, and three will be from James. Now these aren't necessarily our all time favorites (though they might be OOOOOHH), just ones we love a lot, enjoy:

James - Man on Wire

This is the story of one man (Philippe Petit) who in 1974 walked between the Twin Towers in New York City on a high-wire. This movie plays out like a heist or a thriller, with reenactments, riveting interviews and footage from the "crime". This had me on the edge of my seat and it totally deserved the academy award it won.



James - Word Wars

The story of four "professional" Scrabble players doing the circuit of Scrabble tournaments. All four are weird in different ways and all four want to win. This documentary is a bunch of fun and one of those movies that I pick out when I've got a few friends over who want to have a good time. Everyone picks who they want to win the big championship and gets to see all four players at their quirkiest.



James - The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)

I saw this at the IFC Theater in NYC with the co-directors present for Q & A. They are Ellen Kuras (a well-known cinematographer) and Thavisouk Phrasavath. This documentary was filmed for over 23 years, detailing the life and struggle of one Laotian family from the time of the Vietnam war to the (nearly) present. Not only does this movie show the horrors of war, it also presents a story that is embedded in America's history: of immigrants trying to make it in the US.

Dash - Burden of Dreams

The story of Werner Herzog trying to make his film Fitzcarraldo. While making the film of a man moving a ship over a hill, Herzog attempts to actualize the event. In the process, everything goes wrong and actor/crazy-person Klaus Kinski does nothing to help it.

Dash - Instrument

Over eleven years of footage was shot of the band Fugazi. Some amazing concert footage and wonderful moments of fun and sincerity with all members of the band.

Dash - The Comedians of Comedy

Laugh until the very concept of laughing becomes foreign and you start laughing at the ridiculousness of laughing. The film is a great concert taping, but if you want the reeeeeal shit, find the six-part television series. TONS of great footage of what it's like to bring this type of comedy to other parts of North America.

-Your Friends!