# What documentaries and docudramas have you seen recently? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** documentary-bio\ **Created:** [August 27, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335 "2024-08-27T22:20:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/21 "2024-08-31T11:58:22Z")
As the OP, I’m opening up this thread for anyone who wants to include their favorite lectures and lecture series. To get the ball rolling, I’m currently watching two **The Great Courses Plus** lectures that I think are absolutely worth checking out: **1) What America’s Founders Learned from Antiquity** by Caroline Winterer, PhD This fascinating course dives deep into the revolutionary period of America, highlighting how the founders were influenced by the classical worlds of Greece and Rome. Dr. Winterer provides a fresh, eye-opening look at how ancient ideas helped shape a new nation. I knew our modern society was influenced by classical Greece and Rome, but I’m amazed to learn just how much it permeates our world. **2) Introduction to Cognitive Science** by Thad A. Polk, PhD This course is a mind-bending exploration of the latest in cognitive science. Dr. Polk does an incredible job of guiding you through the complexities of the human brain, breaking down how various interactions give rise to cognition. Polk doesn’t dumb down his material for a general audience, nor does he present it overly technical—he hits just the right level. Over the years, I’ve watched countless **Great Courses** lectures, and while I’ve enjoyed them all, these two really stand out. Both Dr. Winterer and Dr. Polk are not just experts in their fields, but they also make their subjects truly engaging. Their material is thought-provoking, and their delivery is top-notch—A+ for both. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/22 "2024-09-02T01:29:29Z")
**Secret Lives of Orangutans** (2024). On Netflix. Yet another fine documentary brought to life by the legendary Sir David Attenborough. This time, he takes us on an incredible journey through the lush canopies of Sumatra, where we get an up-close and personal look at the complex lives of a multi-generational orangutan family. The documentary captures everything from their intricate social dynamics and survival skills to the touching relationship between mother and child, all set against the sobering reality of their vanishing natural habitat. It’s a powerful call to action, reminding us just how crucial it is to protect these endangered creatures and their homes. I’ve decided to reincarnate back as an orangutan baby—with a doting orangutan mom, swinging carefree through the treetops, and living the dream—except, instead of eating leaves and grubs, I’m bringing along cheeseburgers and beer. This doc is a must-watch for anyone who has a love for nature, storytelling, or just needs a good nudge to care a little more about our planet and our co-inhabitants. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/23 "2024-09-02T14:03:48Z")
If I may intrude on the highbrow tone of this thread, might I recommend **Chimp Crazy** on HBO MAX? It’s by the same people who made _Tiger King_ and asks a lot of good questions about how Americans exploit wildlife for their own financial and emotional needs. Come for the crazy; stay for the edification. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/24 "2024-09-02T15:07:53Z")
**Ennio** , a documentary on the life and work of composer Ennio Morricone. A bit overlong, perhaps, but the guy had an incredible, and very prolific career. Apparently his plan was to just do movie music for ten more years, and then move on to more serious compositions to get more respect within the industry. “Ten more years” stretched into a whole career, by which time he had the praise and respect of everybody. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/25 "2024-09-02T17:43:59Z")
That zoom meeting in the second episode was comic gold as well. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/26 "2024-09-02T17:54:05Z")
The funny bits are expertly juxtaposed with the tragic ones. “Here’s crazy Tania buying her chimp a Happy Meal and playing paddy-cake. Now lets cut to another woman getting her face bitten off by a chimp before it’s gunned down by the cops…” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/27 "2024-09-10T15:37:50Z")
_[Gold: A Journey with Idris Elba](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32813758/)_. Note that he just isn’t the narrator. He actually travels all over the place, talking to people, to the camera, etc. While I generally love Elba in a bunch of stuff, this “documentary” sucked. It was basically an extended ad for the gold industry. How wonderful gold is, esp. as jewelry and “value”. How super neato the gold mining companies are. Etc. There was no mention at all of the ancient history of it. What? We also watched the Attenborough Orang documentary. Reasonably okay. Since he just narrates and isn’t running around the jungle it loses something. Geez, phoning it in at a mere 98? What a piker. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/28 "2024-09-13T00:03:46Z")
I just watched _ **Apollo 13: Survival** _ on Netflix. Excellent, excellent, excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/29 "2024-09-13T00:21:18Z")
I never did think of chimps as cute. Maybe when babies, but they grow up to be big and mean, ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/30 "2024-09-13T01:54:08Z")
Speaking of composers, _[Beethoven’s Ninth: Symphony for the World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il4N9v92T50&t=1s)_ is truly captivating. The Ninth Symphony, often hailed as one of the greatest ever written, has a unique ability to connect with people _everywhere_. Its universal power lies not just in its brilliant composition but in its message of unity, hope, and the triumph of the human spirit. The final movement, _“Ode to Joy,”_ is especially moving, representing a deep longing for brotherhood and harmony. It acts as a bridge across cultures, uniting people through the universal language of music. The documentary beautifully shows how this symphony has become a global symbol of hope and freedom, performed in moments of celebration and reflection. It’s more than just music—it’s a masterpiece that continues to inspire and bring people together. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/31 "2024-09-13T02:40:02Z")
I also watched _ **Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War** _, and that was pretty good. It was good to learn what happened in the Wild, Wild West after the Oct 1881 gunfight at the OK Corral, about President Chester Arthur sending William Tecumseh Sherman to Tombstone AZ to quell the rampant violence, about Wyatt Earp’s vendetta against Ike Clanton, and how Wyatt Earp’s reputation was sullied by his own actions. Very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/32 "2024-09-13T03:11:30Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > Speaking of composers, _[Beethoven’s Ninth: Symphony for the World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il4N9v92T50&t=1s)_ is truly captivating. The Ninth Symphony, often hailed as one of the greatest ever written, has a unique ability to connect with people _everywhere_. Its universal power lies not just in its brilliant composition but in its message of unity, hope, and the triumph of the human spirit. Not long after I moved to Boston there was a public performance of the Ninth on the Common by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Ozawa was a bit under the weather, so the assistant conductor started in his place, but Ozawa came out to conduct the last movement. It was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/33 "2024-09-13T04:13:23Z")
_ **A Trip to Infinity** _, Netflix, was fascinating. Cosmology, theoretical physics, and mathematics. It was a fun watch, and in my retirement it gave me a thought of taking college courses in cosmology or theoretical physics or astronomy. Yeah right, let’s see how long that thought lasts. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/34 "2024-09-13T11:02:13Z")
Not sure if true crime counts as a documentary, but we’ve recently watched the limited series **Worst Roommate Ever** and **Worst Ex Ever** on Netflix. The horrifying psychos that people can get tangled up with absolutely kept us on the edge of our seats the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/35 "2024-09-13T14:39:18Z")
I watch those kinds of shows but my wife doesn’t like them. For me it’s a reminder of how evil some people can be. I just started **Worst Ex Ever** and 5 minutes into the first episode (a boyfriend beat the crap out of his girlfriend) it reminded me of a discussion amongst parents of Boy Scouts many years ago (that son is now 38). One of the fathers was an MP back when the Presidio of San Francisco was an Army base. He had arranged for us to tour the brig. I was thinking that being an MP at the beautiful Presidio must’ve been a nice posting. Living in San Francisco then, I hadn’t heard of it being a place with much violent crime and so I asked him, What are the most common, worst situations you typically have to deal with? I thought he’d say something innocuous like speeding, right? The limit is 35 on the base. Or was. His unhesitant answer: Domestics. Domestic arguments. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/36 "2024-09-14T13:54:17Z")
How do you watch those? Sounds interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/37 "2024-09-14T14:47:49Z")
**The Great Courses Plus** (aka **Wondrium** ) is the streaming service version of The Great Courses, accessible on a variety of devices, including your TV. At around $20/month, it’s a great value—especially if you love learning new things. They even offer a free trial, so you can check it out risk-free. I find myself watching **The Great Courses Plus** more than my other streaming services like Prime, Netflix, and Hulu. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/38 "2024-09-17T11:58:41Z")
We just watched **Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter** on Netflix. In 2010, a woman discovers that the baby girl she gave up for adoption went missing in 1989, and she goes on a quest to discover what happened to her. A heart-wrenching story with some unbelievable twists. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/39 "2024-10-10T23:21:46Z")
**¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!** on Amazon Prime. The kitsch Mexican Restaurant / Amusement Park that went belly-up during COVID is purchased and restored by _South Park_ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. If you like renovation shows about money pits, this is the documentary for you. No rational businessman would have taken on such an endeavor, but Parker and Stone (more Parker than Stone) are driven by a passion that outweighs any business sense. I was in Denver two weeks ago and had no idea this was even an actual place and not just something made up for _South Park_. Damn, I would have loved to experience it, especially now that the food is no longer notoriously bad. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/40 "2024-10-13T15:06:07Z")
I just saw this recently but can’t recall the title, or even which streaming service I saw it on. So if you can fill in the blanks, please do. A documentary on the blues scene in Chicago in the early ‘60s, narrated by Dan Aykroyd. It chronicles how the original bluesmen came out of the South (notably, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter…) and settled in the Chicago Southside. And then white fans/musicians from the University of Chicago fell in love with the blues, got good enough to sit in and play with the masters, and then started playing on the Northside, and got the OG’s to make the journey too. Featuring the late Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield, plus Elvin Bishop, Steve Miller, many others. (On a parallel track the same thing was going on in England with the Rolling Stones and Yardbirds. They’re mentioned but not in detail.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335.md?page=3)