mini — reviews for 9 Great Streamable Docs
Tags: Documentary, Streaming, Movie Review, Movies

Mini — Reviews for 9 Great Docs that are Streaming Right Now

by Luna

I’ve been watching A LOT of docs lately. Some are pretty great, and some are fantastic! I thought I would share some mini-reviews with ya’ll, so here we go…

Beware the Slenderman, Irene Taylor Brodsky — HBO

This is not an easy watch. However, it’s a really well-told story. The Doc is about an alarming case that includes three children and the modern-day boogie man. It mixes media that were used to seeing, but in a way to tell a broader narrative about the future generation. A devastating story about the influence of internet folklore, this Doc is incredibly profound

8.5

This is not an easy watch. However, it’s a really well-told story. The Doc is about an alarming case that includes three children and the modern-day boogie man. It mixes media that were used to seeing, but in a way to tell a broader narrative about the future generation. A devastating story about the influence of internet folklore, this Doc is incredibly profound 8.5 The Bleeding Edge, Kirby Dick — Netflix

It’s like a real-life horror movie. This Doc is about the medical device industry’s audacious nature and how an institution that we are supposed to trust with our bodies is not here to make us healthy and safe. The subjects tell the most chilling and shocking stories, but they are not going down without a fight despite their unbelievable trauma. Incredibly informative and powerful. This Doc is a beautiful call to action.

9.5

It’s like a real-life horror movie. This Doc is about the medical device industry’s audacious nature and how an institution that we are supposed to trust with our bodies is not here to make us healthy and safe. The subjects tell the most chilling and shocking stories, but they are not going down without a fight despite their unbelievable trauma. Incredibly informative and powerful. This Doc is a beautiful call to action. 9.5 Going Clear, Alex Gibney — HBO

Brilliant, this film was directed by Alex Gibney (who may appear again on this list). Gibney is really good at teaching us so many things and this case he giving us a very dense lesson about the Church of Scientology, but his work’s momentum never slows down. He and his team can use brilliant visual pieces and media to breakdown these subjects almost like a class. It just so happens that the topics are incredibly relevant to the times, and the revelations that appear are outrageous. Emotional, Chilling, and genuinely revealing about the human condition, this Doc is excellent

10

Brilliant, this film was directed by Alex Gibney (who may appear again on this list). Gibney is really good at teaching us so many things and this case he giving us a very dense lesson about the Church of Scientology, but his work’s momentum never slows down. He and his team can use brilliant visual pieces and media to breakdown these subjects almost like a class. It just so happens that the topics are incredibly relevant to the times, and the revelations that appear are outrageous. Emotional, Chilling, and genuinely revealing about the human condition, this Doc is excellent 10 The Gospel According to Andre, Kate Novack — Hulu

An energetic homage to a legend. André Leon Talley is not only a fashion icon but a life icon. Revered for his work in fashion and his ability to work any ensemble, André Leon Talley is truly an icon in black history. He’s an excellent subject for any documentarian, and this film does give us great insight into who he is and why. So much so that I wanted us to go deeper, but the Doc is still pretty great, and it’s a fabulous peek into how the world sees him.

7.5

An energetic homage to a legend. André Leon Talley is not only a fashion icon but a life icon. Revered for his work in fashion and his ability to work any ensemble, André Leon Talley is truly an icon in black history. He’s an excellent subject for any documentarian, and this film does give us great insight into who he is and why. So much so that I wanted us to go deeper, but the Doc is still pretty great, and it’s a fabulous peek into how the world sees him. 7.5 Hail Satan, Penny Lane — Hulu

I love when docs just let their subjects go. The director Penny Lane, allows Satanists to explain why they are not as scary as god-fearing citizens might think. Not only is this a look into a taboo subject, but it becomes a study of America’s civil liberties. Funny, powerful, and insightful this Doc is a great ride.

10

I love when docs just let their subjects go. The director Penny Lane, allows Satanists to explain why they are not as scary as god-fearing citizens might think. Not only is this a look into a taboo subject, but it becomes a study of America’s civil liberties. Funny, powerful, and insightful this Doc is a great ride. 10 Voyeur, Myles Kane/Josh Koury — Netflix

It had the potential to be a great doc, but it does fall flat in the end. However, this story does shed light on a dark world that we ironically don’t get to peek into. The story of a motel owner who found a way to watch all of his guests is just as unnerving as you would imagine. The filmmakers use miniature techniques to recreate eery moments in the motel, but the Doc devolves into the voyeur’s exposure to the world. Still, it loses some momentum, and ultimately it feels that the Doc’s angle is lost. It’s a fascinating story, and it does offer insight into the mind of the subject. As a piece of work, it’s fine, but be aware of it’s very unsettling.

5

It had the potential to be a great doc, but it does fall flat in the end. However, this story does shed light on a dark world that we ironically don’t get to peek into. The story of a motel owner who found a way to watch all of his guests is just as unnerving as you would imagine. The filmmakers use miniature techniques to recreate eery moments in the motel, but the Doc devolves into the voyeur’s exposure to the world. Still, it loses some momentum, and ultimately it feels that the Doc’s angle is lost. It’s a fascinating story, and it does offer insight into the mind of the subject. As a piece of work, it’s fine, but be aware of it’s very unsettling. 5 The Inventor, Alex Gibney — HBO

Holy Moly! This is a great dive into the debunked company Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes persona as a bright young leader. This Doc is fascinating to look at the culture of Silicon Valley. Again, director Alex Gibney uses other moments in history to correlate to this wild tale. Though it’s not as substantial as his previous work “Going Clear,” it still has a lot to say to teach us about the industry’s commitment to innovative promises, even if they’re empty.

8

Holy Moly! This is a great dive into the debunked company Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes persona as a bright young leader. This Doc is fascinating to look at the culture of Silicon Valley. Again, director Alex Gibney uses other moments in history to correlate to this wild tale. Though it’s not as substantial as his previous work “Going Clear,” it still has a lot to say to teach us about the industry’s commitment to innovative promises, even if they’re empty. 8 Three Identical Strangers, Tim Wardle — Hulu

What starts as being a hopeful story worthy of daytime T.V. turns into a story about scientific work ethics. This Doc is so beautifully paced, and it does gracefully shows the psychological toll of not having the most important people close to you. In summary, it’s heartbreaking. It’s powerful; it’s a fascinating watch.

10

What starts as being a hopeful story worthy of daytime T.V. turns into a story about scientific work ethics. This Doc is so beautifully paced, and it does gracefully shows the psychological toll of not having the most important people close to you. In summary, it’s heartbreaking. It’s powerful; it’s a fascinating watch. 10 I Love You, Now Die, Eric Lee Carr — HBO

Another example of a very tough watch. This documentary looks into the tragic love story of two adolescents that developed mainly over text and ended in the worst possible way with an allegedly coerced suicide through a three-word text message. The story is clearly horrific, but surprisingly the path to justice is not so cut and dry. Giving us a look into the dark side of modern teen relationships. This doc is really great, and it will leave you heartbroken and possibly enraged.

9

P.S.

Docuseries that are also great:

How to Fix a Drug Scandal, Eric Lee Carr

8.5

The Vow, Jehane Noujaim / Karim Amer

9

Have you seen these? Talk to me.

- Luna ❤