What documentaries to watch in 2023

During the Documentary Boom, some documentary films lost their way. While HBO led the way with well-crafted, investigative true crime documentaries, Netflix started to focus more on sensationalized stories about serial killers, often re-traumatizing victims in the process. The high-quality documentaries of ESPN's 30 for 30 series seem to be a thing of the past, as documentaries like Tom Brady's Man in the Arena, where the athlete has a large amount of control over their portrayal, have become more common. However, the best documentaries of 2022 have returned to more impartial, well-intentioned storytelling, which is a relief. Some notable examples include Trish Adlesic's A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, which centers on the victims of the tragedy, Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues, a tribute to the musician who transcended jazz, and Good Night Oppy, a heartwarming film about a small space rover. Overall, it's a great time for documentary fans.

Good Night Oppy

Opportunity, or Oppy for short, was a rover that landed on Mars in 2004 with a mission that was expected to last 90 days. However, Oppy ended up exploring Mars for a remarkable 15 years, displaying a high level of curiosity. Good Night Oppy is a poignant film about Oppy that will likely leave you feeling emotional as if you have developed a close bond with the space rover. In other words, it's a tearjerker on par with a Pixar movie.

A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

Four years ago, the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh was the site of a mass shooting that devastated the Jewish community and reignited the ongoing debate about gun control in the United States. Trish Adlesic's documentary A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting tells the story of the shooting and its aftermath through the eyes of the victims. The film is a moving tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.

Sr.

This is a film that tells the story of Robert Downey Jr.'s relationship with his father, the legendary director Robert Downey Sr. The film was originally intended to be a documentary about Downey Sr., but as his health declined, the project took on a new purpose. The process of making the film became a way for Downey Sr. to keep living, and the final product is an emotionally powerful portrayal of life and death. It is a must-see film.

Fire of Love

A film that follows the careers of French scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft, who are obsessed with studying active volcanoes. The film brings viewers close to these destructive and powerful forces of nature as the couple collects samples of the molten earth and bonds over their shared passion. Along the way, they discover a love for each other as they explore these erupting giants.

This Place Rules

Andrew Callaghan is uniquely qualified to comment on the current state of the world. If you are not familiar with this 25-year-old journalist, you should check out his web series "All Gas No Brakes," where he covers some of the most absurd events in the United States, such as a Bigfoot hunting expedition and the Area 51 raid. Callaghan has a sharp wit and an ability to get people to speak candidly, as seen in his latest series "This Place Rules," in which he covers the lead-up to the January 6 attacks. The series provides a humorous, yet disturbing, look at our current state as a nation.

The Janes

In the year 2021, HBO released a documentary called The Janes, which tells the true story of the Jane Collective, a group of people in Chicago who assisted women in obtaining safe abortions in the years leading up to the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. The Janes has gained even more relevance in recent months due to the fact that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, and as we approach a crucial midterm election.

Light & Magic

A documentary series that delves into the history of Industrial Light and Magic, the visual effects company that has been responsible for many of Hollywood's most impressive technological advancements over the past four decades. Some of the movies that the company has worked on include Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The series, which consists of six episodes, is directed by Lawrence Kasdan and is a must-watch for movie buffs and fans of behind-the-scenes content.

The Tinder Swindler

Shimon Hayut is a 31-year-old Israeli man who scammed numerous women out of nearly $10 million dollars by pretending to be the heir to a diamond fortune on the dating app Tinder. His crimes were eventually uncovered by a Norwegian tabloid after they interviewed the victims and pieced together the story. This documentary tells the story of Hayut's fraud from the perspective of the woman who helped bring him to justice. It is a fast-paced and fascinating look at the ways that con artists operate in the digital age.