Documentaries

Documentaries aren't always simply educational, they can also make you think, laugh, cry or scared. And with so many great documentaries around it was really hard to narrow down my favourite...

1. Bully; Lee Hirsch Click here to see trailer

The most common form of violence among young people in America is bullying. This documentary following several kids who are bullied on a daily basis, some to the point where they committed suicide or brought a dangerous weapon to school just to protect themselves, will make you nothing but disgusted. This is the film in which Ellen Degeneres petitioned to bring the MPAA down so it could be played in schools as a powerful educational resource. 9/10

2. Blackfish; Gabriela Cowperthwaite Click here to see trailer

Love Seaworld and such aquarium parks? You won't after watching this documentary. A notorious Orca, Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three people, and this documentary perhaps shows us why. The conditions these majestic animals are being forced to live in and the lies Seaworld is telling it's staff and customers are absolutely atrocious. 10/10

3. The Nightmare; Rodney Ascher Click here to see trailer

If you want a horror story in the form of a documentary then this is where you look. This film scared the living daylights out of me with jump scares, creepy props and heinous sound effects; you won't be able to sleep any better than the people this documentary interviews. Ascher explores the terrifying side of the condition known as sleep paralysis, and brings to life the horrors victims face each night they go to bed. 9/10

4. Gasland; Josh Fox Click here to see trailer

'Fracking' is happening all across American rural land in hopes of discovering a reservoir of natural gas. Yet this technique is causing all sorts of terrifying problems, such as being able to light tap water on fire. 6/10

5. Pink Ribbons, Inc.; Lèa Pool Click here to see trailer

This very controversial film will open your eyes to how this multi-billion dollar corporation apparently 'fighting against breast cancer' is not all it seems. Touching interviews with sufferers of breast cancer will perhaps make you look at the symbolic 'pink ribbon' in a different light. 7/10

6. The Imposter; Bart Layton Click here to see trailer

I would suggest not watching the trailer to this documentary before starting, as to let the shock of what is happening sink in. When a family's son goes missing, and turns up many years later they are ecstatic to have him back in their lives; but perhaps their excitement was premature. All sides of this story have interesting theories as to what was actually going on. 6/10

7. Bowling for Columbine; Michael Moore Click here to see trailer

All of Michael Moore's documentaries tend to be good, but this one would be his best by a long shot. Following the stories of the boys at the centre of the Columbine High School massacre, and more broadly the proliferation of guns and the high murder rates in America. Touching interviews with those at the centre of the disaster as well as some surprisingly intellectual words from Marilyn Manson, all make for this film being emotionally charged and as usual, a little funny. 6/10

8. Supersize Me; Morgan Spurlock Click here to see trailer

This film should also be added to the must-see playlist in high schools. Morgan goes from a strict vegan, to an extreme Mc Donald's dieter - eating it for every meal of every day, for one whole month. He explores the consequences of fast food on his body (and mind). This film will make you hungry at first, but quickly grossed out. 5/10