I am trying to figure out how I want to handle documentaries on this blog. My intention had been to write a very short, generally positive review every time I watched a documentary. Eventually someone looking for a documentary to watch could click on the “documentary review” tag and find a list of documentaries I enjoyed.

It turns out I really don’t like writing reviews. I don’t always have big opinions or insights on what I watched, and when I do it’s really not more than three sentences. Is that enough for a blog post? I guess that’s for me to decide.

Anyway, I have actually watched quite a few documentaries lately, and need to catch up here.

O.J.: Made in America
Long and exhaustive, this documentary places O.J. Simpson in the context of race relations in Los Angeles. Many of the talking heads are his friends and relatives and they have a wide variety of things to say about him. Absolutely fascinating even for someone like me who wasn’t particularly interested in the topic going in, but beware the extremely graphic pictures in episode four. I had to close my eyes.
Currently available on Netflix.

An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th
Places the Oklahoma City Bombing in historic context, even going so far as to trace it back to the farm crisis of the 1970s. I remember the bombing being very upsetting and unsettling. There is a narrative thread based on forgiveness around the end that adds an interesting layer.
Currently available on Max.

History of the Sitcom
This seemed light and I had intended to have it on in the background while I was cleaning but it ended up drawing me in and calling for my full attention. Traces the way in which culture and sitcoms have influenced each other in various ways all these years. Many of the talking heads are celebrities and that was enjoyable.
Currently available on Max.

The Power of Film
“The Basics of Powerful Storytelling” would have been a more fitting title. I loved this documentary. The sole talking head is Howard Suber, a professor of film and television at UCLA. I could listen to him talk all day about the importance of themes and character relationships and the definition of power. Wonderful.
Currently available on Max.

O.J. & Nicole: An American Tragedy
Focuses on the abuse that Nicole Brown endured in their years of marriage. The main talking head is one of her younger sisters. This documentary was not bad, but I would skip it in favor of the other O.J. documentary listed above.
Currently available on Max.

CNN’s Decades Series
This is a series of series, starting with The Sixties and going all the way up to The 2010s. I most enjoyed The Nineties because I remember almost every topic they touch on, but I didn’t really understand it at the time. It’s weird watching a history documentary about stuff you remember happening. But they are all worth a watch, and do a great job summarizing and explaining the important events of the decades. Great job on these, CNN.
Currently available on Max.