Last day of tax season. No brain power to write anything clever or inspiring.
Instead, let's get inspired by watching some documentaries. Here are some I recommend (excluding like the 20+ I've watched about serial killers). They're all artistic and smart and totally compelling and none of that boring National Geographic crap. They're all on Netflix and I'm guessing some are on Amazon Prime and if you don't have either of these things I don't know what you're doing with your life.
1. Mortified Nation - about a stand-up comedy style stage show with chapters across the U.S. at which people read passages from their own adolescent diaries. Not recommended if you're easily offended by childhood usage of extremely hilarious foul language or occasional pre-pubescent sexual curiosities. Otherwise, it's hysterical, beautifully composited, and touching.
2. The Woman Who Wasn't There - about the nation's most infamous 9/11 survivor. Not a depressing 9/11 doc at all, don't worry, but it will BLOW YOU AWAY.
3. Tent City - about a homeless community in Nashville. Also not depressing, but that being said, prepare to feel so, so ashamed. Homeless people are still people, and as a shirt sported in the film reminds us, "Jesus was homeless."
4. Monica and David - about the marriage and lives of two Down syndrome adults. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will squeal "that's so cute" about a million times.
5. Narco Cultura - for the strong-stomached only. Spoiler alert, YOU WILL NEVER GO TO MEXICO AGAIN.
6. Blackfish - okay, so we've all seen Blackfish. But seriously, if you haven't seen Blackfish, just freakin SEE Blackfish.
7. Dogtown and Z-Boys - the real-life version of Lords of Dogtown, actually directed by one of the original Z-Boys. Just makes you want to be a surfing and skateboarding teenager in Venice Beach in the 70s so, so bad.
EDUCATE YOURSELVES, AMERICA
and happy tax day!
