5 Documentaries You Must Watch

I’m a documentary junkie. You can keep your cable TV and expensive movie tickets- give me a documentary and I’m good for the evening. I love them because you learn about the world around you rather than just being mindlessly entertained. Don’t get me wrong- these documentaries are entertaining and even more so because they’re real.

Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; truth isn’t. -Mark Twain

Here are my top five (for now) documentaries you really must see:

1. Food Inc.

Chances are you’ve seen this already but if you haven’t- what are you waiting for?!

We watched this a couple of  years ago and it is here that we first learned about Joel Salatin. It was also after watching this movie that “The Great Kitchen Cleaning” happened.

I had been trying hard to eat clean and organic but my efforts were stale to say the least; I needed the support of my husband to really change our eating habits (and more money but that’s another issue). Well, watching this movie did it. When the credits started rolling Brian went into the cabinets and threw away everything that had a long ingredient list. I’m talking sauces, canned food, frozen food, even spices! A lot of money went in the garbage can that night but that is what this “food” was- garbage. Questionable food still enters our house from time to time but not near the extent to what it used to be. If you have a family member who is hesitant to jumping on the health food bandwagon, have them watch this movie.

You can watch it on Amazon Prime or buy it here (affiliate link).

2. Cocaine Cowboys

Wow. Let me say it again. Wow. This documentary chronicles the rise of the Miami drug trade that put this once sleepy retirement community on the map as one of world’s most decadent- and deadly- hot spots. And when you think it couldn’t possibly get any crazier, check out the sequel, Cocaine Cowboys 2.  It completely keeps up with the wild reality of the first Cocaine Cowboys all told by the people who were there.

We watched it on Amazon Prime but you can watch it here for free. Warning: this documentary is rated R for a reason. Do not watch it with children around.

3. The Exploding Autoimmune Epidemic By Dr. Tent

Move over Joel Salatin, Dr. Tent is quickly becoming my new favorite person! This is not a full-blown production-type documentary but rather just a recording of a doctor giving a lecture- but oh. my. gosh. it is FASCINATING! It’s all here- vaccines, cancer, JFK, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dr. Mary’s Monkeys, AIDS- I mean it’s alllll here. If you have any interest in health whatsoever, you have to watch this movie. I watched it (3 times!) on YouTube here.

4. Money for Nothing: Inside the Federal Reserve

If you’re looking for a good, unbiased Federal Reserve documentary, here’s your ticket. I haven’t watched it yet but the hubby has and loved it. The film doesn’t sink to conspiracy level (you know I love me some conspiracy theories!) but rather you’ll learn the history of the Fed and (unfortunately) how they mismanage our money during the worst possible times. This film is now out in theaters or you can buy it here.

5. Secret Mysteries of America’s Beginnings: The New Atlantis

This is another beast of a documentary (nearly 3 hours long) but, I’ll say it again, is absolutely fascinating. It’s centered around the occultic founding of America dating back to Francis Bacon in the 16th century. Now before your eyes glaze over because I said “occult” please give it a chance. You will not be disappointed. If this type of movie tickles your fancy, watch Part 2 Riddles In Stone and Part 3 Eye of the Phoenix. You can watch it on YouTube here.

Have you seen any of these films? What did you think? Can you recommend any great documentaries? Share in the comments below and thanks for reading!

Edited Photo Credit: Glen Edelson