Top Rated Documentary Movies on Hoopla - Page 164

Poetry in Motion

1982

Poetry in Motion

1982
7
More than 20 contemporary North American poets recite, sing, and perform their work. Early in the film, Charles Bukowski talks about the energy of poets and of a poem. These poets are the children of Walt Whitman and of Charles Olson, incantatory and oratorical, radical, sometimes incorporating contemporary political imagery. Black Mountain poets, the Beats, minimalists like John Cage, the wordless Four Horsemen, Tom Waits, and others capture aspects of poets as troubadours.
William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet

2009

William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet

2009
7
On a cold night in Milwaukee high art meets pop culture as award winning choreographer Margo Sappington (OH! CALCUTTA!, BILLBOARDS) premieres her latest ballet, "Common People", set to the music of William Shatner and Ben Folds from their album, Has Been. GONZO BALLET explores the genesis of this unique artistic collaboration by fusing the music, poetry, and dance of "Common People" with interviews of the creators, dancers, and audience members.
Wonder of It All

1974

Wonder of It All

1974
5
A documented journey of wilderness animals filmed all over the globe. Real life footage includes some rarely seen animal behaviors.
The Beach Boys: Doin' It Again

2012

The Beach Boys: Doin' It Again

2012
8
The Beach Boys are America's most successful band. With 56 U.S. Top 100 hits, 36 Top Ten Hits, and 4 Number One singles, their impression on American pop culture is rivaled only by the band that considered them to be their sole competition, The Beatles. To mark the group’s 50th anniversary, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks gathered in 2012 for an emotional reunion to record their first album of new material in 20 years, to kick off a worldwide tour, and to reflect on their remarkable history.
Minds in the Water

2012

Minds in the Water

2012
10
A surfer travels the world on a quest to save dolphins.
History of Jazz: Oxygen for the Ears

2012

History of Jazz: Oxygen for the Ears

2012
6
'Oxygen for the Ears: Living Jazz' is a story of the trials and triumphs of jazz in America. Every jazz tune has a starting point - a simple note - from which the music starts its journey and rises. 'Oxygen for the Ears' portrays Washington D.C. as such a departure point for its documentary story, 'Living Jazz'.
Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes

2009

Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes

2009
10
Americas foremost humorist and commentator, Garrison Keillor, takes his skits and jokes, music and monologues across the country in his traveling radio show, spinning his stories into American gold. This free form, intimate look at the private man in the public spotlight goes behind the scenes of Americas most popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, and inside the imagination of the man who created it.
Beware of Christians

2011

Beware of Christians

2011
9
Four college students travel to Europe to escape their routine faith and gain a radically new perspective on following Jesus.
America's Most Haunted Inns

2004

America's Most Haunted Inns

2004
2
Welcome to the modest small town of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Enjoy your stay at Bucksville house and have your room tidied up in the morning by colonial maids who turn and vanish. At the Wedgewood Inn, explore a tunnel of the Underground Railroad where slaves passed through to freedom and the spirits of some still linger. Examine the mystery of the figure on horseback, spotted in the woods outside the Arianna Miles, as this fascinating documentary reveals some of the most amazing images of spirits ever recorded!
Living Downstream

2010

Living Downstream

2010
5
Based on the acclaimed book by ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., Living Downstream is an eloquent and cinematic feature-length documentary following Sandra during one pivotal year as she works to break the silence about cancer and its environmental links.
Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog

1997

Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog

1997
6
Don McGlynn's uncompromising and soulful documentary look at the tumultuous life of musician and rebel Charles Mingus is fascinating stuff. Mingus said of himself "I am half black man, half yellow man, but I claim to be a Negro. I am Charles Mingus, the famed jazz musician--but not famed enough to make a living in America." His statement summed up the conflict that plagued this musical genius his entire life: volatility, pain, prescience, and raw rage roiled inside a complex man, composer, bass player, and trombonist who transcended labels and refused to be pigeonholed into a single musical style--and who did not achieve real fame until late in his career.
Angry Monk - Reflections on Tibet

2005

Angry Monk - Reflections on Tibet

2005
10
Schaedler's film tells the fascinating story of Tibetan monk Gendun Choephel whose robes ultimately proved to be too constricting for his imagination and intellect. Born in 1903, Choephel left an indelible mark on Tibetan culture and became an icon for young Tibetans today. Because of his political views he was persecuted by the Tibetan government and died a broken man in 1951. The film follows in the footsteps of the rebel monk whose intellect challenged the ancient traditions of old Tibet. Journeying through Tibet and India, “Angry Monk” provides a vivid picture of Tibet that is in refreshing contrast to its often idealized and esoteric image.
Dying to Do Letterman

2011

Dying to Do Letterman

2011
6
When 35 year old stand-up comedian Steve Mazan learned he was dying of cancer, he dedicated the rest of his life to making his dream come true: performing comedy on The Late Show with David Letterman. This documentary chronicles his five-year journey, as he races his own ticking clock to achieve a nearly impossible goal. Hilarious and heart-breaking, Steve brings a brand-new perspective to living with cancer. This is a story that proves it's not how much time you have, it's what you do with it. As Steve says, 'If you stop chasing your dreams, you're already dead.'
Let's Talk About Sex

2009

Let's Talk About Sex

2009
8
Ahead of Time: The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber

2010

Ahead of Time: The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber

2010
8
Brooklyn-born Ruth Gruber became the youngest PhD in the world before going on to become an international foreign correspondent and photojournalist at age 24. She defied tradition in an extraordinary career that spanned several decades. The first journalist to enter the Soviet Arctic in 1935, Ruth also traveled to Alaska as a member of the Roosevelt administration in 1942, escorted Holocaust refugees to America in 1944, covered the Nuremberg trials in 1946, and documented the Haganah ship 'Exodus' in 1947. Her relationships with world leaders gave her unique access and insight. This documentary interweaves verite scenes with archival footage.
Vigilante Vigilante: The Battle for Expression

2011

Vigilante Vigilante: The Battle for Expression

2011
7
A new breed of crime-fighter now stalks the urban landscape: the anti-graffiti vigilante. These dedicated blight warriors stop at nothing to rid their neighborhoods and cities of street art, stickers, tags, and posters. Yet several of these vigilantes have become the very menace they set out to eliminate. In their relentless attempt to stamp out graffiti, they've turned to illegally and destructively painting other people's property. VIGILANTE VIGILANTE is the story of two filmmakers who set out to expose these mysterious characters and discover a battle of expression that stretches from the streets to academia.
Bad Boys of Summer

2007

Bad Boys of Summer

2007
10
A look at the effect a coach has on a team made up of convicted felons, during their final season together.
Adventures in Plymptoons!

2011

Adventures in Plymptoons!

2011
2
A documentary film about Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton. This is a portrait piece that includes interviews with family, friends, colleagues, critics, and fans.
The Space Shuttle

2011

The Space Shuttle

2011
8
An idea born in unsettled times becomes a feat of engineering excellence. The most complex machine ever built to bring humans to and from space and eventually construct the next stop on the road to space exploration.
How I Became An Elephant

2012

How I Became An Elephant

2012
10
One girl's journey to inspire a movement. Juliette is fourteen years old and she is on a mission to save elephants. After single-handedly raising funds Juliette embarks on a life-altering journey to South East Asia to meet and work with her hero The Elephant Lady. This is the story of two women, one from the East, one from the West, coming together on common ground, saving elephants. It's the coming of age of a passionate emerging woman joining forces with the wise eastern animal advocate on an enlightening journey of compassion, action, and hope that is sure to motivate audiences young and old. The message: no matter what your age, your ethnicity, or disposition, no matter what the cause, you can make a difference.