OK, so my newest blogging brain wave is to do a Favorite Things series. I know, I know, you think Oprah started this whole thing, but lets be serious, this is totally original. Or at least, mine will be 10x cooler than Oprah's. Although unlike Oprah's favorite things, I likely won't be giving away cameras, or CD's, or cars for that matter. This is about me sharing a few things that I think are just plain great.
I love my documentaries. As a teen I spent a lot of time reading biographies. I think that is where my love of non-fiction was born. I found reading about real people's lives so fascinating, and oftentimes, much more interesting than fiction.
In the last few years, watching documentaries has really become something that Rob and I enjoy together. We don't really have a specific theme to our documentaries. As long as a film is true or based upon a true story, we'll watch it. We occasionally still dabble in fiction, but I'd say 70% of the movies we watch are either documentaries or based upon a true story.
One of the first ones we watched was Super Size Me. A documentary classic. If you'll remember, its about the guy who lives off McDonalds for one month. The effects on his body and his health is simply stunning. And it certainly makes that Quarter Pounder with cheese seem a lot less appealing.
Over the years, we've seen it all. Seriously. A recent recommendation was the film, Okie Noodling. About those fine folk in Olklahoma who use their hands to catch giant catfish out of the local rivers. Why didn't I think of that? Oh right, because the water is so murky, you can't see where you are going or what might nibble on your hand or foot.
Another recommendation was the film, Manufactured Landscapes. This was a stunning look at the effects of industrialization on nature. This photographer takes a picture of a landscape, and then another picture post-industrialization. It is just simply mind boggling.
We also recently watched, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. Now if the title doesn't catch you, I don't know what will. Its about an Austrialian man, Joe Cross, who journeys across America to speak with Americans about diet and health. He only drinks juice for 60 days, and the dramatic transformation is incredible! It definitely encouraged us to dust off our juicer. We've been at it for over a month now, drinking one glass of juice per day. For me, its not so much about trying to lose weight, although I'm sure its been a great addition to what I have already been doing. I just feel healthier and I know that the nutrition boost is worth the effort.
Our library has a shelf that is filled with "top picks" and I often check it to see if there might be anything of interest. Last week I picked up Made in Dagenham. I must say, its definitely one of those films that makes you want to get out of your seat and cheer. Its about a group of female workers at the Ford plant in London in the 1960's who battle for equal pay (to men). In the end, they win, and ultimately change the labour laws, not only for the women of England, but eventually for women in industrialized countries all over the world. Inspiring.
So there you have it. Next time you're in your local library or the movie store or on Netflix, check out the documentary section. We have learned about so much and been exposed to so many different walks of life and people's stories. Most of which we never would have known about had we not watched these films.
In the last few years, watching documentaries has really become something that Rob and I enjoy together. We don't really have a specific theme to our documentaries. As long as a film is true or based upon a true story, we'll watch it. We occasionally still dabble in fiction, but I'd say 70% of the movies we watch are either documentaries or based upon a true story.
One of the first ones we watched was Super Size Me. A documentary classic. If you'll remember, its about the guy who lives off McDonalds for one month. The effects on his body and his health is simply stunning. And it certainly makes that Quarter Pounder with cheese seem a lot less appealing.
Over the years, we've seen it all. Seriously. A recent recommendation was the film, Okie Noodling. About those fine folk in Olklahoma who use their hands to catch giant catfish out of the local rivers. Why didn't I think of that? Oh right, because the water is so murky, you can't see where you are going or what might nibble on your hand or foot.
Another recommendation was the film, Manufactured Landscapes. This was a stunning look at the effects of industrialization on nature. This photographer takes a picture of a landscape, and then another picture post-industrialization. It is just simply mind boggling.
We also recently watched, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. Now if the title doesn't catch you, I don't know what will. Its about an Austrialian man, Joe Cross, who journeys across America to speak with Americans about diet and health. He only drinks juice for 60 days, and the dramatic transformation is incredible! It definitely encouraged us to dust off our juicer. We've been at it for over a month now, drinking one glass of juice per day. For me, its not so much about trying to lose weight, although I'm sure its been a great addition to what I have already been doing. I just feel healthier and I know that the nutrition boost is worth the effort.
Our library has a shelf that is filled with "top picks" and I often check it to see if there might be anything of interest. Last week I picked up Made in Dagenham. I must say, its definitely one of those films that makes you want to get out of your seat and cheer. Its about a group of female workers at the Ford plant in London in the 1960's who battle for equal pay (to men). In the end, they win, and ultimately change the labour laws, not only for the women of England, but eventually for women in industrialized countries all over the world. Inspiring.
So there you have it. Next time you're in your local library or the movie store or on Netflix, check out the documentary section. We have learned about so much and been exposed to so many different walks of life and people's stories. Most of which we never would have known about had we not watched these films.
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