Awesome Documentaries

From the backyards of Central Texas to the deserts of Mongolia, you’ll find people gathering over a fire to cook and eat together. Matthew Saleh and Rose Tucker traveled to 12 different countries to revel in this universal and uniting tradition.

The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series introduced skateboarding, its music and its lifestyle to a mainstream audience. Former THPS producer Ralph D’Amato is working on a documentary about the series’ origins, featuring interviews with Tony, Rodney Mullen and more.

Petrolicious scored a ride in this awesome 1981 Range Rover in Sandglow yellow. We’re introduced to its owner, John Holland, and learn about his love for the boxy British off-roader. Unlike some classic cars that sit in a garage, it’s great to see this one used as it was intended.

“Like a good movie you get to the end and you still… you don’t want it to stop.” Great Big Story spoke with Adrian Fisher, who has been designing puzzles and mazes for 38 years. He’s come up with over 700 mazes using plants, buildings, water and more.

This excerpt from a 2013 episode of Begin Japanology talks about Japan’s love for calculators. Despite the prevalence of computers and spreadsheets, Japan still has calculator clubs in some high schools and holds calculator speed competitions.

Based on Mark Harris’ book, Netflix’s series sees directors Steven Spielberg, Lawrence Kasdan, Francis Ford Coppola, Guillermo del Toro and Paul Greengrass talk about five Hollywood directors who went to the frontlines of WW II to document the war. Drops 3/31/17.

In 2014, Abbas Alizada went viral after an image of him posing alongside his idol Bruce Lee was posted online. High Horse Studios talked to Abbas about his dreams of redeeming himself and his country through impersonation, performance and martial arts training.

Baba Avtar Singh is the proud wearer of the world’s largest and heaviest turban, as a symbol of his Sikh faith. The incredible piece of headwear takes several hours to assemble each day, and is made from nearly a 1/2 mile of fabric. It also doubles as his motorcycle helmet.

“We invented the tools, and the tools then invented us.” Melodysheep’s Nat Geo miniseries looks at eight of the most important developments in human history: fire, medicine, communication, money, war, transportation, shelter, and exploration. Premieres 3/6/17.

“To do something well is so worthwhile that to die trying to do it better cannot be foolhardy.” From director Roger Donaldson (The World’s Fastest Indian) comes a documentary about McLaren Racing’s founder, the late Bruce McLaren.

“Time speeds up, it slows down, it melts. You may be out there for 3 hours at a time but you can’t recall any one particular moment.” Filmmaker Adrian Bonvento shares the thoughts of the Stevenson Motorsports team at the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona in this perfect short film.

Tim Bonython’s documentary will take us to some of the best and most dangerous surfing spots in the world as it follows a tight-knit group of big wave surfers who are addicted to the thrill of the sport. Premieres Spring 2017.

National Geographic introduces us to Richard Overton, America’s oldest living World War II veteran. The 109 year-old drinks whiskey, smokes cigars, and can still walk, talk, and has a valid driver’s license. He’s sharp as a tack, and could teach all of us a thing or two about life.

McClatchy Video Lab’s documentary explores one of the nastiest secrets of the movie business, that visual effects studios and artists are often forced to work ridiculous hours, often at fixed bid pricing to meet unrealistic demands of movie studios. Premieres online on 2/22/17.

“The hardest thing that he’s gonna have to do is tell people, ‘No.'” Hank & Booth’s stellar documentary about promising college football player Brandon Jones, and the chaos surrounding the then 17-year-old in his final year in high school.

(PG-13: Language) In 2012, Doug Wright was in a crash which left him seriously injured. PLGRM explores the impact it had on his marriage, and his contact with Clyde Rowley, the man who caused the accident. Despite his hardships, Doug’s attitude is surprisingly positive.

An upcoming Netflix documentary series that profiles some of the world’s best designers and artists, including Nike’s Tinker Hatfield and graphic designer Paula Scher. Premieres 2/10/17.

In 1972, Norwegian geophysicist Bjørn Geirr Harsson realized that the highest peak of Halti, a mountain that rests mostly in Finland, was actually in Norway. He proposed that his country adjust its border and give the peak to Finland for its 100th birthday.

YouTuber kaptainkristian tips his hat to Toonami. While not the first to broadcast Japanese cartoons to American audiences, Cartoon Network’s niche program block sought to bring anime to mainstream while championing its diversity.

YouTuber funny japan shares this hilarious segment from a Japanese talk show in 1994. A housewife asked the show to find out how her free-spirited dog Sacchan got so fat. What follows is investigative reporting at its finest.

“I think in a way that destroying things is a creative process…” Alan Williams explains how his childhood knack for breaking and re-configuring toys inspired his design aesthetic. His current works are intricate animals with bio-mechanical bodies. A film by Ben Cox.

Vox sums up the contributions and philosophies of Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto – who helped create Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda and more – with the help of Miyamoto himself.

“My art is a collision. And it’s a collision of fine art, craft, and what I call the fringes of society.” San Francisco-based artist Ben Venom uses recycled fabric and old clothing to make punk and heavy metal-themed quilts, patches and more.