There are plenty of films out there that critics and fans would consider "Great" I try my best to seek out these gems and see what all the fuss is about. But when it comes to documentaries, well, that's a whole other ball park. Taking into consideration the content of a film I can like just about any fictional film. But when it comes to documentaries those same rules do not apply. Because documenaries are cemented in reality, the content of the film has to agree with viewer watching it. You can show me the greatest documentary ever but if I don't share the same beliefs I'm not going to enjoy it. This is just my opinion, I'll take your advice that a movie is decent but documentaries I'll seek out on my own.

PS. This thread was starting after reading how much praise 'Hearts of Darkness' received. Then I watched it and almost threw up. Possibly the most vile and disgusting film I've ever seen.

Too bad you are unable to make a distinction between a doc's entertainment value and accuracy. You're missing out on a lot of great works.

btw, Hearts of Darkness kicks ass.

But you found that out after you watched it. I am always annoyed with people who don't watch something and say it's crap. 2 hours of your life for a doc is not going to kill you and I would much rather have someone watch something and hate it then blindly hate it.

I love documentaries, Even when I don't agree with the standpoint they are taking it is still interesting to hear them out and see what is motivation for creating such a film.

Heart of darkness made you puke? why? It really should educate you on what can possibly go wrong with a film production. I loved it and place it high up on the list of truely great docs.

Hearts of Darkness? Vile and disgusting?

I'd like for you to elaborate about what you found so horrible about it, as it's considered one of the best documentaries ever made. I'll be the first to admit, seeing Francis with his shirt off in the jungle is kind of gross, but other than that...

other than that how can anyone POSSIBLY cringe at the real and graphic sight of a yak being slaughtered?? That part was downright hilarious!

How could you say that? It was awful. It wouldn't of been that bad if that woman wasn't talking about how glorious it was.

I was being sarcastic. I personally wasn't offended but I can see how others might be, I was just reminding others of this scene because apparently they'd forgotten it.

Seeing as that's in Apocalypse Now, it's hardly unique to Hearts of Darkness and probably not a surprise to anyone that's interested in seeing the documentary. I too am surprised at the description of Hearts of Darkness as "vile", it's not exactly wrong but not the first thing that springs to mind.

Watch the following docs before you make up your mind about documentaries:

Fast, Cheap and Out of Control
Dogtown and Z-Boys
Scratch
Step into Liquid
Hoop Dreams
Burden of Dreams

Oh come now! this is just one degree above smut! Dirty dirty smut! I wont even go on about the rest of your list. Might aswell rent salo and call it an evening of going to hell!

I agree. You don't have to like documentaries. I don't have to like musicals, but there are instances that the film surpasses the genre. The same goes for docs. I'll just advise you to keep that closed mind ajar because something will come along that blows away your expectations. The trouble is finding it.

Surprisingly, Dogtown's director latest film is somewhat similiar in theme to 'Step Into Liquid': the very entertaining 'Riding Giants' which I highly recommend.

Wow! For me it is the reverse. I really have to “believe” in a fictional premise that agrees with my skeptical logic to really enjoy a movie. I can “suspend disbelief” just so much. Whereas for a documentary, I can take it at face value and judge the subject and how it is presented on its own merits. I recommend watching “When We Were Kings” I’m not sure what content you have to agree with? That Ali and Forman fought in Zaire? Also, watch “Fog of War”, I think that this is a brilliant documentary which would fascinate anyone, no matter one’s political ideology or views on the Vietnam War.

This is your loss if you won't listen to recomendations for docs,you could be missing out on some of the greatest movies ever put on film.To name a few- Harvest of Shame,Hearts and Minds,Grey Gardens,When we where Kings,Paradise Lost,the fog of war,the Thin Blue Line,Waco:Rules of Engagement,Shoah,the Sorrow and the Pity,the 7UP series,Ken Burns-the Civil War,Baseball and Jazz,the World at War,Spellbound,Victory at Sea,the Farm:Angola U.S.A.,Harlan County U.S.A.,Crumb, and one of my all time favorites Streetwise(not on DVD yet,but do yourself a favor and get a hold of a vhs copy and watch it) no matter what your viewpoint these our some of the most important movies ever to be put on film

Yes, you do have to like documentaries. What makes you think you're allowed to decide for yourself? Huh? Huh??

Ok, seriously, I can understand why someone might not like documentaries. Though it sounds like you didn't like that documentary.

But I do agree, if you don't agree with said subject matter, for instance a Michael Moore or something, I completely agree that it can be difficult to like the film for other reasons.

but definately check out those other films mentioned...there's a lot of richness in the docu format that is really worth seeing.

I don't get it. Why don't you like Hearts of Darkness? What made you through up? What's not to like about that documentary? What's vile and disgusting? Do you also not like Apocalypse Now?