Inspired in part by the closing segment of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, the Chi Alpha Staff Team at American University discussed the documentaries that have inspired them the most over the years. We decided to share them with you today and we've marked which ones are available on Netflix Instant for subscribers.
Note - For information on whether these films are family-friendly, you may want to research them individually on Common Sense Media.
It Might Get Loud
Description: A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: the Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White.
Rating: PG
Sadly, this film is not available on Netflix Instant.
"Seeing musicians in various genres discuss creativity and musicality, outside the worship context, is refreshing."
Suggested by Natalie Hill (Twitter | Facebook)
The Bible Series
Description: The story of God's creation of the Earth and the landmark events leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Rating: TV Mini-Series (TV-14)
"I reccomend the last episode in particular (Courage, Episode 10) - as it brings a great visualization to the beginning of the early Church as documented in Acts."
Suggested by Kevin Kusunoki (Facebook)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Description: A documentary on 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono, his business in the Ginza Tokyo Subway station, and his relationship with his son and eventual heir, Yoshikazu.
Rating: PG
"It's inspiring to see someone dedicate decades to their craft and it really reminds us that there is something spiritual about work, regardless of whether it's ministry or a trade."
Suggested by Blane Young (Twitter | Facebook)
Autism: The Musical
Description: Follows five autistic children as they work together to create and perform a live musical production.
Rating: Not Evaluated by MPAA
Sadly, this film is not available on Netflix Instant.
"It's inspiring to see someone dedicate decades to their craft and it really reminds us that there is something spiritual about work, regardless of whether it's ministry or a trade."
Suggested by Jen Godzwa (Facebook)
Waiting for Superman
Description: Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education "statistics" have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of WAITING FOR SUPERMAN. As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying "drop-out factories" and "academic sinkholes," methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems.
Rating: PG
Sadly, this film is not available on Netflix Instant.
"Inspiring, heartbreaking and a close look at our educational system that focuses on telling the stories of a few children."
Suggested by Nick Holmstedt (Twitter | Facebook)
Girl Rising
Description: The movie tells the stories of nine girls from different parts of the world who face arranged marriages, child slavery, and other heartbreaking injustices.
Rating: PG-13
Sadly, this film is not available on Netflix Instant.
"Hearing the stories of women from throughout the world helps bring a global perspective to the issues relating to women's empowerment."
Suggested by Becca Pugh (Twitter | Facebook)
Craigslist Joe
Description: In a time when America's economy was crumbling and sense of community was in question, one guy left everything behind to see if he could survive solely on the support and goodwill of the 21st century's new town square: Craigslist.
Rating: NR
"It's the type of film that restores your hope in humanity as you see a stranger helped by so many."
Suggested by Logan Oyler (Facebook)
Bonhoeffer (2003)
Description: Dramatic documentary about the young German pacifist and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who resisted the Nazi regime and was hanged two weeks before World War II was over.
Rating: NR
Sadly, this film is not available on Netflix Instant.
"I watched this during my Chi Alpha internship and it changed how I viewed ministry, sacrifice and living a life for others."
The movie descriptions have been taken from IMDB.com and the movie trailers were found on YouTube.