“Standing in the Shadows of Motown” (6321, no TCPL)

This is the story of the Funk Brothers, the musicians who played behind most of the biggest acts of the “Motown Sound” of the 1960s and 1970s.  They earned more top-40 and number one songs than the Beatles, Elvis, ? and ? combined, yet most of us don’t know them.  Great interviews, clips from the time, and a reunion concert with all sorts of guest performers.

“This Film is Not Yet Rated” (1400 CORE, TCPL)

A study of the strangely secretive process by which ratings are given to films.  Using the documentary itself as an example, it follows the history (a little) and the contemporary process (a lot) of rating. It is gripping and rather brilliant.

“Every Little Step” (620, TCPL)

A haunting, tense, fascinating look at casting the revival of “A Chorus Line,” complete with recordings of the musical’s origins in the 1970s and the stories of a dozen and more actors who are dreaming of playing these roles.  Gets you inside a Broadway production in a wonderful and riveting way.

“Helvetica” (4655, TCPL)

A wonderful collection of interviews with people around the world who design typefaces, discussing how Helvetica has come to dominate advertising and the world since its invention in 1957, and how they despise it with a fiery passion.  A terrific example of how gripping it can be to watch people who are passionate about their work and their interests – it will open up new realms to think about in terms of design and communication.

“Style Wars” (348, no TCPL)

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, three different artistic forms were emerging out of the ghettos: hip hop, break dancing, and graffiti art.  This documentary follows a range of young people in New York in this era, particularly those “bombing” the subway cars with graffiti. Worth it.

“Hearts of Darkness” (5213, TCPL)

Francis Ford Coppola invested his millions from “The Godfather” into “Apocalypse Now,” a blending of The Heart of Darkness with the Vietnam War.  He and his crew proceeded to go to the Philippines to film, face every sort of challenge (Typhoon, military pulling their helicopters, Marlon Brando) going slowly insane themselves, or close to it.  A gripping story of creativity, bold ideas, and the limits of reason, this documentary is pretty fascinating.

“Quiz Show Scandal” (VHS 3393)

There is a narrative Hollywood film called “Quiz Show” – not that one.  This is a documentary about the scandal in the ever-so-trusting 1950s, when TV game shows lied to the American people, and the American people freaked out, leading to a Senate probe and the end of many careers in show business.  A fascinating story about a different era and the corruption within it.

“BaadAsssss Cinema” (no IC library, TCPL)

The story of blaxploitation flicks of the 1970s, full of sex, violence, and evil whities brought down by tough, black-is-beautiful African American heroes.  Clips mix with interviews to bring this moment of social revolution . . . and exploitation . . . to life.

“Hoop Dreams” (3998 Core, TCPL)

This story follows two budding basketball stars in high school, their dreams of Division I glory followed by NBA cash, and how their talents brought pressure from everyone around them and more.  This is no documentary of basketball glory, it’s the much more common but rarely discussed, haunting flip side to that story: how for every success there are dozens who have dreams, who work hard, and, well, you’ll see where they end.

"A Decade Under the Influence" (no IC, TCPL)

This documentary interviews some of the most important directors, producers, and actors in the "New Hollywood" that exploded into being in the late 1960s, consciously trying to avoid every stale Hollywood style. Very fun.

“The Best Worst Movie” (no IC library, TCPL)

A hilarious and strange story of a film, “Troll 2”, that is so stunningly horrible in every possible way that it has become a cult hit.  Interviews with the amateur cast (the star was a dentist), with the quite odd director, and with devoted fans, as well as clips from the film make this one of those peculiar popular culture events: so bad, it’s good?

“Objectified” (no IC library, TCPL)

The story of design and the people who work – and are obsessed with – designing objects around us to be better.  Made by the same director as “Helvetica,” and both movies are about passion, art, and design.