8 New Documentaries Streaming on Netflix Now: ‘Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me,’ ‘Gideon’s Army’ and More
We may be in the golden age of documentaries, with more accessible and affordable equipment democratizing nonfiction storytelling. Luckily, we are also in the age of streaming content, which means audiences have access to new documentaries even if they don’t live near theaters where they are playing. The 8 documentaries listed below have all made the festival circuit and hit theaters (at least one) over the past two years. Now they’re available to stream on Netflix.
They’re listed below in alphabetical order, along with their average Criticwire rating. Perfect weekend viewing!
“After Tiller“ (Martha Shane, Lana Wilson, 2013)
This controversial and powerful documentary, which screened at Sundance, Sheffield, True/False, Hot Docs and many other film festivals, paints a complex, sensitive portrait of the physicians who have become the new prime targets of the anti-abortion movement. Read Eric Kohn’s review from Sundance 2013 here.
Average Criticwire Rating: A-
“The Battered Bastards of Baseball” (Chapman Way, Maclain Way, 2014)
The true story of a real-life “Bad News Bears,” this Netflix original documentary recounts the history of the Portland Mavericks, an independent professional baseball team that broke attendance records in 1973 with a roster that included a blacklisted former Yankee pitcher, a left-handed catcher, the sport’s first female general manager, and young movie star Kurt Russell, whose actor father Bing Russell was the scrappy team’s owner. The film, which is directed by Bing’s grandsons Maclain and Chapman Way, and premiered on Netflix earlier this month.
Average Criticwire Rating: B+
“Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me” (Chiemi Karasawa, 2013)
Broadway legend Elaine Stritch, who recently passed away, looks back on her life and career in this portrait, which includes candid reflections, archival footage and interviews. “The movie acts as the quintessential treatment of a thoroughly distinctive character — ahead of her time, yet still politically incorrect by contemporary standards,” wrote Eric Kohn in his review.
Average Criticwire Rating: A-
“Gideon’s Army” (Dawn Porter, 2014)
This hard-hitting documentary profiles the challenges facing three recent law school grads as they prepare to represent some of the poorest of the poor at Atlanta’s Southern Public Defender Training Center. The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Candescent Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. It later aired on HBO and was recently nominated for an Emmy.
Average Criticwire Rating: B+
READ MORE: 9 Female Coming-of-Age Films Streaming on Netflix Now
“I am Divine” (Jeffrey Schwarz, 2013)
This engaging documentary, which premiered at SXSW, explores the life and work of filmmaker John Waters’s memorable muse: internationally celebrated drag superstar Divine.
Average Criticwire Rating: B+
“Maidentrip” (Jillian Schlesinger, 2013)
Directed by first-timer Jillian Schlesinger, “Maidentrip,” which screened at SXSW, tells the story of 14-year-old Laura Dekker, a Dutch teenager who endured a highly publicized custody battle with the Child Welfare Office in order to pursue of her dream of becoming the youngest person to ever successfully sail around the world. “The story is much more about her growing up and exploring the world and exploring themes of adolescence and forming one’s identity,” Schlesinger told Indiewire earlier this year.
Average Criticwire Rating: A-
“Particle Fever” (Mark A. Levinson, 2013)
The creation of the Higgs boson particle, an elusive key to unlocking secrets of the universe, unfolds on camera in this landmark documentary, which screened at Telluride. Particle Fever” features the work of veteran editor and physics buff Walter Murch.
Average Criticwire Rating: B+
“These Birds Walk“ (Omar Mullick, Bassam Tariq, 2013)
This inspiring documentary, which screened at SXSW, profiles both legendary humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi and a young boy who lives at one of Edhi’s orphanages in Pakistan. The Playlist included the film in their list of the 15 Best Documentaries of 2013.
Average Criticwire Rating: A-
