My favorite documentaries

Man on Wire

The unbelievable but true story of the French man who planned a clandestine tightrope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center.
 

Chef's Table

A docu-series that profiles world-renowned chefs, their unique personalities and inspirations, and the most beautiful food I've ever seen.
 

30 for 30

An entire series of documentaries originally aired on ESPN that take a deeper look at significant figures or events in sports history (you do not need to be a sports fan to love these; they're much more human than that). Some of my favorites include Fantastic Lies, You Don't Know Bo, The Price of Gold, I Hate Christian Laettner, Four Falls of Buffalo, Marion Jones: Press Pause.
 

Somm

Captivating story lines of four people as they prepare to take the Master Sommelier Exam.
 

Happy People

An eye-opening depiction of the (what would be to us, bleak) livelihood of trappers in Siberia. 
 

Best of Enemies

If you're a fan of rhetoric and discourse, as well as history, this is worth watching. Two ideologically opposed men debate on national television in 1968, and you'll find yourself resenting the way political figures do it today (as well as our sore lacking in the English language department and articulation today).
 

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

Everything you ever wanted to know (or not) about the bizarre practices of Scientology through fascinating interviews and footage.
 

Happy Valley

The disturbing and multifaceted story behind the Penn State Football scandal and the years that followed.
 

O.J.: Made in America

This new can't-miss miniseries about O.J. Simpson has taken the world by storm, and for good reason in its extensive depth and breadth. 
 

Blackfish

I'm sure you've heard of this one, and although it has taken some heat for its biased account of Sea World and its killer whales, it is jarring and eye-opening nonetheless, and a great foray into the documentary world if you don't typically fancy yourself a fan. 
 

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Think: 85 year old sushi master, Michelin three-star restaurant, 10 seats in a Tokyo subway. So. Cool.
 

Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine

Of all the portrayals of the man who changed the world as we knew it, this one was the most compelling for me in its look into the interesting dichotomy that was Steve Jobs.