Every since the HBOgo app became available for the iPad I have been loving it. I used its release to FINALLY start The Wire, and I have been absolutely loving Game of Thrones (in no small part to Peter Dinklage).
I was sitting in bed last night, tired, but not able to sleep, and this is when I plunged head-deep into a binge of HBO documentaries. HBO has a few dozen documentaries available on HBOgo, and the 3 I watched were well worth the time.
Here they are in order from good to great:
This documentary by Mitch McCabe takes a very personal look at society’s increasing obsession with staying youthful from the point of a view of a plastic surgeon’s daughter. It follows one particularly plastic surgery addicted woman interspersed with interviews and spotlights on others who have dabbled in cosmetic enhancements.
Mitch starts as somewhat of a skeptic of the true, long-term benefits of plastic surgery on an emotional/psychological level, and finds herself dipping her toes into getting some work done herself by the end of the 90 minute runtime. It’s an interesting look at how wanting to stay young affects people with no specific agenda in-tow.
Bobby Fischer Against the World
This one is pretty straightforward as a historical documentary, but it really is the strength of the material that elevates this one. Bobby Fischer was a genius of the chess world that managed to elevate the sport to a worldwide stage. At the height of his play, his matches became so important that they affected international politics and relations.
Fischer is an amazing character, that like many geniuses, ultimately had trouble dealing with life outside of his particular field of chess. The downward spiral of Fischer’s life starting at the peak of his popularity is a fascinating.
Documentaries generally at their best when they focus on personal stories, and this is where this one really shines. Monica and David follows the life of 2 people with Downs Syndrome as they get married and deal with their new life. Monica and David live with Monica’s parents who are trying to find the best way to take care of them while allowing them to live their own independent lives.
The enthusiasm and struggles that Monica and David deal with are palpable. This is a great look at an impossibly endearing couple as they struggle with all that comes with their situation.
