Listen. You don’t have to be pulling out the Halloween decorations just yet – though we’re fully on board if you do. But summer’s coming to a close. School’s about to start and fall’s about to hit. And let’s face it, climate change means a lot of inclement weather. Rain’s a comin’, so to speak, and you should at least have some stuff to stream when it does. Maybe we’re nerds, but a good documentary goes a long way on a rainy day if you add some fuzzy blankets and hot drinks, and these three recent arrivals on streaming services are a great addition to your queue for just such an occasion.
Simone Biles Rising (Netflix)
If you’re already having a little bit of ennui about the end of the Paris Olympics, then Simone Biles Rising might be the cure. This Netflix docuseries follows Biles’ from what may have been one of her lowest point post Tokyo Olympics, when a less than stellar performance and its accompanying case of the “twisties” presented what was basically the Everest of mental blocks for someone already carrying the heavy crown of GOAT. It’s rarified air to be sure, but being expected to win every meet you walk into and challenged to constantly top your already superhuman feats is a lot of pressure. Especially as an “elder” gymnast and new wife.
One thing to love about this documentary is that it’s told mostly from Biles’ perspective as she navigates what could be a career ending pause in training, being a wife (a football wife, at that), taking care of her own mental health and still being in the spotlight, this time under new and uncomfortable pressure to be the shining beacon of knowledge on how to achieve good mental health. It’s a sports docuseries that appeals to more than sports fans, an intimate look into the life of an Olympian legend who is yes, absolutely the GOAT, but also a real human person, and a gentle reminder that mental health matters for everyone and needs to be prioritized no matter who you are.
Dirty Pop (Netflix)
Documentaries like Shiny Happy People and Quiet on Set are hard to watch but equally hard to stop watching. They make us face the reality of pop culture and religion and the darkness and injustice that can lurk just behind the scenes. Dirty Pop is the story of Lou Pearlman and the dirty deeds he did while creating some of the most iconic pop groups of the 90s and early 2000s.
Dirty Pop is a docuseries that correctly demonizes a man who made grandiose claims he couldn’t back up while also draining the bank accounts of pop stars and their family and friends for his own personal profit. While perhaps not as investigatory and scientific in its research, it certainly presents an intriguing look at a self-deluded narcissist that took a lot of people for a ride on their own dime.
Dirty Pop itself ran into its own scandal after release over its use of “AI deepfake” technology to portray Lou Pearlman reading his own book, ‘Bands, Brands and Billions’ in interstitial scenes which highlight his criminality - which some are calling unfair portrayal and manipulation of the image of a dead man. While we prefer to let you as viewers make your own judgement call, we confess to a bit of “the ick” around those scenes even with full disclosure on its use. Regardless of his morals and ethics (or lack thereof), it’s a compelling look at the people behind the scenes of some of the biggest cultural phenomena of our youth who were pulling the strings and tying them into neat little bows around the stacks of money they made exploiting the talents of other people.
Jim Henson Idea Man (Max, Disney+)
If you’re a documentary dork, which is how I like to identify myself from time to time, you might notice that there’s a lot of true crime and dark tales out there. And while I can’t knock a good murder mystery now and again, sometimes you just want some of that good news on the newspaper page.
Jim Henson Idea Man is a Disney+ original that manages to bring to light the true genius of someone like Henson without seeming vacuous and overly honorific. It’s got the highlights of a biopic, following the exponential rise of Henson’s star and development of his trademark and truly groundbreaking creations, his struggles as someone who’d rather aim a spotlight than stand under one and someone who had a big dream that didn’t always leave enough time for familial relationships. It explores the evolution of the Muppets, Sesame Street, Labyrinth, the Fraggles and beyond and their rightful places in the pop culture oeuvre while also looking at the development of a body of work from one of what we believe is the true gentle geniuses of our time.
Do be warned though that despite the sunny days with Big Bird, it’s as much about Henson the person as it is about Kermit the Frog, and upon reaching the part of the documentary that touches on Jim Henson’s tragic early death, this documentary may require a tissue or two. It’s “feel good” in that “feel all your feelings” sort of way that cleanses your soul a little, and as we’re growing tired of the dumpster fires that seem to be alight all around us, that’s got real value.
Butterfly in the Sky (Netflix)
Speaking of genius and things of great cultural significance, Butterfly in the Sky is the story behind the creation and impact of Reading Rainbow. Focusing on Levar Burton and featuring the actor himself, we follow not only his career but the creation of a very important, very life-changing show for millions and millions of children.
One of our favorite parts of this particular documentary are the interviews with some of the children who appeared on the show. Many of them have gone on to further impact the world as authors, producers - the list goes on. Reading Rainbow ignited a love of reading and learning, helped children develop a thirst for exploration and let them have a real voice. Not only that, but LeVar’s presence as himself, a proud black man, let children of color know that their voice mattered, and gave them someone to look up to and connect with while that sort of presence was still rare on American TV. Overall, this is an inspiring look at a show with a huge presence in the lives of so many of us growing up, as well as a fun glimpse at LeVar Burton’s career and passion.
Miss Americana (Netflix)
Ok, so if you’re a Taylor stan, you’ve almost certainly already had this one on your watch list or you’ve seen it already, but if you’re not a Swiftie, you may have scrolled past it a few thousand times when you’re trying to figure out what to watch.
I’m not a die-hard Swiftie, but I did actually like some of her very early music, saccharine though it seemed at the time, and despite the fact that I didn’t care much for country. And Imma finish, but since Swift went pop, her fandom has expanded to every area of the known universe and is widely known as a friendly, unified force for girliness and goodness. Though at times she’s been villainized, this documentary, which is partially told by Swift herself, is a great look at Swift as a person rather than a pop goddess, as she navigates things like not being nominated for Grammies, Kanye, and speaking out politically after a Senate race in Tennessee convinced the starlet she needed to use her platform to speak out against those trying to take rights away from LGBTQIA+ people and women in her state and beyond.
We thought this one had some interesting perspectives and great moments with the star herself, and is worth a watch even if you’re not making friendship bracelets or singing in the streets of Vienna.
What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments!
Happy streaming!
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