No movie genre can represent the eccentricities and impact of geekdom and nerdom as well as the documentary. Sure, The Best Geek Movies Ever 42 Of The Best Geek Movies Of All Time:How Many Have You Seen? 42 Of The Best Geek Movies Of All Time:How Many Have You Seen? Geeks are people too. I am one, you are probably one, and we are a growing army that can no longer be ignored. Not even for hollywood. FTW Geek Movies! Read More But when it comes to what the world of geeks and nerds mean For society as a whole, nothing beats a good documentary..
These documentaries have been selected not only for their appeal to geeks and nerds, but also to anyone who wants to look at the worlds of geekdom or nerdom to understand them a little better. The topics of conversation, the points to debate. Obsessions and compulsions. Dedication to a trade. The impact on the world..
NB:The documentaries we've compiled for this list are available to stream on the US version of Netflix.
If you have a passion for movies, this side-by-side exploration of digital and film technologies (produced by Keanu Reeves) is full of hidden gems. The documentary takes a fascinating look at the rapid evolution and production of historic film/video technology. Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter describes it as, "A crash course in the digital revolution."
The film offers a wealth of insights and tidbits through revealing interviews with pioneers who were able to use this technology to its full potential, taking the film in all sorts of unexpected directions.
Netflix (US) / IMDB / Rotten Tomatoes
This amazing documentary takes you deep into the exciting world of grown men who have become fanatics of death. My little Pony . Originally aimed at young girls, this unexpected market for ponies was swept up in an animated character show, and things began to take off.
Now, regular conferences (like BronyCon), meetups, shows, and concerts are organized to cater to this growing movement. Professional artists, game programmers, writers, and musicians are adding to the mix, creating a vibrant economy around this unexpected faction.
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In 1982, what was dubbed the "Worst Video Game of All Time" was released by Atari. This was an incredibly exciting time for the industry, and Atari pioneered the 7 Atari 2600 Games Worth Going Back Now 7 Atari 2600 Games Worth Going Back Now Atari 2600 games are incredibly simple. However, there are some games that have stood the test of time. You'll need to understand them because that's where video games started,… Read More How did the company go wrong?
After the E.T. debacle, Atari was left with millions of game cartridges to dispose of, so naturally, it decided to bury them in the middle of a desert in New Mexico. Somehow this movie manages to turn the digging of these cartridges into an exciting and heartwarming story of the people behind the company and the players that made it so successful.
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The World of Indie Game Development How to Make Video Games Without Any Programming How to Make Video Games Without Any Programming Want to make a video game but can't code? Then use a video game construction kit that allows you to create games without the need for coding. Read More Follow the intriguing, and often sad, stories of some of the biggest names in the field as they struggle to get their games ready for release.
These titles will be displayed for all to see and judge. But the identity, soul, demons and dreams of the developers are poured into these games. How will the players react?
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3D printing What is 3D printing and how exactly does it work? What is 3D printing and how exactly does it work? Imagine if you could print 3D objects directly from a printer in your home. When I was a kid in elementary school, I thought it would be awesome if I could print pizzas... Read More 3D printing and rapid prototyping:future or fashion? 3D printing and rapid prototyping:future or fashion? What went through your mind the first time you saw 3D printing in action? Did you think, "Hey, that's moderately cool"? Or did you think, "Wow. I could build ANYTHING with that!" Read more . However, it is currently an industry that is largely in the hands of relatively few companies and geeks. Still, it only takes one or two revolutionary products to be printed using this technology to see an entire social revolution come to fruition. These are the teams hoping to be the ones to do just that.
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Video Games:The Movie It allows you to look at the history of the video game, from its very humble beginnings, to a multi-billion dollar industry and cultural phenomenon.
The mix of feature films includes insights into the production, marketing, and consumption of games around the world, making this a must-watch for anyone with or with a personal connection to video games.
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A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer dubbed this miniseries "One of the most amazingly comprehensive cinematic stories ever told." Throughout Mark Cousins' 15-episode series, his in-depth knowledge of the film industry is absolutely clear.
We embark on a journey that shows what lies behind this industry of glamor and cash. The passion, the ideas, the understanding of human nature and the love of technology that drives cinema.
In Cousins' own words, The history of cinema:an odyssey is a “world road movie, to meet the innovators, the people of cinema, who bring to life this sublime and ineffable art form:cinema.”
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As stated in the documentary itself, “Star Trek It is more than a show. It's a philosophy." When it was first released in the 1960s, the show offered a glimpse into the future. The Star Trek Tech We Hope to See in Our Lives The Star Trek Tech We Hope to See in Our Lives Look around you. Life imitates art every day. Star Trek-inspired technology, from communicators to a talking computer, is already commonplace. But is there anything else we can see soon? Read more . The hope that things will be better in the coming decades.
Its allure of humanity's final maturity has not faded. And this That is why there is still an impressively large dedicated fan base that remains emotionally attached to the production.
Produced by the son of Star Trek The creator of Gene Roddenberry, this documentary looks at how the show has affected people and how his ideas are still relevant to this day.
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This is the story of two musicians who invented the modular synthesizer:the “sound machine” The evolution of music consumption:how we got here The evolution of music consumption:How we got here The rise of the iPod, the mobile phone with music and a number of streaming media platforms all point towards a single, simple idea:music matters. But how do we get here? Read More For proof, just watch the resurgence on vinyl 4 Reasons Why Vinyl Is Better Than Digital 4 Reasons Why Vinyl Is Better Than Digital Greetings Peasants! What, are you still listening to MP3s? Look, as someone who knows more about music than you, I think it's my duty to tell you that there is a better way. It's called vinyl. Read More
The huge box of switches and levers could produce sounds that no one had ever heard before. It was even said that its versatility was greater than that of the guitar. In essence, its analog sounds are something that still can't be matched to this day. And that's exactly why the modular synth time is now .
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For anyone interested in the world of online privacy and civil liberties 6 Online Privacy and Security Books You Need to Read 6 Online Privacy and Security Books You Need to Read How online privacy and security continue to be hot topics, a whole range of high-quality books are being written on the subject. Here are just six that we recommend you read. Read more , Terms and conditions may apply It's an intriguing place to start. Of course, the movie has its own reasons to push, so be sure to look critically. However, his main accusations are things that we simply have to know.
It is suggested in the film that the Terms and Conditions we agree to with various large technology companies take away our right to privacy. The collected data is not only sold to the highest bidder, but also given to the government, and this is something that we must not only be aware of, but also in arms.
Our privacy is eroding, and this is an urgent call to action, a critical look at how this is shaping up and what we should expect in the future.
Netflix (US) / Rotten Tomatoes
In a world where constant progress is seen as the Holy Grail, Surviving Progress offers a much-needed challenge to that notion. We are taken on a terrifying tour of how progress, in many historical cases, has led to the destruction of civilizations or the erosion of societies. We are being asked to question whether these developments are actually good For us, our families, communities and future generations..
While this is largely a look at overconsumption and wealth inequality, there are massive parallels in the world of technology (especially when it comes to things like biological and genetic engineering). Is our constant need for faster, smarter machines something that will turn out to be to the general detriment?
Netflix / IMDB / Rotten Tomatoes
This small selection of documentaries, all of which can be seen on Netflix in the US, is the best we've been able to find. They offer both an understanding and a critical eye on technology, advancement, geekdom, and nerdom. However, there are likely many others out there that we've missed from the list.
So with this in mind, what other documentaries for geeks and/or nerds would you add to this list? Which of the recommended above have you already seen? What geeky topics would you like to see documentary filmmakers tackle in the future?
Whatever your opinion on this topic, feel free to let us know in the comments section below!
