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If you’ve been online at all today, then you’ve probably heard rumblings about the blistering interview that Rosie O’Donnell‘s teen daughter Chelsea gave about her famous mom. In it, Rosie’s estranged daughter alleges that her mother’s nice public persona is a huge facade:
While we can’t speak to all of Chelsea’s accusations, we at Decider have done some digging and can confirm that Rosie O’Donnell is indeed a documentary nut. She was once the host of the Oprah Documentary Club (sadly, shuttered in 2013) and still posts reviews of docs on her personal website, Rosie.com. To date, she has published over 100 reviews of her favorites. While we applaud her commitment to documentary-viewing, we have to say we were a bit surprised by what’s not on the list. With that in mind, here are 10 amazing documentaries that Rosie can watch as she unwinds tonight — and you should watch them, too!
'An Honest Liar' (2014)
An Honest Liar might be just the ticket for Rosie tonight. The documentary operates on two levels. One: It continues magician James Randi’s lifelong mission to debunk religious frauds and charlatans. Two: It keeps the cameras rolling as the Amazing Randi discovers that the one relationship he held most sacred has been built upon an inconceivable lie.
'Chef's Table' (2015)
Strictly speaking, Chef’s Table isn’t a documentary, but a documentary series. The show is comprised of six gorgeous profiles of six of the world’s most intrepid and inventive chefs. You learn about how the Italian kitchen is being challenged in Modena, how Francis Mallmann is pushing cuisine to its primal roots, and how New York’s own Dan Barber is trying to start a farm-to-table revolution. This is perfect for a binge, Rosie!
'Casting By' (2012)
Casting By is a loving tribute to one of the most overlooked parts of the Hollywood machine: the casting director. The documentary is at once a record of how casting evolved over the 20th century and a biographical account of the life of Marion Dougherty. She’s the woman who discovered everyone from James Dean to Al Pacino. With Rosie’s background as a producer, this is something she could really dig into.
'Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret' (2015)
Convinced the government is out to get us? Do you think there’s something fishy about the way Americans consume food? Well Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret seeks to blow the lid off of our farm industry. Apparently what we’re eating isn’t just making us sick — it’s making the entire planet fall apart. This one would appeal to Rosie’s occasional environmentalist streak (and possibly to her reefer-induced paranoia, too!).
'Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot' (2015)
So, you like smoking weed and watching documentaries, Rosie? Well, a perfect new Netflix doc for that would be Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot. The film looks back at the making of the seminal cult classic Wet Hot American Summer. Watch big stars like Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks and Paul Rudd —who actually appeared on Rosie’s daytime show back in June ’98!— before they became famous.
'Hoop Dreams' (1994)
This famous 1994 documentary follows the triumph and tragedy of aspiring NBA stars. The film chronicles the lives of two of Chicago’s most talented high school basketball players, angling for their chance at glory, during the era when their hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, reigned supreme. Why are we recommending this for Rosie? Well, mainly because we recommend it to everyone!
'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' (2011)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi is one of the most eloquent films ever made about the relationship between a chef and his craft. The film takes us inside the intense world of Japan’s foremost sushi chef. He may still operate out of a tiny restaurant in a strip mall, but his creations are out of this world. His sons and competitors also feature heavily in the film. (Warning: This one will give you the munchies.)
'Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck' (2015)
We noticed that Rosie has a lot of documentaries about the dramatic lives of fallen stars on her list, but she somehow has skipped the electric Montage of Heck. The 2015 Kurt Cobain doc creeps into the rock star’s personal diaries and secret recordings to offer the most intimate portrait of the Nirvana frontman. Lest you think it’s all about Cobain, the doc also redeems the legacy of Courtney Love.
'Paris is Burning' (1990)
Paris Is Burning is a now legendary documentary that delves deeply into the counter culture world of 1980s Harlem drag balls. The documentary is not without controversy. While many look at it as an invaluable record of a world long gone, critics worry that the filmmakers fetishized trans people of color. Fun fact: this film also chronicles where “vogueing” really began. Hint: your pal Madonna had nothing to do with it.
'Winter on Fire' (2015)
We’re 99.99% positive you haven’t seen Winter on Fire yet because it’s not streaming on Netflix yet. The searing doc lands on the streaming platform this Friday, but you can queue it up now on your list. And you’re going to want to. The film chronicles the unrest in the Ukraine from the ground. Watch as a peaceful student protest disintegrates into an all out violent revolt.
[Stream Winter on Fire on Netflix beginning Friday, 10.09]
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