5) High Score (Netflix)
The six-episode, greatest hits of the history and evolution of the video game industry is an informative and fun trip; a nostalgic journey that doesn’t take itself too seriously. High Score delivers with charismatic personalities, telling compelling, behind the scenes stories of the creation of our favorite games. The series is highly informative, exploring not only the history of specific games and consoles, but exploring their cultural, social and financial impact on the world. We hear from inventors, lawyers, executives and competitive gamers that provide perspectives relatively unknown to the every-day player. It’s these deep, industry-altering tales that make High Score so appealing, leaving the viewer wanting more. -MM
4) Zappa
In what might be the best documentary to come out last year, Zappa is an in depth look at who Frank Zappa really was, not as an artist but as a person. Director Alex Winter used over 10,000 hours of never seen footage that showcases Zappa as an artist and his relationships to the world around him. Zappa, never one to pull punches, is shown as a bit of a political activist, weary of media and a controlling and dominating force in the studio and rehearsals. The documentary starts with Zappa as a young boy and follows his trials and tribulations throughout his prolific albeit brief life. There is little doubt that this is one of the finest Zappa stories ever released and is sure to have you going down the preverbal rabbit hole that is the expansive Frank Zappa catalogue. – JF
3) Tiger King (Netflix)
Not since VHS copies of The Dancing Outlaw circulated around the world a couple decades ago has a more unlikely character become the focal point of conversation for so many. Joe Exotic is a rare bird and at the end of the day, he’s not a very good person. And to be honest, the most fascinating thing about this docuseries’ success is that none of the show’s characters are very likable in the traditional sense. So why did Tiger King sweep the nation (and the world) with such success? Well, timing is everything in life. Part of it was the emergence of COVID-19. It’s wild to think about, but Tiger King probably ended up saving a few lives by keeping folks inside while the virus was taking hold. But no matter when this show was released, it’s fascinating web of deceit and crime would have captivated the masses. More than anything, it shows how multi-faceted and unique people can be, even when some of the things that make us unique aren’t, well, good. And human beings will always be fascinated by large animals. It was the perfect concoction of intrigue at a time when we were all stuck at home and while it glorifies terrible things in some ways, I couldn’t stop watching it. – RO
2) McMillions (HBO)
McMillions was perhaps the wildest ride in television in 2020, and that’s saying something when Joseph (Exotic) Allen Schreibvogel Maldonado was in the mix. If you’re completely unfamiliar, you are in for a treat. Remember the McDonalds Monopoly games? Weren’t they fun? Well, it was all rigged.
Yes, nearly every major prize that was featured in the game (including all the million dollar winning pieces) were sold off the books and a commission was collected on all those purchases. And that’s just the beginning of the mess. From the opening episode to the end of episode six, Special Agent Doug Matthews leads a peculiar but likable real-life cast of characters on a winding conspiracy that starts in Jacksonville, FL and travels all over the country. We won’t be spoiling too much in saying that Uncle Jerry was the kingpin of the operation and his army of lieutenants is a varying mix of criminals and good people who took the wrong path. There are so many people to root for in this series and that’s what makes it perhaps the most interesting piece of television of 2020. – RO
1) The Last Dance (Netflix)
There’s an endless list of reasons why The Last Dance is our favorite documentary series (and maybe overall television series) of 2020. It’s more than the legendary story of Michael Jordan. It’s a deep, intense history of NBA basketball, void of any other purpose. From a technical standpoint, it excels at everything a documentary should. The interviews are stellar, involving every key player, coach and personality, telling their individual stories to create a spectacular whole. The complicated, yet perfectly constructed progression, with two timelines simultaneously, one gradually catching up with the other, is as intelligent and intricate as documentaries get, serving as the foundation for an exciting ride. The never-before-seen video footage is thrilling, the iconic moments are seen like never before, and the soundtrack is a history of hip-hop in itself. It would have been easy to make a popular documentary about Michael Jordan. Instead, Jason Hehir carefully and diligently created the best, most thrilling documentary series of all time. –MM
