Documentaries For Watching With Your Family

Directors of this brilliant selection of documented dances use their cameras to capture the fluidity of movement within the dancers' bodies, thereby drawing you into the dynamics and emotion of the choreography. The series of two breathtaking films is pure pleasure for anyone who loves dance, and essential primers for anyone who wants to know more about it. The film is like having a dance recital in your home.

First Saturday in May takes you to the Kentucky Derby, arguably the world's most prestige and high calibre horse race. The film follow six dedicated horse trainers as they put their phenomenally spirited, strong and beautiful thoroughbred horses--including the fabulous and tragic Barbaro--through the paces leading up to their running in the great race that takes place on the first Saturday of May.

Actress/model Mimi Weddell, whom you've seen as an upper crusty lady in Louis Vuiton ads, TV sitcoms and horror flicks, is a free spirit who's still going strong at age 93. Usually wearing on of her charming hats, Mimi brings an air of elegance to her life and her work. She tap dances, does somersaults, totes props almost equal her weight--and is a genuine inspiration. Everyone in your clan will love Mimi and this film.

In the Shadow of the Moon is a terrific tribute to NASA and the heroes who manned the agency's moon missions from 1968 to 1972. Ten astronauts share their firsthand impressions and experiences. Their often surprising comments are nothing less than awesome. So is the footage of the Apollo missions, and newsreel footage used to set the historical timeframe. A true celebration of American ingenuity.

The dazzling Mitzi Gaynor is a sure-fire entertainer, and this documentary presents the best song and dance numbers from the spectacular TV specials she created during the 1970s. The numbers are still hot, still look fresh and smart. Mitzi's talent, charm and charisma shine on the screen. Her extravagantly glamorous sequined and spangled costumes befit holiday season celebrations.

Planet B-Boy is a street-wise music and dance documentary that follows groups of amazingly athletic breakdancing teenagers as they invent and practice their unique routines, and compete in the international arena to be named the world's best B-Boys. Breakdancing is a dance form that originated New York and has swept the globe, and B-Boying has become an underground culture, a way of life, a means of self-expression that centers around perfecting personal dance style and moves, and in-synch team choreography. Wonderful entertainment.

Quantum Hoops is great for sports lovers, this documentary tells the story of California Institute of Technology's determined basket ball team. Caltech is ranked among the world's five top academic institutions, and its faculty and alumni hold an astonishing number of Nobel Prizes. So, it's no surprise that school emphasizes academics--not athletics. In fact, Caltech offers no athletic scholarships and its enormously popular basketball team ranks lowest in its league. But the team's quirky story is the vastly entertaining subject of this documentary that's as smart as it's players.

Steep is part sports extravaganza, part travelogue. The film takes you to remote wilderness areas in Alaska, British Columbia, Iceland and France, while you follow the adventure seeking, risk taking men who’ve pioneered the thrilling sports of heliskiing and ski mountaineering. Watching talented athletes push past their limits is absolutely breathtaking--but don't try this at home.

Meet the Young@Heart Chorus, a singing group that's comprised of 80- and 90-year-olds who love to entertain, and have the pipes to do it very well. They may be senior citizens, but their zest for life, commitment to the chorus and their determination to learn new songs and put on a great show makes them both remarkable and ageless--and truly inspiring. You'll want to sing along with their renditions of the pop classics and punk rock.

This wonderful animal documentary follows flocks of birds as they celebrate seasonal changes by flying thousands of miles to nest in accommodating environments. The birds are gorgeous and fascinating, and the film's beautiful cinematography is lyrical, captivating and calming.