There is something to be said for a film made for more than pure entertainment. I’ve always loved non-fiction, and therefore, I’ve long been a shamelessly flamboyant fan of the documentary. Since I find that a lot of people get lost in the whirlwind of Hollywood mainstream film, I’ve put together this list of documentaries you MUST check out.

DiG!

DiG! Captures 7 years, via intimate footage, of the bands The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. It details their trials and triumphs and struggles and successes. More importantly, it provides for a real, first hand look of how difficult being in a band can actually be.

SPELLBOUND

Following eight teens who are on a mission to win a spelling bee, this movie introduces the viewers to the kids’ parents, their practice routines, and the generally weird world of competition spelling.

SHOT IN THE DARK

You may be a fan of Adrian Grenier, or you may not. Regardless, his documentary is amazing. It is about his quest to find his father, who he grew up without. It’s emotional and simultaneously intelligent.

JESUS CAMP

Even if you ARE religious and a firm believer in Christianity, particularly Pentecostal beliefs, you should still see this movie. It documents children who are away at ‘Jesus’ Camp. It’s intense, informative, and a total must see. Read More »

I “spring clean” at least once every season. Nothing thrills me more these days than getting rid of crap I don’t use. It’s refreshing, it’s helpful, and it’s totally impossible without a good playlist to get you up and motivated enough to start, continue, and FINISH the job.

I’ve got a pretty sweet playlist on my Itunes for these special cleaning days and I would highly recommend that you investigate getting some of these songs for your busy bee days, too.

“Blanket” by: Autolux –it’s: Indie/Rock

“Grow up & blow away” by: Metric –it’s: Rock

“Non Photo-Blue” by: Pinback –it’s: Indie/Alternative

“A perfect day Elise” by: PJ Harvey –it’s: Indie/Alternative

“3’s & 7’s” by: QOTSA –it’s: Rock/Alternative

“Straight Lines” by: Silverchair –it’s: Rock/Alternative

“Jumpers” by: Sleater-Kinney –it’s: Pop Punk/Garage

“Bohemian Like You” by: The Dandy Warhols –it’s: Indie/Rock

“Love is Paranoid” by: The Distillers –it’s: Punk/Grunge

“Sideways in Reverse” by: Mark Lanegan –it’s: Rock

Throw on some of these songs and then try to tell me you weren’t motivated to clean!

Now that the weather is finally starting to stay warm, it’s time for me to switch up the tunes. Goodbye sad, somber, and as my best friend calls “suicide music;” Hello happy, sassy beats.

So without further a do, these are the songs that pretty much define summer for me…

Where the Streets Have No Name, U2

This song screams driving with the windows down on a sunny day. No matter how much Bono has changed and grown up, he will always be that young Dublin lad singing his heart out on a rooftop.

What I Got, Sublime

This song has been played at every single party, barbeque, outdoor event I’ve ever been to. It pretty much defines summer for me. And I still love when Bradley Nowell plays the gui-tar like a motherfucking riot. Read More »