Trio of Netflix Docs

Circus Of Books is a documentary about the straight mild-mannered Jewish couple that owned and operated the LA gay porn store of the title for over thirty years. Directed by the couples daughter Rachel Mason extensive home videos, archive footage, and talking head interviews are used to tell the couples story and the history of the store and by extension porn in the latter half of the 20th century.

Filled with compelling eccentric characters, good natured comedy, and enough heart to give it meaning the movie begins as kind of laughably quirky and ends with some real pathos but doesn't quite stick the landing. It seems clear Mason wants her parents to draw some conclusion about their time operating their store other than "it was a business" but they either lack insight or are unwilling to be more reflective and explicit with how they view their lives at the time of their retirement. This isn't a fault necessarily but it is clear Mason searches for a concrete conclusion that doesn't quite materialize.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

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Cracked Up is a documentary about long standing SNL member and child abuse survivor Darrell Hammond. The movie follows Hammond as he goes on a book tour, develops his one man show, gives speeches at various recovery centers, and goes back to his childhood home to walk through is traumatic past.

Hammond's honesty is captivating and his past heartbreaking. What becomes clear is the tremendous amount of work he has done to come to grips with his past, the incredible pain he was/still is in, but also the tremendous amount of work yet still to do. What the intent is is not entirely clear beyond sharing Hammond's, unarguably important story, but it becomes apparent that the movie is, essentially, therapy. And as such it is interesting but it's also odd. Towards the end of the movie Hammond proclaims "I won" but it is painfully clear his journey to peace is just beginning.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

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Have A Good Trip is a documentary about psychedelic drugs featuring a long list of celebrities, mostly comedians. Through talking head interviews, animated sequences, reenactments, and parody viennets the movie explores the positive and negative effects of psychedelics, the cultural perception and prejudice, as well as various trip anecdotes.

A fun and surprisingly comprehensive look at the subject featuring some wonderful interviews, some from celebrities that have recently passed, that provide a refreshingly measured and unbiased look at a group of drugs that is typically maligned.

Perhaps not for those who have never experimented with drugs or were ever interested in Timothy Leary, Doors Of Perception, or Carlos Castaneda but still an intriguing, odd, and unique documentary clearly lovingly pieced together over a long period.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

Rent It.