[imagesource: Apple TV+]

Ticking over into the start of July means that we’ve now crossed the halfway point of 2020.

I don’t think I’m alone in saying that it hasn’t been a stellar six months for the world in general, but we soldier on.

We’ve already covered 2020’s best video games so far, as well as the best books and top viral videos, so we’ll continue the trend with a look at some of the year’s standout documentaries.

Mashable has a list of 10, but we’ll stick with five, kicking things off with Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution:

Pack your bags for one of the most important documentaries you’ll see this year. Premiered at Sundance and co-produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, Crip Camp follows the story of Camp Jened, an inclusive summer camp for young people with disabilities in the ‘50s and ’60s, which left a lasting impact on the lives of those who attended — enough to lead many to steer the disability rights movement in the ‘70s.

You can watch this on Netflix:

Next up is Welcome to Chechnya:

Directed by Academy Award nominee David France, Welcome to Chechnya is a highly important documentary that follows a group of human rights activists helping people escape persecution from the Russian republic’s anti-LGBTQ genocide led by leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The film sheds light on this atrocity through footage smuggled out of the country by activists, alongside that taken by France’s team.

Like so many good doccies, it’s not an easy watch:

Third on the list is Miss Americana, which will please the Taylor Swift fans no end:

Whether you’re a fan of Taylor Swift or just curious about her meteoric rise to fame, Miss Americana is not trying to win any kind of argument — rather, it allows you a rare peek into the pop superstar’s life.

I ain’t no Swifty, but I don’t rule watching it out:

Check it out on Netflix.

Another doccie well worth a watch is McMillions:

If you ever participated in the McDonald’s Monopoly game, you need to see this documentary. A six-part docuseries directed by James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte, McMillions follows the true-crime tale of one of the biggest scams in recent history — a $24 million case of fraud that occurred between 1989 and 2001 — and it all came down to those little tear-off tickets on the front of McDonald’s packaging during the long-running Monopoly promotion.

Sometimes, the ingenuity of criminals astounds me:

Finally, there’s Beastie Boys Story:

Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz tell stories with a giddy teenage enthusiasm, involving “this guy” or “this club” and every single band and artists they’ve ever obsessed over (mainly RUN DMC). But, as with the book, the absence of Adam “MCA” Yauch is ever-present, honoured by his two friends and fellow Beasties with reverence, hilarity, and huge respect.

Trailer incoming:

Yeah, that looks like good fun.

We’re in for a miserable weekend weather-wise, so there should be plenty of time to tick a few things off your watchlist.

If you’re looking for other options, I would also consider Athlete A and On The Record.

[source:mashable]