So you didn’t see that well-reviewed green film in the theaters because you didn’t want to fork over $12 for a ticket — and didn’t rent it either because you decided to spend the $4 on snacks and watch TV instead. Well, thanks to Hulu still being free and Netflix’s “Play on computer” options, you can watch the great green documentaries you missed RIGHT NOW — without spending a cent (assuming you’re a Netflix member)!
I know, I know — A lot of eco-docus can be depressing. That’s why I’ve picked out the 3 funniest, most entertaining ones for you! These are films that’ll make you laugh while learning — and maybe even get you motivated to take some eco-action after watching the movie too. So block out an evening this week for a funny green triple-header:
The Yes Men on Hulu. Watch the original The Yes Men film, which follows two socially-progressive pranksters that impersonate high level business executives and government officials — and usually get away with it! — to make serious yet hilarious points. Click through for everything from business suits with inflatable phalluses to a scheme for feeding poop to the hungry!
No, this isn’t the Yes Men film you’ve been hearing a lot about lately. That’s The Yes Men Fix the World and is still in theaters though no longer in L.A. — which means you can’t see it free on Hulu yet. But watching this free original will make you want to save your money to see this new film — or wait with bated breath until it shows up for free viewing on Hulu or Netflix.
King Corn on Netflix. This boys-meet-corn documentary begins cornily — when two best friends “decide to move to Iowa to grow an acre of corn – after finding out (through laboratory hair analysis) that their bodies were made primarily out of….corn,” as Sustainable Table describes it.
From that funny beginning, King Corn goes on to show just how much corn Americans are eating — and how that corniness is affecting our agriculture, our tax dollars, our health, and our environment. The two friends perform a lot of funny antics — including making and tasting their own corn syrup! Don’t try this at home –
Super Size Me on Hulu. An oldie but a goodie, Super Size Me follows Morgan Spurlock on his self-enforced McDonald’s-food-only diet — a diet that makes him pack on the pounds, develop a sugar addiction of sorts, and get pretty depressed to boot.
The film ties in nicely with King Corn — which shows exactly why super sized fast food meals are so cheap and ubiquitous! Morgan’s also made a more recent entertaining documentary — Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? — though that one isn’t on Hulu. Yet.
Already watched all 3 films? Hulu and Netflix do have a few other free films you can watch instantly, but I must warn you that they’re not going to be as funny. Still, all are informative!
>> The Future of Food is “an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade.” On Hulu.
>> A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash examines “the world’s dependency on oil and the impending chaos that’s sure to follow when the resource is dry.” On Netflix.
>> Blue Gold “posits that we’re moving closer to a world in which water — a seemingly plentiful natural resource — could actually incite war.” On Netflix.



Don’t forget the library! I’ve checked out a few of those from my local library for free (as long as they are returned on time).
Comment by M — November 17, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
Very true about the free part but the library’s collection is not instantly online! :)
Comment by Siel — November 17, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
Awesome resources, thanks for putting this together. I still need to watch King Corn. Stumbled!
If anyone’s interested in watching something very sad but very important, Earthlings is also online to watch for free at http://www.earthlings.com
Comment by Foodeater — November 17, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Thanks for the find! I will certainly watch some of the ones I have not already seen in my free time.
Comment by Ben — November 17, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
Glad you found the links helpful! Foodeater — Thanks for the heads up :) I’ll watch Earthlings later when I feel like I can handle it emotionally :)
Comment by Siel — November 24, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
Thank you for this amazing informations. I must watch all !
Xantos´s last blog ..N is a Number- A Portrait of Paul Erdös
Comment by Xantos — October 17, 2010 @ 3:45 am