Free Solo
This film about Alex Honnold’s bid to be the first person to free solo climb El Capitan’s 900 meter vertical rock face — that’s alone and without a rope — does its breathtaking subject matter total justice. But as well as following all the gripping setbacks and triumphs in Alex’s bid to fulfill his lifelong ambition to complete the death-defying Yosemite climb, the film also deftly captures Alex’s perhaps even bigger test — to adapt to scaling the challenges of everyday domestic life.
Watch now on Hulu
Senna
You do not have to be a fan of motor racing to be moved by this stirring film about the life of Ayrton Senna. Formula One fans will devour the exhilarating footage as Senna reaches the peak of his sport in the 80s and 90s. But his passion for his work and homeland of Brazil, rivalry with Alain Prost and tragic death in the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 will rouse emotions that transcend the sport.
Watch now on Starz
Man on Wire
Man on Wire masterfully combines real and reconstructed footage to tell the story of French daredevil Philippe Petit as a white-knuckle thriller. His bid to walk on a wire suspended between the Twin Towers was reckless, stupid and utterly brilliant. A wonderful reminder that crazy dreams can come true if you are crazy enough to try.
Watch now on Amazon
When We Were Kings
A portrait of perhaps the most inspirational sportsman in history. Based around the 1974 ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ between Ali and George Foreman in Zaire, the film’s revealing footage shone new light on one of the most famous sporting events of the century. An Oscar winner in 1998, the film represents an iconic moment for Ali, sport, African-American culture and cinema. And it is just as vital today.
Watch now on HBO
Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
The series’ ambitious title might not quite be fulfilled, but this is still the closest we will come to understanding one of America’s most successful businessmen in history. The series is slick and watchable but has its flaws, primarily it not delving deeper to investigate if Bill has any himself (apart from an obvious penchant for Diet Coke). But the Microsoft chief’s insatiable appetite to keep learning and his dedication to using his money and expertise to better the lives of people who are otherwise overlooked is an inspiration to us all.
Watch now on Netflix
