List of documentaries that I believe are highly relevant to understand in particular U.S. foreign policy and the impact it has on the citizens of the United States and the world around us.

The Century of the Self
"This series is about how those in power have used Freud's theories to try and control the dangerous crowd in an age of mass democracy." -- Adam Curtis
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 [video.google.com]
[runtime: 04:00:00, director: Adam Curtis, released: 2002]

The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom
"The Trap is a series of three films by Bafta-winning producer Adam Curtis that explains the origins of our contemporary, narrow idea of freedom. It shows how a simplistic model of human beings as self-seeking, almost robotic, creatures led to today's idea of freedom. This model was derived from ideas and techniques developed by nuclear strategists during the Cold War to control the behaviour of the Soviet enemy." -- BBC
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 [video.google.com]
[runtime: 03:00:00, director: Adam Curtis, released: 2007]

The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear
"In a new series, the Power of Nightmares explores how the idea that we are threatened by a hidden and organised terrorist network is an illusion. It is a myth that has spread unquestioned through politics, the security services and the international media." -- BBC
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 [video.google.com]
[runtime: 03:00:00, director: Adam Curtis, released: 2004]

The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara
"Documentary about Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense in the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, who subsequently became president of the World Bank. The documentary will combine an interview with Mr. McNamara discussing some of the tragedies and glories of the 20th Century, archival footage, documents, and an original score by Philip Glass." -- Paul Klenk
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:35:00, director: Errol Morris, released: 2003]

Why We Fight
"The film describes the rise and maintenance of the United States military-industrial complex while concentrating on wars led by the United States of the last fifty years and in particular on the 2003 Invasion of Iraq." -- Wikipedia
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 [youtube.com]
[runtime: 01:38:00, director: Eugene Jarecki, released: 2005]

Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire
"Hijacking Catastrophe is powerful, understated, straightforward and educational. In a single meticulously organized hour of evidence and analysis, viewers are treated to a thoughtful explanation of modern American empire, neo-conservatism as a driving force for the current Bush administration." -- Information Clearing House
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:08:00, director: Jeremy Earp, Sut Jhally, released: 2004]

The Secret Government: The Constitution in Crisis
"In the 22-minutes of the PBS documentary available for free viewing below, host Bill Moyers exposes the inner workings of the secret government. Though originally broadcast in 1987, it is even more relevant today. Interviews with respected, top military, intelligence, and government insiders reveal both the history and secret objectives of powerful groups in the hidden shadows of our government." -- WantToKnow.info
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:30:00, director: Bill Moyers, released: 1987]

Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times
"The film chronicles the latest in the thinking and activism of the noted linguist Noam Chomsky, who since the Vietnam War era has been a vocal and consistent critic of the way the United States exercises state power in the world arena." -- video description
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:10:00, director: John Junkerman, released: 2002]

Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism
"The film examines the global growth of Murdoch's media enterprise and how having one person in control of a large media conglomerate might negatively impact society, specifically freedom of the press." -- Wikipedia
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:18:00, director: Robert Greenwald, released: 2004]

Bill Moyers' Journal: Buying the War
"Buying the War is a 90-minute documentary that explores the role of the press in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq. How did the mainstream press get it so wrong? How did the evidence disputing the existence of weapons of mass destruction and the link between Saddam Hussein to 9-11 continue to go largely unreported? "What the conservative media did was easy to fathom; they had been cheerleaders for the White House from the beginning and were simply continuing to rally the public behind the President — no questions asked." -- PBS
[runtime: 01:36:00, director: Mark Ganguzza, Kathleen Hughes, released: 2007]

Mission Accomplished: Langan in Iraq
"Seven months after the end of the war, Sean Langan (Behind the Lines, Travels of a Gringo), armed with just a camera, takes a brave and eventful trip through Iraq, seeking to shed light on what life is like in this newly occupied territory." -- BBC
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:30:00, director: Sean Langan, released: 2007]

The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends
"This film overrides familiar images of heroic soldiers in battle, and overjoyed returning faces, reunited with their families with one effortless stroke. Instead, we see a scenario that can include illness, amputation and injury, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), of which Iraq has become a fertile breeding ground. While America's poor treatment of veterans is not news to most, The Ground Truth makes it so personal and real, it is impossible to dismiss its characters simply as war statistics." -- Film overview
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:12:00, director: Patricia Foulkrod, released: 2006]

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media
"The film presents and illustrates Chomsky's and Herman's propaganda model, the thesis that corporate media, as profit-driven institutions, tend to serve and further the agendas of the interests of dominant, elite groups in the society. A centerpiece of the film is a long examination into the history of The New York Times's coverage of Indonesia's invasion and occupation of East Timor, which Chomsky claims exemplifies the media's unwillingness to criticize an ally." -- Wikipedia
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 02:47:00, director: Mark Achbar, Peter Wintonick, released: 1992]

Thanks already for 'The Fog of War'; been wanting to see that for quite some time. And really excellent it is, too.

Here's my short list:

America: Freedom to Fascism - http://video.google.com/googleplayer...30277175242198

AFTF's main focus comes in a statement with six very simple words: SHUT DOWN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM!!

Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties - http://video.google.com/googleplayer...19703637733227

Unconstitutional provides the facts and stories that illuminate administration lies, wrongheaded policies, and the real victims of these actions--the American people.

9/11 Press For Truth - http://video.google.com/googleplayer...99104255077250

An excellent documentary about the families of the victims of 9/11 and their fight to uncover and expose the truth about what happened that day.

Hacking Democracy (HBO Special) - http://video.google.com/googleplayer...86376074634512

Electronic voting machines count about 87% of the votes cast in America today. But are they reliable? Are they safe from tampering? From a current congressional hearing to persistent media reports that suggest misuse of data and even outright fraud, concerns over the integrity of electronic voting are growing by the day. And if the voting process is not secure, neither is America's democracy. The timely, cautionary documentary HACKING DEMOCRACY exposes gaping holes in the security of America's electronic voting system.

Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers - http://video.google.com/googleplayer...17733846316477

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers is the story of what happens to everyday Americans when corporations go to war. Iraq for Sale uncovers the connections between private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the decision makers who allow them to do so.

This is all a bit much to watch in a row.. It is a lot to absorb. What should we believe? I think some really require more research, rather then just believing it. There are many aspects about this world, and none of these movies will portray the grand picture.
Also, a movie like World Trade Center (WTC) (9/11) - 9/11 Mysteries is very convincing, but perhaps really requires more research.(Like did they modify the videos) Do not rely on movies to educate yourself about the world. That would make you very sensitive to manipulation. (In fact, websites do to, find concrete stuff.)
Also, after having seen some of that stuff, relax a bit with something slightly less serious and more optimistic. TED | Talks | Tierney Thys: Swim with giant sunfish in the open ocean (video)
I know it is a little corporate, but TED has some pretty cool presentations.

Skepticism and rationality are I believe two of the most important traits a person can possess. However, documentaries can most certainly assist you in gathering information and forming opinion. I don't trust every documentary that's out there, which is one of the reasons I refuse to watch "Loose Change".

Let me elaborate.

I personally dislike extensive reading, it's not that I mind fact checking. If I had the time and motivation I'd do it for each and every one of these documentaries, but actual fact checking is an extremely difficult process. I'm going out on a limb here but assume it's also one of the pillars of good journalism.

I firmly believe that the documentaries I listed have done their fact checking, but I can't make any guarantees.[1] Adam Curtis and Bill Moyers in particular aren't just your average Joe from the corner store, from what I can tell they've earned their credentials. Just take a look at their Wikipedia pages,[2] you'll see that Bill Moyers for example received a Lifetime Emmy award in 2006.

[1] I must admit that in light of the whole situation with Jesse Macbeth we have to be careful about interviews with soldiers such as those presented in "The Ground Truth". Though I did do a quick Google before listing it and nothing was presented to argue that any of the persons interviewed weren't who they were claiming to be.

[2] I know Wikipedia isn't a credible source, but it's usually the best place to start your research from since it bundles information together. Be my guest to fact check any it.

I would also recommend "Iraq: The Hidden Story" [Google Video]. It centers on the effects of the Iraq War on media, etc. It's pretty good and not too long.

@Bruce: I did not say that the movies were of no value, they are. So far, i have watched the first two links, and i must say, i am not entirely convinced. It is at best part of the story. The story is perhaps overly US-centric. (hopefully because such things do not happen in Europe ) Also, I heard Freud's theories are quite heavily criticized these days.(one of the comments of the first vid has link) That does not mean they did not use it, because what psychoanalysis says might still work, but not always. And perhaps it was only a vessel to make people think they could manipulate that way, and it turned out they could. It is pretty much a fact that the US has replaced democracies with dictatorships for their corporate benefit, though.
I wonder whether about Guatemala the whole US was really mis-informed, or more like Iraq, where many people just knew it was BS, but they got to go ahead anyway. (Hmm, i do not really remember my opinion of back then. Know i thought it all rather dubious.)
(not watched hackle577's movie at this point)

It's been a while since I've seen some of the documentaries mentioned, but I believe this is handled. I haven't memorized every aspect of them (just the gist) so I'd have to watch them again.

I think you're referring to Nicaragua, not that the U.S. hasn't been to Guatemala they actually have on three occasions, the last one being in 1966-67. But Nicaragua is what the whole Iran-Contra affair is about, most of which was well before my time. The documentary mentioned above is actually my first encounter with the affair, I'd need more information to adequately respond to your questions.

The big difference between Iraq and the Iran-Contra affair seems to be that in the case of Iraq the public was mislead and propelled into supporting an actual but undeclared war, in the case of Iran-Contra most of the stuff was covert and involved financing and supporting so called "freedom fighters" of which the public was not aware.

Don't take my word for it though, I know nothing ;)

I would also like to add some suggested reading.

Greg Palast is fantastic and I recently read his book "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy". Very good. I plan to read his recent book also.

Check out Black Box Voting - Welcome to www.BlackBoxVoting.org, Citizen center for elections oversight this is part of the HBO special Hacking Democracy.

Wish this thread was a sticky
Great resource.

Just started researching Noam Chomsky and came across the following documentaries which will give you some insight into his views, I believe they're extremely relevant to the topic at hand. I added one of them to the list above.

Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times
"The film chronicles the latest in the thinking and activism of the noted linguist Noam Chomsky, who since the Vietnam War era has been a vocal and consistent critic of the way the United States exercises state power in the world arena." -- video description
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:10:00, director: John Junkerman, released: 2002]

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media
"The film presents and illustrates Chomsky's and Herman's propaganda model, the thesis that corporate media, as profit-driven institutions, tend to serve and further the agendas of the interests of dominant, elite groups in the society. A centerpiece of the film is a long examination into the history of The New York Times's coverage of Indonesia's invasion and occupation of East Timor, which Chomsky claims exemplifies the media's unwillingness to criticize an ally." -- Wikipedia
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 02:47:00, director: Mark Achbar, Peter Wintonick, released: 1992]

Noam Chomsky: Rebel Without A Pause
"In a post 9-11 world, Noam Chomsky speaks openly about the U.S. war on terrorism, media manipulation, and social activism to intimate seminar groups and crowded venues. Chomsky analyzes the roots of anti-American sentiment, defines terrorism in the new millennium, and examines the after-effects of 9-11 in honest and forthright terms, providing a critical voice that many audiences feel is missing in the world today." -- Docurama
The documentary [video.google.com]
[runtime: 01:14:00, director: Will Pascoe, released: 2003]

Another documentary by Bill Moyers I came across was "Bill Moyers' Journal: Buying the War". I also added this one to the list above.

Bill Moyers' Journal: Buying the War
"Buying the War is a 90-minute documentary that explores the role of the press in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq. How did the mainstream press get it so wrong? How did the evidence disputing the existence of weapons of mass destruction and the link between Saddam Hussein to 9-11 continue to go largely unreported? "What the conservative media did was easy to fathom; they had been cheerleaders for the White House from the beginning and were simply continuing to rally the public behind the President — no questions asked." -- PBS
[runtime: 01:36:00, director: Mark Ganguzza, Kathleen Hughes, released: 2007]

If you're into Chomsky, these might be of interest:

chomsky.info : The Noam Chomsky Website

ZNet's Chomsky Archive

Watch this one first

moneymasters - Google Video

I watched the 'The Century of the Self'-series of OP, and i noticed that it all relates to one of the pitfalls of capitalism that i wrote down.
"2) It is based on people working. What if there are simply too few jobs? Deluding people into wanting things is one method, but it sucks."
"3) About that, deluding people is a strategy of people participating in free market. More generally, the free market system at itself has no mechanism for ethical behavior."
I think that before i watched this, i greatly underestimated the power deluding really had. This is not a thread to talk about it, maybe i should make a thread. (I am already busy with one, though.)