Three Documentary Recommendations

I spent a lot of time in the air over oceans recently, which means I had time to catch up on movie watching. "Monuments Men" is definitely worth seeing. But here are three documentaries you might not have heard about that you should also consider:  

Tim's Vermeer

Tim Jenison, an inventor, attempts to solve oneof the greatest mysteries in all art: How did seventeenth-century Dutch MasterJohannes Vermeer ("Girl with a Pearl Earring") paint so photo-realistically—150years before the invention of photography? He embarks on a research project in total-tech-geek fashion to test his theory, and he makes an extraordinary discovery. Spanning eightyears, Jenison's adventure takes him to Delft, Holland, where Vermeer paintedhis masterpieces, on a pilgrimage to the North coast of Yorkshire to meetartist David Hockney, and even to Buckingham Palace to see a Vermeermasterpiece in the collection of the Queen. While he seems to have missed thewhole point about art and beauty, he does have a fascinating theory. I'm a believer. 

Whoopi GoldbergPresents Moms Mabley

In this 2014 HBO documentary, Goldberg takes a look at thework and influence of the comedy pioneer with the floppy hat and toothless grinwho tells it like it is. Moms Mabley rose to fame in the early decades of the 20th centuryon the chitlins circuit—comprised of stages that employed black entertainersduring segregation. Her career went on to span five decades, during which timeshe pushed back against racial and gender barriers. Goldberg traces the comic’slife and features or talks with performers who were influenced by Mabley, including Sammy Davis Jr, BillCosby, Eddie Murphy, Joan Rivers, Sidney Poitier, and Harry Belafonte.

Six by Sondheim

NBR gave high marks to “Six by Sondheim,” an HBO documentarythat pays tribute to the Broadway composer and lyricist. The film includesperformances of six of Sondheim's signature songs:

"Something's Coming"(West Side Story)

"Opening Doors" (MerrilyWe Roll Along)

"Send in the Clowns" (ALittle Night Music)

"I'm Still Here"(Follies)

"Being Alive"(Company) 

"Sunday" (Sunday in thePark With George)

This film pays attention to “craft” in a rewarding way—especiallysatisfying for creative types.