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If you love documentaries for their entertainment and informative value, then checkout our documentary movie reviews below for recommendations.  If you'd like to recommend a documentary for this forum, please send us an email with your commentary!

Filmmaker Errol Morris produced this documentary in 1996 which paints a fascinating portrait of four obsessed eccentrics who share their very ununusal vocations (lion tamer, entemologist, robotics engineer, and topiary gardner), how they landed in their careers, their unswerving passion for their work, and their ties to purpose.  Painted on a backdrop of circus life (like life), one initially thinks "awkward.  random." but by the end realizes the connection.  Quirky, very artistic filmmaking, and entertaining.  .........3 stars   out of five.

www.sonypictures.com/classics/fastcheap/ 

If you've ever wondered about what's in the foods we eat today that we buy off the grocery store shelves, then checkout this very informative look at how genetically-modified plants are changing the way we feed the world's population.  This film raises questions about the potential consequences that go unanswered about the long-term effects of ingesting GM foods, what could the future hold for GM foods, what have other nations decided about GM foods, and more.........4 stars out of five for information, but would have liked the GM manufacturers-side to have been included in the piece.

www.thefutureoffood.com

This PBS documentary looks at 5 unique children and the unusual learning obstacles that hinder their progress.  One story took years before it was discovered the child could not read (he had actually used memorization as a coping mechanism to avoid the shame of not being able to read).  Their stories follow the family burdens, fears, and hope in discovering solutions to their child's learning difficulties......... 2.5 stars out of five.

 www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds

A very poignient look at the changing landscape of the family farm through the eyes of one farmer (near the Illinois/Wisconsin border) whose farm has survived tremendous hardships and obstacles.  Today, his family farm is succeeding through a cool farming model known as community-shared agriculture, but his is quite a story on how he became connected to families who had a passionate desire to find a local source for organic vegetables in the Chicago area - it's quite an emotional journey for farmer John!

5 stars out of 5 for the authenticity, political balance, and amazing storyline! 

www.pbs.org/independentlens/realdirt/

A not-so-pretty look at corporate farming taken to a grand scale!  Filmed in Germany, there is no dialogue in this documentary....just simply cameras out in the open filming what is involved in the mass-approach to 'economies-of-scale' farming in the 21st century.  I would not recommend viewing this with the children or during a meal as there are some graphic realities shown.  It certainly stimulates thought, however..........If you've ever wondered about how we can feed so many at reasonable prices, then watch this eye-opener!        

3.0 stars out of 5 for the creative filming and approach to the topic.....

icarusfilms.com/new2006/odb.html