Looking to soak up an unfamiliar true story, or go deep into the mind of a creative visionary? Don't miss this week's lineup of documentaries showing on the big screen in and around Boston.
From an intimate look at the life of fashion designer Alexander McQueen to a twisting tale of triplets separated at birth, here are the highest rated documentary films to catch, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via The Internet Movie Database.)
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McQueen
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.
With an impressive 100 percent critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, "McQueen" has garnered plenty of praise since its limited release on July 20. It's screening at Kendall Square Cinema (600 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge) through Thursday, Aug. 23. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
Fred Rogers used puppets and play to explore complex social issues: race, disability, equality and tragedy, helping form the American concept of childhood. He spoke directly to children and they responded enthusiastically. Yet today, his impact is unclear. Have we lived up to Fred's ideal of good neighbors?
In theaters since June 8, "Won't You Be My Neighbor" boasts a 99 percent positive critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that the film "takes a fittingly patient and honest look at the life and legacy of a television pioneer whose work has enriched generations."
It's also screening at Kendall Square Cinema (600 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge) through Thursday, Aug. 23. It's also screening at Studio Cinema - Belmont (376 Trapelo Rd., Belmont) and the Lexington Venue (1794 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington). Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Three Identical Strangers
New York, 1980: three complete strangers accidentally discover that they're identical triplets, separated at birth. The 19-year-olds' joyous reunion catapults them to international fame, but also unlocks an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes beyond their own lives - and could transform our understanding of human nature forever.
"Three Identical Strangers" has a 96 percent positive score on Rotten Tomatoes. The stranger-than-fiction tale is screening at Coolidge Corner Theatre (290 Harvard St., Brookline), Kendall Square Cinema (600 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge), Capitol Theatre (204 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington), and Patriot Cinemas - Hingham Shipyard (25 Shipyard Dr., Hingham). Click here for showtimes and tickets.
RBG
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg now 84, and still inspired by the lawyers who defended free speech during the Red Scare, Ginsburg refuses to relinquish her passionate duty, steadily fighting for equal rights for all citizens under the law. Through intimate interviews and unprecedented access to Ginsburg’s life outside the court, RBG tells the electric story of Ginsburg’s consuming love affairs with both the Constitution and her beloved husband Marty—and of a life’s work that led her to become an icon of justice in the highest court in the land.
You can catch the doc, which has a 94 percent critics score, playing at the Lexington Venue (1794 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington) through Thursday, Aug. 23. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
A deliciously scandalous portrait of unsung Hollywood legend Scotty Bowers, whose bestselling memoir chronicled his decades spent as sexual procurer to the stars.
In limited release since July 27, "Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood" currently holds an 89 percent positive critical score. You can catch it screening at Kendall Square Cinema (600 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge) through Monday Aug. 27. Get showtimes and tickets here.
