#docu-series

[rickchung]

Paul T. Goldman (prod. Jason Woliner).

Peacock’s very strange six-episode docu-comedy series hybrid blends true crime narrative adaptations with documentary and reality television filmmaking conventions for an uneasy but highly original take on a surreal life. 

What we’re watching is ostensibly the filming of the eponymous main character’s own life story starring the man himself while breaking the fourth wall with actors commenting on the project they are making with the actual producers and director commenting as themselves. It’s a strange meta-narrative that presents clear moral quandaries.

#paul t goldman #paul t. goldman #peacock #jason woliner #paul finkelstein #tv #television #reviews #features #tv review #docucomedy #docu-comedy #docu comedy #true crime #docu-series #docuseries #docu series #reality television #reality tv #seth rogen #tv show #tv series #show #series #miniseries #mini-series #mini series #melinda mcgraw #point grey pictures #streaming

[dovebuffy92]

The Staircase miniseries, created by Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohn, is a mesmerizing crime drama based on the true-crime docu-series of the same name directed by French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (performed in the series by Vincent Vermignon).

On December 9th, 2001, Kathleen Peterson (Toni Colette) was found dead at the bottom of her home’s main staircase in Durham, NC. The police, prosecutors, and some of Kathleen’s family believe her husband, charismatic crime novelist Michael Peterson (Colin Firth), bludgeoned her to death. Most of Michael’s family band together to support him. A French filmmaking team documents Michael’s journey through the United States Justice System. Will the filmmakers get too sucked into the novelist’s orbit to produce an unbiased docu-series?

The crime drama creators bring Kathleen to the center of her murder through flashbacks. Firth exhibits his true mastery as an actor while inhabiting Michael Peterson while The Staircase grapples with the complexities of a blended American family and the justice system. The miniseries is worth a watch for true crime enthusiasts even if they haven’t seen a single episode of the docu-series.

Humanizing the Kathleen Peterson

The Staircase’s creative team humanizes Kathleen by revealing her personality through flashbacks. Multiple sequences make clear that Kathleen loves her three daughters, Caitlin Atwar (Olivia DeJonge), Margaret Ratliff (Sophie Turner), and Martha Ratliff (Odessa Young). She is truly dedicated to both her biological and adopted daughters. Michael and Kathleen’s marriage contains cracks, but they still have fun together. The miniseries show Kathleen’s stressful though accomplished work life. The executive works hard to balance her domestic duties and high-level job, which leaves her utterly exhausted.

Kathleen’s actions prove her to be a profoundly empathic and generous spirit. The immediate aftermath of her death reveals how she was greatly loved by everybody, from her stepson Todd Peterson (Patrick Schwarzenegger) to her sister Candance Hunt Zamperini (Rosemarie DeWitt). Even those family members and friends who side with Michael mourn Kathleen’s death. There are times when Michael appears to be devasted by her passing.

Nobody can pretend that a beloved human being didn’t die. Crime dramas based on real murders should honor the victims, which The Staircase does successfully. The casting of Toni Collette as Kathleen guaranteed an award-winning performance.

Colin Firth Inhabiting Michael Peterson

All the actors in The Staircase bring their characters to life in a truly emotionally powerful way, but Firth steals every scene. The famous British actor has one of the trickiest roles because most of the audience has witnessed ten docu-series episodes centered around the charming Michael, who has a distinctive voice. Firth invokes Michael’s unique accent without sounding like a caricature of the novelist. The actor naturally utilizes some of Michael’s gestures without seeming forced. Firth’s genuine charisma enables him to inhabit Michael’s public charming persona.

But Firth can also capture Michael when his mask drops. He can quickly switch from a sweet family man to a controlling father. He also brings a sense of vulnerability to the role. Michael can’t neatly fit into this miniseries’s protagonist or antagonist box. The novelist is somewhere in the middle, neither the hero nor the story’s villain.

The Blended Family

The Peterson-Ratliff-Atwater clan seems like the perfect modern American family in many ways. These two parents have successfully blended their children to form a new family. “911?” contains a sequence showing the family having dinner together. Michael notes that while their family is not perfect, they “always stick together.” There is a sense that it’s the Peterson-Ratliff-Atwater clan against the world. Nobody shares internal conflicts outside the immediate family.

There are all supremely close to one another and have even established traditions. Kathleen and Michael share sage advice with their adult children, who celebrate their whole family. Several family members toast Martha, starting her first year at college. All three daughters are established to be very close. After Kathleen dies, Margaret, Caitlin, and Martha sleep in the same bed. Biological siblings Todd and Clayton Peterson (Dane DeHaan) stay strong for their little sisters.

Though quickly, the series shows fractures in their happy family facade. Flashbacks reveal that Kathleen and Clayton don’t enjoy each other’s company because of the young man’s past legal problems. Caitlin struggles to deal with the holes in her stepfather’s story about how Kathleen died. Michael adopted Margaret and Martha when they were toddlers, so they feel a sense of loyalty to him that gets in the way of their bond with the suspicious Caitlin.

Kathleen and Michael’s relationship appears toxic because of his secrets and her essentially financially supporting the whole family by herself. Michael’s irrational temper dampens his ability to form close bonds with all his children. Once the miniseries digs below the surface level, it’s clear that Michael Peterson’s secretive cruel behavior poisoned this blended family.

Troubling Justice System

The Staircase miniseries doesn’t paint the representatives of the justice system as angels either. Prosecutors Freda Black (Parker Poser) and David Rudolf (Michael Stuhlbarg) hate Michael even before he murders his wife. Flashforwards in the miniseries imply that some of their expert witnesses didn’t do everything by the book. David and Freda rely on faulty evidence to make their case, not digging too deeply because they decided he was guilty before any investigation. The prosecutors use horrific imagery to manipulate Kathleen’s biological family to turn on Michael before having all the facts. Neither Michael nor the prosecutors are depicted as the “white hats” of the story.

Last Thoughts on The Staircase Miniseries

This review is based on the first five episodes of The Staircase miniseries. True crime fans will love this engaging limited series that explores all aspects of the docu-series, including turning the camera on the French documentary team.

On May 5th, watch the first, second, and third episodes of The Staircase on HBO MAX. If you have not seen the docu-series with the same title, perhaps check out all ten episodes on Netflix before the fictionalized story airs! Those who enjoy mystery may want to consider waiting to watch the docu-series until later. 

#the staircase #the staircase hbo max #the staircase netflix #docu-series #true crime #crime drama #tv review #toni collette #colin firth #michael peterson #Kathleen Peterson #netflix #hbo max #fanbolt

[onhbomax]

The Vow Part II - Trailer

The truth will find you.The HBO Original documentary series returns to continue the revealing story behind NXIVM. Set against the federal trial of The United States versus the organization’s leader, Keith Raniere, The Vow Part II follows the legal and emotional journeys of the group’s founders, supporters and defectors as new evidence and shocking truths come to light.

#The Vow Part II #The Vow #NXIVM #docu-series #hbo max #hbo #trailers #cults #Keith Raniere

[emmaysusmuvis]

******** (season 2, yay! I can't with these people, they're amazing. And it's edited with so much respect, kindness, and humor. Can't recommend it enough)

#docu-series

[theworkprint]

HBO's 'Telemarketers' and the Dirtbag Folk Heroes We Need

HBO's earnest yet chaotic documentary about telemarketing scams and official complicity doesn't break any new journalistic ground, but tells a hell of a story through an unlikely lens.

“What the heck am I watching?” That was the first thing that came to mind when the first episode of the three-part HBO docu-series Telemarketers started playing. It was late, and I was looking for something mindless to kill an hour before bed. The description said it was about “two unlikely office buddies, who stumble upon the truth behind the work they’ve been doing at a seedy call center,” so I…

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#adam bhala lough #docu-series #documentary #HBO #hbo max #Max #pat pespas #sam lipman-stern #telemarketers #TV #TV review #TV reviews

[horrorpatch]

New Docuseries I WANNA ROCK: THE 80'S METAL DREAM To Premiere This July On Paramount+!

Streaming channel Paramount+ has announced the new docuseries, I WANNA ROCK: THE 80’S METAL DREAM! Look for the show to premiere on July 18th via the streaming service. The series follows five young dreamers chasing stardom in the cutthroat world of ’80s metal. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, the 3-Part Series Features John Corabi (Mötley Crüe), Janet Gardner (Vixen), Vicky Hamilton, Dave…

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#Docu-Series #Heavy Metal #I Wanna Rock: The 80&039;s Metal Dream #Paramount+

[suchananewsblog]

Changing the way we experience games: the rise of sports documentaries

In the summer season of 2014, an novice bike owner dwelling in Boulder, Colorado determined to race in the Haute Route Alps, an 800km biking occasion from Megève to Nice spanning seven days. Bryan Fogel seemed as much as cyclists like Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong all his life and wished to emulate their grit, efficiency and athleticism. However, when Lance admitted to doping in 2013, Bryan…

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#docu-series #documentaries on sport #Greg LeMond #Icarus #Lance Armstrong #Michael Jordan’s career #Spectator sports #sports documentaries #sports games

[filmseries]

Time: The Kalief Browder Story | Movie Review

This was supposed to be a short but it turns out what I wanted to say was longer than a minute. For Black History Month, I want to shed light on some black bodies that were done wrong in recent history. Kalief is one that always bothered (hurt) me.

I had to run this through YouTube twice. I���m sure they are still going to find something else to complain about it though. You would have thought I had millions of views the way they badger me about every damn thing I upload. Just say “we don’t like your black ass on your site Yola!”

#youtube #time #movie review #Kalief Browder #movie recap #black history month #The Kalief Browder Story #rosie o'donnell #the view #netflix #spike #new york #kendrick lamar #jay-z #documentary #docu-series #video

[magicshop]

#btsgif #btsedit #hoseok #jung hoseok #jhope #bangtan #bts #mine #mine:gifs #mine:jhs #raplineuser #rjshope #userdimple #userpat #annietrack #useremmeline #hope on the street docu series poster shoot sketch #BARK BARK BARK I WANT TO BITE HIM #SORRY BUT IS HE CRAZY??? IS HE INSANE???? #flashing tw

[thenerdsofcolor]

Brie Larson, Yara Shahidi, and Their 'Growing Up' Heroes are Ready to Inspire

NOC Interview: Brie Larson, Yara Shahidi, and Their 'Growing Up' Heroes are Ready to Inspire @brielarson #DisneyGrowingUp @DisneyPlus #DisneyPlusDay #GrowingUpDocuseries

Created by Brie Larson and Culture House, Growing Up is an innovative hybrid docu-series that explores the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of adolescence through ten compelling coming-of-age stories. Before the show premieres on Disney+, I had the opportunity to interview Larson (Executive Producer/Director), Yara Shahidi (Director), Alex Crotty, Sage Grace Dolan-Sandrino, Emily Flores,…

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#actress #Alex Crotty #Brie Larson #creator #director #Disney Plus #Disney+ #docu-series #Emily Flores #exclusive interview #executive producer #Growing Up #Interview #Sage Grace Dolan-Sandrino #Sofia Ongele #Streaming #Television #true stories #TV #Yara Shahidi #YouTube

[rickchung]

Pepsi, Where’s My Jet? (prod. Vivian Johnson).

Netflix continues the unfortunate trend of stretching its perfectly suitable documentary subjects into multi-episode series instead of the usual light and brisk feature-length running time for no good reason. Here, the producers exhaustively revisit the famous “Pepsi Points” ad campaign turned scandal during the mid-‘90s height of the cola wars and its ensuing court battle after a misleading commercial inspired one enterprising Seattle college student, John Leonard, to challenge the corporation and try to redeem a promised Harrier Jet.

There are plenty of colourful characters and the breezy insights into corporate business tactics, advertising culture, and legal maneuvering all make for a fun topic, but the insubstantial material hardly justifies all the hoopla involved in unfolding over four episodes.

#netflix #reviews #features #docuseries #pepsi #pepsi points #pepsi stuff #pepsi where's my jet #pepsi where's my jet? #john leonard #todd hoffman #tv #television #tv review #streaming #series #tv series #tv show #show #docu-series #docu series #documentary series #cola #cola wars

[dovebuffy92]

Spoilers Below

INTRODUCTION

In The Staircase Episode Seven, “Seek, and Ye Shall,” directed by Antonio Campos, Sophie Brunet (Juliette Binoche) figures out that she doesn’t know the real Michael Peterson (Colin Firth). On February 24, 2017, Michael refuses to take the Alford Plea because he doesn’t want to admit any involvement in Kathleen’s murder. Unfortunately, David can’t convince Michael to change his mind even if it sends him back to prison. Sophie tries to tempt Michael with the fact that they can leave Durham forever if he takes the Plea, but the author wants the American justice system to admit their mistake. He asks to speak to Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (Vincent Vermignon) alone.

In June 2010, attorney Evelyn Ivins (Deja Dee) from the Project for Actual Innocence in North Carolina investigates a mysterious man’s wrongful conviction in Durham. After speaking with disgraced former prosecutor Freda Black (Parker Posey) and others, she learns that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) frequently withholds test results that could help the defense.

So, Evelyn helps exonerate Greg Taylor (Daniel P. Wilson), who served nineteen years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Unfortunately, SBI and the Durham prosecutor’s office have been conspiring to put defendants in prison unlawfully, so Evelyn announces during a press conference that she plans to audit all their cases up to the present day. After Bill Peterson (Tim Guinee) sees Evelyn’s press conference on the news, he meets with David, who promises to help free his little brother for no money.

Meanwhile, Sophie learns that Dennis Rowe (Morgan Henard) was recently murdered, in a similar way to how Kathleen Peterson (Toni Collette) died. Both Dennis and Kathleen suffered blunt force trauma to the head but had no skull fractures. Kathleen’s death is no longer an anomaly. After reviewing footage from The Staircase docu-series, Sophie realizes that Dennis is the same guy who said he slept with Michael during the trial. She admits to herself Michael lied when he didn’t have sex with the deceased man. Sophie interviews Detective Art Holland (Cory Scott Allen) about Kathleen’s murder. Sophie reveals her theory that the same man killed Dennis and Kathleen.

The detective mentions that their primary suspect is Tyrone Lacour (Donny Baez), another man that Michael knew carnally. The author took Tyrone to his home, explaining why there was no sign of a break-in. Unfortunately, Detective Holland investigates the lead but soon realizes Tyrone couldn’t have killed Kathleen because he was in prison when she died.

In December 2001, Kathleen suffers a nervous breakdown after learning that Nortel Network’s stocks plummeted so low that she lost her retirement fund. As a result, she and Michael won’t be able to retire in Paris. They may even need to downsize. Unfortunately, Michael refuses to deal with their financial crisis logically. “Seek and Ye Shall” ends with all of Michael’s children and grandchildren returning to Durham in 2001 for the retrial hearing.

HARD TRUTHS

Detective Holland forces Sophie to realize that Michael is not the innocent prince charming that she created in her mind. During this episode, Sophie struggles because Michael will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison. In addition, she hates Durham. Nevertheless, Sophie holds on to the hope that Tyrone killed Kathleen because then Michael could be proven innocent and come home with her to Paris.

Throughout “Seek and Ye Shall,” the editor learns that Michael lied about not cheating on Kathleen with loads of men, but she can hold on to the fact that the evidence will finally prove Michael’s innocence. Unfortunately, Sophie’s meeting with Holland at the diner destroys her last hope.

The scene starts with Sophie anxiously waiting at a booth in a diner as Hollands walks in wearing a police jacket. Holland greets Sophie as he sits down across the table from her. Right away, she knows that the detective has “bad news.” Holland says the “Lacour Theory was good, Sophie.” The film editor questions how he knows that Tyrone was not involved in Kathleen’s death. Holland explains that Tyrone was in jail at the time Kathleen was murdered. Sophie hides her devastation on hearing Tyron’s Albi.

Holland pushes Sophie to admit that she knows that Michael beat Kathleen to death. She didn’t fall down the stairs. The editor’s “Lacour Theory” proves that she knows that Kathleen was murdered. Sophie won’t stop shaking her head. She refuses to say that it’s not possible Kathleen’s death was accidental. Sophie won’t let go of her dream of living happily ever after with Michael. Holland calmly explains that Kathleen’s death can’t be murder and an accident. Sophie slumps on her side of the booth.

The detective states his opinion is based on evidence. Sophie argues that life is not so black and white. She brings up the fact the police never investigated the “Owl Theory .” Holland says that the logical answers are there for Sophie to see if she wants to examine the evidence. The film editor holds back tears as she essentially asks the detective to leave. Holland exits the diner while Sophie covers her face.  

KATHLEEN TELLS THE TRUTH

Kathleen finally tells Michael how she feels during their celebratory Chinese dinner out. Kathleen treats her husband to dinner because one of his books has been optioned for ten thousand dollars. During the dinner, she reveals to Michael that they lost a lot of money because the Nortel stocks plummeted. As a result, the couple won’t be able to use her retirement fund to move to Paris in ten years. All their dreams are dead. Michael only cares about the fact that they are poor. Kathleen cries about the personal time with their family that she sacrificed to make enough money to move across the pond. She wasted years of her life for nothing.

Michael argues that they will be able to continue to finance their luxurious lifestyle because of his movie option. Both the author and Kathleen care about creating the perfect family image, but she lives in reality. She can’t believe that Michael can think that some Hollywood producer will make him a millionaire based on one movie adaptation. The author refuses to let go of control by admitting that she is right.

Kathleen points out that the only person who could fix this situation is her, but she doesn’t have to strength to claw her way out of this financial hole. Michael doesn’t bring any money into their current relationship. The author realizes that he is looking like the villain. He tries to turn the tables by making Kathleen’s boring, stressful behavior the problem.

Kathleen punches back hard. She points out that she does everything for their family. Kathleen works long hours at Nortel and emotionally & financially supports his children while completing most of the homemaking duties. Michael only drains their joint bank account to project this charming, wealthy, talented author persona. Kathleen calls him a “boy” because he doesn’t do anything to make his dreams for them as a couple comes true. The whole time Michael silently seethes behind his calm demeanor. They are not the perfect loving couple that Michael described during the filming of The Staircase docu-series.

LAST THOUGHTS

What does Michael have to say to Jean-Xavier in private? When will Sophie realize Michal’s selfishness hurts everybody around him? Let us know your thoughts on The Staircase miniseries so far before the season finale next week.

#tv recap #tv blogger #recap #The Staircase #miniseries #HBO MAX #true crime #the staircase hbo #docu-series #drama #Michael Peterson #Colin Firth #sophie brunet #juliette binoche #kathleen peterson #toni collette

[super-license]

marc márquez. all in. | season one, episode two

#motogpedit #moto gp #marc marquez #emma.gif #he's SO GDSKGDS #an icon #he really said yeah i am that bitch so fucking what #as he should #also this docu series was so good i really enjoyed it #people have probably already giffed this but whatever

[akasmileygirl]

"Sam played on a career ending injury for four years. (...) A lot of doctors have said that she'll never play again but I think she'll play again." - Kristie Mewis

#uswnt #kristie mewis #sam mewis #i am crying #like not even kdding #this hit me so hard in my sibling feels and in my knee injury feels #half an hour into the docu series and I've cried this is going great

[leopardom]

x

#baby boos. new docu series. AHSKSJKSJSK #joker out #jan peteh #kris gustin #jure macek #nace jordan #bojan cvjeticanin

[moonchild-in-blue]

Do you ever think about sea turtles? How right from the start they must fight for their life? Unprepared, unguided, unprotected. They are born into a battlefield, struggling to reach the safety of the ocean, blue, dragging themselves through harsh sands and predator bites. Do you think they mourn for their fallen siblings? For the ones that died before even having a chance to taste salt? For the ones taken right at the gates of the sea?

Do you ever think about how they live alone? No parents to shelter them, to home to come to. Just a little turtle left to its own devices on the great blue. Do you think they resent their mothers for abandoning them? Their fathers for not feeding them? Do you think their hard shells are layered with trauma and longing and grief for a home that never was?

And do you ever think about how even in their absence, they turn into their parents? How after through all the hardship they return to the same beach they were born in, the only place where the scent of a long lost family still lingers? How they find comfort in broken eggshells, the only cradle they've ever known? How they too leave hundreds of children on the graveyard of brothers and sisters, perpetuating that cycle?

Do you think they ever hate themselves for it? That they wish to stay, but are forced to leave by whatever force compells them to the ocean? Or have the memories of a broken childhood been slowly washed away, mingling themselves with the blood of their ancestors?

#i have been watching that life on our planet docu-series and that sea turtle scene broke my heart #something about how life perpetuates its cycle even in the animal world #how we all turn into distorted mirrors of our parents and their parents and their parents #i can't be trusted around cinematic animal documents because i get sad and mushy. i blame Morgan Freeman's heavenly voice #darya is unhinged #sea turtle #writing