Death by Lightning is a Netflix limited series that dramatizes one of the strangest and most tragic chapters in American political history: the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Adapted from Candice Millard's acclaimed nonfiction book Destiny of the Republic, the four-part drama was created by Mike Makowsky and executive produced by a team that includes David Benioff and D. B. Weiss of Game of Thrones fame.
Michael Shannon stars as Garfield, the reluctant, principled Ohioan swept into the presidency in 1880 almost against his will, while Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau, the delusional, chronically failed office-seeker who came to believe he was destined to kill the president. The series braids their two lives together, tracing Garfield's improbable ascent and Guiteau's descent into fatal grandiosity, before turning to the grim aftermath in which the president's own doctors may have done more harm than the assassin's bullet. Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, and Bradley Whitford round out the ensemble.
Critics praised the series for its dark wit, its detailed period craft, and the performances of its two leads, with Macfadyen's twitchy, tragicomic Guiteau drawing particular attention. Both a political tragedy and a mordant character study, it revives a largely forgotten American story for a modern audience. Death by Lightning is streaming on Netflix.
One Perfect Shot is a television series created by Ava DuVernay, which is based on a Twitter account with the same name. In each episode, a renowned director will be given a chance to discuss and analyze one of their most iconic shots. The show uses visual tools to allow viewers to see behind the scenes and explore the creative process that goes into making these shots. The directors will walk through the scene, discussing the obstacles, challenges, lessons, and triumphs that they faced while creating their one perfect shot.
The series features several prolific filmmakers, including Patty Jenkins, Aaron Sorkin, Kasi Lemmons, Jon M. Chu, Malcolm D. Lee, and Michael Mann. It also includes blockbuster films like "Wonder Woman," "The Trial of the Chicago 7," "Harriet," "Crazy Rich Asians," "Girls Trip," and "Heat."
If you're a film lover or interested in the creative process behind iconic shots, One Perfect Shot is a must-watch series. It provides an immersive exploration of moviemaking and offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by filmmakers.
Take Out with Lisa Ling is a documentary television series that focuses on Asian American cuisine. The show explores the cultural significance and diversity of Asian American food, as well as the challenges faced by Asian American chefs and restaurant owners in the industry.
Hosted by journalist Lisa Ling, the series features interviews with chefs and food industry experts who share their personal experiences and insights into the history and evolution of Asian American cuisine. The show also highlights the impact of cultural appropriation on the food industry and the importance of preserving the authenticity of traditional dishes.
Take Out with Lisa Ling is a compelling and educational series that celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Asian American cuisine. It offers a platform for Asian American chefs and restaurateurs to share their stories and raise awareness about the challenges they face in the industry. If you're a food lover or interested in learning more about Asian American culture and cuisine, Take Out with Lisa Ling is a must-watch series.
Q: Into the Storm is a documentary television series that premiered in 2021. The series explores the origins and impact of the QAnon conspiracy theory, which emerged on internet forums in 2017 and gained widespread attention during the Trump presidency.
The show features interviews with key figures in the QAnon movement, as well as journalists and experts who have studied the phenomenon. The series also delves into the history of internet trolling and the role of social media in the spread of disinformation.
Q: Into the Storm is a thought-provoking and informative series that provides an in-depth look at the rise of the QAnon conspiracy theory. It sheds light on the origins of the movement and the factors that contributed to its growth and popularity. The show also highlights the dangers of disinformation and the need for critical thinking and media literacy in the digital age.
McMillions is a documentary miniseries that chronicles the fraud that occurred during the McDonald's Monopoly promotion in the 1990s. The promotion was a game where McDonald's customers could collect game pieces attached to food packaging for a chance to win prizes ranging from small food items to large amounts of money. The fraud involved a group of individuals who rigged the game in their favor and claimed the major prizes for themselves.
The documentary focuses on the FBI investigation into the fraud and the individuals involved in it. The FBI was tipped off about the fraud by an anonymous informant and launched an undercover operation to catch those responsible. The operation involved wiretapping, surveillance, and undercover agents posing as representatives of McDonald's.
The documentary also explores the personal lives and motivations of the individuals involved in the fraud, including the ringleader, Jerome Jacobson, who worked as a security officer for the company responsible for producing the game pieces. The miniseries received critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling and the way it sheds light on the inner workings of the fraud and the people behind it.
Gaming Wall St is a two-episode documentary series available on HBO Max. It explores the 2021 GameStop short squeeze and the negative practices of Wall Street that were exposed as a result. The series covers topics such as payment for order flow, creative accounting, naked short selling, corporate overvoting, and failures to deliver. Narrated by Kieran Culkin and directed by Tobias Deml, the documentary aims to shed light on the darker corners of the financial system and promote financial literacy.
The series was initiated by Prodigium Pictures in late 2020 and began filming on February 1, 2021, in Nevada. The focus of the documentary shifted from following the Wall Street Bets community to an investigative analysis of the financial markets phenomena underpinning the GameStop short squeeze. The series was edited in secrecy on a compressed timeline of 3.5 months with a team of 6 editors working in parallel and a globally distributed animation team.
Gaming Wall St was released on March 3, 2022, after being green-lit by HBO Max in the fall of 2021. Director Tobias Deml hopes that the documentary will provide access to education about investing and empower viewers to see themselves as investors. The documentary is a collaborative effort between Prodigium Pictures, Biltmore Films, and Gunpowder and Sky, and aims to shed light on the negative practices of Wall Street and promote financial literacy.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark is a true crime documentary series available on HBO. It is based on the book of the same name by Michelle McNamara and explores the case of the Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer who committed crimes in California in the 1970s and 1980s. McNamara, who passed away before the book was completed, played a significant role in identifying the suspect and bringing him to justice.
The series features interviews with McNamara's family, law enforcement officials, and survivors of the Golden State Killer's attacks. It also includes footage from McNamara's research and writing process, as well as recordings of her speaking about the case. The series delves into the psychological aspects of the case and the impact it had on the victims and their families.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark has been praised for its sensitive handling of the case and its focus on the victims and their stories. The series has also been credited with reigniting interest in the case and helping to bring attention to McNamara's role in solving it. The series received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
The Lady and the Dale is a documentary television series that tells the story of Elizabeth Carmichael and her invention, the Dale. The series is directed by Nick Cammilleri and Zackary Drucker and premiered on HBO in January 2021. It consists of four episodes and uses a mix of archival footage, interviews, and animated reenactments to tell the story.
Elizabeth Carmichael was a trans woman who claimed to have invented a three-wheeled car called the Dale that would get 70 miles per gallon. She was able to secure investors and media attention for her invention, but it was later revealed to be a fraud. The series explores Carmichael's life and the events leading up to her arrest and trial.
The Lady and the Dale has been praised for its unique storytelling and its portrayal of Carmichael as a complex and sympathetic figure. The series has also been noted for its examination of the societal and legal challenges faced by trans individuals in the 1970s. The Lady and the Dale was nominated for several awards, including the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
