Boots is a Netflix comedy-drama series created by Andy Parker, adapted from Greg Cope White's memoir The Pink Marine. Set in 1990, it follows a directionless young man who impulsively joins the United States Marine Corps alongside his best friend and must survive the brutal crucible of boot camp while carrying a secret about who he is. Executive produced by the legendary Norman Lear in one of his final projects, it balances raw military rigor with warmth and humor.
Miles Heizer stars as Cameron Cope, an aimless teenager with no obvious prospects who signs up largely on a whim and finds himself utterly unprepared for the punishing world of Marine training. Vera Farmiga plays his loving but overbearing mother, and Max Parker, Liam Oh, and Angus O'Brien fill out the ensemble of recruits and drill instructors who become Cameron's unlikely found family. The series mines both comedy and genuine drama from the pressure cooker of basic training and the secrets its recruits carry.
Critics responded enthusiastically, and the show earned a strong 92% Rotten Tomatoes score along with a top-ten streaming run, praised for its heart, its period specificity, and Heizer's grounded lead performance. Though Netflix ultimately did not renew it beyond its first season, Boots was widely embraced as a standout dramedy. It streams on Netflix.
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.
"Tiger" is a two-part documentary miniseries about the famous golfer Tiger Woods. The show was released in January 2021 and is available to watch on the streaming service HBO Max. It covers Woods' life and career, from his childhood as a golfing prodigy to his rise to fame and numerous victories on the course, as well as his personal struggles and controversies.
The series features interviews with many people who know or have worked with Tiger, including his former caddie and coaches, as well as journalists who covered his career. It also includes archival footage of Woods' tournaments and appearances over the years, providing a comprehensive and intimate look at his life both on and off the golf course.
Overall, "Tiger" offers a detailed and nuanced look at the highs and lows of Tiger's career and personal life. It explores his incredible talent and determination as a golfer, as well as the complex factors that contributed to his personal struggles and controversies. For fans of golf, sports, or celebrity documentaries, "Tiger" is a must-watch.
"What Happened, Brittany Murphy?" is a documentary series that explores the life and death of the late actress and the involvement of her husband in her untimely demise. The show delves into mature themes such as unhealthy relationships, neglect of biological children, fraudulent schemes targeting women, substance abuse, eating disorders, and even allegations of murder. There are instances of profanity and scenes that depict smoking and drinking. Additionally, the series contains numerous film clips and logos of different blogs.
The series focuses on shedding light on the complex and troubled life of the actress, Brittany Murphy, and the possible factors that contributed to her death. It discusses the dynamics of her relationships, including the one she had with her husband, who is alleged to have played a role in her passing. The documentary also touches on Murphy's struggles with addiction and eating disorders, which may have contributed to her ill-health.
While the series can be emotionally challenging to watch, it provides an in-depth look into the life of a beloved actress who left this world too soon. It is essential to note that the show deals with serious issues and may not be suitable for everyone. Viewer discretion is advised.
"Dream Raider" is a Taiwanese sci-fi thriller streaming television series that premiered on Netflix in 2020. The story revolves around a group of individuals who have the ability to enter and manipulate people's dreams. The main character is a detective named Liu Xingyu, who uses this ability to solve crimes by entering the dreams of criminals and victims alike.
As the series progresses, Liu Xingyu becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the technology used to enter dreams, as well as his own past. Along with his partner, he must navigate a dangerous world of corporate espionage, government cover-ups, and ethical dilemmas.
"Dream Raider" has been praised for its unique premise, complex plot, and strong performances. The series has been noted for its use of special effects to depict the surreal dreamscapes that the characters explore, as well as its exploration of philosophical themes such as the nature of reality and the power of the mind. While the series was not widely known outside of Taiwan upon its release, it has gained a following among fans of sci-fi and fantasy television.
