Tag: Documentary

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Movie Review

Invisible Warriors (2026) Movie Review

Invisible Warriors – Movie Review

Invisible Warriors is a significant documentary highlighting the contributions of 600,000 black women in WWII, breaking barriers and transforming civil rights.

First Reaction – Invisible Warriors shows the important part the community had in the war.

Where to Watch

Invisible Warriors (TVOD Release 2/3/26)

Director: Gregory S Cooke

Plot: While World War II raged on in Europe, 600,000 black women served the country on the homefront, breaking racial and gender barriers by working in factories and offices.  Helping to win the war, paving the way for future generations, and transforming civil rights and women’s opportunities, their courage and resilience forever changed the American workforce.

Runtime: 1 Hour 4 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Invisible Warriors

Recap

The documentary explores the involvement of black women in World War II. It follows their work and racial attitudes that held them back. We hear lots of accounts of the troubles they faced and the support they received from unlikely places.

Best Parts

The documentary highlights the significance of the black community despite the limitations imposed upon them. It shows they fought for their country even if members of their country didn’t want them around. We get to see the different levels of support and the importance of changing things before the larger battle. This is an important documentary and teaches you the bigger impact of equality.

Final Thoughts – Invisible Warriors is an important documentary with a powerful message.

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Movie Review

The Carman Family Deaths (2025) Movie Review

The Carman Family Deaths – Movie Review

The Carman Family Deaths is an unusual mystery with plenty of secrets.

First Reaction – The Carman Family Deaths is an unusual mystery with plenty of secrets.

Director: Yon Motskin

Plot: A fishing trip ends in tragedy when Linda Carman vanishes at sea leaving her son Nathan adrift for days. His rescue stirs up questions about his grandfather’s murder and ignites a battle over inheritance that leads to shocking revelations.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Carman Family Deaths

Recap

The documentary follows the investigation into the death of Linda Carman. Her adult son Nathan was discovered adrift at sea, but the bigger investigation discovers the disturbing murder of her father. We follow the investigation into the bigger series of events.

Best Parts

The movie delves into the greater mystery behind the family and what happened in their lives. There is a bigger discussion about how to handle autistic family members and how generations will be different reactions to it. Elsewhere, it portrays a family with secrets and a distinct way of life. Part of the film spends more time trying to make more of the incident, rather than ever getting an answer.

Worst Parts

Part of the film spends more time trying to make more of the incident, rather than ever getting an answer. Elsewhere, it doesn’t give us enough of a true answer to what truly happened.

Final Thoughts –The Carman Family Deaths has an interesting mystery, but fails to give us an answer.

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Movie Review

Being Eddie (2025) Movie Review

Being Eddie – Movie Review

"Being Eddie" is a compelling documentary exploring Eddie Murphy's life, career, and challenges, highlighting his impact on entertainment and personal struggles.

First Reaction – Being Eddie is a great journey through Eddie Murphy’s life.

Director: Angus Wall

Plot: Follows a comprehensive look at Eddie Murphy’s life and career.

Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Being Eddie

Recap

The documentary explores the life of Eddie Murphy and his entertainment career. It dives into his childhood ability to make people laugh and overcoming early racial expectations to become the icon he became.

Best Parts

This is an interesting look at one of the most influential and popular entertainers of his generation. The personal approach of his life has been a lot cleaner public persona. It highlights the importance of his decisions had on making other talent too. This doesn’t only show the positives, but also shows things which held him back at times. Elsewhere, it shows that stardom came at a price and certain things he struggled with growing up.

Final Thoughts –Being Eddie is a brilliant dive into an icon’s career.

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Movie Review

Eloá the Hostage: Live on TV (2025) Movie Review

Eloá the Hostage: Live on TV – Movie Review

Eloá the Hostage: Live on TV is a disturbing true crime documentary.

First Reaction – Eloá the Hostage: Live on TV is a disturbing true crime documentary.

Director: Cris Ghattas

Plot: A tragic hostage case from 2008 Brazil unfolds through unseen diary entries, family interviews, and media coverage, as a 15-year-old girl is held captive by her ex-boyfriend for 100 hours while TV networks broadcast it live.

Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Eloá the Hostage: Live on TV

Recap

The documentary follows the events of an unstable boyfriend holding his 15-year-old girlfriend hostage. This follows the media coverage of the story and how the country reacted to the events. Elsewhere, it shows the troubled lives of everyone involved and how nobody wants to see him as a criminal.

Best Parts

This shows the different reactions to the incident, reflecting on the real-time events. It shows the chaos created and how new ideas must be created because the media only created more problems. This highlights how unprepared everyone was for the situation. Elsewhere, it creates the conversation about wanting the truth and nobody truly knows what happened.

Worst Parts

The big thing this fails to address is how a 15-year-old was in a three-year-long relationship with someone in their 20s. It has a much bigger discussion point to be having about how so many people let this happen in the first place.

Final Thoughts –Eloá the Hostage: Live on TV is an interesting dive into a tragic case.

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Movie Review

Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers (2025) Movie Review

Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers – Movie Review

Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers gives a glimpse into her trial life

First Reaction – Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers gives a glimpse into her trial life.

Director: Emily Turner

Plot: Aileen Wuornos killed 7 men while working as a prostitute in Florida (1989-90), claiming self-defense against rape.

Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers

Recap

The documentary follows the court case which exposed the trial Alieen Wuornos faced for the murders. She maintained the deaths came from self-defence against rape, but the case used her prostitution as a motive. It investigates how the trial became difficult because of her claims versus what could have been planned.

Best Parts

The documentary examines the complex decisions behind the debate over the death penalty. It uses this to show how motives could maintain a murder charge, rather than the death penalty. This raises the larger conversation and what it means to deal with criminals with questionable motivations.

Worst Parts

This focuses more on the trials rather than the cases. It focuses more on the serial killer and what drives her to maintain her popularity in search of not facing consequences.

Final Thoughts –Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers gives an interesting spin on dealing with death row.

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Movie Review

Bad Boy (2025) Movie Review

Bad Boy – Movie Review

Bad Boy explores Jeremy Bailey's life amid police scrutiny following his wrongful suspicion in the UK's largest cash heist.

First Reaction – Bad Boy dives more into the life of Jeremy Bailey, rather than his potential involvement with the case.

Where to Watch

Bad Boy is on digital 20 October from Miracle Media.

Director: Terry Stone, Richard Turner

Plot: A gang of armed men raided the Securitas depot in Tonbridge – the robbery became the UK’s largest ever cash heist with £53 million stolen. Following the hit, 36 arrests were made, one of the accused was Jeremy Bailey. Following a gruelling four years of police questioning and trials, Bailey was dropped of all charges, but to this day, the robbery still casts a dark shadow over his life.

Runtime: 1 Hour 13 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Bad Boy

Recap

The documentary follows the life and times of Jeremy Bailey. He grew up in a rough neighbourhood, dealing with police brutality. However, he escaped that life and became an elite Prizefighter. Meanwhile, he gets accused of being part of one of the UK’s largest ever cash heists. We follow his battle with the law and find his place in the world. It highlights his lifestyle, which grabs the attention of the law and leaves him using the words to keep situations calm.  

Best Parts

This works well at showing both sides of the lifestyle of someone who gets put on the radar of the police. It shows how calm he was in dealing with the problems he faced over the years.

Worst Parts

The movie doesn’t put enough focus on why Jeremy was investigated for the robbery. This is the bigger story, why he was such a big person of interest and connections with the people involved. It puts a lot of focus on someone who lives life on the edge, and draws the attention of the police.

Final Thoughts –Bad Boy does examine the life of someone involved in attracting police attention.

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Movie Review

American Clown (2025) Movie Review

American Clown – Movie Review

First Reaction – American Clown is a great dive into the history of clowns and how they changed the culture.

Where to Watch

American Clown (VOD Release 10/7/25)

Director: Guilford Adams, Casey Pinkston

Plot: Clowns have been a symbol of humor and laughter since they first donned the iconic red nose and oversized shoes.  Those who devote their lives to the craft spend years perfecting it.  From circuses to birthday parties to movies, clowns are everywhere in our culture, but what happens when the laughter fades and the greasepaint runs?  One man sets out to find what’s left of America’s once beloved clown.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on American Clown

Recap

The documentary explores the origin of clowns in America. We meet a host of different modern-day clowns from various generations who have overcome other challenges to achieve their dreams. They love their careers, but have seen the vision of clowns change thrown modern culture.

Best Parts

The documentary has a mix of big-name actors who wished to be clowns and stepped into different lives. Elsewhere, we have the clowns who perform to make ends meet. We get to travel through the industry and see how many different clowns have adapted to stand out from the crowd and support each other. However, it shows the struggles when people don’t get the same chance and are looked down on.

Worst Parts

The only really bad thing about the movie is reflected in how badly aspiring clowns are treated.

Final Thoughts – American Clown is a fascinating dive into the world of clown culture.

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Movie Review

Where Is Juan Moctezuma? (2025) FrightFest 2025 Movie Review

Where Is Juan Moctezuma? – FrightFest 2025 Movie Review

First Reaction – Where Is Juan Moctezuma? Is a delightful journey into a cult directors career.

Director: Alaric S Rocha

Writer: Alaric S Rocha (Screenplay)

Plot: Legendary 70s Mexican horror film auteur, Juan F. Moctezuma II fought to make a Hollywood film to win back his beloved from a luchador. However, Moctezuma disappeared with the film. Watch as we unravel the mystery: Where is Juan Moctezuma?

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Where Is Juan Moctezuma?

Recap

The movie is a documentary following horror auteur Juan F Moctezuma’s career. He became a big name in the 70s in Mexico for his horror movies and battles to make a Hollywood movie. However, his personal life caused problems and the mystery behind who they are causes the biggest problems.

Best Parts

We get to explore a career held back by personal reasons, showing muses can cause bigger problems. It shows how someone could become a cult hero for their work and leave with nothing but a body of work. The host of interviews from people who worked with him, had personal stories and became inspired by him, keeps us wanting to learn more. If you are a fan of any director who has created a form of cult film, this is interesting to watch.

Worst Parts

For a documentary, it teases more of the controversial side to his career, but doesn’t dare explore it.

Final Thoughts –Where Is Juan Moctezuma? Is a fascinating journey through a cult director’s career.

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Movie Review

Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror (2025) FrightFest 2025 Movie Review

Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror – FrightFest 2025 Movie Review

"Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror" offers fans an insightful look into the cult classic's impact and legacy.

First Reaction – Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror is one for the fans of the cult favourite.

Director: Andreas Zerr

Plot: It’s the story of a lifetime: A script, a play, a movie, unprecedented success, and everlasting fame to be part of “Rocky Horror”.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror

Recap

This is a documentary explore the fandom behind the Rocky Horror production and how it created one of the biggest cult followings. We learn how the show came about, the ambitious project and people from different backgrounds.

Best Parts

This is a brilliant glimpse behind the curtain to one of the biggest cult movies in history. It shows us the opinions of the cast and crew about the movie after working on stage show and how it made an impact in a different way. Anytime we learn more about the pleasure of making a movie and becoming important is a delight for everyone to watch. A big thing is having nearly ever star of the movie involved in discussion what is meant to them too, not only the fans side of things.

Worst Parts

The only bad thing is that I don’t think this would turn anyone into wanting to join the cult. If people have made their minds up, they will not get very much new from it, as it feels more like a documentary to give the biggest fans an extra glimpse behind the curtain.

Final Thoughts – Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror is a delightful glimpse behind the curtain.