Tag: Documentary

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Movie Review

Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem (2025) Movie Review

Trainwreck: Mayor Mayhem – Movie Review

Trainwreck: Mayor Mayhem explores Rob Ford's tumultuous mayoral term, marked by scandals and controversies that captivated global media attention.

First Reaction – Trainwreck: Mayor Mayhem is a chaotic journey following Rob Ford.

Watch Trainwreck: Mayor Mayhem on Netflix now.

Director: Shianne Brown

Plot: Rob Ford’s 2010 Toronto mayoral run shocked critics with an unexpected win. His tenure spiraled into chaos amid mounting scandals and drug allegations, drawing global media attention.

Runtime: 49 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Trainwreck: Mayor Mayhem

Recap

The documentary follows Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s controversial behaviour. It follows his career, overcoming his controversial opinions, to win the election. However, his career came crashing down when a video emerged of him smoking crack cocaine. Despite denying it, he tried to keep his career going and challenged the system to show the video.

Best Parts

The documentary portrays the chaotic environment created by Rob Ford. It feels like a whirlwind behaviour discovered keeping the story feeling chaotic. This is amazing to watch, seeing how someone this corrupt got into power. It is short and sweet, giving us a chance to see how things spiralled out of control.

Worst Parts

There feels like there is a lot more behind the man and we could have explored the chaos surrounding him more.

Final Thoughts –Trainwreck: Mayor Mayhem is pure chaos, like the reign.

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Movie Review

The Final Round – Round 16 (2025) Movie Review

The Final Round – Round 16 – Movie Review

The documentary "The Final Round – Round 16" highlights Robert W. Lee's career and the corruption in boxing.

First Reaction – The Final Round – Round 16 brings the importance of Robert W Lee’s career to light.

Where to Watch

The Final Round (VOD Release 6/17/25).

Director: Lisa Maydwell, Joyce Licorish

Plot: A boxing documentary highlighting the rise and fall of Robert W. Lee, co-founder of the International Boxing Federation.

Runtime: 1 Hour 10 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Final Round – Round 16

Recap

The documentary follows the rise and fall of Robert W Lee. It follows his difficult beginnings and his need to battle racial discrimination despite being one of the brightest students. He worked his way up different fields before becoming the co-founder of the International Boxing Federation. The movie explores how people became a target for corruption in the sport and how he maintains his innocence.

Best Parts

The movie shows how easily people get to the top and how people want to bring them down. It shows the corruption in the system and how easily the powers control people. On the darker side of the documentary, we see racial discrimination still within the professional world. It is an important look at someone brave enough to try to change the system to protect boxers.

Worst Parts

For a documentary, it gives us the basic and the story behind the events in Robert W Lee’s life. The story is important, but it lacks something to show his true importance in changing the sport. It would have been nice to see more people he helped singing his praises, but we mostly just have his personal story with a few smaller interviews.

Final Thoughts –The Final Round – Round 16 shows how important Robert W Lee is to modern boxing.

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Movie Review

Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy (2025) Movie Review

Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy – Movie Review

Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy examines the 2021 festival disaster through survivor accounts, highlighting poor planning and its significant consequences.

First Reaction – Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy brings us a horror from careless planning.

Watch Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy on Netflix now.

Director: Yemi Bamiro, Hannah Poulter

Plot: Through firsthand accounts from survivors, medics and event workers, the documentary explores the 2021 Astroworld festival disaster and its consequences.

Runtime: 1 Hour 20 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy

Recap

The documentary follows the hype surrounding Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival. It follows the fans who were excited for one of the biggest shows in the post-COVID era. We meet different people from diverse backgrounds, including local students and career professionals. It follows the investigation of who is at fault for the tragedy that occurred.

Best Parts

The documentary explores the audience’s view of wanting to be free, unleashing from the normal, and enjoying the moment. Elsewhere, it explores the reputation behind Travis Scott concerts and the previous problems he has caused. The investigation side of things is the most interesting, and coming from a country which had a similar tragedy because of crowd problems and poor planning. It is surprising to see that things were still happening without any planning.

Worst Parts

It is more down to frustration that this type of tragedy happens. We have seen it before, and people don’t prepare, from the planners cutting corners and the audience breaking in, causing overcrowding. It shows the recklessness of everyone involved in the planning and shows the careless attitudes people have toward other people. We should have also had a lot more focus on the investigation and not just accounts of what happened.

Final Thoughts –Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy shows the horrors of a horrendously planned festival.

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Movie Review

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds (2025) Movie Review

Air Force Elite Thunderbirds – Movie Review

Air Force Elite Thunderbirds is a documentary showcasing the dedication, training, and challenges faced by the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds squadron.

First Reaction – Air Force Elite Thunderbirds explores the commitment and dedication to become one of the best pilots on the planet.

Watch Air Force Elite Thunderbirds on Netflix now.

Director: Matt Wilcox

Plot: he inside look at the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds flight squadron.

Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Air Force Elite Thunderbirds

Recap

The documentary follows the U.S Air Force display team known as the Thunderbirds. They rotate their line-up every couple of years, and we follow them preparing for the next season of displays. We learn about the problems they face, the intense training they must follow, and the level of trust required to succeed. It also explores the tragedies the teams have faced, the small problems which can cause things to turn to disaster.

Best Parts

This movie explores the commitment and sacrifice for this role. It shows that time with family must be given up and understanding minor issues is the most important thing to work on. This shows the pilots are a different breed and how they come together to achieve new things. The idea we explore behind-the-scenes too helps us understand the team effort.

Worst Parts

The ultimate question doesn’t really get asked. Should they continue after the accidents and tragedies, and have they done enough to secure the safety? I know it is a different country, but in the UK these displayed are strictly prepared for added safety away from crowds, which doesn’t get addressed in this movie.

Final Thoughts –Air Force Elite Thunderbirds is an interesting documentary about becoming the best.

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Movie Review

Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025) Review

Untold: The Fall of Favre – Review

"Untold: The Fall of Favre" exposes Brett Favre's controversial legacy and victim blaming, raising awareness of the need for societal change.

First Reaction – Untold: The Fall of Favre is important reflection on victim blaming.

Watch Untold: The Fall of Favre on Netflix now.

Director: Rebecca Gitlitz

Plot: A documentary that reveals quarterback Brett Favre’s legacy and pattern of unchecked behavior.

Runtime: 1 Hour 2 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Untold: The Fall of Favre

Recap

The documentary follows NFL quarterback Brett Favre and his unlikely rise to stardom in the sport. He wasn’t picked as a big draft pick, but his career saw victories and controversy. His career rise was paralleled with Jenn Sterger, who became an influencer by chance but drew eyes to the sport. However, Brett’s behaviour toward Jenn caused problems for both of their careers.

Best Parts

The idea a sports star or celebrity uses their position to try and take advantage of their status. It shows the stalker behaviour and illegal actions which caused a lasting change. This reflects the public opinion people have when his behaviour got exposed. It asks the questions about why the woman was to blame for being the victim, while the superstar was allowed to get away with it for years. This is important to show how things need to change, and victim blaming should stop.

Final Thoughts –Untold: The Fall of Favre is an important documentary exposing how public opinion superstars getting away with things.

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Movie Review

Remaining Native (2025) Movie Review

Remaining Native – Movie Review

Remaining Native is a documentary highlighting the struggles of a runner facing his family's painful history while pursuing his future.

4th World Media Lab and the cINeDIGENOUS Spotlight at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival.

First Reaction – Remaining Native is an important documentary showing the meaning of remember history, however painful it is.

Director: Paige Bethmann

Plot: Ku Stevens wants to be an elite runner, but when the remains of Native children are found, Ku must face his family’s past while attempting to run towards his future.

Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Remaining Native

Recap

Remaining Native follows Ku Stevens, an elite runner from a native background. He must battle against his background, which has sometimes held him back. Meanwhile, he wants to honour the horrific conditions his Great-Grandfather suffered through to give the next generations a traditional life.  We follow his journey to get a chance in the new world as he respects the people who paved the way for him.

Best Parts

The documentary explores the horrific stories of abuse shown toward Native children and the risks the escaped victims took to maintain their legacy. We follow a young man whose life has been open to opportunity because of an ancestor’s escape. It shows the balance of gratefulness for what was sacrificed and understanding living in a more modern America.  This is one of many stories and it shows how important their stories are and how we shouldn’t forget the history behind generations before us.

Final Thoughts –Remaining Native shows the importance of remembering where you came from.

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Movie Review

Drowned Land (2025) Movie Review

Drowned Land – Movie Review

"Drowned Land" is a crucial documentary examining Indigenous land loss and the Choctaw Nation's struggle for territorial rights and preservation.

4th World Media Lab and the cINeDIGENOUS Spotlight at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival.

First Reaction – Drowned Land is an important, informative documentary.

Director: Colleen Thurston

Plot: Kiamichi River preservation fight amidst Indigenous land loss cycle. Explores Choctaw Nation’s reckoning with territorial rights and community impact.

Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Drowned Land

Recap

Drowned Land follows a filmmaking exploring the history of the Indigenous people trying to get their land back. They live on the Kiamichi River preserve, and their history has been moved, changed and forgotten. The movie follows the journey through history and explores the different moments which change history forever.

Best Parts

The movie gives us an important look into the history of the indigenous people of America and how they lost everything to the invading Americans. It is one of many stories of native people who were forced out of their homes and killed. The idea of following the campaign to get their land back and protect the future is important, and is shown in the court case to return it. When it comes to importance in documentaries, this is a perfect example of how important understand the wrongs committed.

Worst Parts

While this is important and the people affected are facing an impossible situation. It doesn’t hit as hard as it could with the ‘We Need Help or Change’ as many other documentaries. This is partially because it wants to keep things calm to respect the people involved.

Final Thoughts –Drowned Land is an important message to show a more tragic history.

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Movie Review

A Deadly American Marriage (2025) Movie Review

A Deadly American Marriage – Movie Review

First Reaction – A Deadly American Marriage is a compelling crime documentary.

Watch A Deadly American Marriage on Netflix now.

Director: Jessica Burgess, Kenny Popplewell

Plot: A disturbing 911 call and horrific crime scene raise questions about Jason Corbett’s death. His family shares memories and hidden realities beneath their perfect-looking life.

Runtime: 1 Hour 44 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on A Deadly American Marriage

Recap

The documentary follows the events around Jason Corbett’s death. It explores the lives before the death and the aftermath of the crime, and what could have happened. However, not everything adds up, and the incident seems to have more than a surface. Elsewhere, we follow a bitter debate about who should raise the children and how an international battle causes bigger problems for everyone involved.

Best Parts

This is an interesting documentary following the murder of a husband and father. It has plenty of twists, making it more compelling to learn the truth. We see how the evidence comes together to reveal the truth, and it has plenty of unexpected outcomes.

Worst Parts

This is an important exploration into a crime, but it wants to put more on a narrative than get to the point behind the crime. There is far to much focus on making a story for both sides, rather than explaining more of the truth

Final Thoughts –A Deadly American Marriage has an interesting series of events behind the crime.

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Movie Review

The Seat (2025) Short Movie Review

The Seat – Movie Review

The Seat is a documentary exploring Mercedes' pivotal decision to promote Kimi Antonelli as an F1 driver, revealing behind-the-scenes preparations.

First Reaction – The Seat is an interesting documentary for F1 fans.

Watch The Seat on Netflix now.

Director: Kyle Thrash

Plot: The Seat’ is an unprecedented inside look that led to a once-in-a-generation driver change in Mercedes and F1 history. It reveals the private conversations that led the Mercedes team and Toto Wolff, its Team Principal and CEO, to its decision to promote 18-year-old Italian-born Kimi Antonelli to a Formula 1 Driver, making him the third-youngest rookie in the sport’s history. The film follows Kimi, in the lead up to his first Formula 1 season as he takes on his destiny.

Runtime: 40 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Seat

Recap

The documentary follows Mercedes needing to find a new driver to replace the iconic Lewis Hamilton. They explore the current grid for options before taking the decision to recruit 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli. What follows is the preparation to introduce him to the world, prepare him for behind-the-scenes aspects of Formula One.

Best Parts

In recent years, Formula One has become a little bit stale. The drivers hadn’t had much of a shake-up up and the rivalries had become between the same couple of drivers. Mercedes took a chance on a new young driver and gave us a glimpse at the preparation needed for a new driver. It is very interesting to explore what is required away from the racetrack and to make someone the perfect driver for a team. Even if this does feel more like an advert for Mercedes in Formula One, it shows the commitment to creating new talent.

Final Thoughts –The Seat is an interesting journey into the Mercedes F1 Decision-Making.