Tag: Documentary

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Movie Review

Britain and the Blitz (2025) Movie Review

Britain and the Blitz – Movie Review

"Britain and the Blitz is an immersive documentary showcasing WWII's impact on Britain through restored footage and personal accounts."

First Reaction – Britain and the Blitz is a brilliant documentary,

Watch Britain and the Blitz on Netflix now.

Director: Ella Wright

Plot: This immersive documentary brings history to life through vividly restored archival footage and firsthand accounts of WWII Britain during the Blitz

Runtime: 1 Hour 17 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Britain and the Blitz

Recap

The documentary uses a series of archival footage to explore what Britain was like during the Blitz. It colourizes the footage and includes accounts of the residents of the areas. This highlights the destruction, fear, and uncertainty the residents faced. Elsewhere, it explores the campaigns to bring the country together to prepare to fight back.

Best Parts

This movie does an excellent job of showing the destruction caused to Britain during the war. The stories are important and simple, showing how normal lives were pushed to the limits during the attacks. Away from the attacks, we see the lives trying to continue with love and unexpected meetings. There is also a glimpse into people trying to maintain their normal lives, no matter how dangerous each night becomes.

Anyone who enjoys watching historical documentaries will enjoy this one. It shows the damage, destruction and differences people went through. It is important to remember that this should never happen again, but sadly, it does. No family should ever live in the fear that the residents went through.

Final Thoughts –Britain and the Blitz is an important, immersive documentary.

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Movie Review

Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror (2025) Movie Review

Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror – Movie Review

Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror is a poignant documentary detailing the 1995 bombing's aftermath, survivor accounts, and societal impacts of terrorism.

First Reaction – Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror is a hard hitting documetnary.

Watch Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror

Director: Greg Tillman

Plot: Examines the devastating 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombing – the worst domestic terror attack in US history.

Runtime: 1 Hour 22 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror

Recap

The movie follows the events surrounding the devastating bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma. It has survivor accounts, rescue and police accounts to the events. We hear about the panic after the incident and the whirlwind of rumours before learn who was behind it.

Best Parts

This is a good history lesson and shows that not everything will be as people want it to be. It shows the racial profiling created by people speculating and how taking more steps back shows the truth.  We learn more about the connection to what happened to turn the people to terrorism and how easily they can get it done. Meanwhile, we learn about the people whose lives were changed forever by surviving and exploring the area’s lasting effects.

Final Thoughts –Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror is an important documentary.

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Movie Review

Wingman (2025) Movie Review

Wingman – Movie Review

"Wingman" depicts Pete Thompson's thrilling attempt to paraglide across Colorado, showcasing his passion and challenges while navigating unpredictable weather.

First Reaction – Wingman is a great journey for someone who wanted to challenge themselves.

Where to Watch

VOD Release 4/15/25

Director: Dylan H Brown

Plot: An extreme sports enthusiast tries to paraglide across the state of Colorado after unsuccessful previous attempts.  He’ll have to brave dangerous thunderstorms, create nightly camps, and hike for miles to find a suitable launch point. Documenting every minute of the journey, he takes the viewer along for the ride for all the beautiful vistas Colorado has to offer from the seat of the paraglider.

Runtime: 1 Hour 13 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Wingman

Recap

The movie follows extreme sports enthusiast Pete Thompson who paraglides for passion and a living. He helps amateurs experience the same thing he loves, but he wants something even more. Pete wants to paraglide across the whole of Colorado, and we follow his daring journey. He must overcome the weather conditions to complete his dream challenge.

Best Parts

This is an interesting story following Pete’s journey through his challenge. It feels like we could see anyone passionate about completing a challenge. This is delightful to see someone doing something they love.

Worst Parts

This is a personal challenge, and it does seem strange that no safety behind the challenge is put together. We know things could go wrong and it feels like a backup is always important.

Final Thoughts –Wingman is an awe-inspiring journey.

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Movie Review

H20: The Intelligence of Water (2025) Movie Review

H20 The Intelligence of Water- Movie Review

H20 The Intelligence of Water explores the importance of water through expert insights, highlighting its healing properties and conservation challenges.

First Reaction – H20 The Intelligence of Water is interesting in places.

Where to Watch

VOD Release 4/8/25

Director: Emmanuel Itier

Plot: Water is essential for all life on earth, but also holds many untold secrets.  Experts discuss water’s healing effects, how it can capture positive and negative energy, and the importance of conserving this precious resource before it’s too late.  Join these scientists, authors, and healers as they explore the relationship between water, people, and the rest of the world.

Runtime: 1 Hour 13 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on H20 The Intelligence of Water

Recap

The movie follows different experts who have analysed water. It explores the different results, which range from healing to mystic connections. We follow the different experts as they believe they find the importance of water in everyday life.

Best Parts

There is a warning about water supply and its importance to the future of the planet. It shows the typical problems we face with pollution and other problems we have created ourselves. While nothing new, it still shows the importance of awareness.

Worst Parts

This leaves you in a place where you can make your own judgement on different beliefs with water. While the science side is interesting, it can be too much detail to understand. Away from the science, it can pull us to a mystic side, which is more about what you want to make of an idea. The message is important, but it doesn’t provide enough to support the changes.

Final Thoughts –H20 The Intelligence of Water has some interesting science talk, but also too far away from that field.

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Movie Review

Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter (2021) Movie Review

Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter – Movie Review

"Love, Charlie explores chef Charlie Trotter’s revolutionary impact on American cuisine and the personal costs of his celebrity status."

First Reaction – Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter

Where to Watch

Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter will be available on Digital Download from 14th April.

Director: Rebecca Halpern

Plot: Charlie Trotter revolutionized American cuisine but his quest for excellence cost him everything. Featuring Grant Achatz, Emeril Lagasse, and Wolfgang Puck

Runtime: 1 Hour 36 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter

Recap

The documentary follows the life of revolutionary chef Charlie Trotter. He helped put American Cuisine more popular and became one of the first celebrity chefs to rise to fame and make Chicago a popular area for food. However, his methods became questioned with his strict, demanding expectations. We follow his rise and fall in a vicious world.

Best Parts

The movie gives us a good look at the life and career of the ambitious chef. It shows how easily people can become celebrities and how the higher demands can take control of his life. While I know very little about celebrity chefs, it shows how easily people enjoy what they offer. To get an education into the life of a celebrity chef is interesting. It also highlights the dangers of celebrity status and becoming isolated from the world when things go wrong.

Final Thoughts –Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter is a fascinating journey into Charlie’s life.

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Movie Review

Ship of Dreams: The Movie Diaries (2024) Movie Review

Ship of Dreams: Titanic Movie Diaries – Movie Review

"Ship of Dreams: Titanic Movie Diaries is a documentary revealing actors' untold experiences and fans' passionate connections to the iconic film Titanic."

First Reaction – Ship of Dreams: Titanic Movie Diaries is an interesting series of stories.

Where to Watch

On digital 31 March from Miracle Media

Director: Alexandra Boyd

Plot: Actors cast in James Cameron’s TITANIC read their diaries aloud for the first time in a quarter century, evoking never before told anecdotes of auditions and life on set with Cameron, Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Ship of Dreams: Titanic Movie Diaries

Recap

The documentary follows actors who had small parts in the iconic movie Titanic. It follows their stories on set and how they got their parts in the film. Each story gives a personal adventure in production. Elsewhere, we meet fans from decades of love for the movie and how they have discovered their passions in life.

Best Parts

We hear stories of passion behind Titanic, by doing this we see how important a movie can be to someone. While Titanic is one of the biggest movies of all time, it can still leave a lasting impact on people. Each story brings new stories which you could sit and listen to for days.

Worst Parts

This can get caught in the middle of the cast and fans. While both sets are people are interesting, but I feel we could have even more on purely the cast or/and the inspired fans. Everyone has a story which gets a lot more out of their time in making history.

Final Thoughts –Ship of Dreams: Titanic Movie Diaries has some fascinating stories.

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Movie Review

The Twister: Caught in the Storm (2025) Movie Review

The Twister Caught in the Storm – Movie Review

The Twister Caught in the Storm is a gripping documentary about Joplin residents' harrowing experiences during a devastating EF-5 tornado.

First Reaction – The Twister Caught in the Storm is an interesting survivors story.

Watch The Twister Caught in the Storm on Netflix Now.

Director: Alexandra Lacey

Plot: It is graduation day in Joplin, Missouri. As the Class of 2011 collect their diplomas, their hometown is hit by a rare EF-5 tornado. Believing it could be the end of the world, a group of teenagers find themselves in the eye of the storm.

Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Twister Caught in the Storm

Recap

The documentary follows residents in Joplin Missouri who were there when monster tornadoes hit. It shows some residents who were used to basic warnings and how most didn’t take them seriously. While others chased storms and others just wanted to get on with their days. It dives into the intense stories of the survivors who were in the middle of the tornado and somehow survived the destruction of the town.

Best Parts

The stories are intense and prove that everyday lives can change in an instant. We get personal experiences that grab your attention and demand you listen. It is an eye-opening documentary that shows you how quickly tornadoes can appear and destroy lives. This is a truly fascinating documentary and one which fits the survivor’s stories of disasters.

Final Thoughts –The Twister Caught in the Storm is a fascinating documentary.

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Movie Review

The Queen of Basketball (2021) Movie Review

The Queen of Basketball – Movie Review

Get a first-hand look at the extraordinary career of Lucy Harris, the Queen of Basketball. Learn about her historic achievements and her trailblazing journey in the NBA.

First Reaction – The Queen of Basketball is a brilliant look at an icons career.

Watch The Queen of Basketball Here on YouTube

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominated – Q

Director: Ben Proundfoot

Plot: Queen of Basketball is an electrifying portrait of Lucy Harris, who scored the first basket in women’s Olympic history and was the first and only woman officially drafted into the N.B.A. Harris has remained largely unknown – until now.

Runtime: 22 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Queen of Basketball

Recap

The Queen of Basketball is a documentary following Lucy Harris’ career in basketball. She was considered the best female player in her time, entered the Olympics and became the only woman drafted in the NBA. This follows her story, from her words and her childhood to basketball history-maker.

Best Parts

This is nice to see the story from the star’s point of view, Lucy is so proud of what she achieved. It gives us a chance to look at a history-maker and someone many others should look up to. By doing this, we get a real feel of what it was like being part of the moments that made her an icon. This ends up feeling like a really good documentary that highlights a sporting great. However, there is a far more tragic side to her story than it seems on paper. This highlights the former problems with the sporting system and not preparing people for the world once their college career is over. It also highlights the divide between sexes in sport despite the changes that have been put in place.

Final Thoughts – The Queen of Basketball is a fantastic documentary.

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Movie Review

Lifa Animated (2016) Movie Review

Life Animated – Movie Review

Discover the moving story of Life Animated, a documentary about a young man with autism who found his voice through Disney animated movies.

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominations – L

Director: Roger Ross Williams

Plot: A coming-of-age story about a boy and his family who overcame great challenges by turning Disney animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship and brotherhood.

Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Life Animated

Life Animated is a documentary following the life of an autistic young man Owen. He has always struggled to communicate, but his connection to the animated Disney movies, lets him find a way to communicate. We follow his first steps into an adult life away from his family.

This shows the challenges families must overcome to have as normal life as possible for autistic people. It shows how they can have a normal life, but will always face challenges. This proves that everyone can have a normal life, and supporting people can achieve this.

It is an important documentary and raising awareness for everyone is important. This proves how it can happen and what needs to be done to achieve it. However, certain parts of the movie feel more engineered for entertainment purposes, rather than everything being natural.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Life Animated is an important documentary to raise awareness.