Nothing is more entertaining than a good story, but sometimes, the best stories are based on real life.
From documentaries to a movie based on a true story, here are three shows you can look forward to before the year ends!
“Mr. McMahon” – Netflix (25th September)
Whether you watch it or not, you cannot deny the huge presence of WWE or wrestling as a whole in the entertainment industry. From the high-octane matches, to bringing you stars such as Dwayne Johnson, Dave Bautista, and John Cena – the professional wrestling scene has shaped media as we know it. And no one is more important in the history of this world than Vincent Kenny McMahon, the former CEO and co-founder of WWE, who nurtured the company and its then-young talents to the juggernaut they are today.
In January of this year, Netflix signed a 10-year movie-production deal worth US$5 billion with WWE, but at the same time, McMahon was accused of ruinous sex trafficking and abuse allegations, which forced the storied CEO into retirement. Staying true to its word, Netflix will be releasing a six-episode series on 25th September that will look back on McMahon’s impact on WWE, detailing all the highs and lows of his career and the company’s performance, no holds barred.
Directed by Christ Smith, the same man who brought us the iconic “Tiger King” series, the documentary will feature a deep dive into McMahon’s life, taken from over 200 hours of interviews with him (prior to his resignation), his family members, business associates, and iconic names in the wrestling industry. With McMahon’s dirty history now made public, his memory and contributions are slowly being erased by the company he helped build, and this documentary will shed light as to why.
“Nickel Boys” – US Theatrical Release: 25th October
We all know that movie adaptations have the potential to hit or miss, but there are high expectations for the screen version of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. What makes it especially worthy of attention is that the novel was released back in 2019 and has since gained a massive following, which makes its almost-immediate transition to film all the more interesting.
The story follows Elwood, a bright young Black American man. Engaged in a civil rights movement as well as preparing to enter a technical college, the protagonist had a bright future ahead of him. But while hitchhiking to class, he’s arrested, along with the driver who was operating the stolen vehicle he was in – and Elwood is sentenced to time at Nickel Academy, a reform school for boys, where all manner of heinous acts occur. However, once there, Elwood finds a kindred spirit in the form of Turner.
The story itself is a gripping tale based on real events that has been widely hailed as “a powerful tale of human perseverance, dignity, and redemption.”
“Piece By Piece” – US Theatrical Release: 25th October
Among all the documentaries that have ever existed, you’ve never seen one told through LEGO. Yes, you read that right! “Piece by Piece” is the latest documentary series from Morgan Neville (director of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”) that tells the life story of artist and legendary music producer Pharrel Williams entirely through LEGO. Not only that, but this whole idea was from Williams, who wanted a better way of illustrating his relationship with music through colourful, glowing bricks.
Not only will you see William in all his minifig glory, but also amazing music icons such as Neville, Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani rendered as Lego figures. Piece by Piece is a by-the-book documentary, complete with talking head interviews and flashbacks. The movie tells us that Williams had a deep connection to music from a young age, describes how he achieved success, lists all of the greatest hits that he produced with assistance, and even touches on some of his less successful moments in the industry as well as his lowest points in real life.
Sources: Netflix, NARA & DVIDS Public Domain Archive, Amazon, Wikimedia Commons, IMDb
