Doc Talk

​Hello all!  I thought we would take a break from me bitching about current events and go over some notable documentaries that are currently streaming. Three out of the four are great and worth a look. Without further ado, let’s get started
 
Belushi (Showtime) Fair and balanced reporting of the life and tragic death of a major comedic performer and star by the people who knew him best. From his early childhood in Wheaton IL to his last tragic days alone at the Chateau Marmont, this accounting never holds back at a career that made such a major impression in television and movie audiences the late 70’s. Definitely worth checking out.
 
The Go Gos (Showtime) A documentary for all those who doubt the contribution of this groundbreaking female band. Even though their contribution to the overall music scene was short lived, their influence continues to live on. This film follows the humble beginnings of these punk wannabes as they form their own band and move from opening act to headliners in what the industry would consider record time.  As with Belushi we do get a fairly good look what sudden fame, drugs and infighting can do to a career. Come for the music, stay for some glances at truly sad examples of plastic surgery.
 
Murder on Middle Beach (HBO). Maddening in that it could have been a bit shorter and that we never truly uncover the true killer of Barbie Beach, instead spending the overall length of episodes merely muddying up the waters of what truly happened. Was it the father? Was it the sister of the victim? Was it the daughter? As an audience we deserve more that, we may never know. What is, however, truly inspiring about this doc, is the work of the documentarian, Madison Hamburg, as the sifts through all of the maddening scenarios of what could have happened. 
 
Fear City: New York vs The Mafia. Finally, a documentary where Rudy Guiliani does not have his hands in his pants. This is an extremely interesting recounting of the fight of a major city to uncover the tentacles to the major crime families and how they were initially brought to justice through wiretapping and the brave men and women of the justice department who live to talk about themselves. Again, easily two episodes and thirty minutes too long.
 

See you all next week!