Tag Archives: docuseries

The Finale of ID’s 3-night special ‘THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE’ is as shocking as ever. Do not miss this unbelievable story.

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THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE offers extraordinary access and exclusive insight into a mystery ripped straight from the headlines: Who is Natalia Barnett? Initially assumed to be a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare bone growth disorder that can result in skeletal abnormalities as well as issues with hearing and vision, Natalia was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010. However, the happy family dynamic soured when allegations against Natalia were brought by the Barnetts who alleged Natalia was an adult masquerading as a child with intent to harm their family. In 2013, Natalia was discovered living on her own which ignited an investigation that led to Michael and Kristine’s arrest and a firestorm of questions.

To read Night One coverage, click here!

To read about Night Two, click here!

Michael Barnett and Kristine Barnett mugshots

In Episode 5, Barnett v. Barnett, the gloves are off between husband and wife as a case of neglect builds against Kristine with the assistance of Michael. He weaves a tale of abuse at the hands of Kristine. Intercut are pretrial interviews with Natalia. She contracts herself within minutes. Jacob shares ways his mother manipulated him to get back at Natalia. You understand the sickness of requesting a child on the spectrum to perform such heinous acts. The biggest victim in this wild case is undeniably Jacob Barnett.

Episode 6, the final chapter in this ID docuseries, picks up where Episode 5 left off; Michael’s trial. The legal language and coaching are both revealing and incredibly uncomfortable. Grab your popcorn because the volatility of this case hits new heights.

In its entirety, THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE is an emotional rollercoaster. This story is far from over.

 

THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE will premiere across three consecutive nights on ID beginning Monday, May 29, airing nightly from 9-11pm ET/PT.

Night Two of ‘THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE’ shakes up the narrative in the 3-night special airing on ID

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THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE offers extraordinary access and exclusive insight into a mystery ripped straight from the headlines: Who is Natalia Barnett? Initially assumed to be a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare bone growth disorder that can result in skeletal abnormalities as well as issues with hearing and vision, Natalia was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010. However, the happy family dynamic soured when allegations against Natalia were brought by the Barnetts who alleged Natalia was an adult masquerading as a child with intent to harm their family. In 2013, Natalia was discovered living on her own which ignited an investigation that led to Michael and Kristine’s arrest and a firestorm of questions.

To read Night One coverage, click here!

NIGHT TWO:

In Episode 3, theories clash, and the proverbial shit hits the fan. Kristine gets Natalia an apartment after legally re-aging her, and a tale of two villains emerges. Natalia’s new neighbors share their experiences with her and the Barnetts. It is an alarming collection of interactions.

Episode 4 highlights Michael Barnett‘s evolution on camera spans years. His earliest interviews from 2019 display a well-spoken man recalling a shocking family nightmare. In the latest interviews from 2022, we see a completely different man whose story changes. He is a man slowly unraveling. It is challenging to decipher if the tears are crocodile or not. Jacob hints at a broader understanding of fault. It puts some of Kristine’s footage of Natalia into question and puts Jacob in a precarious situation, emotionally and legally.

Stay tuned for Night Three’s coverage tomorrow!

 

THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE will premiere across three consecutive nights on ID beginning Monday, May 29, airing nightly from 9-11pm ET/PT.

Did this shocking real-life story inspire a horror franchise sequel? Or, it it the other way around? ‘THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE’ is an explosive 3-night special airs on ID

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THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE offers extraordinary access and exclusive insight into a mystery ripped straight from the headlines: Who is Natalia Barnett? Initially assumed to be a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare bone growth disorder that can result in skeletal abnormalities as well as issues with hearing and vision, Natalia was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010. However, the happy family dynamic soured when allegations against Natalia were brought by the Barnetts who alleged Natalia was an adult masquerading as a child with intent to harm their family. In 2013, Natalia was discovered living on her own which ignited an investigation that led to Michael and Kristine’s arrest and a firestorm of questions.

Courtesy of ID

Friends, family, and neighbors of The Barnetts share their memories of the day little Natalia came home with the Barnetts and the chaos that soon commenced. The Barnett family patriarch Michael opens the docuseries by explaining that life was damn near perfect when they adopted a 6-year-old Ukranian girl with dwarfism in 2011. Natalia was the missing piece to their idyllic life until the red flags began to wave. According to Michael, things get out of hand only a few months into welcoming Natalia home. Eldest son Jacob Barnett speaks to his fear and confusion at age 11 when his adopted sister hoards knives and slowly tortures him and his siblings daily. But there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

Episode 1 sets up Natalia as a mastermind and sociopath. To say it is unnerving is an understatement. Episode 2 features intriguing audio from phone calls with several Indiana State Mental Hospital staff. Enter legal expert Beth Karas and new details from witnesses that dispute many of Michael Barnett’s storytelling. Now, the audience finds themselves in a tailspin.

Stay tuned for Night Two’s coverage tomorrow!

 

THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE will premiere across three consecutive nights on ID beginning Monday, May 29, airing nightly from 9-11pm ET/PT.

The MAX original three-part docuseries: ‘HOW TO CREATE A SEX SCANDAL’ displays the terrifying consequences of a manipulating mastermind.

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Synopsis: In 2005, the sleepy community of Mineola, Texas, is thrown into turmoil when local children reveal shocking stories about a pedophile sex ring that took place at a local swingers club. As arrests are made, life sentences handed down, and lives ruined, it soon becomes apparent that there is a lot more to the story than meets the eye. Now, the startling long-term repercussions of the scandal are revealed. With more twists and turns than a Hollywood thriller, HOW TO CREATE A SEX SCANDAL is a startling and scarcely believable telling of a crime story that really is stranger than fiction.

Based on Michael Hall‘s articles from 2004, Mineola, Texas, HOW TO CREATE A SEX SCANDAL is a shocking tale of deceit and power. It’s time for some good old fashion pearl-clutching before tearing them off in a rage.

Episode 1:
Did three foster children admit their biological families had them in a child sex ring? Foster mother Margie Cantrall tells us a reprehensible story. Police and the media pick up on these allegations, and with Margie in the interrogation room, three kids testify to sexual abuse. Mineola, Texas, became an epicenter for the repeated miscarriage of justice.

Episode 2:
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” This Hamlet quote captures how this case turns upside down. Rumors, corruption, and pleading the 5th come from an unlikely source. In the third trial of this sex ring, things become clear there is something foul about the lack of witnesses. Journalists dive deep into Margie Cantrall’s past foster kids, and a surprise witness comes forward.

Episode 3:
Prosecutors and judges show their cards, and the motive for this scheme comes to light. We finally hear from Carly and Hunter as adults. They recall a childhood from hell. Revisiting the unseen interviews from Gabby, Hunter, and Carly blows this charade wide open.

This must-see and completely enthralling docuseries will have you wanting more. More justice, that is. 

The Max Original three-part docuseries HOW TO CREATE A SEX SCANDAL, directed by Julian P. Hobbs and executive produced by Elli Hakami (co-directors “House of Hammer”) debuts TUESDAY, MAY 23 on Max.
About Max: Max is WarnerBrosDiscovery’s direct-to-consumer offering with 10,000 hours of curated premium content. Max offers powerhouse programming for everyone in the home, bringing together a robust slate of new original series, key third-party licensed programs and movies, and fan favorites from WarnerMedia’s rich library including HBO, Warner Bros., New Line, DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, Looney Tunes and more. #WarnerBrosDiscovery #streamonmax
 
SUBSCRIBE TO MAX http://bit.ly/HBOMaxYouTube
 
GET MAX https://itsh.bo/ways-to-get
 

HBO’s four-part Original docuseries review: ‘Murder on Middle Beach’ episode one airs tonight.

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HBO Documentary Films’ MURDER ON MIDDLE BEACH, a four-part documentary series directed by first-time filmmaker Madison Hamburg, presents Hamburg’s complicated journey as a young man determined to solve an unspeakable crime and absolve the people he loves, while looking for answers within his fractured family and community.

 

On March 3, 2010, single mother Barbara Hamburg was found violently murdered near her home in the upper-middle-class enclave of Madison, Connecticut. Investigators speculated her murder appeared to be a crime of passion, but without enough evidence, the case grew cold.

Over the course of 8 years, Barbara’s son, Madison Hamburg, interviewed his family members and many others, longing to learn more about his mother and gathering evidence in hopes of solving her murder, sending him into a deep web of buried familial secrets, connections to shadowy criminal figures, and the uncovering of years-old resentments in his deceptively serene hometown. While Madison wrestles with troubling revelations about his mother, the most unsettling conflict comes from Madison’s obligation to bring into question those inside his community and members of his own family.

Madison Hamburg wants to know what happened to his mother in 2010. Growing up in an affluent Connecticut town myself, I found it shocking that I had not heard about this case. Who would want to kill a stay at home mother? What are the motives for such a brutal act? The theories seem straight forward until you’re steered down another road due to lack of evidence. The things that went wrong in this initial investigation will frustrate you to no end. You have to give Madison credit for having the courage and, for lack of a more eloquent way of putting it, balls for putting his entire childhood and now adulthood on the line to solve this mystery and deal with his trauma.

Creative editing places you inside the family dynamic of the Hamburgs. Not just Madison’s odd relationship with his estranged father, but his aunt’s and uncles, grandparents, and his sister Barbara, the 4th of that namesake on his mother’s side. Madison uses home videos and still photography to invite you into the years he had with his Mom. Some of the most unique moments come in the form of vintage voiceovers from what seems like those creepy 1950s classroom movies. It is eerily effective. Intimate sit-down interviews play the largest part as the mystery grows. There are constant hints of family secrets but we only get a tease in the final moments of episode one. You’re so invested in this story, it’s frightening. There is no doubt Madison Hamburg wants the truth. I know I’ll be watching the final 3 episodes on HBO to find out if he gets it. Murder on Middle Beach will air episode 1 tonight at 10:00-11:00pm ET/PT.

Stream on HBO Max: http://itsh.bo/hbo-max

MURDER ON MIDDLE BEACH debuts on November 15 on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

Review: ‘Dear…’ Apple Tv+ new series is coming this Friday!

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Dear…

One person’s story can change the world. From Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler, this ten-part docuseries profiles game-changing icons and the people whose lives they’ve inspired.

 

Dear… is a brand new docuseries featuring letters to some of the most influential people of our time. These fan letters affect the reader as profoundly as the author. ‘DEAR…’ explores the histories of our subjects, what inspired them to be artistic, brave, and to step into the unknown. Like each letter illustrated, the series is one of a kind, and having a good TV to watch it is important, as you can also get a standing tv mount for purposes like this.

Episode 2:

Lin-Manuel Miranda understood that if you don’t tell your story, someone will do it for you in a way that might not be as authentic. He talks about creating In The Heights and literally changing the face and sound of musical theatre. He learned how to say, “No”, and how to wait for the right opportunity. Finally, Latinos were able to see themselves onstage. His fans’ letters speak to the ability to celebrate their heritage. Wait until you see how and where he shares the first 16 bars from Hamilton. Through this show and his subsequent speech at the Tony Awards, he gave renew voice to the LGBTQA+ community. Love is love is love is love is love.

Episode 6:

Jane Goodall is a huge figure for someone so small in real life. What she has done for research and extinction awareness is a gift to the Earth. In her Dear… episode, her letters tell the stories of other people and their journey to protect the planet and its creatures. Jane’s love of animals and Tarzan inspired her to study Africa. Footage of Goodall in 1960 in Tanzania in search of chimpanzees is gorgeous. Thus began her life’s work. Her fans span generations, creating foundations, becoming conservation activists and journalists, mentors, and environmentally progressive teens. Her message through Roots and Shoots is about encouraging each child to be part of the solution and have the courage to raise awareness to those who don’t understand the effect humans have on climate.

Episode 7:

Big Bird, yes our giant 8-foot tall Sesame Street herald, has his very own episode of Dear… Big Bird is technically only 6 years old, but he’s been around since the incarnation of Jim Henson and PBS’ children’s series in 1969. Children follow the social-emotional growth of someone just like them. In 1982, the actor who played Mr. Hooper passed away, and Sesame Street used it as an opportunity to teach young kids about death. Whenever major events happen in the world, Sesame Street deals with them head-on using Big Bird as their universal child. He shows the same vulnerability that a viewer would. His letters are from the adults that grew up with him. With 2 toddlers of my own, we watch Big Bird learn new lessons every day. He teaches them how to be a good friend, how it’s ok to make mistakes, and how to be accepting of those who are different from us. Now that Sesame Street has Julia, a character with autism, my connection with Big Bird is stronger than ever. I am a Mom with a child on the spectrum. He has taught us that being yourself is the best way to be, that would celebrate how special and unique each of us truly is. In a way, this review is my very own letter saying Thank You for continuing to teach us all.

DEAR… also showcases the lives and letters of Spike Lee, Aly Raisman, Misty Copeland, Oprah Winfrey, Yara Shahidi, Jane Goodall, Stevie Wonder, and Gloria Steinem. The beautiful juxtaposition of the authors’ letters dramatized while reading them is stunning. You’ll have chills. The show is hopeful and real. It’s incredibly well done. It’s a series we need right now, in this moment of history. DEAR… can be seen beginning June 5th in its entirety on Apple TV+.