True Crime Obsessed

When the curtain rose on the murder trial of Pamela Smart 23 years ago, the stage was set for the birth of reality TV. Accused of plotting the 1990 murder of her husband Gregory, 22-year-old Smart was subsequently convicted in the first fully televised, gavel-to-gavel court case, which has inspired TV shows, books, plays and feature films. This documentary takes another look at everything we think we know about the case. Is it possible that Pamela had nothing do to with the murder? That her teen aged lover killed her husband in a jealous rage without Pamela's knowledge? The evidence is shockingly compelling.  Join us on this bonkers romp through one of the most thought provoking true crime documentaries we've ever seen.

An amateur documentary filmmaker named Thierry is on a mission to track down and film the elusive and anonymous street artist named Banksy. When Thierry finds him, Banksy turns the camera on the filmmaker and hilarity, mystery, shenanigans, and some pretty frikking impressive art ensue. BUT SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS, ARE WE BEING PUNKED? Is the whole thing an elaborate piece of performance art? Is it real? And WHO is Banksy?  We have lots of thoughts and opinions. We're flipping tables and taking the bait. Join us!

A bunch of altruistic hot people join a cult in 1980s West Hollywood, what could possibly go wrong? Using footage shot by the cult's (known as The Buddahfield) in-house documentarian, we follow these lovable gorgeous weirdos as they slowly become disenchanted by their 'master' 'lord' 'leader' 'prophet' who claims to have a direct line to God. It all, inevitably, falls apart. Lives are ruined, faiths are shaken, and fruit salads are painstakingly made. 

In the early morning hours of March 13, 1964, 28-year-old Kitty Genovese was murdered in front of her building in Kew Gardens, Queens. According to the New York Times story that followed, 38 people watched the murder happen and did nothing. 50 years later, her brother is on a mission to uncover the truth. Is it possible that nobody tried to help her? Did she really die scared and alone? Why was she attacked? Could she have been saved?Through his investigation her brother gets to know her in a way he never knew her in life. Also, you guys, this episode is VERY Queens-centric and Gillian, our resident Queen...s.... (former) resident is our guide. We learn about Diners and cigar clubs, and bars that open at 8 am. And get ready for the accents and to #BeAnEarWitness.

Johnny Gosch was 12-years-old when he disappeared while on his paper route on September 5, 1982. There were FIVE witnesses, but the local police (and eventually FBI) declared there was no crime. Over the years, Johnny's parents never gave up hope that they would find him.  This documentary tells the tale of the world's most ferocious mother, Noreen Gosch (who gives GREAT documentary), a horrendously managed investigation, a weirdo who might know where Johnny is, a possible sex ring (and we cannot even with that), and maybe (MAYBE!) a return by Johnny himself. This one's a doozy, you guys!

Jesus Camp follows a group of children as they attend an evangelical Christian summer camp, where they are taught that they have "prophetic gifts" and can "take back America for Christ.  The film claims that it "documents and does not judge." But Gillian and Patrick sure do! Get ready for some good old fashioned speaking in tongues, Jesus hip-hop, climate change denial, and a complete dismissal of science, some SUPER intense kiddos, and even a dance number or two! But leave your "Harry Potter" books at home, because...well...you'll see. 

Amanda Knox was an 21-year-old exchange student in rural Italy when she and her boyfriend were arrested for and convicted of killing her roommate, Meredith Kercher. It took nearly five years, almost all of which she spent behind bars, to clear her name.  In this bonkers documentary from Netflix, Amanda herself takes us through the entire journey. We also hear from a human-garbage 'journalist,' A lead prosecutor who's tight with God, and a defense attorney who's zingers are the stuff of legend.  This is part 2 of our 2-part series on this documentary. 

Amanda Knox was an 21 year old exchange student in rural Italy when she and her boyfriend were arrested for and convicted of killing her roommate, Meredith Kercher. It took nearly five years, almost all of which she spent behind bars, to clear her name.  In this bonkers documentary from Netflix, Amanda herself takes us through the entire journey. We also hear from a human-garbage 'journalist,' A lead prosecutor who's tight with God, and a defense attorney who's zingers are the stuff of legend.  This is part 1 of our 2-part series on this documentary. 

Meet the Friedmans: Father Arnold, Mother Elaine, and kids David, Seth, and Jesse. They're all living the 'perfect' middle class life on Long Island in the 1980 until Arnold and Jesse are arrested and charged with truly horrific crimes. And guess what? Thanks to the family's love of camcorders and, weirdly, taping every second of their lives, we're treated to a front row seat as their lives completely fall apart.  The question is, did  they do it? The police say yes, but many witnesses say otherwise. Come with us as we learn all about this strange family with their bizarre love of pre-jail piano parties, yelling at their mother, and VIDEO DIARIES! Ahhh, the 80s. 

We believe the working title for this documentary was "The Garbage-Human Who Pretended To Be A 9/11 Survivor." Ugh, Meet Tania Head, the woman who claimed to be a survivor of the attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. An "employee of Merrill Lynch" with "degrees from Harvard and Stanford" and the "fiancee of 'Big Dave,'" an employee in the opposite tower, Tania was, for all intents and purposes, the face of the survivors of 9/11....Until the New York Times looked into her story.  As the truth of her story comes to light, we meet the real survivors she conned--some who'd figured her out early on, others who held out hope that she was who she claimed to be.  Hear our funny, insightful, and super-annoyed take.