Along with horror, suspense, or rom-com films or series, documentaries, especially crime documentaries, have held a special place in people’s hearts for several years. These documentary films and series are not only informative or educational but also entertaining, addictive, and capable of hooking the audience to the screen. In 2023, a whole lot of documentaries will have been released thanks to our familiar streaming giants, Netflix, Amazon, Hotstar, etc. Starting from different types of crime and its investigation to some inspiring events from various people’s lives, these documentaries highlight some captivating subjects that often open our eyes to help us unravel the mystery of our very own world and the complicated human psychology. Sometimes even the real-life incidents depicted in these documentaries make us reflect on life more than any fictional drama could have ever done. Here we have compiled a list of some of the best documentaries released...
- 12/31/2023
- by Poulami Nanda
- Film Fugitives
The Jewel Thief is a hilarious documentary brought to us by Hulu, directed by Landon Van Soest. The film dives into the life of the criminal mastermind, Gerald Blanchard, who embarked on a series of audacious heists, each more daring than the last. Even the investigating officers couldn’t help but marvel at Blanchard’s ingenious techniques. With a touch of humor, the documentary takes us on a journey through Blanchard’s notorious heists, which he takes great pride in because he believes ordinary people couldn’t accomplish what he had done. This conviction fuels his belief that he has triumphed in life.
Throughout the documentary, Gerald Blanchard, his mother, and accomplices give interviews alongside the investigators. Unapologetic for his past crimes, Blanchard boastfully details his ingenious thefts, showcasing his lack of remorse. However, it becomes clear that his world is often clouded with more fantasy than actual truth. At times,...
Throughout the documentary, Gerald Blanchard, his mother, and accomplices give interviews alongside the investigators. Unapologetic for his past crimes, Blanchard boastfully details his ingenious thefts, showcasing his lack of remorse. However, it becomes clear that his world is often clouded with more fantasy than actual truth. At times,...
- 7/16/2023
- by Poulami Nanda
- Film Fugitives
“Take Care of Maya,” the new feature documentary on Netflix spotlighting medical world instances of families being falsely accused of child abuse, is meant to be the “beginning of the conversation” about a harrowing topic that remains misunderstood to many people, director Henry Roosevelt told TheWrap.
“There’s rarely an hour that goes by that we’re not getting a tweet, direct message, email, phone call or letter. It really shows you how widespread this problem is and how many people are experiencing something similar,” producer Caitlin Keating said. “People are saying that they saw themselves in this film in some way and the response has been overwhelming.”
The sometimes hard-to-watch documentary delves into the heartbreaking case of now 17-year-old Maya Kowalski, who was kept at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for three months in 2016 against her will because doctors blamed her parents of “medical child abuse.”
At age...
“There’s rarely an hour that goes by that we’re not getting a tweet, direct message, email, phone call or letter. It really shows you how widespread this problem is and how many people are experiencing something similar,” producer Caitlin Keating said. “People are saying that they saw themselves in this film in some way and the response has been overwhelming.”
The sometimes hard-to-watch documentary delves into the heartbreaking case of now 17-year-old Maya Kowalski, who was kept at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for three months in 2016 against her will because doctors blamed her parents of “medical child abuse.”
At age...
- 7/15/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
“The Jewel Thief” follows the exploits of lifelong criminal Gerald Blanchard, who graduated from ripping off his local Radio Shacks in the ’80s — he once cleaned out an entire store — to stealing the Sis Star, a famous crown jewel, in Austria.
And perhaps even more amazing, Blanchard documented his own crimes every step of the way, giving director Landon Van Soest ample material to craft this eye-opening doc, which premiered this week on Hulu.
“It’s a gift as a filmmaker to have so much to work with,” Van Soest told TheWrap when he sat down to discuss this stranger-than-fiction tale of one man who took pride in outwitting banks and security systems and baffling police around the world.
Also Read:
‘When the LAPD Blows Up Your Neighborhood’ Wins TheWrap’s ShortList Film Festival Industry Award
TheWrap: It’s incredible that he documented just about everything
How did you first...
And perhaps even more amazing, Blanchard documented his own crimes every step of the way, giving director Landon Van Soest ample material to craft this eye-opening doc, which premiered this week on Hulu.
“It’s a gift as a filmmaker to have so much to work with,” Van Soest told TheWrap when he sat down to discuss this stranger-than-fiction tale of one man who took pride in outwitting banks and security systems and baffling police around the world.
Also Read:
‘When the LAPD Blows Up Your Neighborhood’ Wins TheWrap’s ShortList Film Festival Industry Award
TheWrap: It’s incredible that he documented just about everything
How did you first...
- 7/14/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Beginning this week, viewers can dive in and learn all of the fascinating details about Gerald Blanchard, originally from Winnipeg, and his elaborate heists. The criminal mastermind shares his side of the story in a new documentary in a thrilling firsthand account of these events. “The Jewel Thief” is coming to Hulu, and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Start streaming “The Jewel Thief” on Thursday, July 13. You can watch The Jewel Thief with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu.
How to Watch ‘The Jewel Thief’ When: Thursday, July 13, 2023 Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.com About ‘The Jewel Thief’
In an attempt to become famous, Blanchard has crafted complicated plans to pull off heists all over the globe. Since his first successful crime in 1998, he’s been on quite an impressive spree. He’s pulled off...
How to Watch ‘The Jewel Thief’ When: Thursday, July 13, 2023 Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.com About ‘The Jewel Thief’
In an attempt to become famous, Blanchard has crafted complicated plans to pull off heists all over the globe. Since his first successful crime in 1998, he’s been on quite an impressive spree. He’s pulled off...
- 7/13/2023
- by Aubrey Chorpenning
- The Streamable
On a June day in 1998, at the height of the summer tourist season, Gerald Daniel Blanchard entered Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and deftly removed a diamond-and-pearl-encrusted pin that had once belonged to Empress Elisabeth of Austria from its display case, leaving a replica from the museum’s gift shop in its place.
Nine years later, in May 2007, police in Winnipeg, Canada discovered the priceless piece tucked inside a wall of Blanchard’s grandmother’s home, while raiding the house for stolen cash and goods. The recovery of the royal jewels...
Nine years later, in May 2007, police in Winnipeg, Canada discovered the priceless piece tucked inside a wall of Blanchard’s grandmother’s home, while raiding the house for stolen cash and goods. The recovery of the royal jewels...
- 7/11/2023
- by Elizabeth Yuko
- Rollingstone.com
"If you could rob the banks, why not?" A good question. Hulu has revealed an official trailer for a true crime documentary film titled The Jewel Thief, arriving for streaming starting July 13th this month. Yet another crime thriller to keep crime fanatics hooked, but this one is about an art heist master. The Jewel Thief is the unbelievable first-hand account of Gerald Blanchard, one of the most creative, calculating, accomplished criminal masterminds in modern history. The Canadian thief is perhaps most well known for stealing the iconic Star of Empress Sisi from Austria in 1998. It took two weeks before the swap was discovered. He was eventually caught and arrested in 2007, after going on to quietly and discreetly rob many banks in Canada. While "Blanchard and the detectives match wits, they begin to develop a mutual sense of respect through a shared obsession for their chosen professions." You can read...
- 7/7/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
If you’re a fan of true crime documentaries or early millennium classic cartoons then boy does Hulu’s list of new releases have some great news for you!
Hulu continues its implicit understanding that streaming services are basically true crime distribution machines this month with a trio of intriguing titles. While it’s not necessarily true crime per se, The Ashley Madison Affair about the notorious dating platform premieres on July 7. That will be followed by Betrayal: The Perfect Husband on July 11, which is based on a compelling podcast of the same name. The Jewel Thief arrives on July 13 to provide an account of Gerald Blanchard, one of history’s most creative criminals.
But where does the cartoon excitement comes in? Well, that’s because season 11 of Matt Groening’s beloved Futurama premieres on July 24. Fry, Leela, the Professor, and Bender will all return for a direct continuation of...
Hulu continues its implicit understanding that streaming services are basically true crime distribution machines this month with a trio of intriguing titles. While it’s not necessarily true crime per se, The Ashley Madison Affair about the notorious dating platform premieres on July 7. That will be followed by Betrayal: The Perfect Husband on July 11, which is based on a compelling podcast of the same name. The Jewel Thief arrives on July 13 to provide an account of Gerald Blanchard, one of history’s most creative criminals.
But where does the cartoon excitement comes in? Well, that’s because season 11 of Matt Groening’s beloved Futurama premieres on July 24. Fry, Leela, the Professor, and Bender will all return for a direct continuation of...
- 7/1/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Oliver (Martin Short), Charles (Steve Martin) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 2 (Photo by: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu)
New seasons of Only Murders in the Building, The Kardashians, and This Fool will premiere this summer on Hulu. The streaming service released premiere dates and plot descriptions for its summer 2023 programming lineup, which includes the return – after a decade-long break – of the popular animated comedy Futurama.
Hulu’s roster of new films joining the streaming service this summer includes White Men Can’t Jump (the remake) and Flamin’ Hot, the directorial debut of Eva Longoria. Hulu’s also set summer premiere dates for the documentaries Queenmaker: The Making of An It Girl, The Jewel Thief, Anthem, The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump, and Jelly Roll: Save Me.
Hulu’S Summer 2023 Series:
How I Met Your Father
Premiere Date: May 23, 2023 (One episode weekly)
Finale date: July 11, 2023 (Two episode...
New seasons of Only Murders in the Building, The Kardashians, and This Fool will premiere this summer on Hulu. The streaming service released premiere dates and plot descriptions for its summer 2023 programming lineup, which includes the return – after a decade-long break – of the popular animated comedy Futurama.
Hulu’s roster of new films joining the streaming service this summer includes White Men Can’t Jump (the remake) and Flamin’ Hot, the directorial debut of Eva Longoria. Hulu’s also set summer premiere dates for the documentaries Queenmaker: The Making of An It Girl, The Jewel Thief, Anthem, The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump, and Jelly Roll: Save Me.
Hulu’S Summer 2023 Series:
How I Met Your Father
Premiere Date: May 23, 2023 (One episode weekly)
Finale date: July 11, 2023 (Two episode...
- 5/19/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Exclusive: Hulu Originals has acquired “We Live Here: The Midwest” from documentary filmmakers David Miller and Melinda Maerker.
The doc explores personal stories of Lgbtqi+ families who are striving to build lives in their communities despite biased legislation and mounting prejudice. The families hope to stay in a part of the country they love, and where they have established deep roots.
The families featured in the doc include a trans/queer family with five children in Iowa who must find a new community after being expelled from their church; a gay Black couple with a young daughter who test the line of acceptance in Nebraska; a lesbian couple who is homeschooling their bullied son on a farm in Kansas; a gay teacher in Ohio who is creating a safe space for Lgbtqi+ students; and a couple in Minnesota that is struggling to rebuild their families after their transitions.
The doc...
The doc explores personal stories of Lgbtqi+ families who are striving to build lives in their communities despite biased legislation and mounting prejudice. The families hope to stay in a part of the country they love, and where they have established deep roots.
The families featured in the doc include a trans/queer family with five children in Iowa who must find a new community after being expelled from their church; a gay Black couple with a young daughter who test the line of acceptance in Nebraska; a lesbian couple who is homeschooling their bullied son on a farm in Kansas; a gay teacher in Ohio who is creating a safe space for Lgbtqi+ students; and a couple in Minnesota that is struggling to rebuild their families after their transitions.
The doc...
- 5/3/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
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