Solve the Mystery with Me
If you're a sucker for a good Mystery Documentary, you've come to the right place. I'm Ellie and I will be your guide into the world of abundant and very bewitching crime documentaries.
Blog
10-5-18 - Killer legends
Killer legends, a Horror/Historical Documentary was made March 16, 2014 was directed by Joshua Zeman and produced by Rachel Mills and Gregory Palmer. The documentary would be best summarized as an exploration, by the two producers Rachel Mills and Gregory Palmer, of old urban legends and how they connect to actual murders that have happened in the states that the legend originated from.
Review of show
After watching over half of the show, I couldn't carry on any longer. Though the stories presented were interesting, the show moved considerably slow. The show also repeated the same phrases and explanation of the stories over and over. The fun of Horror Documentaries are the fast pace, cliff hanging statements that keep you begging for more of the show. Overall this show in particular was shot and made very poorly.
Personal Rating - 4/10
11-9-18 - Real Crime: Hannah's Killer
Real Crime: Hannah's Killer, a british documentary about the murder of 17 year old, Hannah Foster. The documentary focuses mainly on the parents of Hannah and how they were determined to catch her murderer, Maninder Pal Singh Kohli. After a night out with her friend, Hannah walked her friend to the bus station that was nearby. Little did anyone know her killer was also out at pubs, not far away from her that night. Her house was only a few hundred yards away but Kohli was determined to capture Hannah. Kohli parked his van where he knew she would be walking. That night Hannah was abducted, rapped and murdered. After realizing Hannah was still wasn't home at nearly three o'clock in the morning, her parents called the police to file a missing persons report. After getting the report the police tracked Hannah's cell phone and it seemed to be in a vehicle, and after tracking it they went through her call history and realized she had called 999 (911). They reviewed the tape of the 999 call and confirmed that the sound on the phone was in a larger vehicle, such as a van and that the person that abducted her was of indian ethnicity. They also review cameras around the city and found a large van driving exactly where the phone was tracked to. Later that day they got a report of a body that was found dumped just outside of the city. It was hannah. They found Kohli's DNA on her clothes and found Foster's DNA in the van. Before they could question Kohli he had fled back to india. Before he could completely disappear, British police asked India's police force to take over and capture Kohli. After 6 years of trying to get closure for their daughter, The fosters could walk out of the court knowing that Maninder Pal Singh Kohli would never hurt anyone ever again. Maninder Pal Singh Kohli ended up being charged with life in prison, without parole.
Review of Show
After watching all forty some minutes of this compelling documentary, I have formed a strong opinion of it. The story line is very interesting but you can also guess how it will end. The show is also slow moving and boring in parts. They could have easily packed all of it down to thirty minutes. The way that the production crew decided to add the dramatizations in my opinion was what ruined the show. Most of the show ended up being true, but poor quality reenactments. The show would have turned out better if they let the family tell the story or even involved them more in some way.
Personal Rating - 6/10
11-16-18 - I Am A Killer
Review of Show
After only watching one episode of this brilliantly made show, I knew I had enough information and enough of an opinion on it to write this blog. The shows sole focus is the inmates on death row and how they got there. The only person who tells the story is the killer, unlike other shows that have a narrator shown on screen or other people describing the story with clips of the criminal talking. The criminal on the show is in a room getting interviewed, and even though you know he's getting asked questions, they cut that part out so it seems as if the killer is only talking to you. I loved how different this show was shot and how they give the criminals a chance to "shine". The show also gives you insight into what it's really like in prison. After watching just the first episode I feel and have a completely different opinion on the justice system and death row itself.
Personal Rating - 9/10
12-13-18 - The Confession Tapes
Review of Show
12-17-18 - The Innocent Man
Review of Show
Right after I finished watching the first episode, I couldn't stop watching. I ended up finishing the whole series, which is just six episodes. The show is relatable to especially us, here in moorhead, because it is based in a small town. The police, while interrogating the suspects used the same technique as the last show, they videotaped them confessing. The show is compilation of everyone involved in the crime, including the families, friends, lawyers, investigators, police officers, scientists and most important the so called suspects. I absolutely loved this show. Everything about it was perfect. The way it was shot, the honesty, the pictures and especially how they let the criminals tell their own story.
Personal Rating - 10/10
1-18-19 - Killer Kids
Review of show
After watching the first episode of the show, I am already sick of watching. The dramatization itself is dramatized. The one thing, I can think to compare the making of it, is those annoying driver ed videos, where the cast moves randomly as if to fill a time slot and talks about things not relating to the show. Also the cast talks very "dumbed down" and they over explain everything, as if you are a toddler. The first episode is very disturbing and the topics gory. They talk about satanic rituals, heavy metal and drugs, almost as if it is an excuse for this teen to have murdered this innocent seven year old boy. I will not continue to watch this show and I hope you never do.
Personal Rating - 1/10
1-25-19 The Fear of 13
Review of show
Personal Rating - 9/10
2-12-19 Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
Review of show
Personal Rating - 7/10
2-21-19 Abducted in Plain Sight
In 2017, a documentary was released. The documentary is about a young girl, Jan Broberg, who was abducted in her calm, close-knit, church-going community by not only her neighbor but her close family friend. Not once but TWICE.
Review of show
3-18-19 The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
As the main spotlight on netflix, this series is getting a lot of buzz. Everyone is talking about it. If you haven't heard about it, don't wait you need to watch it now. This show is based off a family, the McCann's, vacationing in Praia Da Luz, a resort in portugal. Their daughter, Madeleine McCann, disappeared on May 3, 2007 without a trace. She is still missing to this day, the case has not progressed due to lack of evidence, foul play and dead end leads.
Review of show
While watching this show, I was working on my homework, and I couldn't get any of it done, because the show was just so compelling. Even though the show was pretty much just a visual description of the crime, with facts that you could simply find on any website or news article about the crime. The show isn't a dramatization by any means, which is one of the big reasons I loved it so much. They interview almost everyone that was a part of or involved in the event in some way, which is cool because even the people at the resort, that didn't know the family, helped with looking and giving out details. I would absolutely recommend watching this show.
Personal Rating - 9/10
3-28-19 Follow up Blog of The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
4-15-19 Evil Genius - The true story of America's most diabolical bank heist.
Review of show
5-17-19 Out of Thin Air
Review of Show
5-20-19 Interview with a Serial Killer
Review of Show
With this being my last blog post in all, I wanted to go out with a bang. I have been waiting to watch this documentary for some time now, knowing I would love it. The waiting paid off. I don't know if it is just the spine tingling story or a combination of everything, but the whole show is put together so well. The production itself is pretty basic and nothing special and expensive, but it has all the right components a good murder documentary should have. It has real suspense, real interviews and real facts. So with all of that being said, if you appreciate the same things I do, about these documentaries, you will watch an Interview with a Serial Killer.
Personal Rating - 10/10