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The coming of fall brings us cozy fashion, an abundance of squash recipes, and more importantly, a great Fall TV lineup. Below are some highlights Media Manda can’t wait to see.
by Amanda Thornton aka Media Manda

 

 

Undercover High – A&E

Premieres October 10th at 10pm

A gripping new docu-series that follows seven young adults, ranging in age from 21 to 26, who embed themselves for a semester in Topeka, Kansas’ Highland Park High School. The participants pose as typical students – attending classes, making friends and participating in school clubs and activities -to provide an inside look at what it’s like to be a teenager today.

REVIEW: Fictional television series use actors older than high school students, so I guess it’s time for reality television series to do the same. This should be interesting considering social media and a simple Internet search could uncover the truth about these young adults going undercover. Although, I doubt people who’d find out would freak out that much that their new friend was a couple years older than them. Get a peak

 

One of Us – Netflix

Premiers October 20th

“Nobody leaves the Hasidic community, unless they’re willing to pay the price.” This documentary film follows three Hasidic Jews as they leave their ultra-Orthodox community to join the secular world. They experience ostracism, lost relationships, danger, and more.

REVIEW: I love documentaries like this where you learn about other cultures and religions. This one looks like it may only show one side to the story (the Hassidic Jews who left), but judging by the trailer, it looks like it will be a very interesting documentary to watch and discover more about the backstories of the people featured. Watch the powerful trailer

 

Shade: Queens of NYC – Fusion

Premieres October 5th at 10:30pm

Relationships, community, family, and faith are in the spotlight in this docu-follow-musical-reality show that explores the lives of New York’s fiercest, funniest drag queens as they vie for fame, fortune, and love.

REVIEW: What interests me most in this series is how they incorporate the musical aspect into the follow-doc. There are not a lot of musical reality shows out there, so this one will be a fascinating one to see. See what it’s all about

 

Spielberg – HBO

Premieres October 7th at 8 pm

Through exclusive interviews with actors, family, and the filmmaker himself, this unprecedented documentary pulls back the curtain on the remarkable career of Steven Spielberg. Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Liam Neeson, and many more.

REVIEW: The director of this documentary, Susan Lacy, has over three decades of work on PBS’s American Masters. Lacy said there was enough material for a six-part series with over 30 hours of interviews shot. I would pay to see the six parts, but I’ll settle for one part. Who doesn’t love Steven Spielberg’s films? I can’t wait for this documentary film. Watch the trailer

 

Scripted Series to Watch for the Month

Mindhunter – Netflix

Premieres October 13th

David Fincher produces and directs this dark series based on the 1996 book Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. This series was originally developed for HBO but landed at Netflix and follows two FBI agents in 1979 who interview serial killers in an effort to help them solve current murders. Jonathan Groff (Glee) and Holt McCallany play the FBI detectives. Anna Torv (Fringe, a great series) plays Wendy, a psychologist.

REVIEW: Jonathan Groff’s character remarks “How do we get ahead of crazy if we don’t know how crazy thinks?” This statement describes this series perfectly. Although it looks like a very dark series, it’s David Fincher, so you get what you pay for there. The series has also already been renewed for a second season so hopefully; that means the higher-ups at Netflix know it’ll be a hit. Watch the trailer and cue the chills