Bodybuilders, kidnapping and murder aren't necessarily the recipe for a comedy, but that's how director Michael Bay envisioned Pete Collins' article Pain & Gain on the big screen. Join us as we venture beyond the steroid-induced biceps of the bumbling criminals portrayed in the film to separate the facts from the Hollywood fiction.
Find out:
· What do the victims and their family members think of the film?
Jackie Robinson was the first to break through the color barrier that had segregated Major League Baseball for the previous half-century. The movie 42 tells this story for a new generation to appreciate, but does it get the details right? Join us as we examine this movie based on a true story to discover if the film swings and misses when it comes to the truth.
Find out:
· Did some of the players really start a petition against Jackie Robinson?
· Did Jackie really smash his bat against the wall in frustration?
MOVIE: "The Big Lebowski", The Film vs. The History
Meet the real life Dude behind Jeff Bridges' character in The Big Lebowski. Researched in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of the Coen brothers movie, we explore the life of Jeff Dowd, an iconic figure among fans and the inspiration for The Dude. Learn how the Coens met Dowd and watch an 18-minute documentary that explores the original Dude behind the Dude.
Find out:
· Is the real life Dude a slacker like Jeff Bridges' character?
· Is he really an avid bowler like his counterpart in the film?
TV SHOW: "Boardwalk Empire", The Show vs. The History
Meet the real people that your favorite Boardwalk Empire characters are based on, including the real Darmody, Margaret Schroeder, Eli Thompson, Nucky's chauffeur Eddie and the real life Nucky Thompson himself. See photos of the well-known gangsters from the show and their real life counterparts, including Arnold Rothstein, Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. You'll also find answers to some lingering questions that have arisen during the series.
Find out:
· Is Jimmy Darmody based on a real person?
Argo took home the Oscar for Best Picture, but is it really worthy of the fanfare given its historical inaccuracies? Join us as we launch our own investigation into the story, complete with photos of the real people who were represented in the film, as well as a few key individuals who were left out. Watch video interviews with Tony Mendez, portrayed by Ben Affleck in the Argo movie, and view an hour-long PBS documentary featuring the real Americans who Tony helped get out of Iran.
Find out:
· Was the group really detained and questioned at the airport?
Most exorcism movies are possessed by over-the-top Hollywoodesque gore and demons.The Rite deviates from this standard and offers a story that is more rooted in fact, though not entirely. There are no spinning heads or projectile vomiting pea soup, but there is the regurgitation of nails and the standard demonic sounding voices (both of which are said to have been witnessed by real exorcists). Join us as we investigate this horror movie based on a true story. See photos of the characters' real life counterparts, explore the liberties that the movie takes and watch interviews with the real people. You can even exorcise your demons in the process.
Find out:
· Did a possessed woman really spit up nails?
· Was the older Priest really taken over by a demon?
Sometimes bad things happen to good people, but surfer Bethany Hamilton knows they are really just blessings in disguise. The movie Soul Surfer is based on her life, before, during and after a nearly 14-foot tiger shark took this promising young surfer's arm when she was only 13-years-old. Her faith in God pulled her through the ordeal and has led the young woman onto bigger and better things than she could have ever imagined with two arms. AnnaSophia Robb delivers an unforgettably inspiring portrayal of Bethany, while Carrie Underwood plays her youth leader Sarah Hill. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt round out the cast as her parents, who struggle to overcome the changes nearly as much as their daughter. In God's hands, anything is possible. Join us as we dive in to explore the real events behind the movie.
Find out:
· Was Bethany Hamilton ever able to compete in surfing again?
· How has Bethany used the shark attack to help others?
There's no denying that the Mark Wahlberg movie The Fighter is well acted, with performances worthy of Oscar gold. Christian Bale stands out as boxer Micky Ward's energetic, crack-addicted half-brother and trainer Dickie Eklund. Melissa Leo effortlessly embodies the role of Micky's rough-edged, bleach-blond mother and manager, Alice Ward. Amy Adams shines as the inspiring force in Micky's life, and Mark Wahlberg proves that spending four years to get a film made can truly pay off. But just how much of the movie and its performances are rooted in fact? Join us as we enter the ring with The Fighter, pitting Fact vs. Fiction.
Find out:
· Did Dickie Eklund knock down Sugar Ray Leonard?
· Were Micky Ward's sisters happy with how they are portrayed in the movie?
MOVIE:
"The Social Network", The Film vs.
The History
What did you do today? Chances are at some point you'll log in to check your Facebook account. In six and a half years, The social network Facebook has amassed more than 500 million active users, with 50 percent of those users logging on to the site on any given day. This means that approximately 1 out of every 14 people in the world are members of Facebook. The addiction is undeniable, but what is the true story behind how the site began? Director David Fincher's movie The Social Network attempts to provide an answer to that question, even though Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has already labeled the film fiction. Join us as we separate the facts from the fiction and explore the rise of the internet juggernaut that is Facebook.
Find out:
· How does Mark Zuckerberg feel about the Facebook movie?
· Did Mark really go to an investment meeting wearing pajamas?
The NFL's rookie standout Michael Oher reminds us that everyone has the potential to become somebody if given the chance. Without a place to call home, Michael was taken in by Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family. The movie The Blind Side (starring Oscar winner Sandra Bullock) tells this story, but is the real life tale as sugar coated as the movie? Is Michael Oher really as flawless as his onscreen counterpart? Join us as we pit history vs. Hollywood to literally expose the blind side of this movie based on a true story.
Find out:
· Did Michael Oher really never have his own bed?
· Did Michael really stop the airbag with his arm?
At
REEL FACES we explore the true stories behind movies
based on real people.
Browse pictures of the real people, and find answers
to those lingering questions like:
Benedict Cumberbatch, who can currently be seen on the big screen as the villain Khan in "Star Trek Into Darkness", will portray WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in the film "The Fifth State", which is slated for a November release. Check out a photo of Cumberbatch in character as Assange, a far cry in appearance from Sherlock, the role that propelled his career.
Watch the trailer for 'Captain Phillips' starring Tom Hanks. He plays a cargo ship captain whose vessel is taken over by Somali pirates. Based on a true story.
The official full trailer for 'The Bling Ring' starring Emma Watson and directed by Sofia Coppola. Based on the real life "Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch," who robbed various Hollywood celebrities.
Bethany's Blog - In Love bethanyhamilton.com Read about Bethany Hamilton's engagement via her blog on her official website.
Posted by: ChasingtheFrog | April 29, 2013
Watch a clip of Jewel as June Carter Cash in the Lifetime movie 'Ring of Fire' which premieres on May 27th. For more on singer June Carter Cash, check out our research into the movie 'Walk the Line': http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/walktheline.php
Hey Froggers, hear Alexander Graham Bell's voice for the first time. The Smithsonian has obtained a 128-year-old recording and was able to recover the sound of Bell's voice. Perhaps this will spark another true story movie about Alexander Graham Bell. The last notable one was 1939's 'The Story of Alexander Graham Bell' starring Don Ameche.
Titanic band leader Wallace Hartley's handwritten letter that he penned while aboard the Titanic using White Star Line stationary just sold for $142,000 at auction. Learn more about Wallace and the true story here: http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/titanic.php
Boxer Mickey Ward, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in 2010's 'The Fighter', has popped up in a 2006 photo with a young boxer who appears to be the deceased Boston Marathon bombing suspect. Ward has said that he has no relationship with the suspect. Read more in the linked article. To learn more about the real Mickey Ward, check out our research into the real story behind 'The Fighter': http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/thefighter.php
