In this episode we dive into the wild, chaotic world of Bronson (2008), the stylized film starring Tom Hardy, and unravel how it compares to the real-life story of Michael Gordon Peterson, better known as Charles Bronson. We break down what the movie got right, what it exaggerated, and what was left out entirely. From Bronson’s early life and first arrests, to the decades he spent in solitary conferment, to his transformation into an underground celebrity. Join us as we discuss how “Britain’s most violent prisoner” became a myth with a life story worthy of the silver screen.

Primary Source:

• Bronson, Charles. Bronson. 2009.

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Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

In this episode, we dive deep into the shadows of Savannah to uncover the truth behind Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997). The bestselling book and Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation, staring John Cusack and Kevin Spacey, turned the city’s notorious murder case into a cultural phenomenon – but how closely does Hollywood’s version match reality? Join us as we unravel the real story of Jim Williams, the charismatic antiques dealer at the center of four dramatic trials for the shooting death of Danny Hansford, and explore how the movie reshaped timelines, characters, and motives for cinematic effect. From the true personalities behind Savannah’s eccentric social scene to the legal twists that kept the city spellbound for nearly a decade, we separate fact from fiction and reveal what details the film left out.

Primary Source:

• Berendt, John. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Random House (1994).

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Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

“You can’t handle the truth!” – the line that echoed through theaters and cemented A Few Good Men (1992) as a Hollywood classic. But behind the sharp uniforms and courtroom tension lies a real story far darker than what is portrayed on screen. In 1986, a Marine was brutally hazed by his unit at Guantanamo Bay – an act that sparked a court-martial and inspired Aaron Sorkin’s legendary script. The film captivated audiences with its star-studded cast – Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon – but for one of the real Marines involved, the story didn’t end with the credits. Years later, David Cox – a decorated Marine and the man whose experience helped shape the movie – was found murdered in a remote area outside Boston. This episode explores the origin of A Few Good Men (1992), the aftermath, and the unsolved murder of a man beloved by so many.

Primary Sources:

• Baltimore Sun (1994)
• Variety (1994)
• Unsolved Mysteries, Season 8, Episode 15 (1996)
• New York Times (2011)
• Boston 25 News (2014)
• The Mystery of David Cox (2017)
• The Atlanta Journal Constitution (2019)
• Ranker (2024)

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Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148