There are lots of exciting and frightening things going on in the world right now. You could easily pick one of today’s hot-button topics and rant about it for hours. Poverty, the economy, racial injustice, immigration, or even election fraud are just a few that come to mind immediately.

Whether there is absolute truth behind the stories surrounding these issues, no one is in a better position to bring them to light than Hollywood. Despite its comedic and lackluster approach to some topics, people listen to what Hollywood says.

People idolize today’s top actors and take what they say wholeheartedly. So much so that it would not be surprising if The Rock ran for president and secured the win. Don’t think that statement was a jab or snub.

It’s just that there is no better example, given that he is currently the highest-paid Hollywood male actor. That along with the fact that he’s exploring this very avenue in his new hit series, Young Rock.

With all that being said, this could be a good explanation as to why so many movies based on real events dropped in 2022. Some touch on real, hot-button topics and some of them are just incredibly intriguing. Nonetheless, here are the ones you want to make sure to don’t miss out on.

Ted K

It doesn’t get any more real than terrorism. Groups like ISIS have spread their terror across the globe for years now, and their threat only continues to grow, as they become more and more sophisticated. Although Ted Kaczynski wasn’t reportedly involved with any known group, his tale still strikes fear in the hearts of many. That’s just one of the many reasons this 2022 release of the man known as the Unabomber is so intriguing.

The biggest thing about this release is its authenticity. Over the years, you’ve probably heard various versions, tales, and descriptions of the man’s life. Well, the brain trusts behind this incredible film set out to get as personal and authentic as possible. Right from the very start, the documentary is shot on the actual plot of Montana land where the Unabomber’s 10 x 12 cabin once stood. It was here where he lived out his life and crafted his manifesto.

In addition to this, Kaczynski’s own words were used to build the script. With the 25,000-page manifesto in hand, the writers and co-writers put the script in writing. What makes this entire case even more concerning is the fact that Ted despised technology. He felt it would destroy the natural world and could rage on for hours about it. When you look at some of his aspects today, he doesn’t seem so wacky.

Ted K Cast

• Andrew Senn – Mikey
• Sharlto Copley – Ted
• David Ward – Steve
• Tahmus Rounds – Tommy
• Louis Keister – Anna
• Drew Powell – Tom
• Lois Keister – Anna
• Christian Calloway – Jimmy
• Kate Scott – Tom’s Wife

Call Jane

Planned Parenthood and abortions have long been a hot-button topic and probably will continue to be so until the end of time. This revealing documentary could not have come at a better time. The film focuses on Jane Collective, hence the name, who had a huge impact on the movement. Her efforts left a long-lasting mark on the movement and still continue to effect change.

Elizabeth Banks takes the reins of this tale, as she plays the privileged Chicago housewife. In the late 60s and with an attorney for a husband and a typical teenage daughter, you couldn’t ask for a more ordinary lady. However, her actions and impacts on the abortion movement were anything but.

The couple was expecting a child of their own and being that Joy was older it led to potential complications. Through a health scare, it is revealed that going through with the pregnancy could put her life in danger. Joy initially goes through all the proper channels seeking permission to terminate the pregnancy only to have then denied by the all-male panel. This subsequently leads her to a clandestine abortion network.

This arduous and trying journey leads to her faithful meeting with Virginia and Gwen. The role of Virginia is graced by Sigourney Weaver while Gwen is portrayed by Wunmi Mosaku. Both are activists in the abortion movement and huge independent visionaries committed to women’s health.

Joy becomes so inspired by these two ladies that she gets involved and dives in head first, putting every other aspect of her life in dire jeopardy. Whether you are pro or anti-abortion, this is one you do not want to miss.

Regardless of your stance, it is hard not to admire the commitment of the brace underground organization that led to the facilitation of 11,000 safe abortions in the Chicago area alone. This was the pre-Roe VS Wade era.

Call Jane Cast

• Rebecca Henderson – Edie
• Wummi Mosaku – Gwen
• Evangeline Young – Maeve
• Elizabeth Banks – Joy
• Kate Mara – Lana
• Sigourney Weaver – Virginia
• Cory Michael Smith – Dean
• Chris Messina – Will
• Aida Turturro – Sister Mike
• Grace Edwards – Charlotte
• Alison Jaye – Sandra
• Kristina Harrison – Clare
• Bianca D’Ambrosio – Erin

She Said

There simply have been no headlines that rocked Hollywood like the maelstrom of sexual assaults that followed the “Me Too” movement. Once Hollywood’s degradation was brought to light, it was just a matter of time before everyone was coming out. Producers, directors, high-paid actors, casting agents, and pretty much everyone from Hollywood gardeners to playboys were getting accused of sexual harassment.

What sparked all this? It was the “Me Too” Movement, which most are familiar with, but they don’t know the true story or faces behind this movement. It came from two very brave reporters who were willing to throw their lives into the limelight to get at the heart of the story. They wanted to do real investigative journalism and that’s exactly what the intrepid 45, Megan Twohey, and 47 Jodi Kantor did.

That amazing journey will now be told on the big screen. It was their willingness to put everything else aside and get right into the heart of the story that made their story such a success.

Their personal and professional lives will be on complete display for the entire world to see when the movie drops. And it certainly is quite a story with an important message that many will not want to miss out on.

It was the two ladies that first broke the Harvey Weinstein scandal story. Right from the start, they knew this would one day transform into a hit film. The documentary film detailing the faithful investigation that led to today’s incredible movement will be explored turn by turn. You’ll see how these two were nearly laughed out of the producer’s office and told that their claim was preposterous.

Thankfully, they kept at it, rewriting drafts, coaxing reluctant sources, and struggling with every fiber to get Weinstein to respond to these accused allegations. What followed was nothing short of miraculous and it is still having a huge impact on the entire world! This is one for everyone to tune in to.

She Said Cast

• Tina WongLu – Cashier
• Hilary Greet – Mrs. Schmidt
• Zoe Kazan – Jodi Kantor
• Jennifer Ehle – Laura Madden
• Patricia Clarkson – Rebecca Corbett
• Sean Cullen – Lance Maerov
• Carey Mulligan – Megan Twohey
• Andrew Braugher – Dean Baquet
• Angela Yeoh – Rowena Chiu
• Anastasia Barzee – Lisa Bloom
• Maren Heary – Nell
• Nancy Ellen Shore – NY times Investigative Journalist
• Hilary Greer – Mrs. Schmidt

5,000 Blankets

Unfortunately, this one might not get the attention that it truly deserves. It’ll no doubt be extremely popular on the Indie circuit, but it might take a while to get a foothold in Hollywood. This is a true shame, given how extremely important the story is. Homelessness is a rampant problem today, and many don’t understand the mental difficulties that many of these individuals hold.

Most people look at homelessness harshly these days, saying that there is enough aid available and attainable that no one should go without a meal or a safe place to sleep. What if you are mentally incompetent in taking advantage of such offerings? That’s what most people don’t see behind today’s homelessness. That’s the exact issue that 5,000 blankets touch on.

Cyndi Bunch and her young son, Phillip are unwittingly thrust into this world when the patriarch of the family mentally crumbles. Needless to say, he subsequently finds himself in the streets.

This opens the young mother and son’s eyes to a whole new world they knew nothing about. While this alone is a touching scenario, it is the young mother and son’s commitment to providing mental and tangible compassion to those in need in their city.

The real story here is the mother and son, and their willingness to sacrifice and commit themselves to something so much greater and bigger. Many people today are not willing to take this kind of stance. You are not exactly looking at a family living off a trust fund or supported by untapped wealth.

With the father being the providing patriarch, the mother and son are already dipping into untraveled financial waters. Simply put, this is a touching tale of a family with so little to offer, but what they have to offer, they are more than willing to share with those they don’t even know.

Hopefully, this one will spark a whole movement of compassion while increasing the very real seriousness of mental illnesses.

5000 Blankets Cast

• Cindy Hogan – Della
• Rob Mayes – Bobby Saunders
• Jason Gaines – Officer Pelk
• Anna Camp – Cyndi Saunders
• Kim Myers – Betty
• Carson Minniear – Phillip Saunders
• Rod Hallett – Pastor Stevens
• Jason Coviello – Joe Hooper

Breaking

This one must follow up 5,000 Blankets, as a lot of today’s homelessness and mental afflictions can be contributed to the horrors of war. While veteran aid and awareness have grown significantly from what it once was, they will never be perfect. That was the exact scenario Brian Brown-Easley found himself in.

This is another that will, unfortunately, probably spend a lot of time on the Indie market as well, but the story and ensuing talent offer the intrigue and acting chops to gain some attention in Hollywood.

As the plot unfolds, fans will discover that this tale is nothing unheard of. The tale and similar tales of veteran woe have been weaved throughout history. It is the seriousness of the situation and the depths to which Easley is willing to go to accomplish his goals. The tale shows the young soldier’s desperation while also illuminating the fact that dilemma is a much more complex problem of the system.

It’s a tale much bigger than Easley or anyone involved, and that’s what the cast and crew do a good job of getting across.

Brian Brown-Easley exhausted every option available to him but still couldn’t find the financial reprieve he needed. After being turned by Veterans Affairs, he truly felt that his options had run out. This leads him to an intense standoff in a local bank with several employees and patrons as hostages. What ensues is an intense, psychological game of chess.

Not to take away from the real issues here, but it shouldn’t hurt matters that Michael K. Williams gives his last onscreen performance in this touching film.

He plays cop, Eli Bernard and takes on the role of mediator with Easley.

Breaking Cast

• London Covington – Kiah Easley
• Nicole Beharie – Estel Valerie
• Connie Britton – Lisa Larson
• Kate Burton – Tami Stackhouse
• John Boyega – Brian Brown-Easley
• Jeffrey Donovan – Major Riddick
• Albert Kong – Steve Yen
• Seenis Leyva – Rosa Diaz
• Olivia Washington – Cassandra Brown-Easley
• Michael Kenneth Williams – Eli Bernard
• Robb Derringer – Chief Jack Quail
• Elise Neal – Juanita
• Carmine Giovinazzo – Ken Pierce