On Netflix: "You Can Not Kill David Arquette"

I love documentaries because they can either shed light on well-known subjects or present stories that are fresh to you.

I saw this new film listed on Hulu and the title was instantly intriguing. Why is David Arquette, a mid-level actor whose career peaked years ago, the subject of a documentary?

It seems that 20 years ago, Arquette, a life-long wrestling fan, appeared at an ECW wrestling event and was part of a storyline that had him as the league’s champ for two weeks.

Arquette and the ECW were heavily criticized for having a non-wrestler being the champ and Arquette still feels the sting of those remarks.

So with his first marriage ending in divorce, his career as an actor stalled and attempting to maintain his sobriety, he turns to wrestling as a means of personal redemption.

It’s an interesting choice as I would imagine getting gigs as an actor would have a more positive effect on him for both his mental and financial health.

The film documents how this guy comes to the realization that he must train seriously for this effort and that he has to earn a right to be back in a ring, any ring.

His second wife seemingly understands that Arquette must do this, despite the facts he had a recent heart attack and that he has major problems with depression.

There is scene after scene of Arquette training under various instructors with perhaps the most entertaining is his trip to Mexico to work with luchadores, the famed high-flying masked wrestlers of that country. Arquette even wrestles with some of them at a major intersection when the light is red, and then asking for donations.

The intent of the filmmakers is to craft a classic outsider story about how someone who would never be thought of having the potential for being a professional wrestler ultimately succeeds in changing people’s opinions.

My problem with the film is that I felt sorry for Arquette rather than identify with him as a lovable long shot. I know the audience is supposed to feel empathy as there are flashbacks about Arquette’s growing up in an unconventional family and that he is the third generation of his family active in the entertainment industry. Arquette did not have an easy childhood, according to his two sisters Patricia and Rosanna, who appear in the film.

While I have no particular dislike for the guy, this movie did not convince me that I should actually care about him and his career decisions.

It is ultimately a movie about obsession and how that obsession can destroy you or, in this case, save you.

On Netflix: ‘Disenchantment,’ Season Three

With this show, cartoonist Matt Groening has scored the hat trick: “The Simpsons,” “Futurama” and now “Disenchantment.”

I loved his first two shows and “Disenchantment” has proven, especially with this third year, to be just as entertaining as the others.

The biggest difference between the three series is that “Disenchantment” is an epic. With this third season there have been 30 episodes produced all continuing the story of Bean, the reluctant princess and now queen of Dreamland, a small kingdom with plenty of mythological creatures, magicians, spells, as well as plenty of royal intrigue.

In this series, Bean must adjust to the fact that her father has suffered a mental breakdown and yet the kingdom must move forward as there are forces threatening it. Serving as queen has its challenges for the princess who has struggled to find her role in the kingdom.

As usual the vocal performances are wonderful, the writing is sharp and the animation is a cut above the usual standards for TV.

If you’ve not tried it, this is a perfect time to dive in with season one.