Before they brought “Stowaway” to Netflix, Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison brought “Release” and “Turning Point” to Topic. Get to know their earlier works before the duo blow up (because that will surely happen).
A young man wanders into the middle of a barren field. Just as he's enjoying the peace of it all, an unknown assailant comes tearing out of the trees towards him.
Homes come in all shapes and sizes, from communities that make you feel like you belong to the dreadful limbo that it can often be. Some will make you feel homesick and some will remind you why you moved across the country, but all of these stories are highly relatable.
Let’s reinforce our stances against tyranny, manipulation, and disinformation by taking a look at the brave people, fictional and real, who have fought against them around the world.
Land of breathtaking natural beauty, culturally rich cities, and wild reindeer. When was the last time you saw a movie or a show from Finland? If you have to think about it, it’s either been too long or it never happened.
Consider Topic your tour guide to South America, with stops in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. You’ll get to experience the rich cultures of these countries by seeing how everyday people live and getting to know their stories.
The best sports stories are, at their core, human stories. Not only will you be dazzled by some seriously impressive athletic prowess, but you’ll also get to know some incredible humans.
May we introduce a new holiday rom-com to adopt into your December regimen? Presenting “Love Me,” a cozy, romantic, feel-good series that will take the torch from “Love Actually” and help you get through the holidays going forward.
We can’t fight racism by ignoring it; we have to confront it in all its ugliness. No one knows this better than the filmmakers behind these 12 documentaries.
New York City was made for the screen—it never fails to come to life as a character of its own. See for yourself with these 14 stories set in the most electrifying city in America.
Sprinkled among the hordes of outstanding indie titles streaming on Topic are a handful of gems that star marquee names. Even the most avid film followers may have missed some of these.
An 11-year-old dancer with mysterious abilities. Four lawyers fighting for sex crimes survivors. Groundbreaking rock legends. These are just a few of the extraordinary women on Topic.
We are proud to present 14 of our best-reviewed titles, in two parts (there were just too many to include in one article!). Here is part one — be sure to check out part two for the remaining seven titles.
Spanning all genres, and including both documentary and narrative films, as well as some binge-worthy TV shows, here are 30 titles that amplify Black voices on screen.
Are you ready to rock? I SAID, “ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?” If your answer is a resounding “Yes!” and you’re making hand horns in the air, then these documentaries are for you. Topic’s got some of the grittiest rock documentaries ever made. They not only tell the never-before-heard story behind some of rock and roll’s most iconic, and possibly notorious, artists but also fill your living room with guitar riffs and drum beats that will get you moving (or headbanging). You might know some of these acts pretty well, but stick with us and you might discover your new favorite band (underground shows are the best anyway, am I right?). Now sit back, turn up the volume on your TV or laptop, and let’s rockumentary. Shut Up and Play the Hits In 2011, LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy decided to retire his band when many considered them to be at their peak — but judging by how many bars played LCD Soundsystem everywhere I went in 2011, I’d say they were still far from peaking. The documentary sees Murphy internally struggling with his decision, but his doubt turns into focus as the band puts on their last concert, a four-hour spectacle of pure elation at Madison Square Garden. Like the ultimate goodbye party for LCD Soundsystem fans, the show filled the entire stadium to the brim with the band’s signature electro-indie-disco dance beats. It’s the kind of concert that attendees will be telling their grandkids about. Several members of Arcade Fire and comedian-musician Reggie Watts make guest appearances, performing alongside the band, Aziz Ansari and Donald Glover can be seen rocking out in the audience, while members of Soulwax are featured in the doc. LCD fans will not only get uninterrupted footage of the show and see the band play, yes, tons of their hits, with energy that jumps off the screen, but you will also get a rare and intimate look inside the life and thoughts of the band’s fearless leader. Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre On Tour For those of you who are familiar with the Riot Grrl movement, you’re probably well-versed in Le Tigre’s dancy electroclash — a pleasantly discordant mix of electronic and punk. That’s because lead singer Kathleen Hanna is essentially Riot Grrl’s founding sister. As the frontwoman for legendary Riot Grrl band Bikini Kill, her name is synonymous with the movement. “Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre On Tour” follows the band on its 2004-2005 international tour, giving viewers a front-row seat at their raucous live shows. In between sets, Hanna and the band talk about feminism and dealing with sexism and homophobia in the music industry. Le Tigre fans, this is appointment viewing for you. For the uninitiated, turn up the volume in your headphones and get ready to find out who took the bomp. Janis: Little Girl Blue Janis Joplin has one of the most distinct and recognizable voices in music history. As soon as you hear it, it fills you with the energy of the revolutionary ‘60s and you feel a tectonic shifting of your soul. Joplin blazed through the world, redefining rock music and challenging gender norms before burning out at the age of 27, joining the infamous 27 Club alongside Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix. “Janis: Little Girl Blue” is an affecting tribute to the singer, doing her rock legend status justice while also revealing a more tender side through never-before-seen letters she wrote her parents through the years. New York Doll You know the New York Dolls. You know the glam rock scene. In the early ‘70s, the New York Dolls were a notorious and outrageous act, known for their androgyny and unpolished musical style. The Dolls helped to define an era of noise, art, and dirt-cheap decadence as pioneers of New York’s burgeoning punk scene. “New York Doll” centers around bassist Arthur Kane, who was a founding member but was forced out in 1975. The documentary follows Kane’s life after the Dolls, when he wrestled with alcoholism and drug addiction, which eventually led him to join the Church of Latter Day Saints. In addition to a biographical look, the documentary also follows Kane’s reunion with two surviving members of the Dolls as they rehearse for a comeback concert in London. Will they reignite the punk scene? You will certainly hope so. Pulp: A Film About Life, Death, and Supermarkets Though Pulp has die-hard fans from all around the world (including yours truly), no one feels more indebted to the band than the people of Sheffield, UK, the band’s hometown. “Pulp: A Film About Life, Death, and Supermarkets” weaves together interviews with the willowy nerd-heartthrob hybrid frontman, Jarvis Cocker, and the rest of the band, but the heart of the documentary is meeting the residents of Sheffield, from kids to senior citizens, whose lives are clearly touched by the band. Like when a senior living facility has a sing-along to “Help the Aged” or when the Sheffield women’s choir sings “Common People” in the background. For a band whose biggest hit is about the everyday working class, it’s obvious that Sheffield was their biggest inspiration. Scott Walker: 30th Century Man Not to be mistaken with the Republican former governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker was an enigmatic rock musician whose experimental work influenced titans like Brian Eno, David Bowie, Damon Albarn, Thom Yorke, and Goldfrapp. Yet, he never quite surfaced onto the mainstream radar. “Scott Walker: 30th Century Man” proves that he was more than deserving of the recognition. The documentary follows his career trajectory, from his days in The Walker Brothers to his successful solo career in the UK, but it is perhaps his later years that make him the undefinable genius he’s known as today. “30th Century Man” offers viewers the chance to witness Walker’s creative process as he returns to the studio at the age of 63 to round out a career defined by boundary-pushing evolution. Pulp fans, look out for Jarvis Cocker’s appearance in the doc. Free to Rock “Rock and roll is freedom, and every damn person wants to be free.” Russian rocker Andrey Makarevich’s words set the premise for “Free to Rock,” which recounts how rock and roll essentially helped to topple the Soviet Union. Pretty epic, right? Narrated by Kiefer Sutherland, the documentary explores how rock music snuck behind the Iron Curtain and shook an entire society awake from totalitarian rule. Starting in the late ‘80s, bands like Bon Jovi, The Beach Boys, and Motley Crue started playing shows behind the Curtain, and ended up empowering a society to demand more social and personal freedoms. This rock-fueled societal shift culminated in one of the largest rock festivals in history when Metallica, AC/DC, Pantera, and The Black Crowes melted the faces of 1.6 million fans at Moscow’s first open-air concert. Shortly after, the Soviet Union dissolved. Featuring interviews from Billy Joel, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, various Russian artists, as well as former presidents Jimmy Carter and Mikhail Gorbachev (who knew these two would ever share the screen with Metallica?), the doc proves that rock and roll truly does equate freedom.
A series set in the fashion world 1970s Milan, another from the producers of “The Young Pope,” a political thriller about the rise of Berlusconi, and films that celebrate the Italian countryside.
All you want to do is wrap yourself up in a soft, warm blanket, sip hot cocoa, and watch feel-good movies and shows, preferably with an uplifting romantic angle. We’ve got you.
In real life, being a mother is hard. If you’re like us, then you want to see the messy, ugly, unadulterated version of what it’s like to be a real-life mom. Here are nine titles that portray motherhood, uncensored.
This Pride Month, Topic is highlighting some of our favorite LGBTQIA+ stories and creators, with a special emphasis on those who have helped pave the way for their community. Celebrate with us.
Nadia Hallgren, Robin Cloud, Coodie and Chike, Jean Luc Herbulot.. some names are familiar and some are new but all of them are telling stories to change the world.