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Based on a True Story: Political, Legal & Public Service Dramas (Patreon)

Published:
2025-05-26 04:45:02
Imported:
2026-06

Poll

Based on a True Story: Political, Legal & Public Service Dramas

  • The Queen (2006) 57
  • The Founder (2016) 131
  • Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) 227
  • Bridge of Spies (2015) 205
  • The Insider (1999) 106
  • The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) 56
  • Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) 22
  • Foxcatcher (2014) 56
  • In the Name of the Father (1993) 121
  • The Finest Hours (2016) 47
  • 2025-05-26
  • —2025-05-29
  • 1028 votes
{'title': 'Based on a True Story: Political, Legal & Public Service Dramas', 'choices': [{'text': 'The Queen (2006)', 'votes': 57}, {'text': 'The Founder (2016)', 'votes': 131}, {'text': 'Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)', 'votes': 227}, {'text': 'Bridge of Spies (2015)', 'votes': 205}, {'text': 'The Insider (1999)', 'votes': 106}, {'text': 'The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)', 'votes': 56}, {'text': 'Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995)', 'votes': 22}, {'text': 'Foxcatcher (2014)', 'votes': 56}, {'text': 'In the Name of the Father (1993)', 'votes': 121}, {'text': 'The Finest Hours (2016)', 'votes': 47}], 'closes_at': datetime.datetime(2025, 5, 29, 5, 59, tzinfo=datetime.timezone.utc), 'created_at': datetime.datetime(2025, 5, 26, 4, 41, 57, tzinfo=datetime.timezone.utc), 'description': None, 'allow_multiple': False, 'total_votes': 1028}

Content

Okay, wow! I did not realize how many movies are technically “based on a true story.” Once I started putting a list together (and reading through all your amazing suggestions), it just kept growing! From survival stories tobiopics, courtroom and war; there’s honestly so much to choose from. I split them into four polls to keep it manageable, some may be a bit of a category stretch but I tried my best!

One vote per poll, I can't decide if the top winner from each poll should go in a final poll?

Ps-I have seen a lot of based on true stories throughout the channel and before (captain phillips, zero dark thirty, a beautiful mind, catch me if you can, the imitation game, social network argo etc!

pms-guys I really underestimated how busy it would be for wedding week/last week of school/full house of family staying here/kids puking and touched by a monster is going to be late. I am so sorry but great news-Carly had a beautiful wedding day yesterday and smiled the whole day. So excited for her next chapter!

Comments

djKENTO

Charlie Wilson’s War is so under rated and so important to understanding the past 30 years of American conflicts. Also a top 10 Philip Seymour Hoffman performance.

Bill Maurer

Congratulations to Carly !!!!! 🎉🎉 That is awesome and my best to her and her husband and for a wonderful and great future together !!!!!!

Lyle Morgan

The Founder is pretty underrated but Charlie Wilson’s War is wildly entertaining.

Edgar Gonzalez

Charlie's Wilson's war or the founder.

Rosario Cicero

It’s a shame In the Name of the Father get’s overlooked and underrated. DDL is film’s greatest living actor

Bill Maurer

Great performances all around in that movie

Jake McNulty

I voted for "In the Name of The Father". A tour-de-force performance from Daniel Day-Lewis, brilliantly supported by Pete Postlethwaite and Emma Thompson.

mikethemotormouth

Does PMS have a second meaning of which I'm unaware?

LongGiang Le

Also in regards to legal drama: please consider this obscure but excellent Hitchcock movie about one of Cassie’s sensitive topics: Being wrongfully accused & arrested. “The Wrong Man “ with Henry Fonda (1956)

Brent Petty

The Insider is criminally underrated in the reaction community.

Cole Jennett

She has used that a number of times. I believe as a joke, but you never know, lol

Joe Mallard

Steve Carell nails his performance in Foxcatcher, he's completely unrecognizable.

WestBound

You've seem to have seen/liked a lot of my recommendations ...that's why I know you'd love YOUR NAME 😉

John Cranberry

7.8 on IMDB. Higher than CWW and BOS and the Founder. But yet we will end up with mediocrity instead of Russell Crowe. Go figure.

Chris Thom

You definitely need to see The Queen eventually. Have a feeling it would be so up your alley. And a major rabbit hole search in the making. but all of these are good films.

Chris Thom

It's good. But also very, very depressing.

John Liebling

Daniel Day-Lewis is brilliant in everything. I wonder what Cassie would think of the heartbreaking, inspiring My Left Foot?

LukeG84

I voted for The Founder in this poll. Michael Keaton was excellent in this roll, and it’s a super fascinating true story. Plus, Cassie likes Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson) so you know she’ll like it.

Robert Baldino

Pleasantly surprised to see Charlie Wilson's War doing so well. Great blend of humor and historical significance. In the Name of the Father is a must watch movie, though. Powerful performances. The Queen and The Insider are top notch as well. I have a soft spot for The Finest Hours.

Jacob King

In the Name of The Father, with a very young Daniel Day Lewis, is such a brilliant heartbreaking film.

Jacob King

Agree on Hoffmann’s performance but the movie gives so little historical context it ends up obscuring more history than it shows.

Clay F

I like The Founder

djKENTO

It was the start of opening my eyes to the truth. Spurred me on to do more research.

Clay F

My ranking in order of my most preferred: 1. The Queen (2006) (stunning) 2. Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) 3. Bridge of Spies (2015) (excellent) 4. In the Name of the Father (1993) (arguably best movie in poll) 5. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

Tyler Foster

Brutal how low The Insider is on this poll so far.

Dan M

I don’t really have a preference in this particular poll…unless one of them has John Cusack as part of the cast 😉. So, I’m going to make Mike Lemon happy and vote for The McMartin Trial. You’re welcome, Mike.

JAKH

Where is the courtroom story "Murder In The First" (1995)?

Clay F

Good movie in a competitve poll.

MacGuffinStuff

This was the toughest poll for me. First you have Charlie Wilson's War, I mean you got Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Phillip Seymour-Hoffman, et al, it's a no-brainer. But you also have The Founder with Michael Keaton and I think everyone should know the story of McDonald's, although I still occasionally eat a sausage and egg McMuffin, they're evil and I admit I'm a hypocrite. And then there's The Trial of the Chicago Seven, I thought it was a great story that people should know about. But that's what's so tough about these true story polls, so many great stories that should be heard and seen.

Patrick Flanagan

ugh, CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR is terrible. oh well.

clutchkman

The Founder is good, but I had to pick Bridge of Spies. Haven't seen a lot of these. Hope she watches the four winners.

Ike

Great Pick! CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR was written by Aaron Sorkin, and has the pace and wit of THE WEST WING and A FEW GOOD MEN. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, and a performance by the late, great, gone-too-soon Phillip Seymour Hoffman that should have gotten him an Academy Award. It is admittedly a B-movie with loose historical accuracy, but I just love THE WEST WING style and pace of an Aaron Sorkin script.

Clay F

I love CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR.

Clay F

The Founder is good, but Bridge of Spies is awesome.

Clay F

One of my top movies in the poll. Hope it wins. Mike Nichols is director. Aaron Sorkin is awesome. Definitely based on a true story (w/some dramatization). The movie captures the essence of Wilson's story. Like most movies based on true events, the movie is an adaptation and not a documentary. Charlie Wilson was my US congressman in East Texas. (If I remember, you live in Sugar Land). I liked him. I shook his hand in about 1981.

Ben Thacker

While acknowledging that The Insider probably won't finish too high on this poll, I really hope this makes it onto the channel soon. It's been great to see how well Heat and Collateral were received from the same director, Russell Crowe is fantastic, you've got some Christopher Plummer in there as a bonus, and the deposition scene with Bruce McGill still gives me goosebumps every time.

Ike

Very cool.

Clay F

My son loved King’s Speech

Mark Vaderr

Mediocrity tends to rise to the top in these polls.

Mark Vaderr

The Insider deserves a lot more respect, and should be winning this poll handily. Charlie Wilson's War?! 🤮🤮🤮

Ted Whalen

My dad served in the House of Representatives with Charlie Wilson and definitely had some interesting things to say about him (he was quite the character).

Clay F

The Insider is currently at a respectable 5th place in a competive poll with 10 choices of good movies.

Clarence Newman

Gotta support the lifers. Although, it goes without saying, Mike, if we get to the last few hours and you're still in the basement, I may have to jump ship. Damn these pesky one vote polls.

Clarence Newman

The Insider is a very different Russell Crowe movie. Him and Pacino are great together. I haven't seen Charlie Wilson's War.

Rick Rodriguez

Yeah these 4 polls are pretty stellar.

Bill W

Daniel Day Lewis losing a poll is a shame.

Big Lazy Dragon

I was looking for 'All the President's Men' to see if it was on the poll, but then I checked her Letterbox & saw that Cassie had already seen it.

Bill W

It easily gets my vote..but he was 36, not young.

Mike Lemon

But you voted for the the best movie nobody has seen- Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995), right?

Mike Lemon

"So, I’m going to make Mike Lemon happy ..." I love that attitude! More people should think that way.

Mike Lemon

There is a movie on the poll that might just fit that topic.

Mike Lemon

Come on people, follow Bjorn's example! Vote, vote, vote!

Jacob King

Damn, he’s clearly got those movie star genes.

Mike Lemon

The best movie nobody has seen made another poll! Woohoo! The recognition is building. Can Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) break 50 votes?

YodatheHobbit

Although I thought Charlie Wilsons war was quite interesting, I also found it a bit boring in the end. I'm hoping either Bridge of Spies or The Founder might catch up to it.

Clay F

Her and Cary reacted to it together. "All the Presidents Men (1976) - Full Reaction" posted to Patreon on Feb. 16, 2024. "[YT Edit] All the President's Men (1976)" posted to Patreon on Feb 19, 2024.

Clay F

I would not say it's overlooked. Currently in 3rd place (of the 10 choices),

Clay F

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007). 5 Golden Globe nominations = Best Picture, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman (also Oscar nom), Aaron Sorkin.

Clay F

CURRENT TOP 7 -- all good movies. 1. 21% Charlie Wilson’s War (2007). 5 Golden Globe nominations = Best Picture, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman (also Oscar nom), Aaron Sorkin. 2. 17% Bridge of Spies (2015) [Spielberg] [RT=91%]. Tom Hanks. Nom 6 Oscars incl. Best Picture. 3. 14% In the Name of the Father (1993) [IMDb 8.1, RT=94%]. Nom 7 Oscars incl. Best Picture, Best Actor (DDL). 4. 13% The Founder (2016) [RT=80%]. 5. 12% The Insider (1999) [RT=96%]. Nom 7 Oscars incl. Best Picture 6. 7% The Queen (2006) [RT=97%]. Hellen Mirren won Best Actress Oscar. Nom 6 Oscars incl. Best Picture. 7. 5% The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020). Nom 6 Oscars incl. Best Picture, Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin)

Henry Graham

Quite taken aback to see Charlie Wilson's War leading this poll by such a distance. I didn't think people cared about that movie much at all, and it feels like a minor effort from Nichols. I remember little about it aside from an enjoyably emphatic Philip Seymour Hoffman performance.

Bill W

Right?! Earliest role I remember him from was The Bounty (1984). He definitely looked young then. Mel Gibson and Liam Neeson too.

Clay F

Started at 1%. Now at 3%.

LongGiang Le

Thank you. Which one? P.s. but it’s not Hitchcock or Olivia Miles 😌. Not to mention Hitchcock …. As Cassie once said “there’s a special feel to these classic ones - you just can’t recreate that “! 🙌🏽👏🏼

Cliff Endicott

I love Michael Keaton so I expected to enjoy "The Founder" when I saw it - but instead of enjoying it I LOVED every second of it. Every performance is outstanding and it is so engaging - so much moreso than I expected from a movie about "McDonald's". It looks like it has no chance in this poll, but it is wonderful.

Chris Thom

A tad off topic, but Cassie did you ever see The Crown on Netflix?

Chris Thom

One of the best movies of the 90's.

bgb1975 (Brian)

Before: C'mon "The Insider" After: !@#$@#$%#

bgb1975 (Brian)

I wasn't a huge fan either. I read the book, and then watched the movie. Can't remember much about the movie at all.

Above Average Dave

For the game theory folks who aren't fans of CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR—which grossly exaggerates the title character's true influence and involvement in what occurred—BRIDGE OF SPIES is the pick (and, IMHO, far better story-telling and facts).

Clay F

Currently in 5th place.

Clay F

Bridge of Spies is stunning. I also like Charlie Wilson's War -- entertaining to me -- plus, Charlie Wilson was my US congressman in East Texas. Those are my top 2 choices -- happy with either one. Glad to see they are running away with it in the poll.

Chris Retzlaff

Damn, I think she would really like the Trial of the Chicago 7....and The Founder is great.

Dan M

You know the old saying, “When life gives you Lemons, just make them happy”.

Rosario Cicero

I was speaking in general terms. Not about the pole

Above Average Dave

Yes, both well done as movies. My personal fave on the list is THE FINEST HOURS, which tells a story that, if wasn't true, no one would believe. And even then, it undersells the harsh winter conditions the rescuers had to endure, if that's possible. The book is a great read, btw.

Clay F

+1 for The Trial of the Chicago 7. Excellent movie.

bgb1975 (Brian)

Same here. I don't remember much about Charlie Wilson's War or Bridge of Spies. I think they both put me to sleep.

Henry Graham

It's frustrating because with that cast and that subject matter, it should have been something special. I think Nichols was starting to slip by that point - it was not a happy shoot for him, per Mark Harris's biography - and the screenplay exhibits all of the worst traits of Aaron Sorkin's screenwriting, falling back on one-liners and monologuing when he doesn't have a firm director to push him to go deeper. A trite movie about an important story.

Henry Graham

The polling makes this comment futile, but The Insider is the best film on this list.

bknsty14

Great movie that has been mostly forgotten

Just Plain Bob

Clarence, re: “Charlie Wilson’s War”, its excellent. I think you’d like it. But I do agree with another post that points out that they exaggerated his importance to a rather absurd degree.

Chris Thom

It's very good. Hope she just watches it by choice one of these days.

Jake McNulty

Don't forget the director, the late great Mike Nichols. "Charlie Wilson's War" was the final film of his five decade career, which also gave us "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", "The Graduate", "Catch-22", "Silkwood", "Heartburn", "Working Girl", "Regarding Henry", "The Birdcage" and "Closer".

Keith Jacobsen

I think Charlie Wilson will win this one, but you should keep The Founder nearby, it's a banger.

Ike

Oh my, you’re right! Wait-a-minute, has she seen “Regarding Henry”?

Happy Hanukkah

If I'm given an additional 28-29 votes, indubitably.

Aaron Mann

The Founder is way underrated and I just don't think a lot of people have seen it, hence why it is losing. I doubt it'll win any further polls so the only way Cassie will watch it is through a winning patreon pick.

kaiielle

Despite having seen The Trial of the Chicago 7 (didn't love it) AND The Founder (meh, decent but not super memorable), I threw my vote to Indictment for ya, Mike.

Clay F

A respectable 3rd place.

Mike Lemon

@Kaiielle - A big thank you for the vote! If you haven't watched Indictment, I highly recommend it, maybe even react to it (nudge, nudge, wink, wink :-) ). The story is terrifying in the 'how in the world could this happen' kind of way.

Clay F

Matt -- Good points but she has motivation to satisfy her paid Patreon members (about 3300). Say, for example, the average $ of the Patreon subscriptions of her 3300 paid patrons is $7/month: 3300 x $7/month = $23,000/month = $277,000/year. Those numbers could be off, and do not take into account expenses. It is good to stay successful on YT. I would think the YT income is good. Plus, new Patreon members come in from YT.

Joe J

Cassie has always relied on patron polls to decide what to react to, that runs at around 50% of reactions now. Keeping patrons reasonably happy is goal #1. Patrons pays the bills. It's not 2022 anymore, she has already reacted to the great majority of mega hits and franchises. The new normal for YT views goes down every year, but she still gets very respectable views for many reactions, and some reactions can still top 200k or 300k. She will make some changes to slow viewer declines, but I don't see any radical changes happening. Also, I should add that some very popular genres like anime and horror are not to Cassie's liking. As for TV shows, she needs to have an interest in the show, not just watch anything to get views.

Joe J

Matt, give us some examples of mega-hits still out there she can react to?

Chris Thom

Name some that you would like to see on the channel. Or that you think would be 'successful'. Personally I think Forrest Gump, Interstellar, Good Will Hunting and To Kill a Mockingbird might do well with views.

Joe J

We all know these movies Matt, many are highly requested. Personally, I don't think most would move the needle much view-wise in comparison to what she is currently reacting to. Some would be re-watches, which is a very polarizing topic around here. Also, Cassie has never just randomly selected a bunch of films herself to react to...we would need to see a change in her behavior. And I have my doubts about pre-80s films. Let's see how "Patton" does with views.

Clay F

I like he way you think. I do believe that those running the channel do analysis/consideration on content (movies, series). If you want to suggest movies/series, you can upvote existing entries (and submit new requests) at popcornrequests.com. Also, please continue to make suggestions in the comments, and join in on discussions in other comment threads. +1 for Pale Rider. She is well aware of Pale Rider. Please upvote at popcornrequests. Her reaction to The Outlaw Josey Wales has 166K YT views. +1 for Training Day, which she is aware of (been in polls). I would think would get decent YT views. +1 for Dirty Harry (1971), but not the Dirty Harry franchise. +1 for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. But that and other pre-1980 movies (e.g., A Bridge Too Far) generally don't get a lot of YT views and not the most widespread interest among patrons. She has seen all 5 Bourne movies and Inglorious Basterds. Tropic Thunder is shown as "seen" at popcornrequests but she may not have seen it? She is apparently going to react to The Sum of All Fears (2002), which is not necessarily the most stellar movie = IMDb 6.5, Metacritic 45%, RT 59%, RT Audience 49%. I would think unlikely to get massive YT views. Her reactions to Patriot Games = 142K views and Clear and Present Danger = 141K YT views. Shogun series is excellent but unsure how would do on YT views. There are other series to consider. Absolute Power is arguably not the greatest movie. Her reaction to the better In the Line of Fire (1993) has 139K YT views. I would think Heartbreak Ridge would be decent on YT views. Could also give Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), The Thin Red Line (1998), etc. a chance to see how they do on YT views. Tears of the Sun [IMDb 6.6, Metacritic 46%, RT 34%, RT Audience 69%] could get ok views. Doesn't hurt to put all those in a poll to make patrons happy. I would not think The Bucket List would get massive YT views. I don't think John Q is the answer (just my opinion). Equalizer 2 and Equalizer 3 might get good YT views, but have to be careful imposing movies on patrons who are arguably a lifeblood of the channel.

Mike Lemon

"Shogun series is excellent " 1980- agree. 2024- hard disagree.

Richard Maurer

Joe - I agree with most of what you said. The only part I question is where you said that “ horror and anime are not to her liking” (has she ever said anything positive or negative about anime?). They may not be to her liking but they’re are both popular with a number of her patrons and do well on YouTube. And she has been softening her anti stance on horror lately. Can she really afford to ignore popular genres at a time like this?

Mojo One Thousand

I have mentioned some based on real-life stuff in other comments, but I think I missed the boat with the main place the suggestions were made... my are pretty niche so they likely wouldn't have made the poll. For this category there would be "The Front Runner" (2018), a political story that feels quite quaint these days, starring "Hugh Jackman".

Joe J

Richard, just a feeling I have about anime, I need to ask her really. We still don't get any traditional horror films outside of October, hope we can at some point. I will say that Cassie is sort of set in her ways (haha). Many of us fight for more variety, but variety won't of course equate to higher YT views. No magic bullet that will slow declines, maybe nothing can at this point.

Joe J

Bridge of Spies is closing the gap, I personally prefer it over Charlie Wilson's War. Both are excellent. Maybe Cassie could do a run-off poll of the (4) 2nd place finishers, I wouldn't mind that at all.

Clay F (edited)

Comment edits

2026-11-01 00:00 Agree both are excelllent. Happy with either one winning.
2025-05-27 16:38 Agree both are excellent. Happy with either one winning.

Agree both are excellent. Happy with either one winning.

Mitch M

Spotlight. A fantastic film.

Clay F

Great movie but she has seen it.

Chris Thom

I've seen Tropic Thunder get requested a ton. It's really hard to anticipate views though. There's just too many factors. But I think real fans of a movie will find her reactions over time. I don't totally understand how YouTube monetization works but she may very well have some guaranteed income for life. Which is pretty rad. Good for her.

Cole Jennett

A second chance for Sleepers would be A ok by me.

Cole Jennett

Clay, I believe there is an irrational hatred of Ben Affleck out in the world, mainly because of Batman imo. He has had an incredible career. He was much better as Jack Ryan than he was Batman, so hopefully it will do well for her.

Clay F

Sleepers finished a strong 2nd in that poll.

Tim Weaver

Am I hallucinating. Wasn't the Hurricane an option?

Patrick

John Cusack...."The Jack Bull" 🤔(1999) I'm thinking??

Doug Rafferty

I have been requesting The Iron Claw it is a great true story with very good performances.

Popcorn In Bed

i want to watch that one, but one of my friends says she will never recover from it

Matt Wathen

I've also been thinking that, perhaps, she should expand her reactions to things besides movies. How about food reactions? Perhaps she could do travel/location reactions. Both of these genres garner immense numbers of views, ergo immense revenue streams. Cassie is innately likable and I believe that her genuineness would carry over into other types of YouTube content.

Matt Wathen

Also, I think she would absolutely own the market for music reactions. She is so emotionally honest and open that her reactions would resonate with so many people.

bknsty14

Has she seen The Big Short? I always lump those two movies together.

Julien

I'm consistently perplexed by the results of polls here and by the movie choices. Cassie is a great realtor but these choices aren't serving her well. Curious audience.

Henry Graham

Yes, I have long argued that a more curated approach would serve her better. Another reactor I follow does polls, which always default to the populist choices, but she also does weekly selections from the AFI Top 100 and more regular picks from a random selection of titles submitted by her patrons. I think Cassie could at least benefit from doing a weekly Pick-a-Flick as a refreshing alternative to the poll results.

Nolofinwe

I’m not watching Charlie Wilson’s war. It’s stinks.