Netflix

ARNOLD
* * * ½

While we are not fans of body building, Arnold Schwarzenegger movies or Republican politics, we did enjoy the “Arnold” documentary, which coincidently was divided into those three parts.

Arnold’s life story is told in the first person, with the subject expounding about his life, his dreams, his philosophy on life, and his successes and failures.

Born and raised in Austria, he dreamed of moving to America, which he did, becoming a citizen in 1983.

The first episode centers on his body building obsession, eventually winning the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia titles.

The second covered his life as an actor, beginning with the horrible “Hercules”, followed by the successful “Pumping Iron”. The third episode delves into his political career, marriage into the Kennedy family, and eight-year term as Governor of California.

The doc is well made, using only a few talking heads, with Arnold letting us know about his take on life and finishing up with his current life as an elder statesman, giving back to Special Olympics and serving as a spokesman for many causes.

TOUR DE FRANCE UNCHAINED
* * *

While not a fan of bicycle
racing, I was fascinated by the documentary series that followed and explained everything there is to know about the Tour de France from the first leg in Copenhagen to the 21st in Paris.

The world’s largest cycle race is a complex operation involving intricate strategies and rules.

The documentary gives you the full load by following one team and the individual racers.

From the training camps through the endless meetings leading up to the races, you are there, getting to know the racers and the many people behind the scenes.

Most impressive are the overhead scenes of the race through cities and the beautiful countryside.

What amazes me are the thousands of fans who line up along the routes to see the teams of racers zoom by at high speeds.

Cycle racing, like auto racing, carries the anticipation of serious crashes. One of the worst was Fabio Jakobsen, whose crash and serious injuries was hard to watch. We watch him come back to race again.