BASED on REAL PEOPLE. “The Bombing of Pan Am 103.” / “Clark.” / “House of Guinness.” / “The English Game.”

“The Bombing of Pan Am 103” (Netflix) British drama, about the 1988 disaster of Pan Am Flight 103, which was the deadliest terrorist attack in British history. 

        The unfailing lure of this series is obvious. And this show is almost a mechanical reenactment of the ensuing investigation of the tragedy. Less dramatic tension, more technical exposition. No complaints, whatsoever. 🎥💻📽

“House of Guinness” (Netflix) historical drama about the family behind the Guinness brewing company in 19th-century Ireland and New York, and the consequences following the death of Benjamin Guinness, the man responsible for the company’s extraordinary success.

       This series is created by Steven Knight, the dude who gave us the remarkable, hugely-entertaining period pieces “Peaky Blinders” and “A Thousand Blows.” Mr Knight upped the grade a bit in “House of Guinness” with some “Downton Abbey” glamorous drama and “Succession” family intrigue. 

       Forget that most if not all true-to-life cinema is conveniently reconfigured and some fiction characters are added for structure and texture. For example, Arthur Guinness's sexual identity here has no reliable historical proof, and character Sean Rafferty is an invention of the series.

       We just have to forgive those, of course–in favor of a fine weekend binge-watch. 🎥💻📽

“Clark” (Netflix) Swedish true to life crime drama, based on the life of Clark Olofsson and includes the events of the Norrmalmstorg robbery.

       The most that I can say with this series? Wacko. But it's an entertaining sort of whacked out showtime. I guess the only credible “truth” here is the Norrmalmsdorg episode albeit the Stockholm Syndrome sequences are a bit “played up.

       Meanwhile, I am not saying that the real Clark O wasn't the epitome of bad or flirty-bad but, I reckon, the majority of the shenanigans here are “lies” or cinematic jazz-up. 

       Some critics lambasted the "breakneck pacing and tonal shifts" and were looking for “self-aware commentary” somewhere. Yet it's pretty clear from the minute Episode 1 was unleashed that this confectionary farce wasn't meant to be serious. 

       Director Jonas Akerlund and his co-writers are going for sarcastic laughs over heart-wrenching political (or whatever) statements. And credit that to the very game and alluring performance of Bill Skarsgard. He played the title role as though he's with The Three Stooges, not SNL. 🎥💻📽

“The English Game” (Netflix) British historical sports drama. In the 1870s, football in the United Kingdom was a sport for the wealthy. A working-class star and his upper-class counterpart come together to change the game forever.

       The epilogue reads: "In 1885 the FA changed their rules to allow professional players. An amateur team never won the FA Cup again. Arthur Kinnaird became President of the FA, serving 33 years until his death in 1923. Fergus Suter and Jimmy Love are recognised as pioneers of the modern game, which now has over four billion fans across the world.”

       Edward Holcroft is Arthur Kinnaird. Kevin Guthrie is Fergus Suter. And James Harkness is Jimmy Love. All good. This series is a fine, by-the-book “historical procedural.” Well-structured, with its characters carefully developed to serve the overlying premise.

        Created by Julian Fellowes, whose most popular projects include “Downton Abbey” and “The Gilded Age,” this 6-part series is a binge-watch lure in this year of World Cup pleasure. 🎥💻📽