Genre: Biography | Drama

Running Time: 133 minutes

Directed By: Jim Sheridan

Written By: Gerry Conlon, Terry George

Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite and Alison Crosbie

Movie Release Date: 25 Febraury, 1994

Review:

The real life tale of the Guildford Four, the wrongly accused people convicted for the Guildford Pub Bombings in 1974, is brought to millions worldwide with Jim Sheridan’s In The Name of the Father. A biographical adaptation film based on Gerry Conlon’s autobiography, the movie is a riveting watch from beginning to the end.

Starring Daniel Day-Lewis in the role of Gerry Conlon, one of the 4 accused, the movie sees brilliant performances from its entire cast, including Emma Thompson as Gareth Peirce and Pete Postlethwaite as Giuseppe Conlon.

The plot revolves around the police arresting suspects immediately after the IRA bombings without even considering whether they’re guilty or not. Gerry Conlon and his friend Paul Hill (John Lynch) are arrested as prime suspects, and Gerry’s father Giuseppe Conlon arrives to assist his son in getting a lawyer. However, Giuseppe himself is then accused of being a part of the IRA network. The story takes an interesting turn when, after the police have buried proof that the accused are innocent, a lawyer named Gareth Pierce tries to dig out the truth and free Conlon. Emma Thompson has her job well done, especially with a court scene speech that she delivers. Two very important scenes in the movie are the display of the Belfast riots and the scene of Gerry’s prison window that evokes intense emotions in viewers.

Though the main theme of the movie is built around the bombings and the injustice that the accused had to face, more importance is given to the father-son relationship between the Conlons and their ultimate understanding of the other.

Genre: Biography|Drama|Sport

Running Time: 113 min

Directed By: Boaz Yakin

Written By:  Gregory Allen Howard

Cast: Denzel Washington, Will Patton and Wood Harris

Movie Release Date: 29 September, 2000

Review:

Remember the Titans is one of those feel good movies, which inspire, fill you with a lot of pride and spirit and cause that big lump to form in your throat – for all purposes an inspirational movie. Said to be based on true events, this story talks about how in the early 1970s when black and white colleges are merged and even as the town erupts in protests, the most affected is the college football team. How the team learns to bridge this racial divide and go on to win every game in the season forms the story.

Now, this movie cannot be given any marks for originality or top of the grade scripting, but the actors especially Denzel Washington (as Coach Boone) and Will Patton (as Bill Yoast) help the film shine. They deliver very convincing performances which would otherwise have been just a mediocre film with an average oft repeated script. Even the predictable nature of the script, still manages to keep the suspense intact to make for a good viewing experience.

If you are looking for a football movie, this might not be the one, but a feel good movie it definitely is. Maybe you won’t learn how to improve your grip or how to make the perfect touchdown, but you will certainly leave the cinema with a little happy song in your heart.

Genre: Biography|Drama|Sport

Running Time: 146 minutes   

Directed By: Norman Jewison

Written By: Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, Sam Chaiton

Cast: Denzel Washington, Vicellous Reon Shannon and Deborah Kara Unger

Movie Release Date: 13 October, 2000

Review:

A skillfully crafted, deeply moving film that showcases one of the best works of Denzel Washington since ‘Malcom X’ is one of the best description one can give this movie. With a lot of underlying messages including racism, civil rights, injustice and hatred towards the blacks, Washington manages to project it all effortlessly and convincingly proving his caliber without any doubt.

The film was based on true story of Robin “Hurricane” Carter, a top ranked middle weight boxer, who is falsely charged with a triple homicide. The story of a teenage girl who fights to give him justice also forms the crux of this film. The famous words of Carter-“Hate got me into this place and Love got me out”- upon his freedom sum up the character of the movie.

Although the film was mired in controversy upon release stating that the facts were all wrong or too fictionalized to bear resemblance to the actual events. It is also said that, these controversies are what prevented Washington from winning the Oscar for this film. Washington’s transformation in the movie from the fighter who took pleasure in crushing his opponents, to a man who found pleasure in his writing is truly noteworthy.

A moving film, we must give the director Norman Jewison for letting Washington take over the movie, but not run away with it.

Genre: Action|Adventure|Biography

Running Time: 175 min

Directed By: Oliver Stone

Written By: Oliver Stone, Christopher Kyle

Cast: Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins and Rosario Dawson

Movie Release Date: 31 December, 2004

Review:

Directed by Oliver Stone and Written by Oliver Stone, Christopher Kyle et al, Alexander is a drama, action, adventure and a classic movie where Alexander, who happens to be the king of Macedonia, guides his legions against the famous and powerful Persian Empire. The movie goes on to show the defeat of this Persian Empire by Alexander’s troops and how he leads his empire to India, where no westerner had ever been.

Critics consider this movie as a super spectacle in a lot of aspects. The movie is considered a success with amazing stirring visuals and music that sought the viewers‘attention and the performances were considered okay by critics. Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson and Anthony Hopkins have all contributed equally to the film, making it a success.

Audiences believe that the movie is enjoyable and has a lot to offer. The movie has also brought back history making it real for the viewers. The actions and the special effects are liked by many. The cast is good and is surely entertaining. If you haven’t watched the movie as of yet, you should consider checking it out. It’s a beautiful movie, especially for those who love action, drama and adventure.

Genre: Biography|Drama|History

Running Time: 124 min

Directed By: Shekhar Kapur

Written By: Michael Hirst

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Christopher Eccleston

Movie Release Date: 22 November, 1998

Review:

Written by Michael Hirst and directed by ShekharKapur, Elizabeth (1998) is a biography of Queen Elizabeth I. Kate Blanchet of Australian origin, played the lead and came to international limelight owing much to her incredible screen presence and elegance. The movie shows the turmoil of a woman amongst strong men to regain her independence and authority. Being a protestant she is imprisoned by her half-sister who was and queen of England Mary I. The director beautifullycapturesthe transformation of a princess to a queen. She is opposed and considered to be a hereticby most, especially Earl of Norflock played by Christopher Eccleston who plots against her. Robert Dudley played by Joseph Fiennes, her lover who is banished from the court once she finds out that he is already married. She imposes on herself, the restrictions of having any relations with a man- thus leading a celibate life. Elizabeth assuming the stance of a Virgin Queen marks the end of the movie.

The movie won the Oscar for best make up and had 7 nominations to its credit, including best actress.  The movie also won the Golden globe in different categories. Elizabeth was received the BAFTA for best movie that year.

Storyline / Description:

The account of the general manager of Oakland A– Billy Beane. He had a successful effort to assemble a baseball club by employing computer-generated studies to get his players.

Synopsis:

Moneyball is a film for anyone who’s ever dreamed of tackling the system. Billy Beane is Oakland A’s general manager and the man who puts the team together. He has an epiphany: he thinks that everything about conventional wisdom is not right. Pushed to make his team a new creation on a nasty budget, Beane has to outwit the richer clubs.

Running Time: 113 minutes

Distributor: Sony Pictures

Directed By: Bennett Miller

Written By: Steven Zaillian (screenplay), Aaron Sorkin

Cast: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright and Jonah Hill

Movie Release Date: September 23, 2011

Review:

In contrary to most movies that are made these days that are all about boxing, we come across a film which theme is a major comeback to what was like Major League before. Moneyball, tells the story of a baseball team underdog that tries to make it to the big league. Its general manager Billy Beane is an insane guy who thinks that what is known to be the conventional system of baseball is wrong. Now his team, Oakland A has to rely on his new ideas, or else, they will all crumble down.

At first it seemed like as difficult as it could get, all movies start out like that, but then again, Billy meets an ivy-league graduate who helps him assemble a team of flawed baseball players– at least that’s what the other teams say of them. But when they get these players to their team, everyone seems to be surprised that they can score and run bases.

The director of the film is Bennett Miller, who is also responsible for the highly controversial true story of Capote. Moneyball is also an adapted story from Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, written by Michael Lewis. The movie went through a spectacular number of drafts and different versions, but one draft was written by Aaron Sorkin so that must be good.

This movie will be a hit in the U.S. since all the folks there like baseball. Internationally, we can also hope for a hit since Brad Pitt is the lead.

Storyline / Description: Centers on the battle for Debbie Peagler’s freedom—a survivor of domestic violence.

Synopsis: This film follows the story of the woman behind bars for 26 years: Debbie Peagler. This African-American woman endured the hands of her treacherous boyfriend that brings pain to her every single time. Her boyfriend coerced her into prostitution and then later on was pressed into jail by prosecutors who pointed a finger at her linking her to the murder instigated by her boyfriend. More than two decades later, two lawyers fight for Peagler’s right to freedom.

Running Time: 95 minutes

Distributor: Life Sentence Films/mTuckman Media

Directed By: Yoav Potash

Cast: Deborah Peagler, Tennille Williams and Joshua Safran

Review:

Deborah Peagler is devastated for 26 years—because no one wants to stand up for her. But then again Joshua Safran and Nadia Costa, land lawyers, found her and are dedicated to taking her out of prison. The lawyers are using a California law that permits reopening cases involving physically abused and battered women and are now on a job free of charge to fight for what’s right.

Being with a boyfriend who was hitting her almost everyday was already a difficult situation for Peagler, and when she was forced into prostitution, she can’t help but agree to the proposal since she does not want to be beaten up any further.

Putting this into film is already a success for the director Yoav Potash who went to great heights just to document every possible detail of the trial and the progress of the case. Crime After Crime is a hard-hitting documentary that paints the picture of a terrifying angle of domestic violence.

What is more horrific than the film itself is the mirror of the justice system that does not seek to see what is due. It is quite ironic that the system that tries to uphold the truth and protect the people is the very system that prosecutes the innocent.

Crime After Crime is a must-see movie that should be in theaters not only where they are supposed to be shown but should have a worldwide acclaim that deserves it. The producers did a job well-done.

Genre: Biography|Drama|History

Running Time: 191 min

Directed By: Richard Attenborough

Written By: John Briley

Cast: Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud and Candice Bergen

Movie Release Date: 8 December, 1982

Review:

The eternal dream of director Richard Attenborough to portray the life and struggles of the Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was finally realized in the year 1982. It got its well deserved share of Oscars but most importantly Ben Kingsley’s work as the lead was heart melting and convincing. It is the biopic of Gandhi who abandoned his worldly degree of a lawyer and dedicates his life to solving problems of the people in South Africa. He faced the resistance of the British colonial power with nonviolence and passive resistance. His belief in the ability to achieve freedom without bloodshed, and the turmoil among the Indian leaders regarding his views is noteworthy. The scenes are aesthetically shot with some of the scenes, still considered to be technical masterpiece which cannot be replicated.  The movie won 8 Oscars. The supporting cast included Candice Bergen, Athol Fugard, John Gielgud ,who were praised for their performances in the movie. This 3 hours and 15 minutes movie is a must watch for everyone who love classics and drama. The simplicity and the intention of this work of art took many critics by surprise and is still considered to be a landmark in the world of cinema.