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Finnegan Begin Again

starring: Mary Tyler Moore, Robert Preston, Sam Waterston, Sylvia Sidney, David Huddleston
directed by: Joan Micklin Silver

October 24, 1989
I bought this a couple of years ago but never had the chance to watch it. I am glad I did.

I believe the characters, I believe the story. Then again, when it is two superb craftsmen as Mary Tyler Moore and Robert Preston, it is quite easy. Incredible nuance in both of their performances, never a false note.

And Sam Waterston is a hoot!!! My wife and I are Law & Order addicts and to see him in this role was hysterical.

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Uncle Tom's Cabin

starring: Avery Brooks, Kate Burton, Bruce Dern, Paula Kelly, Phylicia Rashad
directed by: Stan Lathan

November 17, 1997
This is a 90's film adaptation of Harriet Beecher Stowe's important novel by the same title. This story, and the message of the story, is of utmost significance. It is a tale in 1850's America of slave trading -- buying and selling people like they were property, and of cruel treatment that would be unacceptable for even zoo animals. Obviously, plantation life for the slaves could vary from reasonably comfortable to incredbly inhumane, depending mainly on the owner. The film story demonstrates this well.

There are glimpses of light: the strong Christian belief system and ethics among the slave population, and the good Samaritan acts and sacrifices of those who would aid them. But the general environment and theme is dark and the horror ... Read More:

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American History X

starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks, Jennifer Lien
directed by: Tony Kaye

August 24, 1999
American History X is what 'Crash' failed to be, that is, a nuanced and believable exploration of the roots and manifestations of racism. The film does not lecture but nor does it pardon - it approaches its delicate subject matter with conviction, maturity and stark imagery.

Set among the resurgence of Neo-Nazism among California's disenchanted urban youth in the 80's and early 90's, X is the story of one family, headed by eldest son Norton, and how the seed of racism takes root in his heart and begins to grow.

Leading man Norton delivers an explosive and utterly convincing performance as a young man who's world view becomes twisted by racist convictions. Soon his festering and misdirected rage lands him in prison, where hard lessons await. Outside of the ... Read More:

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Ernest Green Story

starring: Morris Chestnut, Robert Alexander, Katherine Bernhardt, Sarah Boss, Daniel Brissey
directed by: Eric Laneuville

August 04, 1993
The Little Rock Nine tryed in September 1957 to implement the Supreme Court decision of Brown vs. Board of Education. What follows was nine months of chaos, hatred, and courage that would forever change those involved, especially Ernest Green, the only senior. He would eventually become Assistant Secretary of Labor to Jimmy Carter. What he learned in that time was more valuable than any other experience he had. Hear him as he narrates the story, and see the obstacles he had to overcome. This movie also takes a look at the bigotry all nine students faced, and is a testiment to some of the lowest behavior the white race has ever participated in. It is also a testiment to the theory of non-violence in practice, and how one person's fight for what is right can truly make people question and ... Read More:

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Taxi Driver (Special Edition)

starring: Diahnne Abbott, Frank Adu, Gino Ardito, Victor Argo, Garth Avery

May 04, 1999
Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro) is a mess. He can't sleep. His diet consists of pills and junk-food. Mostly though, Travis is lonely. He's utterly alone in the milling crowds of NYC. Travis doesn't understand how the city got this bad, this full of filth and human debris. Why has it been allowed to degenerate into such a cesspool? Why is he the only one who seems to notice or care? Why are all women the same? Why are all men such low-life trash? Why can't someone do something about it? It's up to Travis Bickle to make things right. To clean out this festering wound. Travis has a plan. He'll get the job done. Now, all he needs is a bunch of guns. TAXI DRIVER is the 1976 shocker from Martin Scorsese that scared a generation! So real is it's presentation of mental disintegration and mass murder ... Read More:

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Allosaurus/Walking With Dinosaurs Boxed Set

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Avery Brooks
directed by: Jasper James

July 03, 2001
From the beginning, Walking with Dinosaurs keeps you
gripped with excitment and trying to imagine what it
must have been like living and sharing space with
Dinosaurs. And then you are swepted away with the life
of one particular Dinosaur, namely "Allosaurus". You
watch him from the infant stage until his fossils were
discovered and try and trace back with scientific explanations
on what may have happened to the Powerful Allosaurus.

Excellent graphics, animation and story line.

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Uncle Tom's Cabin (1987)

starring: Phylicia Rashad, Bruce Dern, Avery Brooks, Edward Woodward

1987
From the beginning, Walking with Dinosaurs keeps you
gripped with excitment and trying to imagine what it
must have been like living and sharing space with
Dinosaurs. And then you are swepted away with the life
of one particular Dinosaur, namely "Allosaurus". You
watch him from the infant stage until his fossils were
discovered and try and trace back with scientific explanations
on what may have happened to the Powerful Allosaurus.

Excellent graphics, animation and story line.

Average Rating:

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Finnegan Begin Again

starring: Mary Tyler Moore, Robert Preston, Sam Waterston, Sylvia Sidney, David Huddleston
directed by: Joan Micklin Silver

August 07, 2001
I bought this a couple of years ago but never had the chance to watch it. I am glad I did.

I believe the characters, I believe the story. Then again, when it is two superb craftsmen as Mary Tyler Moore and Robert Preston, it is quite easy. Incredible nuance in both of their performances, never a false note.

And Sam Waterston is a hoot!!! My wife and I are Law & Order addicts and to see him in this role was hysterical.

Average Rating:

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Nightflyers

starring: Catherine Mary Stewart, Michael Praed, John Standing, Lisa Blount, Glenn Withrow
directed by: Robert Collector

August 20, 1996
I had forgotten the name of this film but I never forgot it after I saw it very late at night (or rather early in the morning) on the Sci-Fi Channel. I knew the movie that I was watching had some major, major faults. Mostly bad effects, some inane dialogue, etc. (I remember thinking that it should have been filmed with no dialogue with the atmospheric music amped up.) But I found the actors very engaging and the plot quite intriguing. I was definitely thinking about it for a long time after I had seen it, even though I kept tellling myself "it wasn't that good". Movies that leave me with this reaction tend to be the ones I revisit again and again. This wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of liking a "bad" movie, but luckily I've learned not to go on critic's or other people's opinions or I ... Read More:

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Allosaurus - A Walking With Dinosaurs Special

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Avery Brooks

April 10, 2001
Tells the story of "Big Al" how he lived, the injuries he sustained and how he died. Well worth watching.