To Kill A Mockingbird

Based on Harper Lee's 1961 classic novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird" is the 1962 film adaptation following Atticus Finch, a lawyer in a racially divided 1930's Alabama town. He agrees to defend a young black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman. Many of the townspeople are against Atticus defending Tom but Atticus decides to go ahead with the trial.

The story is told through the eyes of Atticus's daughter, six-year old "Scout", a feisty young girl who lives with her father and her older brother, Jem.

While Robinson's trial gives the film its momentum, there are plenty of other occurrences before and after the court date: Scout's ever-strengthening bond with her older brother, Jem, her friendship with precocious young Dill Harris, her father's no- nonsense reactions to such life-and-death crises as a rampaging mad dog, and especially Scout's reactions to, and relationship with, Boo Radley, the reclusive "village idiot" who turns out to be her salvation when she is attacked.

I enjoyed the character of Scout. Since the story is told from her point of view, the situations are presented without adding an explicit opinion. The viewer is left to make sense of events and come to their own conclusion.

I enjoyed the character of Atticus Finch as well. He represents morality and kindness. He serves as a guiding light for his two children, always calm and patient. He allows them to come to the understanding that, although evil exists, one should not dwell on that but should instead realize that the existence of this evil is a sign that there is work to do, and progress to make.

"To Kill A Mockingbird" is a timeless classic. 

Lizzy   =)

The Outsiders

Based on the classic teenage novel by S.E. Hinton, the 1983 film "The Outsiders" takes place in Oklahoma around the mid-1960's and follows the story narrated by 14-year old Ponyboy Curtis, while living with his two older brothers, Darry and Sodapop Curtis. There are two rival gangs from opposite sides of town -- "Greasers" (kids who come from poor families) and "Socs" (kids who come from rich families) who are always fighting with each other.

The movie begins with Ponyboy, a member of the "Greasers", along with his two friends and other members, Johnny and Dallas, heading for the drive-in to watch a movie. While watching the movie, the three boys run into Cherry Valance and her friend, Marcia. After the movie is over, the boys walk with both girls until their boyfriends, Bob and Randy, members of the "Socs", arrive and take the girls away.

On his way home with Ponyboy, Johnny refuses to go inside his home due to his parents arguing so they both walk to the park and fall asleep. Waking up and realizing how late it is, Ponyboy heads home. Darry is up and begins to yell at Ponyboy for being late. Ponyboy runs out of the house and goes back to where Johnny is sleeping. They both start walking through the park until they notice a car full of "Socs" driving towards them. Bob and Randy, along with other "Socs", being to argue with Ponyboy and Johnny. They start beating up Ponyboy. Johnny grabs a knife and ends up killing Bob in order to save Ponyboy. All the other "Socs" run away.

Scared and not knowing what to do, Ponyboy and Johnny decide to run away. They ask Dallas for help. Dallas gives Johnny a gun and some money and tells them about an abandoned church they can hide out in. He tells them to stay there until he can get away and meet up with them. They stay at this abandoned church for about four or five days. While their stay, Ponyboy and Johnny buy food, supplies, and the book Gone with the Wind to read to pass the time. They also decide to cut their hair and Ponyboy ends up bleaching his hair blonde. Dallas comes up to the church to let them know that Cherry Valance will testify that Johnny killing Bob was in self-defense. They go out to eat and then return to find the church on fire and children are stuck inside. Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dallas go in to rescue them. Once they get all the children out, Johnny gets caught in the fire and gets burned really badly. Johnny and Dallas are hospitalized. The three of them are praised for the heroism but Johnny is charged with manslaughter.

Since the killing of Bob, there has been a rumble challenge made between the "Greasers" and the "Socs" to end this once and for all. A violent fistfight occurs, which the "Greasers" win. Dallas drives Ponyboy to the hospital to let Johnny know they won the rumble. Johnny whispers to Ponyboy to "stay gold" and then he passes away. Dallas starts crying and runs out. Unable to bear Johnny's death, Dallas robs a convenient store and gets chased by police. Unable to get away, Dallas gets shot by the police.

As the story ends, Ponyboy is sitting at his desk. He then picks up the Gone with the Wind novel and finds a letter inside written to him by Johnny. He reads what Johnny wrote and then opens his notebook up and starts writing about his experiences.

Lizzy    =)

12 Angry Men

The original 1957 classic "12 Angry Men" is the film based on the story of a jury made up of 12 men as they deliberate the guilt or acquittal of a defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt.

The story begins in a courtroom where an 18-year old boy from a New York city slum is on trial for allegedly stabbing his father to death. Final closing arguments are presented, and the judge then instructs the jury to decide whether the boy is guilty or not. The twelve-man jury retire to a private room where they have immediately decided that the boy is guilty and plan to return their verdict quickly without any discussion. A preliminary vote is taken and the result is 11:1 in favor of the the guilty verdict. Eleven jurors have raised their hand for the guilty verdict except for one, juror #8. Only one vote is holding them back and now they have to discuss the trial once again. Juror #8 who voted not guilty refuses to just jump to conclusions and brings up incredible possibilities that can always make a man think of "reasonable doubts." The rest of the film's focus is the jury's difficulty in reaching a unanimous verdict. As time goes on, some of the jurors change their minds and find that there is enough reasonable doubt not to convict and by the end, all the jurors reach a unanimous decision of not guilty.

The film was an excellent courtroom drama with a unique twist. Instead of following the trial itself, the viewers have the chance to observe the events behind close doors of a jury room. The entire film takes place within one room, enabling all attention to be focused on the details of the case. The plot of the film is excellent and it's fascinating to see what little things can influence which way a verdict goes. Once the deliberations really hit their stride and the arguments are flying back and forth, the film never fails to fascinate.  With quiet probing, one juror appeals to curiosity, truth, and intellect over emotional hysteria, popular opinion, and snap judgments.

The film's greatness lies in its bringing together twelve different men who have never met each other before and the interaction of their characters as each man brings his own background and life experiences into the case. The characters are not given names and are only known as juror numbers. The characters themselves are so cleverly developed that even after a small amount of dialogue you can see the cross section of society sitting around the table becoming apparent, a very ordinary group of men. There are no bad guys or good guys. All you see is a group of men, each one having a slight difference in attitude, who initially believe they are right with their views.

Lizzy  =)

Bang Bang You're Dead

2002's made-for-tv film "Bang Bang You're Dead" tackles the issue of growing up, specifically in high school, as a teenager. Most films entertain. This film educates their audience. It presents social cliques, peer pressure, bullying, and the toll that these harsh realities take on students, in the form of depression, anger and violence.


The film is based on inspiration from the play Bang Bang You're Dead written by William Mastrosimone in 1999. The play was written following the fatal shootings of Kip Kinkel's parents on May 20, 1998 and 27 of his classmates at Thurston High School on May 21, 1998 in Springfield, Oregon. The play was written to raise awareness of school violence in hoping to help people see tragedy before it happens. The plot focuses on the character Josh, a high school student who kills his parents and 5 of his classmates. According to Mastrosimone, "it's a drama performed by kids for kids" in hoping to reach out to the thousands of young audiences who gather to watch.


The film focuses on student Trevor Adams, who attends Rivervale High School. Trevor, accused of making a false bomb threat to the school as a result of constant bullying, is now seen as an outcast who is trying to fit back in. His drama teacher, Val Duncan, sees the play Bang Bang You're Dead online and downloads it, thinking it will be the perfect play to perform for the high school. He also thinks Trevor will be perfect to play the part of the lead role, Josh. When Mr. Duncan casts Trevor as the lead role of the play and prepares for rehearsals, parents and faculty soon start to strongly object to the outrageous title and an "at risk" teenager performing the lead. Figuring that the town doesn't fully understand the script of the play and what point will come from it, Mr. Duncan decides to perform the play anyways and prove that it's in the best interest of the students to view this educating play. He's very confident that once the play is performed, changes will be made in the behavior of the students.


Although he is not the only victim, the film follows Trevor and sees school from his perspective through his video journals. While Trevor videotapes his daily routine, he captures the bullies that push him and other "social outcasts" around. When the school board and police authorities view his video tapes, they discover the emotional chastising and the tragic torment that Trevor has received. They discover the serious and realistic look into the harassment being done within their school hallways. They finally come to understand the terrifying reality of how the victims suffer and are abused by the school bullies. They realize that it's time for a change in preventing bullying and focus more on relating to their students. 


After their recent discovery, the school board decides to let Mr. Duncan and his drama club perform the play. Everyone attended and paid close attention to the words the actors were saying. Trevor was exceptional and was able to speak out and describe his feelings through Josh. It was an emotional and moving piece that opened the audience's eyes in feeling for and understanding the victim who endured the bullying and it's affects that caused him to think violently. 


It is an amazing movie! Bullying and school violence are serious issues. The film emphasizes how harmful constant humiliation can be for students who suffer from it every single day and what happens when someone is pushed over that line and turns to violence for revenge. The film shows the real pain. The pain is so realistic that it allows you, as the audience, to feel what it would actually be like to be in their shoes. 

Lizzy  =) 

Painful Secrets

"Painful Secrets" is the made-for-tv drama about shy Dawn Cottrell, a teenager who attempts to please the world but feels like she can please no one. Unlike most people, who are able to express extreme emotions through words or through tears, Dawn's only way of channeling her pain is through self-injury. This physical pain brought on by cutting or burning herself secures Dawn's relief from the emotional pain that she is unable to release. The film provides an insightful look into a disorder that for years has been disregarded because people simply were not ready to deal with it.

The movie begins with Dawn in art class showing a display of what she designed for the Winter Carnival. Some of the girls in her class didn't like her display. The girls laughed at the design and made fun of Dawn for thinking up something so silly. When they left the room, Dawn grabbed a box cutter sitting on her art easel and ran to the bathroom. In the stall, Dawn sits and rocks back and forth, upset with the humilation of not having a good idea for the Winter Carnival. She stares at the box cutter, rolls up her sleeve, and then starts making small cuts on her forearm. After inflicting pain to herself, Dawn feels better and walks home.

While eating dinner with her parents, Dawn notices tension between her mother and father. She tries to talk with them but all her parents can do is ignore her and start arguing with each other. Dawn tries to speak with them individually. Her father, Russell, is always distant, doesn't show affection, and can't communicate with her. Her mother, Joyce, can only speak of herself and is always taking the focus away from Dawn. It's bad enough her school life is unstable, she hates that her home life is the exact same way. Trying to find salvation from both worlds, Dawn turns to 19-year old Craig, who has no romantic interest in her but only how physical he can get with her. Dawn, unaware of his real motive of being with her, feels that he is the only one she can turn to.

After another day of humilation in school with the same girls, Dawn runs downstairs to the school's boiler room. She grabs the box cutter, rolls up her sleeve and releases her anger. After cutting, the satisfied look on Dawn's face shows how her self-injuries are helping her to deal with everything. She can now go back upstairs to finish her school day. Dawn returns to class and while passing out papers, the teacher notices blood on Dawn's sleeve and sends her to the school nurse. The principal calls her parents to talk about what Dawn has been doing to herself. They take Dawn home. In the back seat of the car, Dawn doesn't know what her parents are thinking. Russell, still distant, doesn't know what to say to her and Joyce, humiliated, doesn't want to be blamed for her behavior and demands that she stops. Making sure that the cutting does stops, Joyce hides all the knives, razors, fingernail filers, and scissors. Frustrated that her mother is treating her like a child and her father doesn't understand her, Dawn tries to find ways to cut herself but is unable to find anything sharp to cut with so she ends up running to the garage, sitting in the car and grabs the cigarette lighter. She rolls up her sleeve and burns herself. She burns herself so badly, she is rushed to the emergency room. Her parents, giving up on trying to help her, insist on sending her to visit with a therapist, Dr. Parella.

Visiting Dr. Parella on a regular basis is helping Dawn to better understand that she is cutting herself because she is unable to express her feelings verbally and emotionally. Dr. Parella advises Dawn to express those feelings. Dawn, knowing that her mother is one of the main reasons, confronts her. Joyce right away gets defensive and angry that she is being blamed. She then decides to leave the family so she explains to Dawn that it would be better if she left so that Dawn could get better. Dawn, very upset, runs to Dr. Parella's office and starts crying about her mother leaving. Dr. Parella apologizes but is pleased that Dawn is crying. She explains to Dawn that if tears can take the place of blood, then Dawn has begun the long road to recovery.

 Lizzy  =)

Find My Child

1983's movie "Adam" is the tragic true story of 6-year old Adam "Scooter" Walsh and his abduction in front of a Sears store on July, 27, 1981 in Hollywood, Florida. He is the son of John and Reve Walsh.

The movie begins the day of July 27, 1981, in which Reve, along with Adam, went shopping for the day. They arrived at the store and Adam asked if he was able to watch the older kids play video games. Reve agreed but told him to stay put and not to move. Reve went looking around the store for only a few moments. When she returned, Adam was gone. She walked all around the store and had customer service call his name over the intercom but Adam never came. After two hours of searching the mall, the police are called to help with the search. John arrives and helps look for Adam. The police arrive and have patrol cars drive around the neighborhood searching for him. Reve doesn't know what happened. She doesn't know why no one noticed him and why no one helps in finding him.

At the police station, John and Reve try to have the detectives help them find Adam. Reve thinks he was kidnapped. John doesn't know who would just take a 6-year old boy for no reason. The police advised that they will do all they can to help find Adam. Soon, the television stations are airing Adam's abduction and ask for any help from the audience watching. Reve is making phone calls to Adam's friends but no one has seen Adam. John feels that the police aren't doing enough in helping. All the other police stations being notified state that they are too busy with other cases. Once he figures out that there is only limited help, John starts his own agenda in finding Adam. He creates posters. He offers a reward. He contacts people in authority to help. He feels that he is the one who is going to find Adam, no matter what it takes. John organizes search hunts for Adam. They have help from neighbors and friends. They use dogs in their search. They have help with the newspaper, the radio, the television, and people talking to the authorities in trying to find Adam.

It's been a whole day and unfortunately, Adam is still not found. John calls the FBI to help in finding Adam. The FBI explain that they can't handle kidnappings unless a ransom or evidence of kidnapping is involved. John doesn't understand. John doesn't know why no one will help. John doesn't know why people won't worry about children who are in trouble. A few days later, John receives a phone call from a talk show to appear and tell his story of Adam on the national television. John and Reve agree. The television show asks John to be the voice for missing children in order to receive more help in finding them. John agrees. He hopes this will help in finding his own child.

On August 10, 1981, the long, grueling search was over. Two fisherman in Vero Beach, Florida found a severed head and after checking dental records, the head was identified as Adam Walsh. The rest of his remains were not recovered. John breaks down crying and screaming why? why would someone kill Adam? what did Adam do wrong?

After Adam's kidnapping and murder, nearly 20,000 letters and donations are sent to John and Reve with prayers and thoughts and condolences. After reading all the letters, John and Reve decides to become involved in helping with missing children. Due to their involvement, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is formed. They make more television appearances. They wrote letters to their congressman to make changes. After a long period of time trying to receive help from the government, John and Reve are pleased that the U.S. Congress passed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in which President Bush signed into law. The bill institutes a national database of convicted child molesters, and increases penalties for sexual and violent offenses against children.

It was a heart-warming movie that was shared by John and Reve Walsh, who endured a horrific ordeal by the loss of their son but realize that their tragedy can help other parents who have missing children. Since their ordeal, John and Reve had another child. A beautiful baby girl, Megan. John Walsh, due to all his hard-work and dedication in helping missing children, became the host of America's Most Wanted in helping to capture criminals.

Lizzy   =)

Sudden Fury

Lifetime's original movie "A Family Torn Apart" is based on actual events in Annapolis, Maryland, that shows two half-brothers, Daniel and Brian, who were adopted and being raised by two controlling parents, Joe and Maureen Hannigan, who wanted their boys to be perfect in everyway and suffered when they weren't. The abuse continued until the brutal murders of Joe and Maureen tragically occurred. With both brothers being suspected of the crime, first Daniel then Brian, the police investigate further and the truth of the physical and mental abuse comes out and opens the town's eyes of what life was really like in the Hannigan home which caused this family torn apart.

The story begins with Brian, holding his little brother, Chris, another boy adopted by Joe and Maureen. Brian called the police and let them know his parents were dead. The police arrive at their home. They find Joe dead in the basement. They keep searching until they find Maureen dead out in the backyard.  The police search around the house and find the ax, with blood all over it, in the woods near the home. At the police station, the detectives speak with Brian and Chris about what happened. Brian says that he doesn't know anything. Chris says that he heard noises and saw his brother, Daniel, walking outside. The police assume that Daniel is the culprit. They visit with Daniel, who is being held at a juvenile detention center, informing him of the death of his parents. Daniel knows that he is a suspect but he doesn't know who will be on his side and believe that he didn't do it.

A friend of the family, Tom Kelly, tries to help the boys deal with this tragedy. He speaks with Brian to find out the truth about what happened. Brian explains that Daniel was a handful for his parents. He explains that both of them were adopted. Brian was adopted first. Brian was liked by everyone which pleased his parents. Daniel was adopted next but he was much more different than Brian. Daniel was always giving his parents a problem about behaving the right way. His parents didn't know what else to do but to start beating Daniel until he does. Brian was always afraid to speak up and stop the abuse. He always behaved so he wouldn't get beaten. Unable to handle Daniel's behavior, Joe and Maureen decided to give him away. Thinking that they failed at parenting, Joe and Maureen start becoming more strict with Brian. They didn't let him date girls. They didn't let him hang out with his friends. After hearing Brian's stories of what they endured, Tom couldn't believe Joe and Maureen would treat their children this way but he believes Brian. Tom could only think the reason is Joe and Maureen had too much expectations on Brian and Daniel to be how they wanted them to be. They never thought there would be any pain and hardship that came with raising them. They wanted everything to be perfect with them. They didn't want to fail as parents. Realizing what he went through, Tom is starting to think that maybe Brian is responsible.

The police find blood matching Joe and Maureen on Brian's shoes and bring him in for questioning. Tom is there to support Brian. The police tell Brian it's time to tell the truth. Brian starts describing the details that happened that night. After getting caught with a girl, Brian overhears his parents talking about sending him away because they couldn't handle him. Not understanding why, Brian just couldn't take their abuse anymore. Afraid his parents were going to get rid of him like they did Daniel, Brian grabbed a knife. His parents were down in the basement. Brian walked downstairs and stood behind his mother, holding the knife, and had a look of such crazed anger. He was thinking why can't they take care of me? He was thinking what if they treat Chris the same way? He was thinking don't they love me? With such rage, Brian just started stabbing Maureen. Next, Brian walked up behind Joe and started stabbing him. With blood all over his face, Brian notices that his mother is still alive. She starts crawling towards the backyard so Brian grabs an ax and hits her over the head crushing her skull. Realizing what he's done, Brian walks through the woods and throws away the ax. After confessing, the police arrest Brian. After his trial, Brian served eight years in prison. Daniel continued to have trouble with the law and is currently in prison. Chris was adopted by a loving family.

Lizzy   =)