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   =)

Going Underground

True story "Shameful Secrets" is based upon the life of Marianne Walker-Tate, who is the suburban housewife to Daniel and mother of two, Josie and Jason. In public, it's the perfect marriage but behind close doors, it's not all domestic bliss.

The story begins with Marianne and Daniel sitting in front of their house holding each other and cuddling. A neighbor stops by and invites them over for a party but Daniel declines. When Daniel sees the neighbor touch Marianne's hand, he gets very jealous. Later that night, he starts yelling at her. He grabs her by the hair and starts beating her. Afterwards, he apologizes and Marianne forgives him. The beatings continue over and over again. Daniel is unable to control his terrible temper and poor Marianne has to physically endure his abuse. Because he threatens to kill her, Marianne is afraid to leave him. She doesn't know what to do. She just wants to leave with her children.  

One night, after Daniel had finished beating her, Marianne tries to leave with the children. Daniel catches and beats her so badly, the ambulance arrives and takes her to the hospital. While recovering from her severe injuries, Daniel accuses her of leaving and abandoning the children. He locks her out of the house and doesn't let her see the children. Marianne, upset, tries to get her children back. She takes Daniel to court to fight for custody of the children. When she tries to explain the physical abuse, the judge advises that physical abuse can not be used in custody hearings. After hearing both sides, the judge gives sole custody to Daniel but gives Marianne visitation. Marianne is crushed and can't believe she doesn't have her children. At this point, Marianne is staying in a shelter and plans on getting her children back. She finds a job and an apartment. When visiting with her children, she notices a change in them. They're more quiet and distant with her. Jason, her son, starts fights at school and talks mean to his little sister. Marianne knows his behavior is from the effects his father put him through. She tries to get Jason help.

On their next visit, Jason is wearing a hat. When Marianne asks him to take the hat off, she notices that he has a black eye. His father hit him. She confronts Daniel and warns him not to touch her children again. Daniel pushes her on the ground. Desperate and not knowing what to do, Marianne decides to leave with her children by "going underground". Louise, the counselor at the shelter, is reluctant but helps with her dangerous plan. They would have to change their identities and go into hiding. If caught, Marianne can face charges for kidnapping her children and face prison time. Marianne doesn't care. The judge won't listen about the abuse. The judge won't give her kids back. She just wants to get away and protect herself and her children. While in hiding, Marianne couldn't be more happier. Her children are happy. She wonders if it is finally over. Is she able to live her life?

Louise receives a phone call from Congressman Marella's office and is asked to speak about all the cases of spousal abuse from the women at the shelter. While visiting with Congressman Marella, Louise provides all the paperwork of each case. Louise is asked if there are women who are willing to speak in public at the press conference to gain support in receiving help for these women. Louise thinks and the first name that comes to mind is Marianne. Coming out of hiding, Marianne comes to speak at the press conference and tells her story. She explains that she endured spousal abuse for 11 years and lost custody of her children to the man who beat her only because the courts wouldn't hear her testimony about the physical abuse she received. All she wants is to be heard and to take care of her children without the threat of violence. After speaking, Marianne receives a standing ovation for her warm and heartfelt story.

After hearing all the women, including Marianne, who came forward to speak about their experiences, the state of Maryland is now one of many states that have passed the admittance of testimony of spousal abuse in custody hearings. In a new custody hearing, the judge calls Marianne to the stand to hear her testimony of physical abuse.

Lizzy   =)

If Someone Had Known

Lifetime's original movie "If Someone Had Known" is based upon actual events of Katie Liner and the domestic abuse that she received from her husband Jimmy Pettit. Initially, he seems to be the perfect guy but in reality, she finds out who he really is. Unfortunately, due to all the abuse, a horrible tragedy occurs.

The movie begins with Katie attending a benefit party with her father, police office Jack Liner, and family. There she meets Jimmy for the first time. They soon start dating. She thinks he is the one. He is polite, handsome, respectful, and popular. Jack feels something is wrong with him but wants his daughter happy so he leaves it alone. He thinks it won't get serious anyway. He thinks she is too young for Jimmy. But then he receives shocking news that Jimmy asked Katie to marry him.

At the wedding, Jimmy shows a little bit of bossy side with Katie. She doesn't think anything of it. After being married for awhile, Katie gives birth to a baby boy. After the baby is born, Jimmy starts showing violent behavior, pushing and hitting her. Jimmy starts talking mean, telling her to shut up and screaming at her all the time. Apologizing afterwards always makes Katie forgive him and take him back. She doesn't tell anyone about the abuse. She really does love him and she doesn't want to leave him.

Katie is pregnant with her second child. Sadly, the bruises soon start to become noticeable. Her sister notices but Katie begs her not to say anything. Katie comes close to telling her father but for some reason, she is afraid to tell him. Katie does tell her mother who advises her to leave him so Katie does decide to leave. Jimmy finds her packing and gets furious and doesn't let her leave. He starts beating her. He reaches for his shotgun. Outside of the house, silence is there but then shots ring out. The police arrive. Katie's father, Jack comes and finds Katie kneeling in the corner. She admits to shooting Jimmy. She cries that she still loves Jimmy. He doesn't want to but Jack has to arrest Katie.

At the police station, Katie meets with her lawyer. She admits to him the abuse that she endured from Jimmy. He right away requests a doctor to examine Katie for any bruises or internal injuries. At the hospital, the nurse takes pictures of the many bruises all over Katie's body. Jack finally finds out that Jimmy has been abusing Katie. He right away thinks that Katie won't be in trouble for shooting Jimmy. He thinks its self-defense. Katie's lawyer says it's not that easy. At the funeral, Jimmy's parents start screaming at Katie for killing him.

Katie is visiting a psychiatrist to deal with the abuse and to help with her trial defense. She admitted to the psychiatrist that she always felt as if she deserved the abuse. Katie and her lawyer decide to go with the battered woman defense. Katie wants everyone to know what Jimmy did to her but she wants everyone to know that she still loved him. The trial begins and the witnesses are not proving the domestic abuse, especially since none of the incidents were reported. When Katie testifies, she admits that if she loved Jimmy enough that the abuse would stop but it never did. She admits what happened when she shot Jimmy. She admits that if she didn't do anything that Jimmy would have abused her one too many times and kill her. After hearing her testimony, the jury finds her not guilty.

At Jimmy's grave site, Katie kneels, lays a flower down, and whispers to Jimmy, "You always promised tomorrow will be better. But tomorrow never came for us." Then she tells her son, Jaime, that everything will be okay and that they will have a better tomorrow.

Lizzy   =)

In A Child's Name

1991's Lifetime original true story "In a Child's Name" follows Angela, who fought with the parents of her brother-in-law, Ken, for custody of her deceased sister's baby when she learned that it was her brother-in-law who murdered her sister, Theresa.

The movie starts with Theresa talking with her sister, Angela, while waiting for Ken to pick her up to go out. She then sees Angela later and shows her the diamond ring Ken gave her. Theresa's family has Ken over for dinner. He seems to be a really nice guy but Angela just gets a bad feeling about him but sees that Theresa is happy so she doesn't say anything. Ken and Theresa get married.

At the airport, Angela and her father wait for Ken and Theresa who were flying back from their honeymoon. They didn't show up. Angela gets worried. Her father calls the hotel where they're staying in Acapulco. The hotel manager tells him that Theresa is in the hospital and that she was beaten up by Ken. When Angela and her father arrive at the hospital, they see the horrible shape Theresa is in. She is bruised all over, wearing a neck brace and unable to speak. Ken comes up with a story that they were robbed in the middle of the night. He says four men, wearing ski masks, attacked the both of them but they just kept beating up on Theresa. Before he could explain what happened, the police right away thought it was him that beat her. He tells them that he didn't do it. Theresa believes him. Angela doesn't.

Angela starts getting suspicious of Ken. She calls his ex-wife to find out if he ever hit her. She looks a little scared but she tells Angela that he never hit her. Theresa is recovering from her injuries. Angela keeps asking her if she remembers anything about what happened. Theresa tells her that Ken couldn't have done this. Her family keeps thinking he did. She comes home from the hospital. As time passes, Ken starts doing drugs and treating Theresa badly. She finds out she is pregnant. They have a baby boy, Andrew.

Theresa finds out that it was Ken who beat her up on their honeymoon. She confronts him, they argue and then he picks up a dumbbell and starts hitting her over and over. He kills her. He cleans the house. He calls Angela and tells her that Theresa left him and he doesn't know where she went. He takes Andrew to his parents house and tells them to raise him if anything was to happen to him. While driving back, Ken stops and dumps Theresa's body on the side of the road. Angela reports Theresa missing. The police find Theresa's body. The police investigate Ken's home and its very clean so they spray Luminol and find traces of blood all over. Ken is arrested and convicted.

Angela now wants custody of Andrew but Ken won't allow it. He wants his parents to have Andrew. They have a huge custody battle. After they receive temporary joint custody, Andrew travels back and forth from New Jersey to Indiana to stay with Angela and Ken's parents until the custody hearing is finished. Ken demands that his parents fight to keep Andrew. The parents listen and go as far as to adopt Andrew behind Angela's back. Angela is furious and tries to fight harder to get him back. After considering all the facts in the case, the judge makes the decision to give full custody to Angela.

Andrew comes home with Angela and her family. Andrew has been legally adopted by Angela and her husband. Kenneth has been stripped of all parental rights to his son.

Lizzy   =)