CALL NORTHSIDE 777

CALL NORTHSIDE 777 - 1948

RATED - NR but probably G/PG for mature themes. Family friendly but probably not of interest for young children.

RATINGS - 39 Amazon (4.5/5), 17,476 Netflix (3.7/5), 2,393 IMDB (7.5/10).

STARRING - James Stewart, Lee J. Cobb, Helen Walker, Richard Conte.

AWARDS - 1949 EDGAR (Mystery Writers Association) for Best Motion Picture.

THEMES - Justice, relationships.

STORY - Based on a true story, this docudrama-like film is the story of how police corruption in 1930's Chicago resulted in the wrongful conviction of Frank Wiecek for killing a policeman. A newspaper reporter for the Chicago Times (Stewart) responds to a two line personal ad offering a $5000 reward (a large sum then) for information helping to overturn the verdict 11 years later. He finds a hard working, floor scrubbing woman who is the mother of Wiecek. Since his conviction she has worked and saved every penny to free her son. Stewart is initially unconvinced but writes a sympathy article to promote her cause. Little by little, things come to light that indicate there may be some truth to her beliefs. Once convinced, he is relentless in his pursuit of freeing this man he now believes to be innocent. He reaches dead end after dead end but, finally, with time running out, he finds what he's looking for. Will it be enough and will it be in time? In addition to a very interesting story (and great acting by Stewart, etc) much of the film is shot on location in and around Chicago. Definitely an overlooked gem of Jimmy Stewart's great career. If you like law & order and courtroom dramas you will enjoy this. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 01/01/2010.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WIKIPEDIA.

DEEP WATER

DEEP WATER - 2006

RATED - PG for thematic elements, mild language, incidental smoking.

RATINGS - 13 Amazon (4/5), 462 IMDB (7.7/10), 22,241 Netflix (3.3/5), TV Guide (5/5).

THEMES - Fame, ego, challenges.

STORY - This is the true story of Donald Crowhurst and to a lesser degree the other sailors who took on the challenge in 1967 of sailing around the world solo in a sailboat non-stop, something never before attempted. Of all the participants, Crowhurst was the least experienced and the least prepared. The race began in England and participants had a window of several months during which they could leave before the weather turned against them. While all the others had left weeks before, Crowhurst finally had his boat ready on the very last day possible. Remember, this was before GPS and the only contact was when they happened to be in range of radio contact. Several, including Crowhurst, had movie cameras along as well as audio taping equipment to record their journey. From the beginning Crowhurst had laid everything on the line. His financial future was tied to the success of the race. What makes someone in the prime of life risk family, finances and future on a challenge that only proves you can do something no one else has done? Why didn't family or friends or both talk him out of this utterly absurd expedition? What a person does when they face the ultimate challenge in his life reveals his character. Crowhurst found himself in the incredible position of placing 2nd or failing. Either would be disastrous. What he did revealed his character. Entertaining and suspenseful. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 04/06/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER

MARIO'S STORY

MARIO'S STORY - 2007

RATED - NR but probably PG for mild language and adult themes.

RATINGS - 1 Amazon (3/5), 7 IMDB (9.6/10), 2,204 Netflix (3.6/5).

AWARDS - Winner of Audience Award BEST DOCUMENTARY PICTURE at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

THEMES - Injustice, justice, legal system, family, human spirit.

STORY - The film begins with a 911 call to report the shooting of a young male at a party. He dies at the scene. We learn that 16 year old Mario Rocha has been arrested in connection with the murder. We quickly learn that Sister Janet Harris, a Catholic nun is convinced that the trial that convicted Mario of the murder and gave him two life sentences was wrongful and that Mario is very innocent. Have you ever felt you may have been a raw deal in a particular situation-maybe trying out for a sports team or a part in a play or whatever. How would you feel at 18, having spent two years in jail waiting for your trial and now given two life sentences for a crime that you didn't commit? Mario may be one of the most amazing young men you will ever meet. His spirit and his will seem almost unbreakable despite the odds being 99 to 1 that he could ever get a new trial. Habeas Corpus appeals are almost never overturned despite what seems to be clear evidence that he was underrepresented and misrepresented by his legal counsel. This is story of an incredible young man who learns he has the gift of poetry in prison and a law firm that did pro bono work believing in his innocence and a nun and a family that wouldn't give up. This should be watched by everyone entering the legal profession as well as everyone associated with the criminal justice system. How many Marios are in prison? We will probably never know but one is too many. You will be heart broken by the failures of our legal system and inspired by the spirit of this young man and undying commitment of his family, law firm and one very determined nun. Don't miss this one. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 03/08/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WEBSITE

CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG

CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG - 2005

RATED - G

RATINGS - 12 Amazon (5/5), 783 IMDB (7.4/10), 16,783 Netflix (3.8/5)

AWARDS - 5 WINS at various Film Festivals.

STARRING - The Batchuluun family - a real life Mongolian family. Directed by Academy Award nomimee Byambasurem Davaa (THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL).

THEMES - Family, relationships, love and perseverance.

STORY - First of all, this is not an action packed adventure film. It is a film about the real life struggles of living as nomadic herders in Mongolia. It is about struggling to maintain a life style and way of living that is dying and forcing many to seek employment in the cities. It is about a child who finds a dog and manages to keep it over her parents' objections. Much of what happens takes place in real time and it has the feel of a docudrama. The actors are real people who actually live as they do in the movie. The beauty of the film is in the details as you watch how they go about their daily life making and doing things most of us take for granted with all our modern appliances and conveniences. Like the little wind powered generator that allows them to have a little electricity for periods of time to have a light on at night. Like when their herd has eaten all the grass and they must take their 'home' apart piece by piece and pack it into five ox-drawn wooden carts to find better pastures. The scenery is spectacular and at times you almost wish you could leave our modern culture and trade places. This is a gentle film about people of another world and culture who have learned to accept what nature brings their way on a daily basis and make the best of it. Take a deep breath, sit back, relax and enjoy this one. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 03/08/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB