FanFare

The daughter of a brilliant but mentally disturbed mathematician, recently deceased, comes to grips with her possible inheritance: his insanity. [more inside]
posted by Stuka on Feb 7, 2023 - 5 comments

In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) also becomes an ally. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Feb 2, 2023 - 2 comments

Charismatic Southern politician Willie Stark's (Sean Penn) idealism and good intentions give way to corruption after he becomes governor of Louisiana. Unfortunately for Stark, his right-hand man (Jude Law) retains the same good moral fiber he had when the men both entered the political arena. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Nov 15, 2022 - 1 comment

Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph (John) Merrick (John Hurt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as the "Elephant Man." Treves brings Merrick into his home, discovering that his rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the stodgy British upper class of the time a lesson about dignity. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Oct 3, 2022 - 2 comments