TV Show Review - When They See Us (Mini Series)

Season: Limited Series
Genre: Drama
Number of episodes: 4
Year: 2019
Starring: Assante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Jharrel Jerome, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Marquis Rodriguez, Kylie Bunbury, Aunjanua Ellis, Vera Farmiga, Felicity Huffman, William Sadler, John Leguizamo, Famke Janssen, Joshua Jackson, Niecy Nash, Michael Kenneth Williams, Justin Cunningham, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Freddy Miyares

Description: Chronicles a true story of a notorious case of five black teenagers who were convicted of a rape they did not commit. Review: The world knows the story of the “Central Park Five”, the five boys (four black, one latino) that were convicted for the rape of a white woman in Central park, New York City in 1989. Director Ava DuVernay retells their story in the four-part series “When They See Us”. After the release on Netflix, it was labeled as ‘the horror film for the black community’. And I understand why, because it’s a tragic and depressing story.
The series opens light hearted, with the daily life of the five boys. Young and innocent, “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy is playing in the background, a group of mostly black teens are hanging in Central Park.
But it’s only six minutes that DuVernay spends on the innocent youth of Antron (15), Kevin (14), Korey (16), Raymond (14) and Yusef (15). Enough to get sympathy for each of them. And that’s when the horror starts for the boys.
In the first episode we see how they boys are taken to the police station, as suspects of a rape. And how the detectives work in selecting the five. We see how they manipulate the boys into saying things they don’t want, pointing to the others as the suspect. They were interrogated for hours, without getting any food, rest or bathroom breaks and without an adult being present. And if they tell the cops what they want to hear, they are promised to go home. For the five boys, lying is the only option, because all they want is to go home.
The second episode focuses on the trial and the verdict. All the testimonies, from all the boys, conflict. And no physical evidence was found to connect the boys to the crime. It’s clear they are all innocent, they didn’t commit the crime. And still they will get convicted. Donald Trump even advertised to bring back the death penalty, especially for these boys.
In the third episode we see how Antron, Raymond, Yusef and Kevin deal with their time in jail and how they are affected by it still when they are released. How hard it is for them to join society again, find a job, start a relationship, their damaged bond with their families. Each of them deal with it differently. For example, Yusef devotes his life to religion. And Kevin, who always was a good boy, eventually becomes a crook because everyone sees him like that anyway. Both the portrayal of the young and adult actors are convincing, touching and strong.
In the final episode, it’s totally focusing on Korey. He wasn’t arrested in the first place, but decided to accompany his friend Yusef when he was picked up. He just happened to be at the police station and the cops decided to use him as ‘the glue to their shaky story’. Since he is the only 16 year old, he is convicted as an adult, instead of being send to a juvenile prison. And he was incarcerated the longest. Korey was abused and molested and spend most of his years in solitary. Jharrel Jerome is the only actor that played both the young and adult version of his character. Impressive performance.
Not only were they convicted for a crime they didn’t commit, they were sentenced for life. Because it scarred them for life. Everyone will always see them as criminals, they won’t be able to get a license or a good job. Relationships will suffer from it. The boys eventually were acquitted for their crimes, but it still feels bittersweet. Because a big part of their life has been taken from them, their freedom was taken from them. And only because cops where seeking justice for a crime and convicted the wrong people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong place and it seemed convenient.
A series like “When They See Us” is necessary. In a country were black and latino men have more chance of getting into jail than white men, and where Donald Trump has the big stage. The series doesn’t only tell the story of this one case, DuVernay points to the entire justice system. And it’s a realistic fear. People like Linda Fairstein and Elizabeth Lederer ruined a lot of lives because of it.
“When They See Us” is a powerful, heartbreaking, tragic story that everyone should see. They should show it at schools and to people who still think the world is just.

Movie Reviews - The Highwaymen

Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates, John Carroll Lynch, William Sadler, Kim Dickens

Description: A pair of Texas Rangers (Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson) come out of retirement to catch the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde.

Review: Former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and Benjamin Maney Gault return from retirement to end the criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde.
Director John Lee Hancock has some historical dramas on his resumé, like “Saving Mr. Banks” and “The Founder”. In “The Highwaymen” he went into a different direction. It’s the tale of two heroes hunting for the world’s most infamous criminal duo.
The film’s strength is its depiction of the 1930s. Hamer and Gault are trying to fight their way though the country where, due to the economic crisis, the citizens have become more fond of murdering outlaws than the actual law.
How both characters respond to everything around them is very different. In this contrast we see the true characters.
“The Highwaymen” is not an action/ chase movie. Its power is set in the silent moments, where Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson get the chance to translate the historical story into words, facial expressions and motion. Both actors are definite favorites of mine and are excellent in this film.
We are actually missing Bonnie and Clyde here, but it was a conscious choise of Hancock to give them almost no screen time. The consequences of their actions, the search for them and the men hunting them are the focus of the story. And this makes “The Highwaymen” into a melancholic film experience.

Rating: 4/ 5

90s Movie Review - The Shawshank Redemption

Director: Frank Darabont
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 142 minutes
Year: 1994
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, Clancy Brown, James Whitmore, William Sadler, Gil Bellows

Description: Two imprisoned men, Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.

Review: In Shawshank prison, the inmates are doing serious time. Through the eyes of prisoner Red, we follow the story of Andy Dufresne who comes to Shawshank in 1947 for murdering his wife and her lover. Red and Andy become friends. Based on a story by Stephen King, the life in prison is a metaphor to real society. The prisoners settle for a life at Shawshank, they stop dreaming so nothing can get worse than it already is. The big guys get their way no matter what. Off course there is always one guy that doesn’t care, in this case Andy Dufresne. He teaches his fellow inmates to read and makes them feel normal again.
Director Frank Darabont made the short Stephen King story into a fully length movie, with some differences and more detail. He captured it so well, it easily reaches the audience and it’s a film with real people instead of characters.
The acting is sublime. Never over-the-top, very timide yet convincing. The chemistry between Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman is amazing, you can feel it in every bone in your body. Their friendship is honest and heartfelt. Also Clancy Brown, as the relentless prison guard Hadley, and Bob Gunton, as warden Norton, are very strong in their roles.
This movie really took my breath away when I first saw it, and still after watching it so many times it does that exact same thing. Only a perfect movie can do that. A great story, fantastic acting, beautiful music and off course that great scene (we all know it). For me still the best movie in the books.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 28: Freeheld

Director: Peter Sollett
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Steve Carell, Luke Grimes, Skipp Sudduth, William Sadler

Description: New Jersey police lieutenant, Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore), and her registered domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Ellen Page), both battle to secure Hester's pension benefits when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Review: “Freeheld” is based on the true story of a police officer fighting for equality. After Laurel Hester is diagnosed with terminal cancer, it appears that her life partner has not right to receiving her pension when she passes, while her heterosexual collegues do get to leave their pension to their partner. It’s an interesting theme, especially for the more conservative parts of America: equal rights for everyone, no matter the sexual orientation.
Julianne Moore is very convincing cop as cop Laurel Hester and her relationship with Stacie Andree is very believable. Moore can easily carry this film.
The so-called freeholders, who decline Laurel and Stacie’s request, are somewhat one-dimensional. The antagonists don’t convince as much as the protagonists do.
Julianne Moore’s performance is very strong and Ellen Page also does a fine job. Steve Carrell’s characters is very loud, but he is in it just enough to not make him annoying. For me Michael Shannon has the most memorable performance. I love him as an actor, he is very solid in all his films. Although his character Dane is very uncomfortable with the homosexual theme at first, he fights for Laurel and stand by her until the end. The emotional load is much bigger because of this character and the fantastic performance by Shannon.
The message is clear, but the story is a bit one-sided because of the weak antagonists.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Quotables: "The Shawshank Redemption"

Off course my favorite movie needs to be spotlighted in this item, so here it is. I can actually quote this movie without any help. That's how many times I've already seen it. But I don't get tired of it.






Red: [narrating] I wish I could tell you that Andy fought the good fight, and the Sisters let him be. I wish I could tell you that - but prison is no fairy-tale world. He never said who did it, but we all knew. Things went on like that for awhile - prison life consists of routine, and then more routine. Every so often, Andy would show up with fresh bruises. The Sisters kept at him - sometimes he was able to fight 'em off, sometimes not. And that's how it went for Andy - that was his routine. I do believe those first two years were the worst for him, and I also believe that if things had gone on that way, this place would have got the best of him.

Andy Dufresne: You know what the Mexicans say about the Pacific?
Red: No.
Andy Dufresne: They say it has no memory. That's where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory.

Brooks: [to Andy] Son, six wardens have been through here in my tenure, and I've learned one immutable, universal truth: Not one of them born whose asshole wouldn't pucker up tighter than a snare drum when you ask them for funds.

Warden Samuel Norton: I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here you'll receive both. Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank.

Brooks: Easy peasy japanesey.

Red: [narrating] I must admit I didn't think much of Andy first time I laid eyes on him; looked like a stiff breeze would blow him over. That was my first impression of the man.

Red: Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

Red: These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That's institutionalized.
Heywood: Shit. I could never get like that.
Prisoner: Oh yeah? Say that when you been here as long as Brooks has.
Red: Goddamn right. They send you here for life, and that's exactly what they take. The part that counts, anyway.

Red: [narrating] I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can't be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free.
Red: [narrating] In 1966, Andy Dufresne escaped from Shawshank prison. All they found of him was a muddy set of prison clothes, a bar of soap, and an old rock hammer, damn near worn down to the nub. I remember thinking it would take a man six hundred years to tunnel through the wall with it. Old Andy did it in less than twenty. Oh, Andy loved geology. I imagine it appealed to his meticulous nature. An ice age here, million years of mountain building there. Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes really, pressure, and time. That, and a big goddamn poster. Like I said, in prison a man will do most anything to keep his mind occupied. Turns out Andy's favorite hobby was totin' his wall out into the exercise yard, a handful at a time. I guess after Tommy was killed, Andy decided he'd been here just about long enough. Andy did like he was told, buffed those shoes to a high mirror shine. The guards simply didn't notice. Neither did I... I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a mans shoes? Andy crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of shit smelling foulness I can't even imagine, or maybe I just don't want to. Five hundred yards... that's the length of five football fields, just shy of half a mile.

Andy Dufresne: You know the funny thing is, on the outside I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook.
Red: [narrating] We sat and drank with the sun on our shoulders and felt like free men. Hell, we could have been tarring the roof of one of our own houses. We were the lords of all creation. As for Andy - he spent that break hunkered in the shade, a strange little smile on his face, watching us drink his beer.

Red: [narrating] I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.
Floyd: Red, I do believe you're talking out of your ass.

Red: [narrating] Sometimes it makes me sad, though... Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend.
Heywood: The Count of Monte Crisco...
Floyd: That's "Cristo" you dumb shit.
Heywood: ...by Alexandree Dumb-ass. Dumb-ass.
Andy Dufresne: Dumb-ass? "Dumas". You know what it's about? You'll like it, it's about a prison break.
Red: We oughta file that under "Educational" too, oughten we?

Red: There must be a con like me in every prison in America. I'm the guy who can get if for you; cigarettes, a bag of reefer, if that's your thing, a bottle of brandy to celebrate your kid's high school graduation, damn near anything within reason. Yes sir, I'm a regular Sears and Roebuck.

In the Picture: The Characters from "The Shawshank Redemption"

This is the last "In the Picture" of the year so I decided to go with the characters from my favorite movie, "The Shawshank Redemption". Here they are.

Andy Dufresne
Played by: Tim Robbins
Andy Dufresne is a banker who is convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to two consecutive life sentences at Shawshank State Penitentiary. Andy claims he is innocent, but nobody believes him. He decides to keep quiet and he tries to sit out his sentence, but secretly has other plans. He befriends Red and becomes the target of the sisters. Andy is a man who can always keep his calm and he is very intelligent. He even offers the wardens to do their taxes and because he is so persistent he can expand the prison library.

Ellis "Red" Redding
Played by: Morgan Freeman
Red is an inmate serving a life sentence whose parole application was recently rejected. He is the guy who can get things and he provides for the prisoners. He is the first person Andy talks to and they become close friends. He gets him a rock hammer and delivers him a giant poster of Rita Hayworth. Red thinks he couldn't survive outside prison, but eventually gets out. There he is going to do as promissed and he travels to Zihuatanejo to meet with Andy.

Warden Samuel Norton
Played by: Bob Gunton
Warden Norton is well versed in the Bible and presents himself as a pious, devout Christian and reform-minded administrator, but his actions reveal him to be corrupt, ruthless, and remorseless. Andy eventually outsmarts him.

Heywood
Played by: William Sadler
Heywood is already in Shawshank Prison when Andy arrives and he is one of Red's buddies. He is in jail because, so he says, his lawyer fucked him. Heywood isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but has a big heart.

Capt. Byron Hadley
Played by: Clancy Brown
Capt. Hadley is the chief of the guards. The only way he can overpower the inmates is by using insults and violence. He actually beats up one of the prisoners so badly, that he died of his injuries. Hadley doesn't feel any remorse from his actions. Deep inside he is a very weak man which he tries to hide with his tough act.

Tommy Williams
Played: Gil Bellows
Tommy is a young convict who has been in and out of prison ever since he was a teenager. He didn't kill anyone, because he's a thief and according to his prison mates not very good at it. Tommy is supposed to be Andy's way out of prison, because he overheard a conversation in another prison where an inmate admits to killing Andy's wife and her lover. Warden Norton gets him killed, but claims that Tommy tried to escape so they had to shoot him.

Bogs Diamond
Played by: Mark Rolston
Bogs is one of the most feared men in prison and the leader of the sisters. They attack and rape fellow inmates and Andy is their next victim. They don't do it because the are gay, they just have needs. Capt. Hadley eventually grabs Bogs and beats him so badly, he can never do it again.

Brooks Hatlen
Played by: James Whitmore
Brooks has been in Shawshank prison for as long as he can remember and is the prison librarian. He is one of the oldest convicts and doesn't know much about the world outside prison. Brooks finds a bird, who he calls Jake and he takes care of him. When he gets out, Brooks releases Jake. Brooks can't adapt to the new situation and hangs himself. Before he does, he sents his friends in prison one last letter.

Favorite Character: Andy Dufresne