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Grand Canyon revolved around six residents from different backgrounds whose lives intertwine in modern-day Los Angeles. At the center of the film is the unlikely friendship of two men from different races and classes brought together when one finds himself in jeopardy in the other's rough neighborho β¦od. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | adoptionhopedysfunctional familyracismextramarital affairmemorygangsteradulteryinfidelitylovefriendship |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | urban settingwheelchairlos angeles californiahelicopter |
Characters: | homeless manuncle nephew relationshipbabyteenage boyafrican americanfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | gang membergang violencewoman holding a babyabandoned babyinglewood californiawoman wearing pantiesferrari testarossadeadpan humorinsurance salesmanimmigration officercatharsislying in bedfinger cutchange of heartmugger β¦driving lessongolf cartgrand canyonweepinghopelessnessmiddle agedrive by shootingtow truckfilm studiohollywood signmuggingkindnesscomic relieftelephone boothsummer camppubertymultiple storylinespittingreckless drivingexistentialismfilm producerarizonaensemble casthousewifeinterracial friendshiprap musicattorneyvisionthugearthquakecompassionmale bondingjoggingrace relationsrevelationclass differencesfilm within a filmracial slurshot in the legbasketballgangvomitingarrestrescuemachine gundreamtitle spoken by characterfemale frontal nuditytwo word titleviolencebloodflashback (See All) |
John Singleton's portrayal of social problems in inner-city Los Angeles takes the form of a tale of three friends growing up together 'in the 'hood.' Half-brothers Doughboy and Ricky Baker are foils for each other's personality, presenting very different approaches to the tough lives they face. Rick β¦y is the 'All-American' athlete, looking to win a football scholarship to USC and seeks salvation through sports, while 'Dough' succumbs to the violence, alcohol, and crime surrounding him in his environment, but maintains a strong sense of pride and code of honor. Between these two is their friend Tre, who is lucky to have a father, 'Furious' Styles, to teach him to have the strength of character to do what is right and to always take responsibility for his actions. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | dysfunctional familyracismgangsterfriendship |
Locations: | urban settingwheelchairlos angeles californiahelicopter |
Characters: | babyteenage boyafrican americanfather daughter relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | gang violencedrive by shootingrap musicracial slurshot in the leggangarrestmachine gunviolenceblood |
Walt Kowalski is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy old man who can't get along with either his kids or his neighbors. He is a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 19 β¦72 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | dysfunctional familyracismgangster |
Characters: | babyafrican americanfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | gang memberdrive by shootingspittingrap musicthugcompassionmale bondingrace relationsracial slurgangarrestrescuemachine guntitle spoken by charactertwo word title β¦blood (See All) |
This urban nightmare chronicles several days in the life of Caine Lawson, following his high-school graduation, as he attempts to escape his violent existence in the projects of Watts, CA.
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | hopegangsterlovefriendship |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | urban settinglos angeles california |
Characters: | african americanhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | drive by shootingthugracial slurgangvomitingarrestmachine gunflashbackviolenceblood |
When a man (Robbins) believes he has discovered that his wife is having an affair with his boss, it sets off a chain reaction of events. First he wanders into a ghetto where a robber (Lawrence) tries to take his money at gunpoint, but instead sets a wild ride from California to Arizona. The two even β¦tually become reluctant friends. Discussing robbery techniques, they decide to get back at the boss by robbing an office safe containing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Life is further complicated by another pair of robbers who chase the first two for infringing on their territory. (Read More)
Themes: | dysfunctional familyextramarital affairfriendship |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | father daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationships |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | reckless drivingarizonainterracial friendshiprap musicrace relationsclass differencesracial slurarrestflashback |
In England, retired Royal Marine Harry Brown spends his lonely life between the hospital, where his beloved wife Kath is terminally ill, and playing chess with his only friend Leonard Attwell in the Barge pub owned by Sid Rourke. After the death of Kath, Len tells his grieving friend that the local β¦gang is harassing him and he is carrying an old bayonet for self-defense; the widower suggests him to go to the police. When Len is beaten, then stabbed to death in an underground passage, Inspector Alice Frampton and her partner Sergeant Terry Hicock are sent to investigate. They pay Harry a visit but don't have good news; the police have not found any other evidence, other than the bayonet, in order to arrest the hoodlums. This mean that should the case go to trial the gang would claim self-defense. Harry Brown sees that justice will not be granted and decides to take matters into his own hands. (Read More)
Themes: | friendship |
Locations: | urban setting |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipteenage boyhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshippolice |
Story: | gang violencemuggerdrive by shootingmuggingthugrevelationshot in the legbasketballgangarrestrescuetitle spoken by charactertwo word titleflashbackviolence β¦blood (See All) |
Brazil, 1960s, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well...too well. 1970s: Li'l Ze has prospered very well and owns the city. He causes violence and fear as he wipes out rival gangs without mercy. His best friend Bene is the only one to keep him on t β¦he good side of sanity. Rocket has watched these two gain power for years, and he wants no part of it. Yet he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980s: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs...will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | extramarital affairgangsteradulteryinfidelityfriendshiplove |
Locations: | urban setting |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipteenage boymother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | gang violencemultiple storylinethugclass differencesracial slurgangarresttitle spoken by characterflashbackviolenceblood |
In Johannesburg, a small time criminal, Tsotsi, is a teenager without feelings, hardened by his tough life. After a series of violent gang hits, Tsotsi hijacks a car. However, whilst driving, Tsotsi finds that there is a baby on the back seat. He brings the baby to his house in the slum. The next si β¦x days bring about a change in him that couldn't be foreseen. (Read More)
Themes: | gangsterfriendship |
Locations: | wheelchair |
Characters: | babyteenage boyfather son relationshipmother son relationshippolice |
Story: | change of heartspittingreckless drivingthugcompassiongangvomitingbloodflashback |
Inspector Wing of the Hong Kong Police Force has become the victim of a gang, led by the evil Joe. When his entire team is killed, Wing becomes a hapless drunk, feeling guilty for the deaths of his team. A young man with a troubled past pretends to be a police officer working on the case with Wing, β¦to get him back on his feet and begin an adventure to get revenge on the evil Joe and his Gang of Five, especially when it becomes personal. (Read More)
Themes: | gangsterfriendship |
Locations: | urban settinghelicopter |
Characters: | teenage boyfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | gang membercomic reliefthugrevelationshot in the leggangvomitingarrestrescuemachine gunflashbackbloodviolence |
The gangster Nino has a gang who call themselves Cash Money Brothers. They get into the crack business and not before long they make a million dollars every week. A cop, Scotty, is after them. He tries to get into the gang by letting an ex-drug addict infiltrate the gang, but the attempt fails miser β¦ably. The only thing that remains is that Scotty himself becomes a drug pusher. (Read More)
Themes: | gangsteradulteryinfidelityfriendship |
Locations: | urban setting |
Characters: | homeless manafrican americanhusband wife relationshippolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | drive by shootingrap musicthugracial slurbasketballgangarrestmachine guntitle spoken by characterflashbackbloodviolence |
Over a thirty-six hour period in Los Angeles, a handful of disparate people's lives intertwine as they deal with the tense race relations that belie life in the city. Among the players are: the Caucasian district attorney, who uses race as a political card; his Caucasian wife, who, having recently b β¦een carjacked by two black men, believes that her stereotypical views of non-whites is justified and cannot be considered racism; the two black carjackers who use their race both to their advantage and as an excuse; partnered Caucasian police constables, one who is a racist and uses his authority to harass non-whites, and the other who hates his partner because of those racist views, but who may have the same underlying values in his subconscious; a black film director and his black wife, who believes her husband doesn't support their black background enough, especially in light of an incident with the racist white cop; partnered police detectives and sometimes lovers, one Hispanic female and the other black male, the latter who is dealing with a drugged out mother that feels he isn't concerned enough about taking care of family; an East Asian man who is run over but who is hiding some valuable cargo in the back of his van; a Persian store owner, who feels he isn't getting satisfaction from American society when his store is robbed time and time again; and a Hispanic locksmith, who just wants to keep his family, especially his young daughter, safe in a seemingly unsafe world. (Read More)
Themes: | hoperacism |
Locations: | urban settinglos angeles california |
Characters: | african americanfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | kindnessmultiple storylinereckless drivingrap musicattorneycompassionrace relationsclass differencesrescuetitle spoken by characterfemale frontal nudityblood |
Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for brutally killing two black men who tried to break into/steal his truck. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that co β¦mmitted acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did. (Read More)
Themes: | dysfunctional familyracismfriendship |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | teenage boyafrican americanfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationships |
Story: | gang violencespittinginterracial friendshiprace relationsracial slurbasketballgangarresttitle spoken by characterviolenceflashbackblood |
Lyon Gaultier is a deserter in the Foreign Legion arriving in the USA entirely hard up. He finds his brother between life and death and his sister-in-law without the money needed to heal her husband and to maintain her child. To earn the money needed, Gaultier decides to take part in some very dange β¦rous clandestine fights. (Read More)
Themes: | friendship |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | homeless man |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | comic reliefinterracial friendshipthugjoggingclass differencesracial slurbasketballgangarrestmachine guntitle spoken by characterviolenceblood |
Rusty James is the leader of a small, dying gang in an industrial town. He lives in the shadow of the memory of his absent, older brother -- The Motorcycle Boy. His mother has left, his father drinks, school has no meaning for him and his relationships are shallow. He is drawn into one more gang fig β¦ht and the events that follow begin to change his life. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | memoryfriendship |
Characters: | teenage boyhusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationships |
Story: | gang violencehopelessnessmuggingexistentialisminterracial friendshipthuggangdreamtitle spoken by characterfemale frontal nuditytwo word titleviolenceblood |
While helicopters overhead spray against a Medfly infestation a group of Los Angeles lives intersect, some casually, some to more lasting effect. Whilst they go out to concerts and jazz clubs and even have their pools cleaned, they also lie, drink, and cheat. Death itself seems never to be far away, β¦ even on a fishing trip. (Read More)
Themes: | extramarital affairadulteryinfidelityfriendship |
Locations: | urban settinglos angeles californiahelicopter |
Characters: | babyfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | multiple storylineensemble castearthquakebasketballvomitingfemale frontal nudityblood |
In Atlanta on business, straight-laced and overly analytical architect Peter Highman is flying home to Los Angeles and his wife Sarah for the imminent birth of their first child. However, traveling by plane no longer becomes an option when he and a fellow passenger, aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay, ar β¦e kicked off the plane, which was caused by Ethan's social inappropriateness, due to being generally unaware, exacerbated by Peter's temper at a situation against his sensibilities. Peter, who ends up without money or his suitcase, is forced to accept Ethan's offer of a shared car ride to Los Angeles, Ethan who is looking for his big acting break. For Peter, this partnership is one made in hell, but he feels he has no other choice. Peter obviously wants to take as direct and as quick a route as possible, while he is at Ethan's mercy as the person with the driver's license, car rental and money. They get into one misadventure after another on this trip, with the same issue at each misadventure being Ethan's ineptness as an adult combined with Peter's resulting temper. The questions become whether they will survive the trip together, and if so if Peter will make it home in time to witness the birth of his and Sarah's first child. (Read More)
Themes: | friendship |
Locations: | wheelchairlos angeles california |
Characters: | husband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationship |
Story: | change of heartgrand canyonspittingreckless drivingarizonainterracial friendshiprevelationclass differencesracial slurshot in the legarrestrescuedreamtitle spoken by charactertwo word title β¦blood (See All) |
The movie details a town split between the wealthy South Zone gang called 'The Socials' and the poor North Zone gang called 'The Greasers'. Dallas Winston, Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade from 'The Greasers' befriend the rich Cherry Valance and Marcia at a drive-in. Later that night, a group of 'The β¦Socs' chase and beat up Johnny and attempt to drown Ponyboy in a fountain. However, Johnny stabs one Soc and kills him, saving Ponyboy. The desperate boys seek Dallas who finds a hideout for them in a nearby town. One week later, Johnny and Ponyboy decide to return to their hometown, with Dallas, to claim the murder as self-defense. But on their way back, they see the church on fire and Ponyboy and Johnny help the children trapped in the church and become heroes. However Johnny is badly wounded and confined to the hospital. Meanwhile The Socs and The Greasers prepare to fight. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | dysfunctional familyfriendship |
Characters: | teenage boypolice |
Story: | gang violencehopelessnesscomic reliefcompassionmale bondingclass differencesgangvomitingrescuedreambloodflashbackviolence |
Baby is a young and partially hearing impaired getaway driver who can make any wild move while in motion with the right track playing. It's a critical talent he needs to survive his indentured servitude to the crime boss, Doc, who values his role in his meticulously planned robberies. However, just β¦when Baby thinks he is finally free and clear to have his own life with his new girlfriend, Deborah, Doc coerces him back for another job. Now saddled with a crew of thugs too violently unstable to keep to Doc's plans, Baby finds himself and everything he cares for in terrible danger. To survive and escape the coming maelstrom, it will take all of Baby's skill, wits and daring, but even on the best track, can he make it when life is forcing him to face the music? (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | gangsterlove |
Locations: | urban settingwheelchairhelicopter |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipbabyafrican americanhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshippolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | gang memberreckless drivingthugracial slurshot in the leggangarrestrescuemachine gundreamtitle spoken by charactertwo word titleflashbackbloodviolence |
In TRIPLE 9, a crew of dirty cops are blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for "officer down". Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, trigge β¦ring a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge. (Read More)
Themes: | gangsterfriendship |
Locations: | urban settinghelicopter |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipafrican americanhusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | gang memberinterracial friendshipthugracial slurgangarrestmachine guntitle spoken by charactertwo word titleviolenceblood |
In 1945, the Marines attack twelve thousand Japaneses protecting the twenty square kilometers of the sacred Iwo Jima island in a very violent battle. When they reach the Mount Suribachi and six Marines raise their flag on the top, the picture becomes a symbol in a post Great Depression America. The β¦government brings the three survivors to America to raise funds for war, bringing hope to desolate people, and making the three men heroes of the war. However, the traumatized trio has difficulty dealing with the image built by their superiors, sharing the heroism with their mates. (Read More)
Themes: | hoperacismfriendship |
Mood: | nightmare |
Characters: | teenage boyhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | arizonamale bondingrace relationsshot in the legvomitingarrestmachine gunflashbackbloodviolence |
Set against the backdrop of 1977 Los Angeles, The Nice Guys opens when single father and licensed PI Holland March (Gosling) is hired to investigate the apparent suicide of famous porn star Misty Mountains. As the trail leads him to track down a girl named Amelia (Qualley), he encounters less licens β¦ed and less hands-off private eye Jackson Healey (Russell Crowe) and his brass knuckles, both hired by the young hippie. However, the situation takes a turn for the worse when Amelia vanishes and it becomes apparent that March wasn't the only party interested. As both men are forced to team up, they'll have to take on a world filled with eccentric goons, strippers dressed as mermaids and even a possible government conspiracy. (Read More)
Themes: | dysfunctional familyfriendship |
Locations: | urban settingwheelchairlos angeles california |
Characters: | african americanfather daughter relationshippolice |
Story: | drive by shootinghollywood signfilm producerthugrevelationracial slurshot in the legarrestrescuemachine gundreamtitle spoken by characterfemale frontal nudityviolenceblood β¦flashback (See All) |
In Los Angeles, a city where streets are overrun by drug dealers, those who have sworn to uphold the law are breaking them to clean up the streets. Denzel Washington plays L.A.P.D. detective Alonzo Harris, a veteran narcotics officer whose methods of enforcing the law are questionable, if not corrup β¦t. 'Training Day' follows Harris as he trains rookie Jake Hoyt over a 24-hour period. Ethical dilemmas arise for Hoyt as well as the audience as questions present themselves as to whether or not Harris' methodology for ridding the streets of South Central Los Angeles of drugs is right or wrong. (Read More)
Themes: | love |
Locations: | wheelchairlos angeles californiahelicopter |
Characters: | babyafrican americanhusband wife relationshipfather son relationshippolice |
Story: | gang memberspittingracial slurgangvomitingmachine guntitle spoken by charactertwo word titleviolenceblood |
The story of Ray Charles, music legend. Told in his adult live with flashbacks to his youth we see his humble origins in Florida, his turbulent childhood which included losing his brother and then his sight, his rise as pianist in a touring band, his writing his own songs and running his own band an β¦d then stardom. Also includes his addiction to drugs and its affect on his working life and family life. (Read More)
Themes: | hoperacismextramarital affairmemoryadulteryinfidelitylove |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | babyafrican americanhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationship |
Story: | attorneyrace relationsarrestdreamtitle spoken by characterflashback |
Two petty if violent criminals kidnap a girl being paid $1m to be a surrogate mother. As the baby is for a gangster the pair's demand for money sees several henchmen and assorted other ruthless characters head after them to Mexico. Bullets rather than talking are always going to settle this one.
Themes: | extramarital affairgangsterinfidelityfriendship |
Characters: | babyhusband wife relationshipfather son relationship |
Story: | existentialismrevelationshot in the legarrestrescuemachine gunviolenceblood |
Henry Hill might be a small time gangster, who may have taken part in a robbery with Jimmy Conway and Tommy De Vito, two other gangsters who might have set their sights a bit higher. His two partners could kill off everyone else involved in the robbery, and slowly start to think about climbing up th β¦rough the hierarchy of the Mob. Henry, however, might be badly affected by his partners' success, but will he consider stooping low enough to bring about the downfall of Jimmy and Tommy? (Read More)
Themes: | extramarital affairgangsteradulteryinfidelityfriendship |
Locations: | wheelchairhelicopter |
Characters: | father son relationshipmother son relationship |
Story: | gang violenceracial slurvomitingarresttitle spoken by characterviolence |
In South Central Los Angeles, street cops Brian and Mike are partners - balls-out cowboys patrolling the streets as Latino gangs are in a power struggle with Blacks. Brian and Mike get lucky a couple of times, making big drug and human-trafficking busts, so a Mexican cartel orders their deaths. We m β¦eet Mike's pregnant wife (whom he married out of high school) and watch Brian's search for a soul mate. There are internal squabbles within the ranks of the LAPD and lots of squad-car conversation. Can the lads escape the cartel's murderous reach? (Read More)
Themes: | friendship |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | husband wife relationshippolice |
Story: | gang membergang violencedrive by shootinginterracial friendshiparresttitle spoken by characterviolenceflashbackblood |
A blonde actress is preparing for her biggest role yet, but when she finds herself falling for her co-star, she realizes that her life is beginning to mimic the fictional film that they're shooting. Adding to her confusion is the revelation that the current film is a remake of a doomed Polish produc β¦tion, 47, which was never finished due to an unspeakable tragedy. (Read More)
Themes: | extramarital affairadulteryinfidelityfriendshiplove |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | african americanhusband wife relationship |
Story: | film studiofilm producerrevelationclass differencesfilm within a filmtitle spoken by charactertwo word titleflashbackviolenceblood |
This is the true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother, whose birthday falls on New Year's Ev β¦e, being a better partner to his girlfriend, who he hasn't been completely honest with as of late, and being a better father to T, their beautiful 4 year old daughter. He starts out well, but as the day goes on, he realizes that change is not going to come easy. He crosses paths with friends, family, and strangers, each exchange showing us that there is much more to Oscar than meets the eye. But it would be his final encounter of the day, with police officers at the Fruitvale BART station that would shake the Bay Area to its very core, and cause the entire nation to be witnesses to the story of Oscar Grant. (Read More)
Themes: | extramarital affairracismadulteryinfidelityfriendship |
Locations: | urban setting |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipafrican americanfather daughter relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | rap musicrace relationsracial slurgangarresttitle spoken by charactertwo word titleflashbackbloodviolence |
When the aging head of a famous crime family decides to transfer his position to one of his subalterns, a series of unfortunate events start happening to the family, and a war begins between all the well-known families leading to insolence, deportation, murder and revenge, and ends with the favorabl β¦e successor being finally chosen. (Read More)
Themes: | dysfunctional familyextramarital affairgangster |
Locations: | wheelchairlos angeles california |
Characters: | father daughter relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | film producerattorneyracial slurmachine guntitle spoken by charactertwo word titleviolenceblood |
Orin Boyd (Seagal) is a Detroit cop who doesn't follow rules. After he saved the Vice President by violating every order he received he is transferred to one of the worst precincts in the city. There he quickly encounters some corrupt cops selling heroin to drug dealers. The problem is, it's very di β¦fficult to tell who is the bad guy and who you can trust. (Read More)
Locations: | urban settinghelicopter |
Characters: | african americanpolice |
Story: | comic reliefrap musicthugmale bondingrevelationracial slurshot in the legarrestrescuemachine gunviolenceblood |
When Ruby Baker's parents are killed in a car accident, she and her brother, Rhett, must travel to Malibu, to live with Terrence and Erin Glass, their former neighbors. At first, all seems well. Ruby is making new friends at school and Rhett is getting more video games and flashy toys than he's ever β¦ had in his life. When Ruby speaks to her family's estate lawyer, he tells her that her parents have left Rhett and her $4 million. Suddenly, Ruby begins to notice odd behavior from Terry and Erin. (Read More)
Themes: | adoptionfriendship |
Mood: | nightmare |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipteenage boyfather daughter relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | ferrari testarossadriving lessonreckless drivingfilm within a filmdreamblood |
Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on step-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influenc β¦e of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo. (Read More)
Themes: | racismfriendship |
Locations: | wheelchairlos angeles california |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipafrican americanfather daughter relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | reckless drivingclass differencesracial slurgangflashbackbloodviolence |
Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction. As a member of a seemingly unbeatable high school basketball squad, Jim's life centers around the basketball court and the court becomes a metaphor for the world in his β¦ mind. A best friend who is dying of leukemia, a coach ("Swifty") who takes unacceptable liberties with the boys on his team, teenage sexual angst, and an unhealthy appetite for heroin -- all of these begin to encroach on young Jim's dream of becoming a basketball star. Soon, the dark streets of New York become a refuge from his mother's mounting concern for her son. He can't go home and his only escape from the reality of the streets is heroin for which he steals, robs and prostitutes himself. Only with the help of Reggie, an older neighborhood friend with whom Jim "picked up a game" now and then, is he able to begin the long journey back to sanity. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | memoryfriendship |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | urban settingwheelchair |
Characters: | teenage boyafrican americanmother son relationshippolice |
Story: | reckless drivingracial slurbasketballgangvomitingarrestdreamblood |
A seasoned team of bank robbers, including Gordon Jennings (Idris Elba), John Rahway (Paul Walker), A.J. (Hayden Christensen), and brothers Jake (Michael Ealy) and Jesse (Chris Brown) Attica successfully complete their latest heist and lead a life of luxury while planning their next job. When Ghost β¦(Tip T.I. Harris), a former member of their team, is released from prison he convinces the group to strike an armored car carrying $20 million. As the "takers" carefully plot their strategy and draw nearer to exacting the grand heist, a reckless police officer (Matt Dillon) inches closer to apprehending the criminals. (Read More)
Themes: | gangster |
Locations: | urban settinglos angeles californiahelicopter |
Characters: | african americanfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshippolice |
Story: | hollywood signensemble castinterracial friendshipshot in the legarrestmachine guntitle spoken by characterviolenceblood |
Astrid Magnussen is a 15 year old girl, living in California. Her mother, Ingrid, is a beautiful, free-spirited poet. Their life, though unusual, is satisfying until one day, a man named Barry Kolker (that her mother refers to at first as "The goat man") comes into their lives, and Ingrid falls madl β¦y in love with him, only to have her heart broken, and her life ruined. For revenge, Ingrid murders Barry with the deadly poison of her favourite flower: The White Oleander. She is sent to prison for life, and Astrid has to go through foster home after foster home. Throughout nearly a decade she experiences forbidden love, religion, near-death experiences, drugs, starvation, and how it feels to be loved. But throughout these years, she keeps in touch with her mother via letters to prison. And while Ingrid's gift is to give Astrid the power to survive, Astrid's gift is to teach her Mother about love. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | dysfunctional familyextramarital affairadulteryinfidelitylovefriendship |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | teenage boyfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | compassionjoggingarrestdreamtwo word titlebloodviolenceflashback |
Jon and Wendy Savage are two siblings who have spent their adult years trying to recover from the abuse of their abusive father, Lenny Savage. Suddenly, a call comes in that his girlfriend has died, he cannot care for himself with his dementia and her family is dumping him on his children. Despite t β¦he fact Jon and Wendy have not spoken to Lenny for twenty years and he is even more loathsome than ever, the Savage siblings feel obliged to take care of him. Now together, brother and sister must come to terms with the new and painful responsibilities with their father now affecting their lives even as they struggle with their own personal demons Lenny helped create. (Read More)
Themes: | dysfunctional familyextramarital affairmemoryadulteryinfidelitylove |
Locations: | wheelchair |
Characters: | father daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationships |
Story: | golf cartmiddle agearizonarace relationsjoggingtitle spoken by charactertwo word title |
In Melbourne, the Chinese Chef Jackie has a successful show on television. The drug lord Giancarlo and his gang are dealing cocaine with The Demons gang, but they fight against each other. During the shooting, the snoopy reporter Diana and her partner are accidentally exposed and they flee with a VH β¦S tape with the footage of the negotiation. On the street, she stumbles with Jackie and he helps her fighting against the gangsters. When they are escaping in his car, her tape accidentally mixes with other videotapes that Jackie has in a box on the backseat of his car. Jackie goes to his apartment and meets his girlfriend Miki while his nephews "borrow" the tape to watch. Meanwhile Giancarlo's gangsters are looking for the tape and abduct Miki. Jackie's friend Romeo, who is a police detective, chases the gangsters with other policemen while Jackie teams up with Diana and his friend Lakisha to release Miki from Giancarlo. (Read More)
Themes: | gangster |
Locations: | urban setting |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipfather daughter relationshipfather son relationshippolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | gang memberchange of heartinterracial friendshipthuggangarrestrescuemachine gunviolence |
Biograpical epic of Malcolm X, the legendary African American leader. Born Malcolm Little, his father (a Garveyite Baptist minister) was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Malcolm became a gangster, and while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. He preaches the teachings when β¦ let out of jail, but later on goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, there he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim and changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz. He is assassinated on February 21, 1965 and dies a Muslim martyr. (Read More)
Themes: | racismgangster |
Characters: | teenage boyafrican americanhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshippolice |
Story: | compassionrace relationsracial slurshot in the legtitle spoken by charactertwo word titleviolenceflashbackblood |
Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent, young Clark discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the vil β¦lainous Lex Luthor, while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | adoption |
Locations: | urban settinghelicopter |
Characters: | father son relationshippolice |
Story: | muggermuggingcomic relieftelephone boothearthquakecompassionrescuetitle spoken by character |
Set in France, Georges is a TV Literary Reviewer and lives in a small yet modern town house with his wife Ann, a publisher and his young son Pierrot. They begin to receive video tapes through the post of their house and family, along side obscure child-like drawings. They visit the police with hope β¦of aid to find the stalker, but as there is no direct threat, they refuse to help. As the tapes become more personal, Georges takes it upon himself to figure out who is putting through his family through such horror. A true Michael Haneke Classic. (Read More)
Themes: | adoptionhoperacismmemoryfriendshiplove |
Mood: | nightmare |
Characters: | teenage boyhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Story: | pubertyclass differencesdreambloodviolence |
The true story of serial killer Aileen Wuernos who was convicted of luring men to their death and eventually executed in 2002. In 1989, she was working as a prostitute and finally makes a friend when she meets and begins a relationship with a young woman, Selby. Determined to straighten out her life β¦, she tries to find legitimate work but with little education and limited social skills, she fails at every turn. She starts working as a hooker hitching rides along the local interstate highway and after robbing a few clients has an encounter with a vicious client whom she kills in self-defense. After that however she just takes to killing clients taking their money and car. Once arrested she claims self-defense but is eventually convicted. (Read More)
Themes: | extramarital affairadulteryinfidelitylove |
Locations: | wheelchair |
Characters: | teenage boyfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshippolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | attorneyracial slurvomitingarrestdreamtitle spoken by characterbloodviolence |
In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamental β¦ists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life. However, this change proves an equally difficult trial with the young woman finding herself in a different culture loaded with abrasive characters and profound disappointments that deeply trouble her. Even when she returns home, Marji finds that both she and homeland have changed too much and the young woman and her loving family must decide where she truly belongs. (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | memoryinfidelityfriendshiplove |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | wheelchair |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipteenage boyfather daughter relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | pubertyreckless drivingfilm within a filmvomitingarrestdreambloodflashback |
Aurora and Emma are mother and daughter who march to different drummers. Beginning with Emma's marriage, Aurora shows how difficult and loving she can be. The movie covers several years of their lives as each finds different reasons to go on living and find joy. Aurora's interludes with Garrett Bree β¦dlove, retired astronaut and next door neighbor are quite striking. In the end, different people show their love in very different ways. (Read More)
Themes: | dysfunctional familyextramarital affairadulteryinfidelityfriendshiplove |
Characters: | babyhusband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationships |
Story: | reckless drivinghousewifecompassion |
Kevin Lomax, a ruthless young Florida attorney that never lost a case, is recruited by the most powerful law firm in the world. In spite of his mother's disagreement, which compares New York City to Babylon, he accepts the offer and the money that comes along. But soon, his wife starts feeling homes β¦ick as she witnesses devilish apparitions. However, Kevin is sinking in his new cases and pays less and less attention to his wife. His boss and mentor, John Milton, seems to always know how to overcome every problem and that just freaks Kevin right off. (Read More)
Locations: | wheelchair |
Characters: | homeless manbabyafrican americanhusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshippolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | muggermuggingattorneyjoggingarrestdreamfemale frontal nudityblood |
Rudy Baylor is a jobless young attorney. However, he is also the only hope of an elderly couple whose insurance company will not pay for an operation that could save their son's life. In this judicial drama, Rudy learns to hate corporate America as he falls in love with a battered young married woma β¦n. Will he be up to the task? (Read More)
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | hopelovefriendship |
Locations: | wheelchair |
Characters: | husband wife relationshipmother son relationshipfather son relationship |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | attorneyarrestblood |
A frustrated and clumsy bank clerk overhears the conversation of three coworkers in the toilet about a fix in a horse race, and bets a large amount. He loses the bet and owes the money to the dangerous and powerful mobster Fingers. A gangster who works for Fingers has the ability of foreseeing piece β¦s of the future; he is assigned to collect money for the boss, with his troublemaker nephew Tony, and is beaten up by a gang. The manager of pop-star Trista loses her contract to Fingers without her agreement and she is threatened by the gangster. A dedicated doctor seeks a blood donor that might have a rare blood type to save the life of his secret and unrequited passion, a beautiful epidemiologist who's married to a friend. (Read More)
Themes: | gangsterlovefriendship |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | urban settinghelicopter |
Characters: | uncle nephew relationshipfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshippolice |
Story: | reckless drivingensemble castgangbloodviolenceflashback |
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | racismgangsterfriendship |
Characters: | father daughter relationshippolice |
Story: | thugracial slurshot in the leggangarrestrescuemachine guntwo word titleviolenceblood |
On the day of his daughter's ('Joey Hope Singer' (qv)) birthday, William "D-Fens" Foster ('Michael Douglas (I)' (qv)) is trying to get to his estranged ex-wife's ('Barbara Hershey' (qv)) house to see his daughter. He has a breakdown and leaves his car in a traffic jam in Los Angeles and decides to w β¦alk. Along the way he stops at a convenience store and tries to get some change for a phone call but the owner, Mister Lee ('Michael Paul Chan' (qv)), does not give him change. This destabilizes William who then breaks apart the shop with a baseball bat and goes to an isolated place to drink a coke. Two gangsters ('Agustin Rodriguez (I)' (qv) & 'Eddie Frias' (qv)) threaten him and he reacts by hitting them with the bat. D-FENS continues walking and stops at a phone booth. The gangsters hunt him down with their gang and shoot at him but crash their car. William goes nuts and takes their gym bag with weapons proceeding in his journey of rage against injustice. Meanwhile Sergeant Martin Prendergast ('Robert Duvall' (qv)), who is working on his last day before retirement, is following the wave of crimes and believes that the same man is responsible but the other detectives do not pay attention to him. (Read More)
Themes: | dysfunctional familyracism |
Locations: | urban settinglos angeles california |
Characters: | police |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | drive by shootingracial slurgangvomitingmachine guntitle spoken by charactertwo word titleviolence |
Based on a true story of James "Whitey" Bulger, an Irish Mob godfather and FBI informant who had a "secret trading" deal with his brother, William "Billy" Bulger, a state senator and a Boston public figure, and John Connolly, an FBI agent. They planned to take down the Italian mob and mafia in Bosto β¦n, which went awry and things turned massively violent. When the credence for each other began fading out, drug dealing, murders, and extortion started to rise, and forced the FBI's Boston office to confirm that Whitey Bulger was one of the most notorious criminals in US history and also one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List criminals. (Read More)
Themes: | gangsterfriendship |
Locations: | urban setting |
Characters: | husband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationship |
Story: | drive by shootingensemble castthugracial slurshot in the leggangarresttwo word titleviolenceflashbackblood |
Based on a true story. After graduating from Emory University, Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire savings account to charity, and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters who shape his life.
Subgenre: | coming of age |
Themes: | adoptionmemoryadulteryinfidelity |
Mood: | nightmare |
Locations: | los angeles california |
Characters: | teenage boyfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipfather son relationshipmother son relationshipfamily relationshipspolice |
Period: | 1990s |
Story: | grand canyonarizonaarrestdreamtitle spoken by characterfemale frontal nuditybloodflashbackviolence |