MOVIE REVIEWS!

Students may select from the movies below to complete a Journal With A Purpose for extra credit in Communications, one per quarter. These movies are recommended to be watched and discussed as a family. Please refer to the actual movie for verification on ratings. Since some movies have the same title, be sure the plot summary is the same as the movie you plan to view.

Brian’s Song-NR
This remake of the 1971 classic was made-for-TV tear -jerker details the late-1960s interracial friendship between new Chicago Bears recruit Gale Sayers and valuable running back Brian Piccolo. They finally form a close bond. Tragedy strikes, however, when Piccolo finds out that he has cancer.

Seabiscuit-PG13
Set in the1930’s, this true-story-about a down-and-out racehorse named Seabiscuit pulled out
of obscurity by three men and turned into a national hero--will shamelessly, but successfully, tug at your heartstrings.

Because of Winn Dixie-PG
Based on the perennial best seller, BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE tells the story of a lonely young girl who adopts an orphaned dog she names Winn-Dixie (for the supermarket where she found him). The bond between the girl and her special companion brings together the people in a small Florida town and heals her own troubled relationship with her father.

Finding Forrester- PG13
Finding Forrester" brings us Jamal (Rob Brown). He’s an inner city kid who loves basketball but also loves literature and writing. At school he can’t show this, and for good reason, so his grades are mediocre, but when it comes to standardized tests, well, Jamal shines. This catches notice of a prep school looking for their next basketball star, giving Jamal a free ride because of his grades but they would be grateful if he helped out the basketball team.

Remember The Titans-PG13
Based on actual events that took place in 1971, a white southern high school is integrated with black students from a nearby school. Both schools are recognized for their football programs which are now unified. The black coach is chosen to be the head coach of the integrated team, leaving the previous white head coach with feelings of animosity at having to be an assistant under a black man.

The Young Black Stallion-G
Young Black Stallion," a prequel to the 1979 classic, presents the horse's adventures with a young girl named Neera, who has been separated from her father in Arabia by WWII. Left alone in the desert, she befriends the wild colt,whom she names Shetan. Once reunited with her father, however, Neera remains haunted by images of the lost horse of the desert - one of a few stallions of legend, rumored to be"born of the sands, sired by the night sky, drinkers of the wind.

Eight Below PG

Inspired by a true story, EIGHT BELOW is an action-adventure about loyalty and the bonds of friendship set in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica. The film tells the story of three members of a scientific expedition: Jerry Shepard, his best friend, Cooper, and a rugged American geologist, who are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions

The Rookie - G

Based on a true story. High-school baseball coach Jim Morris follows his dream of playing in the major leagues.

Not Without My Daughter - PG 13

An American woman, wife of an Iranian-born doctor, travels to Iran under her husband's pretense of a vacation. She is horrified to learn her husband intends to live there and refuses to allow her or their daughter to leave. She then begins a desperate and dangerous plan to escape the country with her daughter. Based on a true story.

Coach Carter - PG

Inspired by the true story of controversial Richmond, California basketball coach Ken Carter, who received both high praise and staunch criticism when he made national news for benching his entire team undefeated team for poor academic performance. Tension mounted as the Richmond High Oilers faced the upcoming basketball championship.

Chronicles of Narnia - PG

Follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings--Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter--in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide and seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs, and giants.

Sound of Music - G

A former nun leaves the convent to become a governess for the seven children of a wealthy, Austrian widower who has grown into a cold disciplinarian. Soon, the she opens the children to the wonders of life and the joy of music - and eventually softens the heart of their father and gains his love.

Secondhand Lions - G

For 14-year old Walter, his great uncles’ farm in rural Texas is the last place on earth he wants to spend the summer. Dumped off by his mother, Mae, in the middle of nowhere with two crazy old men and the promise that she’ll come back for him, Walter doesn’t know what to believe in. Eccentric and gruff, Hub and Garth McCaan are rumored to have been bank robbers, mafia hit men and/or war criminals.

Two Brothers - PG

Two tigers are separated as cubs and taken into captivity, only to be reunited years later as enemies by an explorer (Pearce) who inadvertently forces them to fight each other.

Million Dollar Baby - PG13

In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, boxing trainer Frankie Dunn has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time--then Maggie Fitzgerald walks into his gym. In a life of constant struggle, Maggie’s gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, she wants someone to believe in her.

Rudy PG

Based on the true story of Dan "Rudy" Ruettiger, a five-foot, six-inch Notre Dame football player who sat on the bench until the last game of his collegiate career and finally proved himself on the field.

Hoosiers - PG

A basketball coach gets one last chance at redemption at a rural Indiana high school.

My Louisana Sky - NR

A girl comes to terms with her mentally challenged parents.

NightJohn - PG 13

During the early days of the United States, the southern plantations were worked with African slaves. The white law prohibited the slaves from learning to read and write, afraid that they might learn the truth. When a young slave named Sarny (Allison Jones) meets the literate Nightjohn (Carl Lumbly), he risks his life to give her the ability to read and write.

Mask - PG 13 (Starring Cher)

A boy with a massive facial skull deformity and biker gang mother attempts to live as normal a life as possible under the circumstances.

Sounder - G

The Morgans, a loving and strong family of Black sharecroppers in Louisiana in 1933, face a serious family crisis when the husband and father.

Searching for Bobby Fisher - PG

A prepubescent chess prodigy refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.

The Cure - PG 13

Dexter, age 11, who has AIDS, and his next door neighbor Eric, a little older and much bigger, become best friends.

Anna and the King PG

The story of the romance between the King of Siam and the widowed British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens during the 1860's.

Ghandi - PG

Biography of the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British through his philosophy of non-violent protest.

Apollo 13 - PG

True story of the moon-bound mission that developed severe trouble and the men that rescued it with skill and dedication.

Radio - PG

"Radio" told the inspiring and heartfelt story of James Robert Kennedy, a mentally challenged young black man, who in the mid 1970s spent his afternoons walking past the local high school football field in the small town of Anderson, South Carolina. Alone with only his shopping cart, James watched coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) instruct his team during practice. It wasn't long before the team noticed James, especially after he decided to keep a stray football that came over the fence nearby.