Category Archives: Underdogs win

2018, Abduction, Abuse of Women, Acorn TV, Ambitious Dirty Tricks, Based on true facts, Bloody scenes, Brother-Brother relations, Child abuse, Cold Cases, Depression, Detective, Emotional child abuse, Ethical struggles, Extramarital Affair, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Government cover-up, Mental Illness, Mildly Violent, Mother-daughter relations, Murder, Physical child abuse, Police Politics, Psychiatrists, Psychopath, Revenge, Serial Killer, Suspense, Swedish, Swedish Detective, Underdogs win

The Truth Will Out (2018)

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From IMDB:

After a long sick leave and recovery police detective Peter Wendel is back on duty. He is commissioned to form a new team to reopen unresolved murder cases, however he soon finds himself with a rather third rank and conflicting staff. Soon they are in the center of a new case. An unknown murderer claims that Sweden’s most infamous murderer is a fraud – that he never committed the murders he’s jailed for. High reaching implications are to be exposed, involving even the Swedish government.

From Acorn TV:

Detective Peter Wendel wants to create an elite team of investigators to crack cold cases. When the police receive a tip that Sweden’s most notorious serial killer is a fraud, and therefore eight killers might have gone free, Wendel gets his chance–but only the dregs of the force are available to work the case. Can his lowly group solve these high-profile crimes? Swedish with English subtitles.

From Acorn TV you can stream the 8 episodes of this complete story. Each episode lasts about 43 minutes. Swedish with English subtitles. Formerly Acorn TV advertised itself as “All Things British” but evidently their intent has changed.

Plaguing Peter Wendel throughout the episodes is the sorrow over his brother’s suicide. Because he refuses to accept the verdict of suicide he becomes so mentally ill and a bit violent and must be hospitalized. Now that he is released from care he faces the prejudice that he cannot do his job properly which only makes his job proving that the Minister of Justice erred in pronouncing a man guilty of serial killings.

His ragtag trio of helpers turn out to be diamonds in the rough, especially the older woman “administrator” who shows herself to be clever, very observant, and even capable of head butting.

What compelled me to binge watch was the injustice of the cover-up by the upper echelons and the efforts of a detected named Temo to discredit and remove Peter Wendel.

Because the pace is quite S L O W,  you might easily be tempted to stop watching after the first episode. Stick with the well crafted plot to see clever vindications.

 

2010, Based on true facts, Conspiracy, Feel Good Not For Children, Lawyers, Nudity, Police Story, Prison, Underdogs win, Violent

Conviction (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Convinced that her brother, Kenneth (Sam Rockwell), has been unjustly convicted of murder and incompetently defended by court-ordered attorneys, high school dropout Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) puts herself through law school in order to represent him in his appeal. Inspired by a true story, director Tony Goldwyn’s stirring drama also stars Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher and Clea DuVall.

Miscarriages of justice, at least for me, are always compelling stories. Of course, you know that the film would not have been made if events had not turned out well for Kenneth Waters.

Read about about the history in the Wikipedia article. There you will also find mention of Martha Coakley, Attorney General of Massachusetts. In the film she comes off very badly. Hearing her name so often during the film was almost a shock. Read about her reaction to the film in the same Wikipedia article. Politicians always know the right thing to say.

Warning: Although the film is eventually a feel-good, getting to the end is a real roller-coaster of setbacks. At the very least, I can only admire the incredible and inspiring fortitude of Betty Anne Waters.

Do NOT miss the final frames which explain in text how things turned out after Kenneth got out of prison. Also the Wikipedia article has some follow through.

My biggest disappointment was that the corrupt woman Ayer police officer, Nancy Taylor, who framed Kenneth could not be prosecuted due to the Massachusetts statute of limitations.

2006, Biographical, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Redemption, Religious Theme, Slavery, True Story, Underdogs win

Amazing Grace (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Based on actual events, this historical drama from acclaimed director Michael Apted tells the story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), an 18th-century English politician who fought for the abolition of slavery. Despite staunch opposition, Wilberforce waged an aggressive campaign using boycotts, petitions and slogans to bring the British slave trade to a decisive end. Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell co-star.

Worthwhile but not maudlin feel-good films can be hard to discover. “Amzing Grace” is such a jewel.

For an historical reality check please read the Wikipedia article.

England, through the efforts of Wilberforce, abolished the slave trade in 1807, a half-century before the American Civil War. Stay for the final credits which add that Wilberforce and William Pitt are buried side by side in Westminster Abbey.

Although it is eventually a feel-good film, you will be subjected to unsettling descriptions of the treatment of slaves.

In the film I saw many familiar British actors whose names I have never known. To give some of them credit, you will see:

  • Benedict Cumberbatch was William Pitt. He is currently the Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock Holmes.
  • Michael Gambon was Lord Charles Fox. He was Dumbledore in “Harry Potter”.
  • Rufus Sewell was Thomas Clarkson. He was Alexander Hamilton in “John Adams”.
  • Ciarán Hinds was the evil Lord Tarleton. He was Gaius Julius Cesar in “Rome”.
  • Toby Jones was the cretinous Duke of Clarence. He was Karl Rove in “W”
  • Nicholas Farrell was Henry Thornton. I will always remember him as the young runner Aubrey Montague in “Chariots of Fire”. His screen credits roll on for pages.
  • Albert Finney was John Newton and IS British acting.

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !!!!

2009, Acceptable for children, Biographical, Drama, Sports, Underdogs win

Invictus (2009)

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From NetFlix:

In this drama based on real-life events, director Clint Eastwood tells the story of what happened after the end of apartheid when newly elected president Nelson Mandela used the 1995 World Cup rugby matches to unite his people in South Africa. Based on John Carlin’s book, the film stars Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon (both Oscar nominated) as Francois Pienaar, the captain of the scrappy South African team that makes a run for the championship

Invictus is a short Victorian poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley. The text is as follows:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gait,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Nelson Mandela used this poem as a personal prayer to see him through 30 years of imprisonment. “Invictus” means “unconquered”.

As a piece of art, the film is mediocre. There may be at least 5 scrums too many. It would help if you understood the game of rugby. Matt Damon is adequate. Morgan Freeman is perfect as Mandela. See Wikipedia for critical reviews.

When the plane flies low over the stadium, you are supposed to read something written on its lower side: “Good luck, Bokke!”

Despite all these comments, I found the film to be inspiring and meaningful.

2008, Could Be Hard To Watch, Suspense, Underdogs win, Violent

Changeling (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie, in an Oscar-nominated role) is overjoyed when her young kidnapped son Walter is brought back home. But when Christine suspects that the Walter who was returned to her isn’t her actual child, the police captain (Jeffrey Donovan) has her committed to an asylum. John Malkovich co-stars as the crusading reverend who comes to Christine’s rescue in this gripping, 1920s-set drama helmed by ace director Clint Eastwood.

As soon as the movie began I stayed on the edge of my seat. It’s one of those films where the injustices are almost too much to believe. In fact only the script kept me glued because I was quickly disappointed in Angelina Jolie’s acting. Could it be that her forte is slithering almost naked out of the water with a long tail as she did in Beowulf ? Even John Malkovitch seemed to be reading his lines.

Read in Wikipedia about the true Wineville Chicken Coop Murders which the film follows carefully. At the end of the film there are follow-up lines saying what happened to the various characters in real life. Unfortunately, I was unable to read them. If any of you can read those lines, I would appreciate knowing what they said.

Not for children because of scenes of serial murdering and forced electric shocks used as torture by the psychiatrist in the pay of the LAPD. Tell me, has the LAPD ever cleaned up its act ?

2007, Feel Good Not For Children, Underdogs win

The Great Debaters (2007)

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From NetFlix:

When African-American poet Mel Tolson (Denzel Washington, who
also directs) creates a debate team at historically black Wiley
College, he pushes the team to a level of excellence that allows
them to challenge powerhouse Harvard in 1935. But despite public
success, personal clashes foment as the father (Forest Whitaker)
of one of Tolson’s students resents his son’s loyalty to his coach.
Denzel Whitaker co-stars in this drama based on a true story.

You have seen this movie before: underdogs win against great odds.
But that movie is almost always inspiring and this film is no exception.
Wiley college in 1935 debated and won against USC, not Harvard.
In 2007 Denzel Washington announced a million dollar grant to
Wiley college to re-establish their debating team.

This film is not for children because it does portray a lynching. Also
Denzel Washington explains the origin of the word “lynch” and the
details are chilling.

The co-existence of comfortable, educated blacks with the redneck
Jim Crow south in 1935 can be shocking.

Strong performances by all actors make this a must-see.

Highly recommended,

2007, Feel Good For All, Underdogs win

Music Within (2007)

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From NetFlix:

After losing his hearing during the Vietnam War, Richard
Pimentel (Ron Livingston) returns to America, where he falls
in with an unlikely circle of friends and finds a new calling as a
spokesman for the disabled. His efforts as an activist eventually
lead to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This
inspiring and entertaining true story won the Audience Award
at the 2007 AFI Dallas International Film Festival

It’s not Hollywood but more Hollywood than an Indie. Ron Livingston
comes across as a real person. His relation with his friend with
cerebral palsy is a treat. The language is VERY earthy but is
absolutely appropriate and downright funny. Did you know that
in many cities it was against the law for a disabled person
to appear in public because they were an insult to the eyes
of the other citizens ? I guess I’m a sucker for stories about
real people with their ups and downs. Despite the language, why
shouldn’t kids see it ?

2006, Feel Good For All, Sports, Underdogs win

We Are Wallace (2006)

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From NetFlix:

After a plane crash takes the lives of most of Marshall
University’s football team, new coach Jack Lengyel
(Matthew McConaughey) must rally the surviving players and
a grieving community to victory. Based on true events, this
inspiring drama follows Lengyel and his assistant coach
(Matthew Fox) as they try to renew Marshall’s football
program and help the close-knit West Virginia town find
new hope. David Strathairn and Anthony Mackie co-star.

You’ve seen this movie before in many guises. Nonetheless
it is always a warm feeling seeing an underdog finally win.

1001BeforeDie, 2000, Revenge, Underdogs win, Violent

Gladiator (2000)

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From NetFlix:

Oscar winner Russell Crowe is Maximus, whom Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) had picked to succeed him. But Marcus’s son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) snatches the throne, ordering Maximus dead. Instead, he’s enslaved and learns to be a skilled fighter. When the Coliseum opens for gladiator games, Maximus finally has the chance for revenge. Ridley Scott directs this vivid epic, winner of the Oscar and Golden Globe for best picture.

This film (recommended by “1001 Films to See Before You Die”) was the first film in which I ever saw Russell Crowe and every time I see him I think of this film. In fact the same is true for Joaquin Phoenix who makes a wonderful warped bad guy. By its nature this epic is violent. But just as important as the pomp and fighting is the human side of the story.

Interesting side fact: Oliver Reed (who plays Proximo) died during the filming and his remaining scenes were generated using a stand-in and computer-enhanced filmwork.