ROTTEN TOMATOES: Total Recall: RT Celebrates the Bill of Rights

Total Recall: RT Celebrates the Bill of Rights

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more info...	The Seventh Amendment: In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. The Verdict (1982, 96 percent) Kind of a mouthful, isn't it? Don't worry -- all that founding fathers-speak in the Seventh Amendment just boils down to one simple thing: The right to a civil trial by jury. The Verdict provides what is widely regarded as cinema's most elegant defense of this right, and for good reason -- it was scripted by David Mamet, directed by Sidney Lumet, and starred Paul Newman in one of his most finely nuanced (and most riveting) performances as a washed-up, alcoholic lawyer who finds redemption through his pursuit of a medical malpractice lawsuit that bore a strong similarity to the Karen Ann Quinlan case. Law scholars have been quick to point out that The Verdict hinges on developments that strain credulity, but the critics didn't care -- it's one of Newman's best-reviewed films.

more info...	The Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The Shawshank Redemption (1994, 88 percent) It routinely pops up on "Best Movies" lists and is widely regarded as a classic - in fact, Frank Darabont's career-launching adaptation of Stephen King's The Shawshank Redemption is so beloved, it's easy to forget that during its theatrical release, the film barely earned enough to cover its $25 million budget. No one could argue that Andy Dufresne, the unjustly imprisoned banker played by Tim Robbins, isn't subjected to "cruel and unusual punishment" -- but that's a big part of what makes him a hero we can't help but root for. Of course, not every member of the prison population is as pure of heart as Andy or his friends -- and yes, this is only fiction -- but The Shawshank Redemption still provides a glimpse of life without the Bill of Rights that's as sobering as it is entertaining.

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(1-6 of 6 posts) | Reply

RT-Ryan writes:
on Jul 02 2008 05:46 PM

Nice choices, fellas. I'm a little surprised to see Cops and Robbersons alongside movies like 12 Angry Men and The Godfather II, but it was a nice idea nonetheless.

(Reply to this)

neoes writes:
on Jul 02 2008 06:41 PM

Happy 4th of July everyone

(Reply to this)

iakobos writes:
on Jul 02 2008 08:37 PM

I think a better fit for Second Amendment movie is Red Dawn. If ever a movie demonstrated a sound defense of the Second Amendment this one is it. Granted a Soviet/Cuba invasion is far fetched. But this movie is a great example of why it is always an individual right to bear arms (as our Supreme Court recently noted) allowing the citizens to form a militia when needed, just as they did in Red Dawn.

(Reply to this)

Lord of the Rings writes:
on Jul 03 2008 12:01 PM

Great idea. I agree with some of your Amendment movie choices, but others, I do not. But, nonetheless, great idea! HAPPY 4th OF JULY everyone!!!!

(Reply to this)

StonetheCrow writes:
on Jul 06 2008 09:26 AM

Death Wish is a movie of excellence.

(Reply to this)

moonbeam85 writes:
on Jul 07 2008 12:03 PM

Good list, just a quick correction on #9. Chris Gardner is the name of Will Smith's character in "The Pursuit of Happyness". His character's name in "Enemy of the State" is Robert Dean.

(Reply to this)

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