Movies

Twelve Angry Men

Henry Fonda stars in the story of a jury who start out convinced the man they are trying is guilty because of his race. Fonda's character gets the rest of the jury to question their motivation for assuming the guilt of the defendant rather than his innoncence.

American Dream

Does an excellent job showing the events surrounding the strike at Hormel Foods in Austin, Minnesota in the mid-1980s. A good example of corporate American's attack on the working class.

Birdman of Alcatraz

Basted on a true story, Burt Lancaster stars as convicted murderer Robert Stroud. Caring for wild birds that fly into his cell, Stroud regains his humanity, yet the system will not allow for clemency.

A Place Called Chiapas

Follows the Zapatistas in a compelling look at their courageous struggle to bring the poor of the Mexican state of Chiapas out of poverty. Tells some of the history of Commandate Marcos and how he came to be the leader of the EZLN.

Burn!

Marlon Brando portrays a hired instigator of revolutions--to lead the rebels from the hands of one colonial power (the Portuguese) to another (the British). Fascinating story of slavery, capitalism and those who make revolution necessary.

Harlan County USA

The fight of striking coal miners in Kentucky brings out the violent nature of the thugs hired as scabs which eventually leads to the death of one of the striking workers. Shows how simple working folk stick together through the worst of times.

Dr. Strangelove

Black comedy of the insanity behind "How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb." A true classic.

Hoops Dreams

Follows two young African American boys in the Chicago area as they try to break out of poverty by making it to the NBA. Sad story of the limited choices for success allowed African Americans in the United States.

The Great Dictator

Wonderful story with great comedy and the serious message of opposing fascism. Chaplin gives a very moving speech near the end of the film that is quite inspiring.

Incident at Oglala

This is the telling of what happened at the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in June of 1976. The frame-up of Leonard Peltier is exposed, and should be seen by those who think there are no political prisoners in the United States.

Home of the Brave

World War II movie starring Lloyd Bridges that deals well with discrimination faced by African Americans in and out of the military. Very good especially considering it was made in 1949.

Manufacturing Consent

Noam Chomsky shows how the mainstream media--by ignoring stories or outright disinformation--help prop up our domestic and foreign policy.

Romero

Raul Julia plays El Salvadoran archbishop Oscar Romero, who as killed by a right wing death squad. Powerful drama shows how Romero moved from being neutral to siding with the oppressed--which went against the US-backed government.

Roger & Me

Michael Moore's hilareous, poignant and enraging story of trying to talk to General Motors president Roger Smith after layoffs began in Moore's hometown of Flynt, Michigan. Really shows how heartless and idiotic capitalism can be.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Set in the south during the depression, Gregory Peck plays a lawyer defending an African American man wrongly accused of raping a white woman. Tender story showing how tolerance and acceptance helps all of society.

This is What Democracy Looks Like

Best of the four documentaries made about the protests of the World Trade Organization meetings in Seattle in the fall of 1999. Other titles are Showdown in Seattle, Trade Off and 30 Frames a Second.