Tag Archives: abuse

The Basketball Diaries

IMDB Rating: 6.90
12964 votes

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Storyline
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 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.
Actors
Jim CarrollLeonardo DiCaprio
Jim's MotherLorraine Bracco
Chanting WomanMarilyn Sokol

Shine

IMDB Rating: 7.50
17016 votes

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Storyline
Based on the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott, this delightful movie charts the early and traumatic early years. Telling the story in flashback we see David as he grows up and into a child prodigy while his father abuses him and his siblings with the memory of his childhood in Europe and the loss of his family in the concentration camps. David finally breaks away from his father and goes away to study overseas, he later suffers a breakdown and returns to Australia and a life in an institution. Many years later he is released and through several twists of fate (in reality even more unlikely than film portrays) he starts playing a piano in a bar before finally returning to the concert hall.
Actors
David Helfgott - AdultGeoffrey Rush
TonyJustin Braine
SylviaSonia Todd

In a Dark Place

IMDB Rating: 4.40
436 votes

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Storyline
She thought she was their Guardian Angel, but was she really their Nanny from Hell? A chilling modern ghost story, inspired by a classic of the genre, In A Dark Place is the suspenseful, erotic story of a young woman fighting to redeem the souls of two children seduced by dark influences beyond the grave. Anna Veigh, a recently qualified art therapist and teacher, is finding work at her inner city special school a tougher psychological challenge than she can cope with. The offer of a new post minding two wealthy young orphans whilst their wealthy uncle is away on business seems a perfect escape for her. It is a welcome escape. Her new workplace is Bly House, a remote country estate with beautiful grounds and a small resident staff. Miles and Flora, the children, seem sweet and charming, if a little strange, and Anna thinks that she has really "landed on her feet" after the rigors of her previous job. The only fly in the ointment is the frosty estate manager, Miss Grose, who seems remote and unfriendly to the new arrival. Very soon, moreover, Anna makes disquieting discoveries. Miles, the boy, has been expelled from his school, for a sin so dreadful the headmaster will not even discuss it. Anna then learns that her predecessor in the job, one Miss Jessel, died in suspicious circumstances. To add to her unease, she begins to catch glimpses of unknown sinister figures lurking in the grounds, but nobody else admits to seeing them. Anna confronts the Miss Grose with her suspicions about these intruders, but is surprised by the force of Miss Grose's reaction. The figures Anna describes are unmistakably those of two ex-employees at the house. The only problem is that these employees are dead. Anna senses that the ghostly manifestations are malevolent in their intent. Not only is the psychological welfare of the children in very real jeopardy, but their lives and their souls are also at risk. But Anna is forced to confront dark secrets buried deep in her own psyche as she fights to cleanse the children's souls of darkness, with terrifying consequences for all concerned.
Actors
Anna VeighLeelee Sobieski
Ms. GroseTara Fitzgerald
MilesChristian Olson

Lord of the Flies

IMDB Rating: 6.00
4233 votes

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Storyline
Adapted from William Golding's novel of the same name, this is the story of a group of military school boys who become stranded on an island. They are, however, not alone. To begin with their commander is dragged from the water by Ralph. It is after the commander becomes feverish and delusional that he runs away and the boys develop their own society, with frightening and powerful consequences.
Actors
RalphBalthazar Getty
Jack MerridewChris Furrh
PiggyDanuel Pipoly