Tag Archives: desperation

The Basketball Diaries

IMDB Rating: 6.90
12964 votes

from $1.99

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

The Full Monty

IMDB Rating: 7.20
30394 votes

from $1.99

Storyline
Six unemployed steel workers, inspired by the Chippendale's dancers, form a male striptease act. The women cheer them on to go for "the full monty" - total nudity.
Actors
DaveMark Addy
GazRobert Carlyle
NathanWilliam Snape

Anger Management

IMDB Rating: 6.00
26137 votes

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Storyline
After a misunderstanding aboard an airplane that escalates out of control, the mild-mannered Dave Buznik is ordered by Judge Daniels to attend anger management sessions run by Doctor Buddy Rydell, which are filled with highly eccentric and volatile men and women. Buddy's unorthodox approach to therapy is confrontational and abrasive and Dave is bewildered by it. Then, after yet another mishap, Judge Daniels orders Dave to step up his therapy or wind up in jail. So, Buddy moves in with Dave to help him battle his inner demons. Buddy himself has no inner demons since he acts out at every opportunity and that includes making lewd comments about Dave's girlfriend Linda and goading Dave into confronting every slight, past or present, head-on. But Buddy finally goes too far and Dave must decide whether to crawl back into his shell or stand up for himself. Could it be that Buddy's confounding and contradictory treatment is just what the doctor ordered?
Actors
Dave BuznikAdam Sandler
Dr. Buddy RydellJack Nicholson
LindaMarisa Tomei

House of Sand and Fog

IMDB Rating: 7.70
15956 votes

from $1.99

Storyline
Massoud Amir Behrani, an Iranian immigrant, has spent most of his savings trying to enhance his daughter's chances of a good marriage. Once she is married, he spends the remaining funds on a house at an auction, unwittingly putting himself and his family in the middle of a legal tussle with the house's former owner. What begins as a legal struggle turns into a personal confrontation, with tragic results.
Actors
KathyJennifer Connelly
BehraniBen Kingsley
LesterRon Eldard

Empire

IMDB Rating: 5.90
2710 votes

from $1.99

Storyline
Victor (Leguizamo), is trying to escape his life as a drug dealer in the South Bronx. Enter Jack (Sarsgaard), a Wall Street investment banker with a business proposal that has Victor's name (and money) written all over it.
Actors
Victor RosaJohn Leguizamo
JackPeter Sarsgaard
TrishDenise Richards