Tag Archives: poverty

An American Crime

IMDB Rating: 8.20
253 votes

from $1.99

Storyline
Based on a true story that shocked the nation in 1965, the film recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. Sylvia and Jennie Fae Likens, the two daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the Indianapolis (3850 E. New York St. is hardly suburban, nor was it in 1965, by any stretch of the imagination.) home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her seven children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's financial needs cause her to make this arrangement before realizing how the burden will push her unstable nature to a breaking point. What transpires in the next three months is both riveting and horrific, leaving one child dead and the rest scarred for life.
Actors
Sylvia LikensEllen Page
Gertrude BaniszewskiCatherine Keener
Jennie Fae LikensHayley McFarland

New Jack City

IMDB Rating: 6.10
6572 votes

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Storyline
In 1989, Nino Brown, a small time drug dealer, is convinced by one of his fellow thugs that the wave of the future is in the cocaine derivative, crack. Brown sees potential in crack and sets out to establish himself as chief kingpin by killing off his rivals and even going as far as to take over a whole apartment complex. Out to stop him are undercover cops Scottie Appleton and Nick Paretti. Appleton especially wants to get Nino because of the fact that he murdered Scottie's mother as part of a gang initiaton. Also involved is Pookie, a former crackhead who wants to bring down Nino as well.
Actors
Nino BrownWesley Snipes
Scotty AppletonIce-T
Gee MoneyAllen Payne

Cinderella Man

IMDB Rating: 8.00
39030 votes

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Storyline
During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock—a.k.a. the Cinderella Man—was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him—his family—was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete. Carrying the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised on his shoulders, Braddock rocketed through the ranks, until this underdog chose to do the unthinkable: take on the heavyweight champ of the world, the unstoppable Max Baer, renowned for having killed two men in the ring.
Actors
Jim BraddockRussell Crowe
Mae BraddockRenée Zellweger
Joe GouldPaul Giamatti

American History X

IMDB Rating: 8.40
72446 votes

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Storyline
A Neo Nazi skinhead, named Derek Vineyard (Edward Norton) goes to jail for 3 years after committing a murder of 2 black guys. In the meanwhile, his younger brother, Danny Vineyard (Edward Furlong) goes in the same way and makes the same mistakes (racism and hatred) his eldest brother did (this is the result of the Neo Nazi environment he grows up into, and the influence Derek left behind). While Derek is in jail he realize that he choose the wrong path. after coming back from jail, Derek try to convince his brother not to go in his own way.
Actors
Mitch McCormickAlex Sol
LawrenceAntonio David Lyons
Little HenryJason Bose Smith

Trading Places

IMDB Rating: 7.30
19486 votes

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Storyline
Louis Winthorpe III is a successful Philadelphia commodity broker with mansion, manservant and girlfriend to match. Billy Ray Valentine is a hustling beggar. Winthorpe's employers, the elderly Duke brothers, make a bet that by switching the lifestyle of the two Billy Ray will make good and their man will take to a life of crime. Suddenly Louis finds himself uncomprehendingly with no job, no home and only a new acquaintance, glamorous hooker Ophelia, prepared to help him. So at least in one way things could actually be worse.
Actors
ColemanDenholm Elliott
Louis Winthorpe IIIDan Aykroyd
Duke & Duke EmployeeMaurice Woods

Evita

IMDB Rating: 6.10
12437 votes

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Storyline
Based on the incredible true story, Eva (Evita) Peron, starts out life as a poor girl who goes on to become an actress and then become the wife of the president of Argentina, Juan Peron. The musical is a story of love and politics, showing all the battles and triumphs Evita has in her short, but amazing life.
Actors
Eva PerónMadonna
CheAntonio Banderas
Juan PerónJonathan Pryce

Oliver Twist

IMDB Rating: 7.00
4777 votes

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Storyline
In the Nineteenth Century, the orphan Oliver Twist is sent to a workhouse, where the children are barely fed and mistreated. He moves to the house of an undertaker, but after an unfair severe spank, he starts a seven day runaway to London. He arrives exhausted and starving, and is welcomed by a gang of pickpockets leaded by the old crook Fagin. When he is mistakenly taken as a thief, the wealthy victim Mr. Brownlow brings Oliver to his home and shelters him. But Fagin and the dangerous Bill Sykes decide to kidnap Oliver to burglarize Mr. Brownlow´s fancy house. Oliver is wounded, while Mr. Brownlow tries to save Oliver.
Actors
Oliver TwistBarney Clark
Mr. BumbleJeremy Swift
Mr. LimbkinsIan McNeice

Ask the Dust

IMDB Rating: 5.80
1734 votes

from $1.99

Storyline
L.A. in the early 1930's: racism, poverty, and disease color the Bunker Hill neighborhood where Arturo Bandini, a lover of men and beasts alike, has arrived from Colorado to write the great Los Angeles novel. After six months and down to his last nickel, he orders a cup of coffee, served by Camilla Lopez, beautiful, self-possessed, and Mexican. Arturo gets advice, encouragement, and an occasional check from H.L. Mencken, so he keeps writing and he keeps seeing Camilla. But, he's mean to her for no apparent reason, so the relationship sputters. A housekeeper from back East suggests a way out of his jealously and fears. "Camilla Bandini": is it in the cards?
Actors
Arturo BandiniColin Farrell
CamillaSalma Hayek
HellfrickDonald Sutherland

Get Rich or Die Tryin’

IMDB Rating: 2.30
4200 votes

from $1.99

Storyline
A tale of an inner city drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue his passion, rap music.
Actors
Marcus50 Cent
MajesticAdewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
CharleneJoy Bryant

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

IMDB Rating: 7.40
31254 votes

from $1.99

Storyline
Charlie Bucket comes from a poor family, and spends most of his time dreaming about the chocolate that he loves but usually can't afford. Things change when Willy Wonka, head of the very popular Wonka Chocolate empire, announces a contest in which five gold tickets have been hidden in chocolate bars and sent throughout the country. The kids who find the tickets will be taken on a tour of Wonka's chocolate factory and get a special glimpse of the wonders within. Charlie miraculously finds a ticket, along with four other children much naughtier than him. The tour of the factory will hold more than a few surprises for this bunch...
Actors
Willy WonkaJohnny Depp
Charlie BucketFreddie Highmore
Grandpa JoeDavid Patrick Kelly