Midnight Express
It’s problematic at almost every thematic level, but the technical excellence and even the strong supporting performances make it a film that you can’t fully look away from once you turn it on.
Dead Man Walking
With his two shining leads in Sarandon and Penn, Tim Robbins delivers a truly nuanced and heartfelt look at the death penalty, emphasizing the universality of human dignity and the need of all people for love in the process, earning this film a place among the greats.
Birdman of Alcatraz
Birdman of Alcatraz’s supporting characters help flesh out its themes of imprisonment and rehabilitation, lending to a deeper discussion of both against the background of the flawed U.S. prison system.