Henderson Community College presents

The Fall 2008 Film Series

Politics American Style

Sullivan Technology Center

Room 309 or Room 311

Show time 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free

Wednesday nights in Room 311, Thursday nights in ST309

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)                   Wed., Jan. 28th

An accused murder enlists the skill of England’s best trial lawyer but the twist is that his wife is a witness for the other side.  This film was nominated for 6 Academy Awards.  Starring: Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton; directed by Billy Wilder.  (116 min.)  Discussion led by Kevin Reid.

A Time To Kill (1996)                                             Wed., Feb. 11th

Samuel L. Jackson, a father whose 10 year old daughter is raped, guns down the two rapists and is on a trial for his life.  The case exposes racism, the death penalty, and small town complacency.  Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, and Donald Sutherland; directed by Joel Schumacher.  (149 min.)  Discussion led by Bill Dixon.

Jagged Edge (1985)                                              Wed., Feb. 25th                                                                                        

The murder of Jeff Bridges’ wife makes him the obvious suspect.  His attorney defends him and falls in love.  Along the way they discover the real killer.  This film was nominated for one Academy Award.  Starring Jeff Bridges, Glen Close, and Robert Loggia; directed by Joe Eszterhas.  (108 min.)  Discussion led by Michele Carson.

Adam's Rib (1947)                                                 Thurs., March 12th

Tracy and Hepburn are attorneys, man and wife, and courtroom opponents.  The trial of a woman accused of the attempted murder of her husband’s current mistress sets the stage for the war between the sexes.  Nominated for one Academy Award, this is one of the best of the Hepburn-Tracy screwball comedies.  Starring: Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy; directed by George Cukor.  (101 min.)  Discussion led by Mike Knecht.

Philadelphia  (1993)                                            Thurs., March 26th

Gay attorney Tom Hanks is fired when the law firm realizes he has AIDS.  Denzel Washington, though homophobic, acts as Hank’s attorney for an opportunity to attack the establishment.  This was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and won 2.  Starring Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Antonio Banderas; directed by Robert Jonathan Demme.  (125 min.)  Discussion led by Katie Griffis.

A Few Good Men (1992)                                       Thurs., April 9th

Guantanamo is in the news!  The death of a soldier in the garrison leads to a trial of the men accused of his murder.  Defense attorneys Cruise and Moore face off against Nicholson in one of his most memorable roles.   This was nominated for 4 Academy Awards.  Starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, and Kevin Bacon; directed by Rob Reiner.  (114 min.)  Discussion led by Nikki Brotherton.

Runaway Jury (2003)                                           Thurs., April 23rd

Cusack and Weisz have a plan to win a trial by tampering with the jury.  The problem is that the lead defense attorney, Gene Hackman, is trying to do the same thing.  Who will win?  Starring John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and Rachel Weisz; directed by Gary Fleder.  (114 min.)  Discussion led by Cary Conley.

All films are shown in the Sullivan Technology Center

Thursdays - Room 309    Wednesdays - Room 311 

Show Time 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free and a discussion follows each film.