Nickel Boys
1962, in the state of Florida.
Young African American Elwood Curtis is wrongfully accused by the police of being an accomplice in a car theft. As a result, he is sent to the Nickel Academy reform school, which segregates Black and white students. While there, he befriends a young man named Turner, and together they try to survive the harsh methods of the institution’s corrupt administrators. Is it worth watching?
The two main actors, despite being newcomers, deliver very strong performances.
The rest of the cast also gives solid and respectable performances.
Directorially, I loved it—yes, even the constantly shaky shots that reflect the POV of each protagonist.
Thematically, it has a very powerful central story, based on a true story.
The cinematography enhances the film’s intense realism.
Several scenes strike a balance between beauty and melancholy.
Some viewers might find it slow or boring.
The long runtime weakens the film’s impact—it could have been shorter.
At times, the script drags, while other parts feel rushed or underdeveloped.
Escape From Alcatraz
The film thrillingly narrates the only successful escape from Alcatraz prison while also critiquing the correctional methods used in American prisons.
Released in 1979, starring Clint Eastwood, and I honestly have no idea how I missed it all these years. Eastwood delivers an outstanding performance, perfectly portraying the silent yet determined inmate set on escaping. His cold, enigmatic demeanor works in his favor. The entire cast gives strong performances, the direction is solid, the suspense is gripping, and the screenplay keeps you engaged until the very end without dragging.
As for minor drawbacks (but nothing deal-breaking), while the film does a great job building up the escape plan, the actual escape itself feels quite brief, and the ending comes a bit abruptly. It could have used an extra 10 minutes.
Definitely worth watching
https://youtu.be/-2qZ429rUZw?si=_G780adlDshFpVJ6
https://youtu.be/BUGneGTb_Pw?si=uOREv5d0kP0z3-_x