Genre Discussion: Legal Thrillers/Courtroom Dramas

[PHEDG]

Fracture
The Insider
Philadelphia
People Vs. Larry Flynt

[BillyG]

I need to see The Insider again. I think I only watched it once, and I don't remember anything about it.

[Matt]

'The Insider' is Mann's best film, in my opinion. It's kinda on the peripheral edge of being a legal thriller, though.

[Timothy225]

Judgment at Nuremberg
My Cousin Vinny

... and pretty much what everyone else has already mentioned.

[Captain Russ]

My Cousin Vinny

DEAD-ON-BALLS ACCURATE.

[Lisa]

Judgment at Nuremberg

YES!!!

My Cousin Vinny.

NO!!!

[Timothy225]

NO!!!

But - but he saved those two "yoots!" And... Marissa Tomei! And the mighty Fred Gwynne!

[BillyG]

My Cousin Vinny is great.

[Matt]

In a sense, 'JFK' could be on here. Brilliant film, questionable facts or not.

And yeah...minor fan of McCann as well, mainly for Timeout and Gwynne.

[Captain Russ]

NO!!!

And you were fitting in so well.

[Matt]

Anyone here see 'Find me Guilty'? Always wondered on that one.

[Lisa]

In a sense, 'JFK' could be on here. Brilliant film, questionable facts or not.

I'd say yes to that one, too.

And you were fitting in so well.

Pffffftt!!! I always thought that movie was dumb; I know I'm one of the few, but it never grabbed me. And I kind of disagree with putting a comedy in a thread of courtroom dramas/thrillers.

[BMichaelKrol]

Anyone here see 'Find me Guilty'? Always wondered on that one.

It's good, not great. Interesting trivia, when I competed in Moot Court, the guy who was the prosecuting attorney on that case was a judge. We talked a bunch about the trial. It was a fucking circus.

As far as which ones get it right, the one that actually gets really close is My Cousin Vinny. The objection he makes to the tire guy's testimony is a classic Daubert objection, and the fact that experts can be experts with no formal training or credentials.

Most of what gets me is basic trial stuff. For instance, attorneys in movies rarely ask leading questions of opposing witnesses. That's what "treating as a hostile" witness means. It doesn't mean you get to act like a dick to them.

[B_Metal]

Lisa hates My Cousin Vinny? Whaaa.....?

[Timothy225]

ARGH! My bad, Lisa - forgot this was Thrillers and Dramas (says so in the title of the thread)! Bad Timmy! Bad, bad Timmy!

To Kill a Mockingbird (thanks, Matt!)
The Verdict

And if we're counting documentaries:

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
Waco: The Rules of Engagement (not a straight ahead trial thriller, but it does have Congressional hearings that are just amazing to watch).