The Rainmaker (1997) - Full Reaction
Added 2025-03-24 10:00:15 +0000 UTCWhat a great way to end courtroom week! I love a David and Goliath story. Matt Damon and Danny DeVito were excellent. I would’ve loved to see even more investigative parts of it. Have you guys read the book? I want to know how closely they followed it.
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Started my catch up on all these reactions that dropped the last couple of weeks. Always enjoyed this movie. It's a vanilla movie but a moving and oddly funny one.
Rick Rodriguez
2025-04-06 10:01:45 +0000 UTCMatt Damon looks like he should be in Hogwarts.
Bert Towle
2025-03-27 00:19:30 +0000 UTCGood Movie. Love the court drama. Great reaction, Cassie. Don't worry there are plenty court dramas out there for you to watch.
Rick Williams
2025-03-26 20:22:16 +0000 UTCDanny Devito significantly less charming with a pointed nose, perma-scowl, creepy voice, face biting tendencies, and black ooze coming from his mouth. Always fun to watch though.
Chris Thom
2025-03-26 00:40:07 +0000 UTCThe moment I began to realize that my ex-wife was evil was when we saw A Civil Action and she was rooting for the evil corporate lawyer played by Robert Duval.
TheSingulatarian
2025-03-25 20:08:53 +0000 UTCI loved MEGALOPOLIS. A messy, goofy, bonkers film to be sure, but also ambitious, personal, provocative and memorable. The kind of film we need more of. It may not be a very good movie, but it just might be a great one.
Stick Figure Studios
2025-03-25 18:35:39 +0000 UTCTHE VERDICT is my my pick not only for the best courtroom drama but for Newman's best performance.
Stick Figure Studios
2025-03-25 18:34:05 +0000 UTCI think Michael's arc (and Pacino's performance) make GFIII worth seeing.
Stick Figure Studios
2025-03-25 18:32:07 +0000 UTCI think your right. She also mentioned SLEEPY HOLLOW.
Stick Figure Studios
2025-03-25 18:31:27 +0000 UTCAlso, THE VERDICT. The best courtroom movie as far as I'm concerned.
Stick Figure Studios
2025-03-25 18:30:47 +0000 UTCI love THE LONE RANGER. I know that is an unpopular opinion, but I think it's hugely underappreciated and I believe Cassie would enjoy it.
Stick Figure Studios
2025-03-25 18:30:20 +0000 UTCAnd before Throw Momma from the Train… Alfred Hitchcock’s, Strangers on a Train (1951) would HAVE to be watched first.
Larry Darrell
2025-03-25 14:37:40 +0000 UTCYeah, The Jewel of the Nile is definitely not as good as Romancing the Stone, but it’s more of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner together, which would make The War of the Roses even better than what it is on its own. And Jewel is a direct sequel to Romancing, so it’s worth seeing for that too. All three of those actors are terrific together.
Larry Darrell
2025-03-25 14:36:04 +0000 UTCI didn't think much of The Jewel of the Nile, but The War of the Roses would be a good one. And Throw Momma from the Train.
bgb1975 (Brian)
2025-03-25 13:34:05 +0000 UTC"Throw momma from the train" came to mind when I saw "City Slickers" was winning a poll after I watched the outro... it has always evaded me, I need to watch it.
Mojo One Thousand
2025-03-25 07:19:24 +0000 UTCFrom The Hip is a good lawyer/courtroom movie which hardly anyone heard or knows about it
JarHead0351
2025-03-25 06:08:48 +0000 UTCI’m still hoping for the pseudo Romancing the Stone trilogy finish of… The Jewel of the Nile (1985) and The War of the Roses (1989) Which all 3 starred Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny Devito. For more Danny Devito, I’d also recommend… Ruthless People (1986) Tin Men (1987) Throw Momma from the Train (1987) Hoffa (1992)
Larry Darrell
2025-03-25 05:58:42 +0000 UTC“And his jet is getting old.” Love this movie. It’s serious, it’s comical, it’s heartbreaking and heartwarming. It hits every feel. The character of Rudy Baylor would be perfect for a sequel novel/film. Imagine Matt Damon returning for a sequel after 30 years. How awesome would that be? This was the 9th time Cassie has heard the legendary composer, Elmer Bernstein. I wonder if the name rings any of Cassie’s musical memory bells. Here’s the 40 years of Elmer Bernstein that Cassie has heard. The Ten Commandments (1956) The Magnificent Seven (1960) To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) The Great Escape (1963) Airplane! (1980) An American Werewolf in London (1981) Trading Places (1983) Ghostbusters (1984) The Rainmaker (1997) For more of Elmer Bernstein, a genius at any style of film score, especially Jazz scores… The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) The World of Henry Orient (1964) Big Jake (1971) (Now flip the record over for the comedy years ;-) Animal House (1978) Meatballs (1979) Stripes (1981) Spies Like Us (1985) Legal Eagles (1986) Three Amigos! (1986) Funny Farm (1988) Anyone notice who played Delbert Birdsong, Miss Birdie’s greedy son? Sonny Shroyer. Name familiar to anyone?? Sonny Shroyer played Deputy Enos in 6 seasons of The Dukes of Hazzard (1979 - 1985) Anyone notice who played Buddy Black?? That would be Memphis native and Elvis Presley’s “Memphis Mafia” friend and bodyguard… Red West. Red West was a pretty decent actor, started out in bit roles in the 60s, many of them Elvis’ films, then started doing stunt work on TV shows like Mission Impossible and The Wild Wild West. In the 70s, Red West got a recurring role on the TV show, Black Sheep Squadron and then into the 80s, he did mostly episodic TV and TV movies. Having small parts in feature films became more common in the 90s and 00s, eventually doing a film called, Goodbye Solo (2008), in which West garnered rave reviews. Red West passed away in 2017 in Memphis, at the age of 81. He will likely be most remembered by filmgoers for the film, Road House (1989), where he played Red Webster, the owner of the auto shop across the street from the Double Deuce. Lastly… Cassie said she has an Uncle named Bullitt. Maybe not the correct spelling, but it sure makes for a great moment to recommend the film… Bullitt (1968) starring Steve McQueen in the title role. Lastly Lastly… I throw my support behind keeping these Legal films at the Top of said list… The Caine Mutiny (1954) Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) And Justice For All (1979) The Verdict (1982) The Client (1994) Lastly Lastly Lastly… I’ve got a film for you Cassie that is one of the best investigative films ever, but with no courtroom. Trust Me. I highly recommend… Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Larry Darrell
2025-03-25 05:44:22 +0000 UTCAnyone ever see??… Apt Pupil (1998), starring Brad Renfro and Ian McKellan. Based on a Stephen King novel and directed by Bryan Singer. Very strange film.
Larry Darrell
2025-03-25 03:38:40 +0000 UTCFor young Matt Damon, I recommend… Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) Also starring Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Jason Patric and Wes Studi as Geronimo. Written by John Milius
Larry Darrell
2025-03-25 03:31:25 +0000 UTCNeed to see more Danny Devito?... Not against that, but be careful what you wish for Cassie... is "Batman Returns" still alive in the March Madness comp? Andrew Shue ("Cliff Riker"), brother of Elisabeth, is a name I haven't heard for long time. And Mickey Rourke is always interesting to see. "The Wrestler" should go on a sports or drama poll at some point, and "Man on Fire" with Denzel bobs up from time to time.
Mojo One Thousand
2025-03-25 02:55:28 +0000 UTCOh cool. He'd be fun to meet. Deliverance is definitely a classic. Though I find it hard to articulate why.
Chris Thom
2025-03-25 02:44:16 +0000 UTCI think Cassie was seeing some of Francis Ford Coppola's producing credits when she did that exploration.
Mojo One Thousand
2025-03-25 02:41:03 +0000 UTCI agree, and considering how much Cassie loved Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as well as The Sting, this would seem to be a natural for her.
Marshmallow Venom
2025-03-25 01:51:19 +0000 UTCCassie, to answer your question at the end: I can easily recommend at least some of Grishams books (he's an insanely prolific writer and has so many). I think "Runaway Jury" might be one of his best, and I think the court case in the book is a much better framework for the story than what the movie gave us (though I still enjoyed the movie a good deal). "The Rainmaker" is also an excellent book, although IMO the movie is already fantastic and a very faithful adaptation that doesn't particularly deviate from the book. I also particularly enjoyed "The Summons", which isn't really a courtroom drama like the others, but still is deeply within the legal profession motifs that are Grisham's specialty.
Chris B.
2025-03-25 01:50:10 +0000 UTCAgreed, the movie is fantastic and has a really great performance by Al Pacino that I think Cassie would really appreciate. I think it gets overshadowed by so many other courtroom dramas because, like so many other contemporary movies of the 70's, there are parts of "...And Justice For All" that stylistically feel very of the time it was filmed. It also doesn't help that the genre is absolutely packed with great entries in both film and television; makes it a little harder for any single entry to stand out on its own.
Chris B.
2025-03-25 01:38:54 +0000 UTCNot sure if I agree one is better than the other, but I'll definitely cosign Cassie watching the excellent "A Civil Action" (with John Travolta and Robert Duvall).
Chris B.
2025-03-25 01:30:48 +0000 UTCI saw deliverance on the big screen for a Burt Reynolds tribute night when he was there and it flew by so fast that’s how good it is
Mark Pitta
2025-03-25 01:11:15 +0000 UTCI’m not sure what’s wrong with me but I’m crying more than Cassie these days and not at the same things. Ha! Cassie will LOVE The Verdict. It checks off all of the boxes. This movie was Fun Fun Fun
Mark Pitta
2025-03-25 01:09:46 +0000 UTCPlease no Monty python But how about “the Lone Ranger” Don’t believe the negative hype. It’s a terrific movie in every way drama action comedy. Johnny Depp is great.
Nolofinwe
2025-03-25 00:51:27 +0000 UTCYou should check out "A Civil Action." Similar concept to The Rainmaker but I think it was done a bit better.
Joel P
2025-03-25 00:35:57 +0000 UTCI didn’t need a break for JFK; but I sure needed one for this one. When Donnie Ray died, I was gutted. (Somethings sure Hit Harder when you get older.)
Uncle Phoenix
2025-03-25 00:35:03 +0000 UTCI love all lawyer and courtroom movies. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and Jagged Edge (1985) are two that I would recommend.
Eddie Perkins
2025-03-25 00:32:39 +0000 UTCGreat reaction Cassie, this this is one of my favourites from this genre. As I just like the little guy taking on the big massive company. But I knew you’d love seeing Danny Glover, and my favourite scene is when he asks him if he’s way over his head lol. But just wanted to say thanks again for watching the top 3 from the poll, as I’ve been wanting to see you watch this one for years lol.
Dean Holt
2025-03-24 22:35:45 +0000 UTCIt has been a while since I’ve watched The Rainmaker and I’d forgotten that country music legend Randy Travis played Billy Porter, the juror that was supposed to have been tampered with. Would have loved to see Randy land a few good punches on Jon Voight before he was tossed as a juror.
Jeff
2025-03-24 21:58:54 +0000 UTCTold ya it was a great movie! Another good one is the one with John Travolta can't rem the name.
Jayson Phillips
2025-03-24 21:57:32 +0000 UTCHaha so true. I downloaded the Pluto app just to watch this along with Cassie. Amazing how many ad breaks I had to sit through. I will probably never watch another movie on Pluto. Paying $3.99 to rent somewhere else seems so much better.
Jeff
2025-03-24 21:53:43 +0000 UTCDeliverance is probably my forever image of Jon Voight.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 21:51:23 +0000 UTCAs others have pointed out, Grisham novels tend to end with the young lawyer leaving law practice—voluntarily or otherwise. Grisham himself was a lawyer who left to become an author. Like many of the adaptations from Grisham's novels (and most novel adaptations) this one stuck pretty close to the original story but there was a fair amount that was left out of the film.
D. T. Nelson
2025-03-24 21:03:10 +0000 UTCsome films where Jon Voight isn't a bad guy that are worth checking out: National Treasure, Deliverance and Five People you meet in heaven
Ryan Towell
2025-03-24 20:33:18 +0000 UTCDoesn't seem very Disney-like. Then again, Disney did shoot Bambi's mother.
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 20:17:29 +0000 UTCAgree
Clay F
2025-03-24 18:57:05 +0000 UTC"Lost in Translation" (ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES) was actually Sofia Coppola.
Daniel Doble
2025-03-24 18:56:56 +0000 UTCGlad you cleared that up. I thought "Traumatic Brain Injury" for a minute.
TheSingulatarian
2025-03-24 18:19:44 +0000 UTCI liked it not because I'm happy Randy Travis is not doing well. Just that someone acknowledged it. I saw a news story recently where they are using AI to recreate his voice for a new album.
TheSingulatarian
2025-03-24 18:17:23 +0000 UTCHe's not doing too well these days sadly
Shawn Kildal
2025-03-24 18:01:35 +0000 UTCI love this movie, I watch it at least once a year, so happy I got to watch it with PiB
zynjams
2025-03-24 17:51:34 +0000 UTCIn light of the recent polls, I'd have to agree. 😁 Maybe it'll make it onto the next poll(s) of courtroom dramas. Maybe it'll even win, too. Who knows. 😄
Zane From Canada
2025-03-24 17:29:15 +0000 UTCThe first two are my favorites, but I love them all.
Eddie Perkins
2025-03-24 16:31:22 +0000 UTC??? Disney Plus? that must've been an accident. Someone at Hulu probably put it in the wrong place.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 16:19:55 +0000 UTCFor the record I felt very guilty for laughing at that.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 16:18:10 +0000 UTCI also hope for future courtroom polls that ‘…And Justice For All’ (1979) will be there. I don’t understand why it hasn’t been on. It is one of the elite films in this genre and one of Pacino’s very best performances. The title alone should be enough to sell you on it!
Shehab Dawoud
2025-03-24 16:17:55 +0000 UTCThey were a lot less cynical I think.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 16:13:31 +0000 UTCHe was probably a producer. I know his company American Zoetrope because it's near where my sis lives in SF. I think they did the editing for it there.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 16:12:09 +0000 UTCNot surprised he ended his books that way. I'm sure many a lawyer could feel like they're playing games with people's lives and just stop being OK with being put in that position. It's a very important job...but it's a lot. Would imagine some of them age like presidents.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 16:10:03 +0000 UTCGoogle bad! Our opinions......gooood!
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 16:06:42 +0000 UTCThe Chamber is for sure what I was thinking of. Don’t think I’ve seen it since it was new, so couldn’t remember. Don’t think I’ve seen Rainmaker. I think you had Cassie at Gene Hackman.
Shad Kanyak
2025-03-24 16:05:05 +0000 UTCooooh yes!!
Cassie
2025-03-24 16:03:40 +0000 UTCoooooh this one sounds good!!
Cassie
2025-03-24 16:02:38 +0000 UTCgoogle lied to me!!!!
Cassie
2025-03-24 16:01:56 +0000 UTCMy immediate thought was the 'court' scene in Scent of a Woman. But Zane sounds correct even though I've never heard of that film.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 16:00:32 +0000 UTCVery true. Cassie worked real hard to find something to like about Michael in the first two movies, but washed her hands of him when he had Fredo shot. I can't remember her doing that with any other main character, hero or anti-hero. It would be real interesting to see how she would react to Pacino's nuanced portrayal of the older version.
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 15:55:02 +0000 UTCGrisham's novels had a tendency to end with the lead character leaving the practice of law, the plot of each book providing 'the last straw' or otherwise being ultimately discouraging. It was a tell that Grisham was a frustrated lawyer who turned to writing. Hollywood has tended to improve the endings, eg, rewriting them to keep the lawyer practicing still (The Firm did this particularly well, it made Tom Cruise's character look even smarter). IMHO, his best book was Playing For Pizza - not a legal drama, I think he wrote it (or was inspired to write it) while on vacation in Italy, where he discovered a league that played American football. Good summer read.
2-Can
2025-03-24 15:49:56 +0000 UTCI enjoyed The Last Juror quite a bit. Maybe that one. A Time for Mercy is a sequel to A Time to Kill that wrestles with “what is justice?” in an interesting way. That would make an interesting movie.
Lyle Morgan
2025-03-24 15:48:41 +0000 UTCSo great to see this reaction to a movie I've wanted you to watch for quite awhile. Every performer was amazing. The story had the requisite lawerly twists and turns to keep one engaged. The ending left one angered, but it was also very wistful at the same time. I've read a bunch of John Grisham novels and stories, and the best to me were the ones that revolved around Ford County, MS. Of course that was the setting of A Time To Kill, the first "Ford County" story that Grisham wrote, but there is a prequel to that story and a few sequels and legal cases involving the same lawyer as that story. I just love that setting, and I wouldn't mind re-reading all of them.
MikeLL
2025-03-24 15:44:47 +0000 UTCYeah it’s a very underrated Pacino performance. And there is a bit of redemption that is needed because she did not like Michael last time she saw him.
Shehab Dawoud
2025-03-24 15:41:55 +0000 UTC"And a used car." 🤣
Zane From Canada
2025-03-24 15:40:29 +0000 UTCStrangely enough, I found JFK for free on Disney+ this weekend. A surprise to say the least.
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 15:36:02 +0000 UTC"I got the rose bushes, though. I mean, he got 3 million dollars but I got the rose bushes. I definitely got the rose bushes!"
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 15:32:39 +0000 UTCGodfather 3 is worth watching purely for Pacino. I'm pretty sure his portrayal of a world-weary Michael Corleone would appeal to Cassie.
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 15:31:19 +0000 UTCNope, you're correct about that. The Chamber (1996) with Chris O'Donnell and Gene Hackman. Another John Grisham novel. A young lawyer (O'Donnell) defends a death row inmate (Hackman) convicted of hate crimes. He, also, happens to be his grandfather. Very good underrated gem.
Zane From Canada
2025-03-24 15:28:23 +0000 UTCSaw this a long time ago, don't really remember it, so good time to revisit it! As for Coppola, he didn't do Lost in Translation, that was his daughter Sofia. And Sleepy Hollow was Tim Burton. But he did The Conversation, which should be your next Gene Hackman film. I'm also hoping for The Godfather Part 3. It's a big step down from the first 2, but I hope you'd want to wrap up Michael Corleone's arc.
Shehab Dawoud
2025-03-24 15:05:38 +0000 UTCNot probably, it absolutely was. But if you truly love cinema, you gotta have an admiration for the ambition of Megalopolis.
Shehab Dawoud
2025-03-24 15:02:34 +0000 UTCThese older films are just never shown on basic cable anymore, JFK still pops up from time to time. Films get forgotten quickly.
Joe
2025-03-24 14:52:15 +0000 UTCMaybe rename the channel to "Popcorn in Ergonomic Theater Chair"...just not as catchy I guess. 😆
Joe
2025-03-24 14:48:00 +0000 UTCMatt was fantastic in Team America. 😆
Joe
2025-03-24 14:41:05 +0000 UTCDid Chris O’Donnell do a movie like this or am I having a Mandela effect moment? Or maybe I had a stroke. Hard to say.
Shad Kanyak
2025-03-24 14:34:56 +0000 UTCThe only thing uglier than family fighting over a will is family fighting over a will that hasn't been updated or a nonexistent one. I've seen what happens in both cases. Which is why I'm thankful I'm an only child. "Where there's a will. There's a relative."
Zane From Canada
2025-03-24 14:28:08 +0000 UTC"One From the Heart"? Just kidding. I have never seen it, but it has a reputation as a terrible movie.
TheSingulatarian
2025-03-24 14:03:17 +0000 UTCHe was a baby in School Ties. Good Will Hunting is closer. He looked young in that.
Clay F
2025-03-24 13:51:41 +0000 UTC+1 for The Ousiders (1983). I also read the book when I was a kid.
Clay F
2025-03-24 13:49:04 +0000 UTCI do love The Client too. Rented the s-- outta that as a kid for some reason. Renfro was a millennial superstar back in the day. And Susan Sarandon is always good. Love her. (RIP Brad)
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 13:27:55 +0000 UTCThey don’t make movies like this anymore. This was hard to watch, very emotional because of the illness involved. But also satisfying.
Jason Henderson
2025-03-24 13:26:59 +0000 UTCBoth movies are around 45 years old and may not have been seen by many who are more familiar with more recent Courtroom movies such as Runaway Jury, The Lincoln Lawyer and The Client. Which could be a reason why they don't get a higher number of votes.
Shawn Kildal
2025-03-24 13:20:50 +0000 UTCThe first time I ever testified before a grand jury (1997 or 1998), I was sitting in the hallway outside the court room chatting with a TBI Agent (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation), waiting for my case to be called. The agent was aware it was my first time testifying and was regaling me with tales of grand juries past. Just before my case was called, he recalled how this same grand jury had no billed another white collar case. He said that one (or several, I misremember which) of the grand jurors had seen the victim arrive at the courthouse square in a brand new corvette. Supposedly, that was the reason they failed to return an indictment. They felt that the victim could afford the loss and refused to blame the defendant. I have no idea whether the story he told was true or just a cop screwing around with a first timer. But it WAS NOT what I wanted to hear mere moments before testifying before my first grand jury. I was shaken. Well, they returned an indictment, I testified for the first time at trial on that case about a year later, and the defendant was convicted (he was the attorney for a local industrial board and had stolen more than $100k from his client). Over the next 20 years, I testified countless times before boards of professional responsibility, gave depositions, testified before more grand juries than I could count and testified as an expert witness at several trials. And, after all that experience crammed into 20+ years, I was still nervous every time I testified.
Just Plain Bob
2025-03-24 13:19:27 +0000 UTCCongrats. That's awesome.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 13:18:16 +0000 UTCThis movie is for free on Pluto TV, but you have to suffer through ads.
MikeLL
2025-03-24 13:13:08 +0000 UTCAgreed. The Verdict is my favourite (of the remaining ones - you can't beat A Few Good Men), but Cassie would love Kramer.
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 13:11:17 +0000 UTCI really need to see that. And it's kind of weird that I haven't because I'm a huge FFC fan.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 13:09:01 +0000 UTCThose 90 ‘s movies Had a different feeling to them I feel ,that makes me nostalgic about my younger years. This one in particular reminded me of my young twenties for some reason. Very powerful, Very emotional, Very nostalgic, Great performance By Matt Damon ! One of my favourites! 🍿👍!
Jason Henderson
2025-03-24 13:08:46 +0000 UTCDo wish Kramer vs. Kramer had more support here. It's a classic.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 13:07:56 +0000 UTCTop 5 Courtroom movies of all time according to AFI are 1) To Kill a Mockingbird, 2) 12 Angry Men, 3) Kramer vs. Kramer, 4) The Verdict, 5) A Few Good Men. Hopefully, Cassie can squeeze in the remaining two unseen movies in the not-too-distant future
Shawn Kildal
2025-03-24 13:05:29 +0000 UTCfirst-rate cast in an excellent movie; never read the book but seeing the movie made we want to...it also reminded me of how great a feeling it is to pass the bar :)
JL_83
2025-03-24 13:03:35 +0000 UTCHi Cassie, you mentioned that you still need to watch Coppola's The Outsiders, and I want to ask you that if/when you do watch, please make a note to watch the "The Complete Novel" version. There is about 15 minutes that didn't make the theatrical release and that extra time really fills in some holes in the story, so people will better understand why the story unfolds the way it does, by the way the movie stars Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid) Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez , Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell and Diane Lane. They were all just getting started in their career. The story about the making of the movie is that students at a school in Fresno, CA. loved the book so much that the school Librarian wrote a letter to Francis Ford Coppola along with a petition of 15 pages of signatures saying that they wanted to see the book made into a movie and they chose him. Coppola was moved by the letter that he read the book and was impressed by the characters and their relationships. The rest is history...
Tara
2025-03-24 12:54:11 +0000 UTCClaire Danes best work, for me anyway, is her role in HOMELAND, the political thriller television series that aired on Showtime which ran for 7 seasons. The first few seasons were incredible and won multiple Emmy's and Golden Globe awards. If Cassie is looking for a new show to watch on her own, I'd highly recommend that.
Shawn Kildal
2025-03-24 12:53:59 +0000 UTCAs Chris noted below, Sofia Coppola (Francis Ford Coppola's daughter) directed Lost in Translation (2003) [hint PPOTM - Carly could join if she wanted]. Ambulance chasing can be illegal or at least unethical. Depends on the State. Danny Devito did good -- played his character well (a fairly likeable character). Matt Damon did look young, and "quietly strong" is a good characterization. Jon Voight did well. I love Claire Danes. She is excellent in the Showtime "Homeland" series (start 2011) (8 seasons) w/Damian Lewis (Winters of Band of Brothers) if you haven't seen it. You were attentive to and invested in the trial. I can tell you like this genre. The love between the Matt Damon and Claire Danes characters was sweet, and a good supplement to the attenton-grabbing trial in the movie. Roy Scheider [who played the Great Benefits CEO (Mr. Keeley) questioned on the stand] when younger was (1) the police chief in Jaws and (2) the partner of the Gene Hackman character in The French Connection. During Drummond's closing argument, you commented a couple of times: "This is your argument!?" Health care shouldn't only be for the rich.
Clay F
2025-03-24 12:49:06 +0000 UTCDang you're spot on that really is a baby Matt Damon. Had kind of forgotten how relatively close this was to School Ties. Pretty solid Branden Fraser movie if you haven't seen it yet. Baby Affleck makes an appearance too. But his character does kind of suck.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 12:47:23 +0000 UTCI did.
Clay F
2025-03-24 12:42:53 +0000 UTCThe elderly rich lady that he was helping prepare her will was played by Teresa Wright. Cassie has seen her before a couple of times. She played the young daughter in the movie The Best Years of Our Lives. She was also in the Christopher Reeve movie Somewhere In Time. She was the friend of the "older" Elise McKenna.
Shawn Kildal
2025-03-24 12:38:13 +0000 UTCWhat a story and very fascinating. That is nerve-racking to be on the stand. My friend adjudicates H-1Bs and one of her cases was part of an ICE investigation for H-1B visa fraud. I remember she was very nervous to appear in court to testify because it was her first time but the H-1B senior officers and Office of Chief Counsel prepped her and she did very well. I once got to sit in during an immigration court hearing. It was so interesting but one of our colleagues was making a fuss about charging her phone and asking one of the OPLA attorneys where she could plug it. The hearing was already in session and we were so embarrassed and couldn’t believe her audacity. I thought she was going to get kicked out but the judge was surprisingly patient.
Rose
2025-03-24 12:15:20 +0000 UTCShe has a special seat for it, but I doubt it's all that comfortable. Cassie probably thinks of them as "flat ass films".
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 12:08:31 +0000 UTCThe differing perspectives and life experiences of the members of this community are definitely one of its strong suits.
Just Plain Bob
2025-03-24 12:05:07 +0000 UTCCurious if she ever gets sore sitting in that same position for hours for us. JFK or that middle east 60's war movie couldn't have been particularly easy. Long ass films.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 12:03:50 +0000 UTCOh fascinating. Thanks for the response. I learn a ton in the comments on this channel and I'm very thankful for it.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 12:02:26 +0000 UTCKnew for a long time this is what you were looking for. Looking forward to watching this tonight. Thank You for including it, even though it came in 3rd.
Larry Darrell
2025-03-24 12:02:09 +0000 UTCFOR REAL. Pisses me off. I subscribe to like seven damn streamers and it's still not enough. It's like they know Cassie's channel intimately.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 11:59:46 +0000 UTCIt seems like 90% of the time your movie picks are ones that have to be purchased! I swear this stuff is free for months on most of the services until they go up for a vote to watch!
James Lewis
2025-03-24 11:58:07 +0000 UTCOnly because "And Justice For All" wasn't in the poll at all! ;)
bgb1975 (Brian)
2025-03-24 11:54:24 +0000 UTCA receivership is when a business (in this case, a not-for-profit) is doing so poorly (usually due to gross incompetence or embezzlement) that a judge appoints a third party (the receiver) to run the business - at least for while. In the case of privately held companies, the shareholders or partners have probably hired an attorney to represent their interests and ask a judge to take away the day-to-day operating of the business from whoever was in charge. In the case of not-for-profits, it’s usually the government that seeks the appointment of a receiver. Point being, the receiver is supposed to get the business back on its feet, with the idea being that it can eventually become autonomous again. In this case, the receiver also began embezzling money from the day cares. A subsequent investigation by a separate division of our office revealed he had been taking money from one company in receivership to pay the bills of others (a whole daisy chain of businesses - the old “robbing Peter to pay Paul”). At the time of the trial, we knew that he had done something wrong, but not the particulars or the extent. White collar crimes such as this typically take months or years to untangle. If memory serves, the receiver in this case did not face his legal comeuppance until almost five years later. At which time, he pled guilty to a reduced charge and was barred from acting as receiver. (Frequently, people that serve as receivers do so for several businesses. It’s a sort of specialty.)
Just Plain Bob
2025-03-24 11:54:22 +0000 UTCAny left that you would want to see turned into a movie?
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 11:50:24 +0000 UTCExcuse my ignorance but what is a receivership? And a receiver? Is that the party being sued?
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 11:49:45 +0000 UTCIt follows the book pretty closely. The book is probably my favorite of Grisham's. It is the funniest book I've ever read. I laughed out loud multiple times while reading it. It's so snarky.
Brent Petty
2025-03-24 11:37:52 +0000 UTCDid everyone recognize Randy Travis?
bgb1975 (Brian)
2025-03-24 11:14:09 +0000 UTCAh, but the BEST way to end courtroom week would be to watch THE VERDICT, which, because it finished 4th in the poll and the top 3 in said poll have been watched, now stands as THE number one requested courtroom drama you haven't watched yet. Repark your butt, Cassie. You know it makes sense even if I rarely do.
Clarence Newman
2025-03-24 11:13:05 +0000 UTCTrue courtroom story. For more than twenty years, I investigated allegations of public theft and corruption for my state’s Comptroller’s office. In the early 2000s, we investigated a number of publicly funded not-for-profit daycares in the Memphis area. We obtained indictments in several of these investigations. As with most indictments, the vast majority were pled out. But one rather sizable case went to trial. The daycares (which cared for hundreds of children each - they were huge) in question had been placed in receivership because of the subject’s alleged embezzlement and the daycares’ dire financial condition at the time. In the course of the receivership, the receiver found that the former daycare operator had continued to siphon off funds even after the indictment had been obtained and the day cares had been placed in receivership. However, in the course of our investigation, we discovered that the receiver ALSO began embezzling from the day care. As a result, neither side wanted to call him as a witness - the defense didn’t want to highlight the need for the receivership and the prosecution didn’t want to bring attention to the fact that the receiver had also taken money. So neither side called him to testify. At the conclusion of the trial, the daycare operator was found guilty of B felony theft (the highest grade of felony available in the state at the time - she stole several hundred thousand dollars). Our office supplied the special prosecutor for the case and I had both investigated and provided expert testimony (I’m a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner). Several months later, the prosecutor (with whom I worked for years) and I went back to Memphis for the sentencing hearing. Normally, I’m quite anxious about testifying. But, on this occasion, I had already been put thru the grinder at trial (testifying for a full day on two hours sleep - trials are exhausting), and wasn’t very nervous. I guess the prosecutor could tell because, as we left the breakfast table that morning at our hotel to make the two block walk to the courthouse/justice center, he looked me dead in the eye and said “Remember, cross is wide open!” That had the desired effect of raising my anxiety level (he wanted me on edge and alert). As it turned out, my testimony at sentencing was a piece of cake. But the defense had a surprise in store. They called the PROSECUTOR as a witness. None of us had ever even heard of such a thing before. As it turned out, they wanted to get him to testify to the malfeasance of the receiver and explain why he hadn’t called the receiver as a witness, a back door way of trying to minimize the perception of his client’s guilt. The judge didn’t allow the testimony when he saw where the defense was headed (trial strategy IS NOT a proper avenue of questioning). But it did afford me a rare opportunity. As the prosecutor (and long time colleague and friend) rose from the table to testify, I leaned in so only he could hear me and whispered, “Remember, Bill, cross is WIDE OPEN!” We laugh about that to this day, more than 20 years later.
Just Plain Bob
2025-03-24 11:01:39 +0000 UTCGrisham publishes a book a year. He’s hit or miss these days, but his first ten books or so, he had a 100 mph fastball. This is one of the first ten. It adheres closely to the novel.
Lyle Morgan
2025-03-24 10:57:41 +0000 UTCWas a nice day for sure. And with good weather to match. Also I had a teacher/coach in high school that used to write 'yeeeee' on the board everyday for no discernable reason and that just took me back. lol
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 10:45:04 +0000 UTCVery much worth seeing. Though I do think I may always remember her as Juliet.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 10:30:46 +0000 UTCI need to watch that movie! I remembered she got rave reviews for that role. Afterward she got into “Homeland” and I was hooked on that series for the first few seasons.
Rose
2025-03-24 10:29:44 +0000 UTCI woke up to a double feature?!?!...it is like you love us back or something Cass! Thank-you and your Rockstar crew. I think you guys are really cool and stuff...or whatever...I dunno how, If well...I dunno how to cool anymore... *hands your editor roses and runs away* ....Thankyou!!! Yeeee
Sean Kay
2025-03-24 10:29:40 +0000 UTCLost in Translation was actually directed by his daugher, Sophia. She's a serious talent in her own right. Very, very vibey, much like her father, but from a different perspective and with a softer touch.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 10:29:28 +0000 UTCNo love for Megalopolis?
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 10:20:22 +0000 UTCDid you ever see Temple Grandin on HBO? She was amazing in that.
Chris Thom
2025-03-24 10:19:30 +0000 UTCI forgot Claire Danes was in this movie. I just watched her and Billy Crudup in “Stage Beauty.” Can’t wait to watch this one after work.
Rose
2025-03-24 10:13:20 +0000 UTCI did read the book. It did follow the book relatively closely. One of the amazing things about the screenplay is that the first 50 pages or so of the novel is summarized during the opening credits!
MikeLL
2025-03-24 10:07:06 +0000 UTCCassie, you are really spoiling us this week! The Rainmaker is a really undervalued film. A perfect example of how ace casting and classy direction can elevate genre material.
Henry Graham
2025-03-24 10:03:55 +0000 UTCLittle baby Matt Damon...great courthouse film.
Steve Mercier
2025-03-24 10:03:32 +0000 UTCThe Rainmaker is one of my top 5 favorite books and it was my first Grisham read. They followed it very closely, as exact as possible for a 2-ish hour runtime!
Nathan Jasper, the Artist Formerly Known as Primary
2025-03-24 10:02:34 +0000 UTCThis was probably Francis Ford Coppola last great film
Brian McGovern
2025-03-24 10:02:17 +0000 UTC
