What other courtroom dramas should we check out? ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST: ua-cam.com/video/KdM6TpFE9Pw/v-deo.html TOP GUN: MAVERICK: ua-cam.com/video/dLJrcxWUUGY/v-deo.html
12 Angry Men Mr. Smith Goes To Washington To Kill A Mockingbird A Time To Kill The Verdict Primal Fear My Cousin Vinny And not necessarily a “courtoom drama”, but a great film nonetheless, is “JFK” by Oliver Stone, which is timely, as November 22nd marks the 60th anniversary of that fateful day. 🇺🇸🥀
My Cousin Vinny is not a drama, but it is a fantastic court movie and is regarded as one of the more accurate portrayals of a trial. They actually showed clips of it in my Evidence class.
True - 'Vinny' is actually taught in some Procedure classes. The Otto Preminger film ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959) has been called "probably the finest pure trial movies ever made" by Michael Asimow, UCLA Law Prof. and co-author of 'Reel Justice; The Courtroom Goes To The Movies' (2006), which was based on the 1958 novel from Mich. Supreme Court Justice Voelker writing under a pen name. Voelker was the defense attorney in the 1952 murder case in Big Bay, Michigan which the film largely details, with Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazara, Eve Arden, George C. Scott, etc. and filmed entirely in the U.P. - one of my favorites, has some laughs, some Duke Ellington jazz, and risque language (for the time) that had Mayor Daly of Chicago banning the film until Preminger took him to court and had Illinois Supremes strike down said ban.
“I want the truth!, You can’t handle the truth!” That will forever be one of the most iconic and famous lines ever. Plus Tom and Jack’s performance in the courtroom scene was incredible.
The scene between Cruise and Nicholson is amazing and that line is obviously a famous quote, but I can definitely say that there are many more famous movie quotes. The three most famous ones in my opinion are: 1.I AM YOUR FATHER 2. I'LL BE BACK 3. YOU SHALL NOT PASS I don't even have to write what movies these quotes are from, because everyone knows perfectly well which ones.
@balrog7252 The original post simply said this is one of the most famous lines, so nothing you said affects that. They did not say it is the most famous above all others, so there was no need for your disagreement.
@danielhaas9612 No, it isn't the truth. Lieutenant Kaffee literally used the truth to bust the colonel. He handled the truth just fine, in fact so well that he won the case.
As for me, the unsung hero amidst the star studded cast is Kevin Pollak. He's a wonderful actor, a hilarious comedian, and phenomenal impressionist. A man of many talents, kudos to you Mr. Pollak! GREAT reaction 🖒🖒
The great moment in this movie was when TC does his JN impression in front of probably one of the best JN impressionsist KP. He was smiling from ear to ear
I did NOT realize he's also Hockney in "The Usual Suspects" until Jen mentioned it here. Such incredibly different characters. Wooowww what a range this guy has as an actor! I took them as two entirely different people... *mind blown!*
There was a consideration of having a romance between Demi and Tom's characters but it was nixed early on. It was a push from the studio suits as both the screenwriter and actors hated the idea. They were thinking, "Really? You can't have a strong female in a film that isn't interested in romance plus it is against military rules of relationships in the chain of command.
15:52 Christopher Guest is such a phenomenal actor that even though I’m a big fan of his because of The Princess Bride and This Is Spinal Tap, I never recognize him in this role as the doctor. But I’m not alone. Christopher Guest is such a brilliant actor that Rob Reiner (who also directed A Few Good Men) famously said to Christopher Guest at the cast party for The Princess Bride something like, “Chris! Thanks so much for coming out to support the film!” - having totally forgotten that his friend and colleague Guest was IN THE FILM he’d just finished directing. Guest had so thoroughly become Count Rugen that Rob freaking Reiner, who’d directed Spinal Tap just a couple years earlier, had forgotten Guest was even in the movie. 🤦♀️😆😂🏆
Loved it! Would recommend "The Rainmaker" and "The Firm" for two more courtroom/legal flicks. Both are based on John Grisham books and have amazing casts!
19:15 It's disclosure. He HAS to do it, by law. Neither side is allowed any surprises in the courtroom. It gives both sides time to prepare for witnesses.
Everybody likes to give Cruise some much praise for his performance in this Yet Demi Moore kills it and goes toe to toe with Cruise. and is so very believeable as a female military officer. Much respect.
Wolfgang Bodison, who played Lance Corporal Dawson, was actually the location scout, and had never acted before, until Rob Reiner cast him, after reading the part
A Time to Kill (1996) is another great legal drama. Philadelphia (1993), The Film (1993) and the classic oldie To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) are definitely worth watching.
What I love about this film is that, while Jessop is clearly a monster, there's a lot of truth in what he says about how we need/want people like him to keep our enemies at bay. There's a lot of grey and nuance in the arguments. (Plus, of course, the performances are stellar!)
John Grisham did a lot of great courtroom drama books that got turned into movies - A Time to Kill, The Firm (also with Tom Cruise), The Client, Runaway Jury, and The Chamber were all great courtroom movies. The Pelican Brief happens outside the courtroom but is about law. Other movies not written by Grisham are 12 Angry Men, which is about jury deliberations, and Erin Brockovich, a true story also about law but it mostly takes place outside of a courtroom. Love this movie and your reaction to it! Always fun to hear Jack say YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! :D
Check out "My Cousin Vinny" for another great courtroom movie. Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei. One of my all-time favorites. Endlessly rewatchable and hilarious. Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for it! And it was well deserved.
Philadelphia, A Time to Kill, To Kill A Mockingbird, Witness For the Prosecution, Primal Fear, The Andersonville Trial, Sleepers, And Justice For All, and The Rainmaker are all great courtroom dramas. 12 Angry Men is not really a courtroom drama, there’s not much courtroom stuff, it’s more of a legal drama, but it is a better film than any of the others listed above - it’s one of the greatest movies ever made. Not to be missed.
17:53 "If she keeps her mouth shut." 🤣🤣🤣Thank you so much for saying this, Jen! Which goes back to the reason why the JAG didn't want Galloway to be lead counsel, "All passion, no street smarts." Almost everyone gives her a pass in this movie, but she nearly ruins everything. So, I find it refreshing to see a reactor point this out. She's lucky to be on the team, because she's not that good of a lawyer. "This better not be like, I'm pregnant." Oh My Goodness, I had to pause the reaction, because I could not stop laughing. You delivered that quip with such a serious look on your face. Brilliant! Thank you for this reaction, Jen. Delightful as always.
Another movie with a great cast...and another underrated performance by Kevin Pollak. I served in the Marine Corps and a lot of this is accurate. There are small things that are innacurate (Marines don't salute indoors or without their cover/hat, etc.).
The play was Aaron Sorkin's first produced work, and producer David Brown wanted to make it a movie directly instead of producing a play. Instead, Sorkin wanted a play produced and Brown produced it and began setting the deal for the film. The story was based on a real case that Sorkin's sister (who was a JAG officer) told him about. He changed a lot of stuff but it basically was based on a true case. Sorkin wrote the play while being a bartender in the theaters on Broadway during intermission. The film differs from the play, and that's is thanks to a few ghostwritten scenes by William Goldman (The Princess Bride, Misery, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid). Sorkin actually loved the contributions for the screenplay. The play starred Tom Hulce (Mozart in Amadeus) as Kaffee and Stephen Lang (Quaritch in Avatar, Ike Clanton in Tombstone). The role of Harold Dawson is the stuff of Hollywood dreamers...Wolfgang Bodison was working for Castle Rock and Rob Reiner as a location manager for the film, having worked his way up in the company. He had no designs on being an actor. However, Reiner could not find anyone to play Dawson, so he asked Bodison to read for the role, since Bodison had done some acting in school. When Bodison did the screen test reading, he blew everybody's socks off and was cast. He gives one of the best performances in the film (and that is saying something!). Dr. Stone in the courtroom scene is a frequent collaborator of Reiner's: Count Rugen, the Six-Fingered Man in The Princess Bride, as well as Nigel Tuftnel in, as well as co-writer of, This Is Spinal Tap. He has a lot of funny Spinal Tap, type mockumentaries he's made as writer-director-actor, Witing For Guffman, A Mighty Wind, and Best In Show. He is married to Jamie Lee Curtis. He is also a member of the British peerage holding the hereditary title as 5th Baron of Hadon-Guest (which makes him a Lord and Jamie a Lady, technically...but, Guest lost his seat in the House of Lords due to legislation and he has never played up his pedigree).
My Top Ten court-room dramas off the top of my head are: 1. Amistad 2. 12 Angry Men 3. JFK 4. The Hurricane 5. Courage Under Fire 6. Philidelphia 7. The Client 8. A Time to Kill 9. The Accused 10. A Cry In The Dark I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that left a lasting impression on me. I highly advise watching Amistad anyway. Amazing film.
A great reaction to a great movie. Jen, The reason the two defendants were dishonorably discharged is because, in the military, you're required to disobey any illegal order. They should have refused to conduct the Code Red. My cousin Vinny (1992) is a great legal comedy and The Bucket List (2008) is a good, underrated comedy starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
"Because they stand on a wall, and they say nothing's gonna hurt you tonight. Not on my watch". Love it. I was one of those on the wall a very long time ago. That line gets me every time.
You mean the Cubans might want THEIR territory back? Who else is coming over that wall when all they have to do is wade across the Rio Grande and get put on a bus to New York?
@@escapetheratracenow9883 Ahhh, a Trumper I bet. Hey are you angry that he used his influence over his bootlicking GOPers to stop the comprehensive border security bill or no?
I am SO glad to see you review this movie. You're a great reactor and I always like it when you watch a good one that I know well. Keep up the great work Jen!!!
If you want a good courtroom drama, I highly recommend The Rainmaker. It’s based on a John Grisham novel and Matt Damon’s first lead role (same year as Good Will Hunting).
One thing to remember this was a military court, the rules are not the same. Often cases don't even go to a jag but a senior officer. With navy or marines this may be a Captain's Mast. With the CO acting as judge and other officers handling the case without legal backgrounds. Durring war counsel may be waived alltogether and summary judgements. Normal cases it is standard to question the witnesses credibility but in military as they mentioned (Tom) risked going to jail to push like he did. Had he not confessed (Tom) would been charged.
Thanks jen this was a play originally same guy wrote the screenplay. ( edit you noticed) His tv show the west wing was incredible. Set in the white House. Nicholson is only in 3 scenes. .
Both my rewatch picks today have been belters 🔥 magnificent commentry on both jen noone comes close to you in reaction world noone FACTS 🙌 amazing cast in this one and so young too , i always forget keifer Sutherland is in this movie jack bauer himself, love 24 . Outstanding reaction jen a small tip is the least your awesomeness deserves 🔥💙🔥💙
Part II 😁 Just quick scanned your channel and didn't see any Courtroom stuff sooo 12 ANGRY MEN is a 1957 Courtroom drama a few reactors enjoyed and I truly believe BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT 🧐 you will enjoy it as well!! Peace 🕊️☮️
What do they have at the bottom of their "guns" you asked? Looks like a silver colored buttplate. That particular type of rifle I believe is the Springfield 1903 rifle used in the older Drill Marine ceremonies. Today, the Silent Drill Platoon uses the M1 Garand. From an offier perspective, transfering a Soldier is saying that you could not help him, and that makes you look bad indicating that you can not have your subordinates effectively train your Soldiers. This makes it look like you are unable to properly deligate authority and when you are going for an increase in rank, you want everything you do to be unblemished. If they really wanted to get rid of this guy, they could have just chaptered him for FTA (Failure to Adapt) and get him out of the Corps. Oh and btw, I dont know any full bird Colonel who really knows EVERY lower enlisted Soldier (E1-E4) in their Battalion or Brigade, so COL Jessup having a vested interest in retaining this Soldier and knowing him is highly suspect. Really enjoy your content.
Ooh. I JUST finished watching a reaction to Grumpy Old Men (1993), which has Kevin Pollak (the third lawyer on the defense team in this) also. Definitely worth a reaction if you haven't seen/done it already.
Yet another small galaxy in the Christopher Guest and Rob Reiner movie-verse. It began with "This Is Spinal Tap" with Guest playing the part of Nigel and continued with "The Princess Bride" where he was the six fingered man. He was the doctor in this film. This Is Spinal Tap also launched the Christopher Guest movie-verse. More courtroom movies you say"....? "My Cousin Vinny" is what you are looking for.
This is not my normal style of comment Jen, but I felt something Iike this needs to be said. As someone who has been around the military most of their life, I believe that you would've done very well in the military Jen. Dedicated, thorough, strives to do a job well done, reliable...and so on. These are qualities that you can be proud of Jen. Thanks for the great reaction...Eric 😊😊
An overlooked courtroom drama is 'Presumed Innocent" with Harrison Ford. Also 'Anatomy of a Murder' with James Stewart and Ben Gazzara and Lee Remmick.
Watched your reaction on the weekend Jen and as always it was superb 👌 such a good movie I do love a courtroom movie probably why I like sleepers and my cousin Vinny so much 🙂 cheers for the awesome reaction Jen you're the best
This is one of my favourite movies, ever! As a result, when I bought a 4K TV and a 4K Blu-Ray player, this was one of the first movies I bought on the format.
Wowza! I got busy this past week and fell behind, so this fine Saturday morning I get a Triple-Feature of awesome movies with Jen & her Serious Girl Spectacles. Can't think of a better way to start the day. Cheers and Happy Weekend from the East Coast. 🥃☮❤
Great movie, Jen, I enjoyed watching with you. I forgot Christopher Guest had a part in this, but it's not surprising since Reiner directed "This is Spinal Tap," where Guest played one of the three main roles. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin was the creative genius behind "The West Wing" series.
@@asterix7842 Yes, that's right, another Reiner/Guest collaboration. I've read that they first met when Guest did a one-episode part on All in the Family.
If you like court room dramas, give "Anatomy of a Murder" a shot. Jimmy Stewart in the lead, the fantastic Eve Arden as his assistant, George C. Scott as the prosecuting attorney, and Duke Ellington on the soundtrack (and in a cameo as a local jazz band leader), based on a book written by a then-sitting member of the Supreme Court of Michigan (spot on representation of a trial, albeit under the rules of evidence of the State of Michigan prior to the U.S. Supreme Court's application of the entire Bill of Rights to Stare criminal cases via the 14th Amendment). This film inspired me, in great part, to go to law school, and now I'm a Philadelphia lawyer (that's a reference to a line in the film, although I am actually a lawyer based in Philadelphia ;-)). Enjoy!
I ithought I was going to be in the Canadian Army because of this movie. I realised not long after that I was obsessed with the court room and not the army lol. Thanks again for the reactions Jen! Lovely as always :)
Great movie. You should see other legal dramas like Rainmaker 1997 or Civil Action . Also a great lawyer movie with Tom Cruz is The Firm. and Murder At First 1995 a movie based on true movie about injustice. Also Erin Brucvich is a great movie. Fyi I recently learned the real story that this movie is based on is very strange and shocking for one thing the Santiago character did not die. The Dawson character dies in a real strange way. Also a great boxing movie with the Downey (James Marshell) character is Gladiator 1992.
This is such a great movie! Great characters, well portrayed... all around greatness. Another good courtroom drama is "The Verdict", with Paul Newman, if you want to check it out
This is actually loosely based on a true story. However in the real event the victim didn’t die, it was 10 Marines that attacked him & 3 actually went to trial. The ones who went to trial weren’t discharged. Also, after getting an honorable discharge one of them was found murdered & his case was featured on Unsolved Mysteries but to this day his murder is still a cold case.
"Anatomy of a Murder" is a GREAT courtroom drama from 1959. It was the first film that was allowed to use the word "panties" under the old Production Code. Also there is "Twelve Angry Men" which many reactors have done here on YT because it's such a great film that almost won the Oscar that year. It lost to the spectacular war/POW drama "The Bridge on the River Kwai." And of course there is "To Kill a Mockingbird," which i think most Americans view in high school nowadays. But it's the classic of all courtroom classics.
The exterior courthouse scenes were filmed at St. Elizabeths in Anacostia, D.C. which is in the heart of the war zone. It used to be the U.S. Government Hospital for the Insane, dating back to the Civil War. Beautiful grounds. I was working security about 100 yards away at a facility for criminally insane detained illegals, mostly Cubans. The "Marines" performing drill were actually the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.
Jen, LOVED your Reaction here, Reflecting on your recent Trek journey (whether for your personal enjoyment or if you choose to share) You might want to consider as a TOS Trek addendum the following episodes in the realm of courtroom drama : COURTMARTIAL (Kirk is courtmartiailed by Starfleet Command) A WOLF IN THE FOLD, (Scotty is prosecuted for committing a brutal murder) THE DEADLY YEARS (Spock prosecutes Kirk in a courtmartial), THE MENAGERIE PARTS 1 and 2 (Spock is Courtmartialed for mutiny), TURNABOUT INTRUDER (Kirk prosecutes his top Enterprise officers charged with mutiny) This episode carries the added distinction of being the FINAL episode filmed of TOS
Kiefer Sutherland in an interview said they were all there for that final scene just watching it amazed at Tom and jack acting even Bruce Willis was there
Aww, this is one of my favorite movies!! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it. The Pelican Brief is another great courtroom drama with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington.
My favorite courtroom drama is Presumed Innocent (1990) headlined by Harrison Ford in his prime and co-starring, Bonnie Bedelia as Ford's wife, who is excellent in this role.
Some great court room dramas for you Jen; 12 Angry Men(1957), Presumed Innocent (1990), The Verdict(1982), The Rainmaker (1997) and In The Name Of The Father (1993).
You may like "The American President" as well as it was written by Aaron Sorkin. He writes great dialog. He also wrote the TV show "The West Wing " which is excellent. You may also like "The Newsroom" or "Studio Sixty on the Sunset Strip".
I've been to GITMO as a Marine, to both the Windward and Leeward sides of the base. You do indeed have to take a ferry to get across the bay to the other side of the base. I've also been along the fence line. I was there before the movie came out, and the Marines there are a great bunch of guys. These guys are not your typical active-duty grunts, they are Barracks Marines. I never encountered any really fanatical behavior, but they were pretty high-strung. The term we used was "high speed, low drag". I never understood how Markinson got his hands on that Dress Blue Uniform he put on before he was to appear as a witness for the Defense. He simply disappeared from the base, so it's doubtful he packed a change of uniforms. Especially since the court appearance was in his Dress A's. Kaffee was right; how to did Markinson get his hands on the Mameluke Officers sword, and a chrome-plated 9mm pistol?
They are not considered felons in the civilian word, but the dishonorable discharge and the conviction would disqualify them from any federal job and a lot of civilian jobs. It pretty much has the same effect in the civilian world.
Stacked cast, amazing performance and a great script -- and of course Jack steals the show in the few minutes he had onscreen! It's been reported that he delivered the same intensity in the "you can't handle the truth" scene for take after take, even on the reverse shots when he didn't even need to be there. He told Rob Reiner (who was concerned that all these takes would burn him out), "You don't understand, I love to act." He seems like a pretty chill guy too!
"I'm sorry I lost your set of steak knives." Seriously?? You're gonna lay a guilt trip on him for not wanting to go to jail. Someone needs to do an alternate ending where Col Jessup doesn't crack. Where he just plays it cool. "DID YOU ORDER THE CODE RED?!?!?!"... ... ... "no."
cool reaction to a great movie Jen. The trial is amazing and having the military angle in the story just adds more greatness. For more great court room drama, check out the SHARK series staring James Woods.
Aaron Sorkin is a brilliant writer, definitely in my all-time Top 5. I would also highly recommend his TV series "The West Wing" and "The Newsroom", both excellent shows.
Such a great film! I love it, and have seen it so many times. Not sure if trials really play out that way, but so many memorable moments. Thanks for the reaction, Jen!
I love seeing people go back in Tom Cruise's back catalog of films and appreciate that he was (well, still is LBR) a damn fine capital A Actor before being Mister Action Movie. If you wanna see the other movie where Tom gets his lawyer on, I 110% recommend 'The Firm' - It's less a courtroom drama and more of a crime/investigative thriller, but it's fantastic all the same. And of course, he runs.
Tom Cruise gets overlooked for his acting abilities. To stand toe to toe with Jack in that course scene shows he can deliver when needed. Your commentary is always great. I watched both the Patreon Full Length and UA-cam versions with you (always). You're just that good at what you do. Thanks for all the hard work and time you and your team put in to brighten our days.
Great reaction Jen. You're awesome and I appreciate how you love the music too! Often times, I figured you've already watched these classic movies but I guess that just means I need to watch every one of your reactions so I can get caught up on what you've seen and what you haven't seen.
What other courtroom dramas should we check out?
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST: ua-cam.com/video/KdM6TpFE9Pw/v-deo.html
TOP GUN: MAVERICK: ua-cam.com/video/dLJrcxWUUGY/v-deo.html
12 Angry Men
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
To Kill A Mockingbird
A Time To Kill
The Verdict
Primal Fear
My Cousin Vinny
And not necessarily a “courtoom drama”, but a great film nonetheless, is “JFK” by Oliver Stone, which is timely, as November 22nd marks the 60th anniversary of that fateful day. 🇺🇸🥀
My Cousin Vinny
One of my favorite movies
12 angry men , primal fear , the verdict. Paths to glory .
'A Time to Kill' is good as well as Suspect. Just saying...😊
My Cousin Vinny is not a drama, but it is a fantastic court movie and is regarded as one of the more accurate portrayals of a trial. They actually showed clips of it in my Evidence class.
True - 'Vinny' is actually taught in some Procedure classes. The Otto Preminger film ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959) has been called "probably the finest pure trial movies ever made" by Michael Asimow, UCLA Law Prof. and co-author of 'Reel Justice; The Courtroom Goes To The Movies' (2006), which was based on the 1958 novel from Mich. Supreme Court Justice Voelker writing under a pen name. Voelker was the defense attorney in the 1952 murder case in Big Bay, Michigan which the film largely details, with Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazara, Eve Arden, George C. Scott, etc. and filmed entirely in the U.P. - one of my favorites, has some laughs, some Duke Ellington jazz, and risque language (for the time) that had Mayor Daly of Chicago banning the film until Preminger took him to court and had Illinois Supremes strike down said ban.
Yep. Its in that category of movies that you can watch again and again and never get sick of it. Like Back to the Future, Terminator 2, etc.
Just don't say "yoots."
“I want the truth!, You can’t handle the truth!” That will forever be one of the most iconic and famous lines ever. Plus Tom and Jack’s performance in the courtroom scene was incredible.
The scene between Cruise and Nicholson is amazing and that line is obviously a famous quote, but I can definitely say that there are many more famous movie quotes.
The three most famous ones in my opinion are:
1.I AM YOUR FATHER
2. I'LL BE BACK
3. YOU SHALL NOT PASS
I don't even have to write what movies these quotes are from, because everyone knows perfectly well which ones.
@balrog7252 The original post simply said this is one of the most famous lines, so nothing you said affects that. They did not say it is the most famous above all others, so there was no need for your disagreement.
Famous because it's true, many people will not like that, but it is true.
unfortunately also one of the most parodied...
@danielhaas9612 No, it isn't the truth. Lieutenant Kaffee literally used the truth to bust the colonel. He handled the truth just fine, in fact so well that he won the case.
As for me, the unsung hero amidst the star studded cast is Kevin Pollak. He's a wonderful actor, a hilarious comedian, and phenomenal impressionist. A man of many talents, kudos to you Mr. Pollak!
GREAT reaction 🖒🖒
The great moment in this movie was when TC does his JN impression in front of probably one of the best JN impressionsist KP. He was smiling from ear to ear
I did NOT realize he's also Hockney in "The Usual Suspects" until Jen mentioned it here. Such incredibly different characters. Wooowww what a range this guy has as an actor! I took them as two entirely different people... *mind blown!*
"This better not be 'I'm pregnant."
Jen, you should be pitching for Kaffee's softball team, because that was a hell of a curveball. 😆
There was a consideration of having a romance between Demi and Tom's characters but it was nixed early on. It was a push from the studio suits as both the screenwriter and actors hated the idea. They were thinking, "Really? You can't have a strong female in a film that isn't interested in romance plus it is against military rules of relationships in the chain of command.
Jen is a crack-up! Right out of left field, to continue the baseball analogy.
@@bjgandalf69 Good choice. Today, the studios would be pushing for a romance between Kaffee and Jack Ross.
Had me laughing 😂
My first thought was 'Jesus, they haven't even had sex.'
For an accurate courtroom drama with a touch of humour in it, I can highly recommend "My Cousin Vinny".
After all, it’s a favorite of the utes of America.
@@michaelsegriff3362 ...of the "whats" of America?
@@joehoy9242 Answer me one question joe: did you see the movie?
Jen, Please conside "My Cousin Vinny" great court room trial as well as just a great movie! You'll love it...
15:52 Christopher Guest is such a phenomenal actor that even though I’m a big fan of his because of The Princess Bride and This Is Spinal Tap, I never recognize him in this role as the doctor.
But I’m not alone. Christopher Guest is such a brilliant actor that Rob Reiner (who also directed A Few Good Men) famously said to Christopher Guest at the cast party for The Princess Bride something like, “Chris! Thanks so much for coming out to support the film!” - having totally forgotten that his friend and colleague Guest was IN THE FILM he’d just finished directing.
Guest had so thoroughly become Count Rugen that Rob freaking Reiner, who’d directed Spinal Tap just a couple years earlier, had forgotten Guest was even in the movie. 🤦♀️😆😂🏆
Loved it! Would recommend "The Rainmaker" and "The Firm" for two more courtroom/legal flicks. Both are based on John Grisham books and have amazing casts!
Good call, The Rainmaker is superb. And reacting to The Firm is an offer you can't refuse...
The newest Mission impossible "Dead reckoning" is streaming now ..
Have you seen 12 Angry Men (1957)?.....if not it's a must-see classic 😁
19:15 It's disclosure. He HAS to do it, by law. Neither side is allowed any surprises in the courtroom. It gives both sides time to prepare for witnesses.
"A Civil Action" with John Travolta and Robert Duvall is another one with some great courtroom scenes.
Everybody likes to give Cruise some much praise for his performance in this Yet Demi Moore kills it and goes toe to toe with Cruise. and is so very believeable as a female military officer. Much respect.
Moore is freakin awesome. She delivers a fabulous performance, no wonder she was a big celeb star back in the day.
Wolfgang Bodison, who played Lance Corporal Dawson, was actually the location scout, and had never acted before, until Rob Reiner cast him, after reading the part
A Time to Kill (1996) is another great legal drama. Philadelphia (1993), The Film (1993) and the classic oldie To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) are definitely worth watching.
What I love about this film is that, while Jessop is clearly a monster, there's a lot of truth in what he says about how we need/want people like him to keep our enemies at bay. There's a lot of grey and nuance in the arguments. (Plus, of course, the performances are stellar!)
"This better not be I'm pregnant." Hahahaha! I'm dead.
John Grisham did a lot of great courtroom drama books that got turned into movies - A Time to Kill, The Firm (also with Tom Cruise), The Client, Runaway Jury, and The Chamber were all great courtroom movies. The Pelican Brief happens outside the courtroom but is about law. Other movies not written by Grisham are 12 Angry Men, which is about jury deliberations, and Erin Brockovich, a true story also about law but it mostly takes place outside of a courtroom.
Love this movie and your reaction to it! Always fun to hear Jack say YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! :D
"That guy" from The Usual Suspects and The Whole Nine Yards is Kevin Pollack, a brilliant comedian and damn good actor.
Primal Fear, 12 Angry Men and Runaway Jury are among my personal favourites when it comes to courtroom dramas. "Fractured" is also a very good one.
Judas and the black messiah
And trial of chicago 7 of course
...but 12 Angry Men doesn't take place in the courtroom. :D
This has to be my most watched movie of all time. Anytime flipping through the channels, and it's on...I'm watching it.
Check out "My Cousin Vinny" for another great courtroom movie. Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei. One of my all-time favorites. Endlessly rewatchable and hilarious. Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for it! And it was well deserved.
“AS GOOD AS IT GETS “ is a great movie with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt , different role for Jack … some romance too.
Nominated for 4 Oscars including Best Picture, but lost to Unforgiven.
"I WANT THE TRUTH!"
"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"
If you have to lose, that certainly is not a bad film to lose to.
A Few Good Men is a very good movie, but I would've been shocked had it won Best Picture.
Philadelphia, A Time to Kill, To Kill A Mockingbird, Witness For the Prosecution, Primal Fear, The Andersonville Trial, Sleepers, And Justice For All, and The Rainmaker are all great courtroom dramas. 12 Angry Men is not really a courtroom drama, there’s not much courtroom stuff, it’s more of a legal drama, but it is a better film than any of the others listed above - it’s one of the greatest movies ever made. Not to be missed.
17:53 "If she keeps her mouth shut." 🤣🤣🤣Thank you so much for saying this, Jen!
Which goes back to the reason why the JAG didn't want Galloway to be lead counsel, "All passion, no street smarts." Almost everyone gives her a pass in this movie, but she nearly ruins everything. So, I find it refreshing to see a reactor point this out. She's lucky to be on the team, because she's not that good of a lawyer.
"This better not be like, I'm pregnant." Oh My Goodness, I had to pause the reaction, because I could not stop laughing. You delivered that quip with such a serious look on your face. Brilliant!
Thank you for this reaction, Jen. Delightful as always.
Two other good court room dramas: Philadelphia (Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington) and Primal Fear (Richard Gere, Edward Norton). Both are great.
Another movie with a great cast...and another underrated performance by Kevin Pollak. I served in the Marine Corps and a lot of this is accurate. There are small things that are innacurate (Marines don't salute indoors or without their cover/hat, etc.).
The play was Aaron Sorkin's first produced work, and producer David Brown wanted to make it a movie directly instead of producing a play. Instead, Sorkin wanted a play produced and Brown produced it and began setting the deal for the film. The story was based on a real case that Sorkin's sister (who was a JAG officer) told him about. He changed a lot of stuff but it basically was based on a true case. Sorkin wrote the play while being a bartender in the theaters on Broadway during intermission. The film differs from the play, and that's is thanks to a few ghostwritten scenes by William Goldman (The Princess Bride, Misery, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid). Sorkin actually loved the contributions for the screenplay. The play starred Tom Hulce (Mozart in Amadeus) as Kaffee and Stephen Lang (Quaritch in Avatar, Ike Clanton in Tombstone).
The role of Harold Dawson is the stuff of Hollywood dreamers...Wolfgang Bodison was working for Castle Rock and Rob Reiner as a location manager for the film, having worked his way up in the company. He had no designs on being an actor. However, Reiner could not find anyone to play Dawson, so he asked Bodison to read for the role, since Bodison had done some acting in school. When Bodison did the screen test reading, he blew everybody's socks off and was cast. He gives one of the best performances in the film (and that is saying something!).
Dr. Stone in the courtroom scene is a frequent collaborator of Reiner's: Count Rugen, the Six-Fingered Man in The Princess Bride, as well as Nigel Tuftnel in, as well as co-writer of, This Is Spinal Tap. He has a lot of funny Spinal Tap, type mockumentaries he's made as writer-director-actor, Witing For Guffman, A Mighty Wind, and Best In Show. He is married to Jamie Lee Curtis. He is also a member of the British peerage holding the hereditary title as 5th Baron of Hadon-Guest (which makes him a Lord and Jamie a Lady, technically...but, Guest lost his seat in the House of Lords due to legislation and he has never played up his pedigree).
Several commenters have recommended Primal Fear (1996). I strongly agree. It was Edward Norton's first film role and he did quite a good job!
"I WANT THE TRUTH" "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH"
My Top Ten court-room dramas off the top of my head are:
1. Amistad
2. 12 Angry Men
3. JFK
4. The Hurricane
5. Courage Under Fire
6. Philidelphia
7. The Client
8. A Time to Kill
9. The Accused
10. A Cry In The Dark
I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that left a lasting impression on me. I highly advise watching Amistad anyway. Amazing film.
A great reaction to a great movie.
Jen, The reason the two defendants were dishonorably discharged is because, in the military, you're required to disobey any illegal order. They should have refused to conduct the Code Red.
My cousin Vinny (1992) is a great legal comedy and The Bucket List (2008) is a good, underrated comedy starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
JEN CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
"Because they stand on a wall, and they say nothing's gonna hurt you tonight. Not on my watch". Love it. I was one of those on the wall a very long time ago. That line gets me every time.
Thank you
Thank you for your service.
Yeah those dastardly Cubans would surely invade any day now if not for the base in Guantanamo Bay... ;)
You mean the Cubans might want THEIR territory back? Who else is coming over that wall when all they have to do is wade across the Rio Grande and get put on a bus to New York?
@@escapetheratracenow9883 Ahhh, a Trumper I bet. Hey are you angry that he used his influence over his bootlicking GOPers to stop the comprehensive border security bill or no?
I am SO glad to see you review this movie. You're a great reactor and I always like it when you watch a good one that I know well. Keep up the great work Jen!!!
If you want a good courtroom drama, I highly recommend The Rainmaker. It’s based on a John Grisham novel and Matt Damon’s first lead role (same year as Good Will Hunting).
One thing to remember this was a military court, the rules are not the same. Often cases don't even go to a jag but a senior officer. With navy or marines this may be a Captain's Mast. With the CO acting as judge and other officers handling the case without legal backgrounds. Durring war counsel may be waived alltogether and summary judgements. Normal cases it is standard to question the witnesses credibility but in military as they mentioned (Tom) risked going to jail to push like he did. Had he not confessed (Tom) would been charged.
The iconic military courtroom dramas include Paths of Glory (early Kubrick) and Breaker Morant.
Thanks jen this was a play originally same guy wrote the screenplay. ( edit you noticed)
His tv show the west wing was incredible. Set in the white House.
Nicholson is only in 3 scenes. .
Both my rewatch picks today have been belters 🔥 magnificent commentry on both jen noone comes close to you in reaction world noone FACTS 🙌 amazing cast in this one and so young too , i always forget keifer Sutherland is in this movie jack bauer himself, love 24 . Outstanding reaction jen a small tip is the least your awesomeness deserves 🔥💙🔥💙
Thanks Ian! ☺️👍
An iconic film. I can tell you that for (British) Army Lawyers this was their absolute favourite, and often quoted.
Do those lawyers talk about the doctor's medical malpractice and negligence?!
Part II 😁 Just quick scanned your channel and didn't see any Courtroom stuff sooo 12 ANGRY MEN is a 1957 Courtroom drama a few reactors enjoyed and I truly believe BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT 🧐 you will enjoy it as well!! Peace 🕊️☮️
What do they have at the bottom of their "guns" you asked? Looks like a silver colored buttplate. That particular type of rifle I believe is the Springfield 1903 rifle used in the older Drill Marine ceremonies. Today, the Silent Drill Platoon uses the M1 Garand. From an offier perspective, transfering a Soldier is saying that you could not help him, and that makes you look bad indicating that you can not have your subordinates effectively train your Soldiers. This makes it look like you are unable to properly deligate authority and when you are going for an increase in rank, you want everything you do to be unblemished. If they really wanted to get rid of this guy, they could have just chaptered him for FTA (Failure to Adapt) and get him out of the Corps. Oh and btw, I dont know any full bird Colonel who really knows EVERY lower enlisted Soldier (E1-E4) in their Battalion or Brigade, so COL Jessup having a vested interest in retaining this Soldier and knowing him is highly suspect. Really enjoy your content.
It's worth noting that the team in this movie is not the USMC SDP.
They used the Texas A&M Fish Drill Team, hence the Springfield 1903's.
Ooh. I JUST finished watching a reaction to Grumpy Old Men (1993), which has Kevin Pollak (the third lawyer on the defense team in this) also.
Definitely worth a reaction if you haven't seen/done it already.
Another great court room movie - "To Kill a Mockingbird" with Gregory Peck.
Yet another small galaxy in the Christopher Guest and Rob Reiner movie-verse. It began with "This Is Spinal Tap" with Guest playing the part of Nigel and continued with "The Princess Bride" where he was the six fingered man. He was the doctor in this film. This Is Spinal Tap also launched the Christopher Guest movie-verse.
More courtroom movies you say"....? "My Cousin Vinny" is what you are looking for.
This is not my normal style of comment Jen, but I felt something Iike this needs to be said. As someone who has been around the military most of their life, I believe that you would've done very well in the military Jen. Dedicated, thorough, strives to do a job well done, reliable...and so on. These are qualities that you can be proud of Jen. Thanks for the great reaction...Eric 😊😊
Thanks Eric :)
@jenmurrayxo Jenny what happened to Infinity War and End Game? Was going to watch tonight but I think UA-cam took them down 😢.
An overlooked courtroom drama is 'Presumed Innocent" with Harrison Ford. Also 'Anatomy of a Murder' with James Stewart and Ben Gazzara and Lee Remmick.
Hart's War is an underrated movie that features some courtroom drama.
Watched your reaction on the weekend Jen and as always it was superb 👌 such a good movie I do love a courtroom movie probably why I like sleepers and my cousin Vinny so much 🙂 cheers for the awesome reaction Jen you're the best
Being raised in a family of Marines I had to go watch this when it was released 😉. Good movie, great acting & directing.
14:32 Its also a Marine's duty to disobey any orders that are unlawful. (I served from 99-03)
This is one of my favourite movies, ever! As a result, when I bought a 4K TV and a 4K Blu-Ray player, this was one of the first movies I bought on the format.
Seriously love your channel Jen. Enjoy your reactions a lot no matter what you're watching.
Thanks, that's so nice to hear!
Wowza! I got busy this past week and fell behind, so this fine Saturday morning I get a Triple-Feature of awesome movies with Jen & her Serious Girl Spectacles.
Can't think of a better way to start the day. Cheers and Happy Weekend from the East Coast. 🥃☮❤
Great movie, Jen, I enjoyed watching with you. I forgot Christopher Guest had a part in this, but it's not surprising since Reiner directed "This is Spinal Tap," where Guest played one of the three main roles. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin was the creative genius behind "The West Wing" series.
He was also Count Rugan in The Princess Bride.
@@asterix7842 Yes, that's right, another Reiner/Guest collaboration. I've read that they first met when Guest did a one-episode part on All in the Family.
If you like court room dramas, give "Anatomy of a Murder" a shot. Jimmy Stewart in the lead, the fantastic Eve Arden as his assistant, George C. Scott as the prosecuting attorney, and Duke Ellington on the soundtrack (and in a cameo as a local jazz band leader), based on a book written by a then-sitting member of the Supreme Court of Michigan (spot on representation of a trial, albeit under the rules of evidence of the State of Michigan prior to the U.S. Supreme Court's application of the entire Bill of Rights to Stare criminal cases via the 14th Amendment). This film inspired me, in great part, to go to law school, and now I'm a Philadelphia lawyer (that's a reference to a line in the film, although I am actually a lawyer based in Philadelphia ;-)).
Enjoy!
I ithought I was going to be in the Canadian Army because of this movie. I realised not long after that I was obsessed with the court room and not the army lol.
Thanks again for the reactions Jen! Lovely as always :)
When you need autocorrect it doesn't show up.
I'm very sure you enjoyed this one. Classic Court room drama with Tom at his best. Supporting cast is aces! Superb pick and Thanks very much!
12 Angry men is a fantastic drama it's an older movie but it really has stood the test of time.
This is one of my favorite legal movies. Such great writing and performances all around. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
LOL I prefer illegal movies.
You'll love The Firm, also The Rainmaker, Runaway Jury, and The Lincoln Lawyer (2011). They're all awesome!!
Great movie. You should see other legal dramas like Rainmaker 1997 or Civil Action . Also a great lawyer movie with Tom Cruz is The Firm. and Murder At First 1995 a movie based on true movie about injustice. Also Erin Brucvich is a great movie. Fyi I recently learned the real story that this movie is based on is very strange and shocking for one thing the Santiago character did not die. The Dawson character dies in a real strange way. Also a great boxing movie with the Downey (James Marshell) character is Gladiator 1992.
For courtroom dramas I would suggest "The Verdict" and "Presumed Innocent".
This is such a great movie! Great characters, well portrayed... all around greatness. Another good courtroom drama is "The Verdict", with Paul Newman, if you want to check it out
One of my all-time favorites. Super excited for this reaction.
I just want to give props to Kevin Pollak, he is one of the best character actors in the business. He has been in dozens of great films.
This is actually loosely based on a true story. However in the real event the victim didn’t die, it was 10 Marines that attacked him & 3 actually went to trial. The ones who went to trial weren’t discharged. Also, after getting an honorable discharge one of them was found murdered & his case was featured on Unsolved Mysteries but to this day his murder is still a cold case.
A great old-school legal drama is 13 Angry Men starring Henry Fonda. Another great rousing law-related drama is Erin Brockovich.
It's 12 Angry Men.
@@JenniferM13 Ack, typo, didn't catch it, thanks
An excellent courtroom drama. And even though Nicholson's screen time is brief, his performance is incredible.
"Anatomy of a Murder" is a GREAT courtroom drama from 1959. It was the first film that was allowed to use the word "panties" under the old Production Code.
Also there is "Twelve Angry Men" which many reactors have done here on YT because it's such a great film that almost won the Oscar that year. It lost to the spectacular war/POW drama "The Bridge on the River Kwai."
And of course there is "To Kill a Mockingbird," which i think most Americans view in high school nowadays. But it's the classic of all courtroom classics.
The exterior courthouse scenes were filmed at St. Elizabeths in Anacostia, D.C. which is in the heart of the war zone. It used to be the U.S. Government Hospital for the Insane, dating back to the Civil War. Beautiful grounds. I was working security about 100 yards away at a facility for criminally insane detained illegals, mostly Cubans. The "Marines" performing drill were actually the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.
Jen, for a classic courtroom drama see "Anatomy of a murder." Great flick. Thanks for your observations, love the musical references.
Is that the one that looks like a Hitchcock film but isn't a Hitchcock film.
"Men of Honor" with Cuba Gooding Jr.(special appearance in this movie) and Robert DeNiro stays in line with the military courtroom theme of this one.
Jen, LOVED your Reaction here, Reflecting on your recent Trek journey (whether for your personal enjoyment or if you choose to share) You might want to consider as a TOS Trek addendum the following episodes in the realm of courtroom drama : COURTMARTIAL (Kirk is courtmartiailed by Starfleet Command) A WOLF IN THE FOLD, (Scotty is prosecuted for committing a brutal murder) THE DEADLY YEARS (Spock prosecutes Kirk in a courtmartial), THE MENAGERIE PARTS 1 and 2 (Spock is Courtmartialed for mutiny), TURNABOUT INTRUDER (Kirk prosecutes his top Enterprise officers charged with mutiny) This episode carries the added distinction of being the FINAL episode filmed of TOS
Several Demi Moore movies you should check out are Ghost, G.I. Jane and Indecent Proposal.
Kiefer Sutherland in an interview said they were all there for that final scene just watching it amazed at Tom and jack acting even Bruce Willis was there
Love your reaction. Another great courtroom movie is Prinal Fear. It is the movie that launched Edward Norton's career.
Aww, this is one of my favorite movies!! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it. The Pelican Brief is another great courtroom drama with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington.
"The Verdict" starring Paul Newman is a great courtroom drama and is one of Newman's finest performances.
An amazing courtroom drama, if you haven't seen it yet, is "A Time to Kill". My all time favorite.
My favorite courtroom drama is Presumed Innocent (1990) headlined by Harrison Ford in his prime and co-starring, Bonnie Bedelia as Ford's wife, who is excellent in this role.
Some great court room dramas for you Jen; 12 Angry Men(1957), Presumed Innocent (1990), The Verdict(1982), The Rainmaker (1997) and In The Name Of The Father (1993).
You may like "The American President" as well as it was written by Aaron Sorkin. He writes great dialog. He also wrote the TV show "The West Wing " which is excellent. You may also like "The Newsroom" or "Studio Sixty on the Sunset Strip".
I've been to GITMO as a Marine, to both the Windward and Leeward sides of the base. You do indeed have to take a ferry to get across the bay to the other side of the base. I've also been along the fence line. I was there before the movie came out, and the Marines there are a great bunch of guys. These guys are not your typical active-duty grunts, they are Barracks Marines. I never encountered any really fanatical behavior, but they were pretty high-strung. The term we used was "high speed, low drag". I never understood how Markinson got his hands on that Dress Blue Uniform he put on before he was to appear as a witness for the Defense. He simply disappeared from the base, so it's doubtful he packed a change of uniforms. Especially since the court appearance was in his Dress A's. Kaffee was right; how to did Markinson get his hands on the Mameluke Officers sword, and a chrome-plated 9mm pistol?
They are not considered felons in the civilian word, but the dishonorable discharge and the conviction would disqualify them from any federal job and a lot of civilian jobs.
It pretty much has the same effect in the civilian world.
Murray & Moore.... I'm all in for this one
Stacked cast, amazing performance and a great script -- and of course Jack steals the show in the few minutes he had onscreen! It's been reported that he delivered the same intensity in the "you can't handle the truth" scene for take after take, even on the reverse shots when he didn't even need to be there. He told Rob Reiner (who was concerned that all these takes would burn him out), "You don't understand, I love to act." He seems like a pretty chill guy too!
If you haven't seen "Primal Fear" starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton it should be the next courtroom drama you watch for the channel
Power House performances from two of the best in the business on display in that court room scene. Great movie and another great reaction.
"I'm sorry I lost your set of steak knives." Seriously?? You're gonna lay a guilt trip on him for not wanting to go to jail. Someone needs to do an alternate ending where Col Jessup doesn't crack. Where he just plays it cool. "DID YOU ORDER THE CODE RED?!?!?!"... ... ... "no."
I ordered the Mountain Dew Code Red.
Was thinking this the whole time
"I want the caffeine!"
"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE CAFFEINE!!"
cool reaction to a great movie Jen. The trial is amazing and having the military angle in the story just adds more greatness. For more great court room drama, check out the SHARK series staring James Woods.
Aaron Sorkin is a brilliant writer, definitely in my all-time Top 5. I would also highly recommend his TV series "The West Wing" and "The Newsroom", both excellent shows.
Such a great film! I love it, and have seen it so many times. Not sure if trials really play out that way, but so many memorable moments. Thanks for the reaction, Jen!
I love seeing people go back in Tom Cruise's back catalog of films and appreciate that he was (well, still is LBR) a damn fine capital A Actor before being Mister Action Movie.
If you wanna see the other movie where Tom gets his lawyer on, I 110% recommend 'The Firm' - It's less a courtroom drama and more of a crime/investigative thriller, but it's fantastic all the same. And of course, he runs.
Tom Cruise gets overlooked for his acting abilities. To stand toe to toe with Jack in that course scene shows he can deliver
when needed. Your commentary is always great. I watched both the Patreon Full Length and UA-cam versions with you
(always). You're just that good at what you do. Thanks for all the hard work and time you and your team put in to brighten
our days.
Tom Cruise is the Goat
Great reaction Jen. You're awesome and I appreciate how you love the music too! Often times, I figured you've already watched these classic movies but I guess that just means I need to watch every one of your reactions so I can get caught up on what you've seen and what you haven't seen.
*”You can’t handle the truth!”*