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    American Playhouse The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez 1982 POSTER

    American Playhouse The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez

    1982

    English

    7.0

    9

    100%

    72%

    Action

    based on novel or book

    Comedy

    Drama

    folk hero

    Romance

    Sci-Fi

    self-defense

    sheriff

    subjectivity

    texas ranger

    Western

    Robert M. Young Robert M. Young Director William Sanderson William Sanderson as Cowboy Bruce McGill Bruce McGill as Reporter Blakely Pepe Serna Pepe Serna as Romaldo Cortez James Gammon James Gammon as Sheriff Frank Fly
    Forced to run from Texas Rangers after a heated misunderstanding leads to the death of a lawman, Mexican American farmer Gregorio Cortez sets off in desperate flight, evading a massive manhunt on horseback for days. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts in 2016.
    The Story of Temple Drake 1933 POSTER

    The Story of Temple Drake

    1933

    English

    7.1

    7

    86%

    62%

    Action

    bootlegger

    courtroom

    Crime

    Drama

    pre-code

    rape

    rape victim

    self-defense

    Stephen Roberts Stephen Roberts Director Henry Hall Henry Hall as Judge Florence Eldridge Florence Eldridge as Ruby Lemarr Harold Goodwin Harold Goodwin as Second Jellybean / Rejected Suitor William Collier Jr. William Collier Jr. as Toddy Gowan
    The coquettish granddaughter of a respected small-town judge is stranded at a bootleggers’ hide-out, subjected to an act of nightmarish sexual violence, and plunged into a criminal underworld that threatens to swallow her up completely.
    Great Day in the Morning 1956 POSTER

    Great Day in the Morning

    1956

    English

    6.4

    6

    12%

    12%

    Action

    Adventure

    card game

    denver, colorado

    Drama

    gunslinger

    hotel

    love triangle

    Romance

    self-defense

    Western

    Jacques Tourneur Jacques Tourneur Director Carleton Young Carleton Young as Col. Gibson Regis Toomey Regis Toomey as Father Murphy John Roy John Roy as Townsman Leo Gordon Leo Gordon as Zeff Masterson
    After a card game, Southerner Owen Pentecost finds himself the owner of a Denver hotel. Involved with two women, he then has to make even more fundamental choices when, with the start of the Civil War, he becomes one of a Confederate minority in a strongly Unionist town.
    The Accused 1949 POSTER

    The Accused

    1949

    English

    6.8

    2

    Action

    based on novel or book

    college

    diving

    Drama

    Film-Noir

    noir

    professor

    Romance

    self-defense

    Thriller

    William Dieterle William Dieterle Director Harry Harvey Harry Harvey as Dr. Odolard Sam Jaffe Sam Jaffe as Dr. Romley Wendell Corey Wendell Corey as Lt. Ted Dorgan John Indrisano John Indrisano as Referee
    A prim psychology professor fights to hide a murder she committed in self-defense.
    The Sin of Nora Moran 1933 POSTER

    The Sin of Nora Moran

    1933

    English

    6.7

    6

    67%

    54%

    Action

    Adventure

    circus

    court

    Crime

    death penalty

    Drama

    flashback

    governor

    self-defense

    Phil Goldstone Phil Goldstone Director Jack Cheatham Jack Cheatham as Detective Henry B. Walthall Henry B. Walthall as Father Ryan Aggie Herring Aggie Herring as Mrs. Moran Cora Sue Collins Cora Sue Collins as Nora Moran -
    Nora Moran, a young woman with a difficult and tragic past, is sentenced to die for a murder that she did not commit. She could easily reveal the truth and save her own life, if only it would not damage the lives, careers and reputations of those whom she loves.
    Illegal 1955 POSTER

    Illegal

    1955

    English

    7.0

    9

    59%

    59%

    Action

    based on play or musical

    court

    Crime

    criminal lawyer

    Drama

    Film-Noir

    gangster

    noir

    self-defense

    Thriller

    Lewis Allen Lewis Allen Director Jayne Mansfield Jayne Mansfield as Angel O'Hara John Roy John Roy as Bailiff Charlie Hall Charlie Hall as Bellhop John Alvin John Alvin as Court Clerk
    A hugely successful DA goes into private practice after sending a man to the chair -- only to find out later he was innocent. Now the drunken attorney only seems to represent criminals and low lifes.
    Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer 2003 POSTER

    Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer

    2003

    English

    7.1

    2

    85%

    74%

    Action

    child abuse

    Crime

    death penalty

    death row

    Documentary

    michigan

    prison

    self-defense

    Nick Broomfield Nick Broomfield Director Nick Broomfield Nick Broomfield as Self Jeb Bush Jeb Bush as Self - Governor of Florida Tyria Moore Tyria Moore as Self - Wuornos' Former Lover Diane Wuornos Diane Wuornos as Self - Wuornos' Mother
    British documentarian Nick Broomfield creates a follow-up piece to his 1992 documentary of the serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a highway prostitute who was convicted of killing six men in Florida between 1989 and 1990. Interviewing an increasingly mentally unstable Wuornos, Broomfield captures the distorted mind of a murderer whom the state of Florida deems of sound mind -- and therefore fit to execute. Throughout the film, Broomfield includes footage of his testimony at Wuornos' trial.
    Cold in July 2014 POSTER

    Cold in July

    2014

    English

    6.7

    37

    84%

    67%

    Action

    based on novel or book

    cemetery

    Crime

    flashlight

    self-defense

    shotgun

    texas

    Thriller

    Jim Mickle Jim Mickle Director Vinessa Shaw Vinessa Shaw as Ann Michael C. Hall Michael C. Hall as Dane Don Johnson Don Johnson as Jim Bob Happy Anderson Happy Anderson as Ted
    While investigating noises in his house one balmy Texas night in 1989, Richard Dane puts a bullet in the brain of a low-life burglar. Although he’s hailed as a small-town hero, Dane soon finds himself fearing for his family’s safety when Freddy’s ex-con father rolls into town, hell-bent on revenge.
    The Martial Arts Kid 2015 POSTER

    The Martial Arts Kid

    2015

    English

    5.1

    6

    72%

    72%

    Action

    bullying

    coming of age

    Family

    martial arts

    self-defense

    Michael Baumgarten Michael Baumgarten Director Holly Fields Holly Fields as Additional Voices Don 'The Dragon' Wilson Don 'The Dragon' Wilson as Glen Sydney Sweeney Sydney Sweeney as Julia Kathryn Newton Kathryn Newton as Rina
    When a troubled teen from Cleveland experiences bullying in Cocoa Beach, he soon learns Martial Arts to gain confidence and self-defense skills.
    Young Mr. Lincoln 1939 POSTER

    Young Mr. Lincoln

    1939

    English

    7.5

    16

    100%

    81%

    Action

    Biography

    Drama

    History

    illinois

    lawyer

    murder

    self-defense

    trial

    witness

    John Ford John Ford Director Harold Goodwin Harold Goodwin as Jeremiah Carter Edwin Maxwell Edwin Maxwell as John T. Stuart George Chandler George Chandler as Loafer Jack Kelly Jack Kelly as Matt Clay
    In this dramatized account of his early law career in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln is born into a modest log cabin, where he is encouraged by his first love, Ann Rutledge, to pursue law. Following her tragic death, Lincoln establishes a law practice in Springfield, where he meets a young Mary Todd. Lincoln's law skills are put to the test when he takes on the difficult task of defending two brothers who have been accused of murder.
    Human Experiments 1979 POSTER

    Human Experiments

    1979

    English

    4.6

    3

    Crime

    Horror

    mass murder

    prison

    prison escape

    self-defense

    spider

    Thriller

    women's prison

    Gregory Goodell Gregory Goodell Director Wesley Marie Tackitt Wesley Marie Tackitt as Jimmy Aldo Ray Aldo Ray as Mat Tibbs Phil Proctor Phil Proctor as Prosecutor Jackie Coogan Jackie Coogan as Sheriff Tibbs
    A demented prison doctor performs gruesome shock therapy experiments on inmates.
    Beautiful Creatures 2000 POSTER

    Beautiful Creatures

    2000

    English

    5.8

    6

    38%

    33%

    Comedy

    Crime

    Drama

    drugs

    psychological abuse

    sadism

    self-defense

    sexual abuse

    Thriller

    violence against women

    Bill Eagles Bill Eagles Director Alex Norton Alex Norton as Det Insp Hepburn Juliet Cadzow Juliet Cadzow as Mother on Beach Rachel Weisz Rachel Weisz as Petula Iain Glen Iain Glen as Tony
    When Petula and Dorothy cover up the accidental murder of one jerk boyfriend, they hatch a hilarious scheme to collect a huge ransom.
    Enough 2002 POSTER

    Enough

    2002

    English

    5.8

    43

    22%

    67%

    Action

    Crime

    Drama

    husband wife relationship

    self-defense

    stalking

    Thriller

    violence against women

    violent husband

    waitress

    Michael Apted Michael Apted Director Dan Martin Dan Martin as FBI Agent Brent Sexton Brent Sexton as FBI Agent Bruce French Bruce French as Homeowner Janet Carroll Janet Carroll as Mrs. Hiller
    Working-class waitress Slim thought she was entering a life of domestic bliss when she married Mitch, the man of her dreams. After the arrival of their first child, her picture perfect life is shattered when she discovers Mitch's hidden possessive dark side, a controlling and abusive alter ego that can turn trust, love and tranquility into terror. Terrified for her child's safety, Slim flees with her daughter. Relentless in his pursuit and enlisting the aid of lethal henchmen, Mitch continually stalks the prey that was once his family.
    Harry Brown 2009 POSTER

    Harry Brown

    2009

    English

    7.2

    43

    64%

    75%

    Action

    Crime

    Drama

    drug dealing

    investigation

    murder

    riot

    self-defense

    Thriller

    vigilante

    Daniel Barber Daniel Barber Director Emily Mortimer Emily Mortimer as D.I. Alice Frampton Michael Caine Michael Caine as Harry Brown David Bradley David Bradley as Leonard Attwell Iain Glen Iain Glen as S.I. Childs
    An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.
    Eye for an Eye 1996 POSTER

    Eye for an Eye

    1996

    English

    6.2

    37

    7%

    60%

    Action

    Crime

    Drama

    grieving parents

    gun

    rape

    rape and revenge

    self-defense

    Thriller

    John Schlesinger John Schlesinger Director Olivia Burnette Olivia Burnette as Julie McCann Keith David Keith David as Martin Rolando Molina Rolando Molina as Parent of Murdered Children Group #4 Kiefer Sutherland Kiefer Sutherland as Robert Doob
    It's fire and brimstone time as grieving mother Karen McCann takes justice into her own hands when a kangaroo court in Los Angeles fails to convict Robert Doob, the monster who raped and murdered her 17-year-old daughter.
    Bottoms 2023 POSTER

    Bottoms

    2023

    English

    6.7

    70

    91%

    89%

    bullying

    cheerleader

    Comedy

    coming of age

    female friendship

    high school

    self-defense

    Emma Seligman Emma Seligman Director Nicholas Galitzine Nicholas Galitzine as Jeff Ayo Edebiri Ayo Edebiri as Josie Marshawn Lynch Marshawn Lynch as Mr. G Virginia Tucker Virginia Tucker as Stella-Rebecca
    Unpopular best friends PJ and Josie start a high school self-defense club to meet girls and lose their virginity. They soon find themselves in over their heads when the most popular students start beating each other up in the name of self-defense.
    Niagara 1953 POSTER

    Niagara

    1953

    English

    7.0

    19

    78%

    69%

    Action

    clock tower

    Drama

    Film-Noir

    honeymoon

    husband wife relationship

    infidelity

    noir

    self-defense

    Thriller

    Henry Hathaway Henry Hathaway Director Joseph Cotten Joseph Cotten as George Loomis John Brascia John Brascia as Lodge Guest Henry Beckman Henry Beckman as Motorcycle Cop Sean McClory Sean McClory as Sam
    Rose Loomis and her older, gloomier husband, George, are vacationing at a cabin in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The couple befriend Polly and Ray Cutler, who are honeymooning in the area. Polly begins to suspect that something is amiss between Rose and George, and her suspicions grow when she sees Rose in the arms of another man. While Ray initially thinks Polly is overreacting, things between George and Rose soon take a shockingly dark turn.
    Chato's Land 1972 POSTER

    Chato's Land

    1972

    English

    6.6

    13

    58%

    58%

    Action

    Drama

    fugitive

    racism

    rape

    revenge

    self-defense

    tracker

    Western

    Michael Winner Michael Winner Director Jack Palance Jack Palance as Capt. Quincey Whitmore Richard Jordan Richard Jordan as Earl Hooker Richard Basehart Richard Basehart as Nye Buell Charles Bronson Charles Bronson as Pardon Chato
    In 1870s New Mexico, a half-breed kills a bigoted sheriff in self-defense but the posse that eventually hunts him finds itself in dangerous territory.
    The Instructor 1981 POSTER

    The Instructor

    1981

    English

    4.6

    5

    Action

    Drama

    karate

    ohio

    self-defense

    Don Bendell Don Bendell Director Bruce Wendell Bruce Wendell as Steve Boergadine Steve Boergadine as Al Butcher Bob Chaney Bob Chaney as The Instructor Don Bendell Don Bendell as Thumper Rhodes
    A widowed, principled karate instructor finds his patience is tested when a rival martial arts school starts engaging in criminal acts around town and begins to attack his students and friends.
    Thelma & Louise 1991 POSTER

    Thelma & Louise

    1991

    English

    7.6

    87

    87%

    82%

    Action

    Adventure

    Crime

    Drama

    highway

    housewife

    robbery

    self-defense

    southern usa

    waitress

    Ridley Scott Ridley Scott Director Harvey Keitel Harvey Keitel as Hal Timothy Carhart Timothy Carhart as Harlan Brad Pitt Brad Pitt as J.D. Susan Sarandon Susan Sarandon as Louise
    Taking a break from their dreary lives, close friends Thelma and Louise embark on a short weekend trip that ends in unforeseen incriminating circumstances. As fugitives, both women rediscover the strength of their bond and their newfound resilience.
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