Many Were Child Brides Hanged for Murder of Abusive Husbands From Whom There Was No Protection December 18, 2024 — Amidst a huge surge in executions in the Islamic Republic— 862 so far in 2024, the highest per capita execution rate globally—the Iranian authorities are now increasingly including women in those it sends to the gallows. Since the start of 2024, Iran has executed at least 29 women. More executions of women may have taken place that are unknown.
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➤ Clemency
2019. USA. Director: Chinonye Chukwu. Writer: Chinonye Chukwu. Cast: Alfre Woodard, Richard Schiff, Aldis Hodge. Running time: 1h52
Synopsis:
The movie revolves around the life of Bernadine Williams (played by Alfre Woodard), a prison warden who oversees death row at a maximum-security penitentiary.
As she prepares for another execution, the emotional toll of her job begins to take a heavy toll on her. She grapples with the moral and psychological challenges of her role, while trying to maintain a sense of professionalism. However, her growing internal turmoil and the impending execution of a death row inmate, Anthony Woods (played by Aldis Hodge), forces her to confront her own humanity and the devastating impact of the criminal justice system.
Reception:
"Clemency" received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, especially Alfre Woodard's portrayal of the conflicted prison warden.
The film has been praised for its thought-provoking exploration of the death penalty, its impact on individuals involved in the process, and the overall criminal justice system. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, highlighting its compelling storytelling and poignant social commentary.
The film's reception underscores its significance in addressing complex moral and emotional issues within the context of the American justice system.
➤ The Current War
2017. USA. Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Writer: Michael Mitnick. Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Oliver Powell, Katherine Waterston. Running time: 1h42
Synopsis:
"The Current War" is a historical drama that primarily focuses on the rivalry between Thomas Edison (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Westinghouse (played by Michael Shannon) during the late 19th century.
The film explores their fierce competition in the "War of Currents" as they vied to establish their electrical systems as the dominant one for lighting up America.
Edison advocated for direct current (DC), while Westinghouse promoted alternating current (AC).
The invention of the electric chair plays a significant role in the film's plot.
In an effort to discredit Westinghouse and the dangers of alternating current, Edison becomes involved in the development of the electric chair as a means of execution. He collaborates with Harold P. Brown (played by Tom Holland) to design the first electric chair and demonstrate the perceived risks of AC power by using it for capital punishment.
This historical backdrop and the development of the electric chair become central to the film's narrative, shedding light on the ethical and moral dilemmas associated with the use of electricity for execution.
Reception:
"The Current War" received mixed reviews from critics upon its initial release, with some praising the performances of the cast, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon. The film's portrayal of the technological and personal conflicts between Edison and Westinghouse was appreciated for its historical significance.
However, the film's reception was somewhat subdued due to its pacing and storytelling choices. It underwent some re-editing after its initial festival screening, and the version released to theaters received a more positive reception.
While it may not have been a critical darling, "The Current War" remains an intriguing exploration of a pivotal period in electrical history, including the controversial introduction of the electric chair as a method of execution.
➤ Just Mercy
2019. USA. Director: Destin Daniel Cretton. Writer: Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham. Cast: Jamie Foxx, Charlie Pye Jr., Michael Harding. Running time: 2h17
Summary:
"Just Mercy" is a powerful and moving drama based on the real-life story of Bryan Stevenson (played by Michael B. Jordan), a young and idealistic lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative. The film centers around Stevenson's early career and his mission to provide legal representation to death row inmates, particularly those who were wrongly convicted.
One of his most high-profile cases is that of Walter McMillian (played by Jamie Foxx), an African American man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama.
Stevenson and his dedicated team, including Eva Ansley (played by Brie Larson), work tirelessly to uncover evidence of McMillian's innocence and to challenge the deeply ingrained racial bias and systemic injustice in the criminal justice system.
The film explores themes of racial discrimination, inequality, and the struggle for justice, shedding light on the challenges faced by Stevenson and his clients as they fight for truth and the right to a fair trial.
Reception:
"Just Mercy" received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and performances. Michael B. Jordan's portrayal of Bryan Stevenson was highly praised for its emotional depth and authenticity. Jamie Foxx's performance as Walter McMillian also garnered recognition for its compelling portrayal of a wrongfully convicted man.
The film's examination of systemic racism and the flaws in the criminal justice system struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. "Just Mercy" was praised for its emotional impact and its role in raising awareness about issues related to race, inequality, and the death penalty. It was considered an important and timely film that prompted discussions about the need for criminal justice reform.
Overall, "Just Mercy" was lauded for its social relevance and its commitment to telling a story that highlights the injustices faced by many marginalized individuals within the American legal system.
➤ Monster's Ball
2001. USA. Directed by Marc Forster. Cast: Billy Bob Thornton as Hank Grotowski, Halle Berry as Leticia Musgrove, Heath Ledger as Sonny Grotowski, Peter Boyle as Buck Grotowski. Running time: 112 minutes.
Synopsis:
"Monster's Ball" is a drama film directed by Marc Forster. The story revolves around Hank Grotowski, a prison guard at a death row facility, and Leticia Musgrove, a widow who struggles to make ends meet for her son. Hank's son, Sonny, is involved in a tragic accident, and both Hank and Leticia find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. The film explores themes of grief, racism, and redemption as their paths intersect, leading to a complex and unconventional relationship.
The death penalty serves as a backdrop and a thematic element that highlights the dark and complex aspects of the characters' lives. The film is set in a Southern U.S. state, where the death penalty is still in practice.
The main character's job is to oversee executions, which puts him in close proximity to the grim reality of the death penalty, and a large segment of the film deals with the emotional toll that the death penalty takes on those involved in its execution. Hank struggles with guilt and a sense of moral conflict as he becomes disillusioned with his role in the execution process.
In "Monster's Ball," the relationship between Hank Grotowski, played by Billy Bob Thornton, and his son Sonny, portrayed by Heath Ledger, is characterized by violence, tension, and a sense of familial dysfunction. Hank, as a prison guard, represents the stern, authoritarian figure in their household, while Sonny is impulsive and struggles to live up to his father's expectations.
The violent nature of their relationship is epitomized in a pivotal scene where a tragic accident occurs, leading to a turning point in the story. This incident not only deepens the emotional chasm between father and son but also sets the stage for profound changes in their lives. The tension and conflict within this father-son dynamic serve as a significant element in the film, contributing to the complex web of emotions and experiences explored throughout the narrative.
Reception:
"Monster's Ball" received critical acclaim upon its release. Halle Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film, making her the first African-American woman to win the Oscar in that category.
The movie was praised for its powerful performances and its exploration of challenging themes. It was also well-received by audiences and remains a significant work in American cinema.
➤ The Chamber
1996. USA. Directed by James Foley. Based on John Grisham's 1994 eponymous novel. Cast: Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway. Running time: 112 minutes
Synopsis:
"The Chamber" is a legal thriller directed by James Foley and based on the novel of the same name by John Grisham. "The Chamber," both the book and the film, draws inspiration from real historical events and cases, although it is a work of fiction.
The story follows the life of Adam Hall (played by Chris O'Donnell), a young attorney who is determined to save his racist and convicted grandfather, Sam Cayhall (played by Gene Hackman), from the gas chamber.
Cayhall, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, is on death row for his involvement in a 1967 bombing that resulted in the deaths of two young children. As Adam delves into his family's dark past and attempts to delay the execution, he faces challenges from both his own family and the legal system. The film explores themes of racism, forgiveness, and the complexities of the death penalty.
While the characters and specific details in "The Chamber" are fictional, they are rooted in the broader historical context of racial tensions and crimes in the American South.
The use of such a backdrop allows the story to explore themes of racism and family legacy within the context of a legal thriller.
Reception:
"The Chamber" received mixed to negative reviews from critics.
While Gene Hackman's performance was generally praised, the film as a whole was criticized for its handling of the sensitive racial themes and the adaptation of Grisham's novel. Some felt that it didn't capture the novel's depth and intensity.
As a result, the film didn't achieve the same level of critical acclaim as other adaptations of Grisham's work.
Many Were Child Brides Hanged for Murder of Abusive Husbands From Whom There Was No Protection December 18, 2024 — Amidst a huge surge in executions in the Islamic Republic— 862 so far in 2024, the highest per capita execution rate globally—the Iranian authorities are now increasingly including women in those it sends to the gallows. Since the start of 2024, Iran has executed at least 29 women. More executions of women may have taken place that are unknown.
MANILA, Philippines — The case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, has spanned over a decade and remains one of the most high-profile legal battles involving an overseas Filipino worker. RELATED | Philippines | Mary Jane Veloso returns to joyous welcome from family after narrowly escaping Indonesian firing squad Veloso was arrested on April 25, 2010, at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after she was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was sentenced to death in October – just six months after her arrest. Indonesia’s Supreme Court upheld the penalty in May 2011.
Oklahoma executes Kevin Underwood by lethal injection for brutal 2006 murder Nearly two decades after Kevin Ray Underwood murdered his 10-year-old neighbor, he died by lethal injection Thursday morning at 10:14 a.m., according to media witnesses. By coincidence, it was his 45th birthday. Underwood was sentenced to death in 2008 for killing Jamie Bolin in Purcell two years earlier. He confessed to police that he lured Bolin into his house, beat her over the head, attempted to decapitate her and stashed her body in a plastic tub with hopes of later eating it.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma panel on Friday rejected a plea for clemency for a man convicted of torturing and killing a 10-year-old girl as part of a cannibalistic fantasy, paving the way for him to become the 25th and final person executed in the U.S. this year. Three members of Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously against clemency for Kevin Ray Underwood, who is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Thursday, his 45th birthday. An Indiana man, Joseph Corcoran, is set to die Wednesday for killing four men in 1997 in what would be the Hoosier State’s first execution in 15 years.
A Filipino woman who spent 14 years on death row in Indonesia arrived in Manila on Wednesday, reuniting with her family after narrowly escaping a firing squad in 2015. Convicted in 2010 of carrying 2.6kg heroin hidden in a suitcase, Mary Jane Veloso claimed she was duped by a recruiter who promised her a job abroad. The single mother’s conviction and death sentence sparked outrage in the Philippines, prompting advocacy and diplomatic efforts to save her from execution. “I am grateful to God who has answered my prayers. I will return to my country and I believe that God has a beautiful plan for my life,” Veloso, now 39, said. “Thank you, Indonesia, I love Indonesia.”
China on Tuesday executed a former official for corruption, a court in the northern region of Inner Mongolia said, the latest development in Beijing’s sweeping campaign against graft. Li Jianping, former secretary of the Communist Party working committee of the Hohhot economic and technological development zone, had previously been sentenced to death for crimes including bribery and misappropriation of public funds.
Under Trump, there were 13 executions in his last six months as president. Biden must clear death row now to stop that and what Albert Camus described as the most cold-blooded premeditated murder. On Jan. 14, 2021, I stood in a small chamber in the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, while the federal government carried out an execution. Relegated to a spot 6 feet away from the gurney, I prayed with Corey Johnson, the “Gentle Giant” as he was known on death row. He was one of the last of 13 people executed under then-President Donald Trump, who carried out an unprecedented killing spree during the final six months of his presidency.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A local pastor has been arranging protests against the state’s decision to continue with the upcoming execution of Joseph Corcoran for the past couple weekends. Anna Lisa Gross is a co-pastor at Beacon Heights here in Fort Wayne and has been working with multiple churches to protest the execution of Corcoran. “Our community has failed him more than one time, and now to kill him would do nothing,” says Gross.
Zephen Xaver text a friend from the bank parking lot, saying: ’Watch for me on the news’ A prison guard trainee who executed five women inside a Florida bank has been sentenced to death. Zephen Xaver, 27, appeared to gulp but otherwise showed no emotion as Judge Angela Cowden pronounced the sentence at the Highlands County Courthouse in Sebring. At gunpoint, Xaver ordered his victims, all women, to lie on the floor and then shot each the head as they begged for mercy.
