Against the Wall (1994, TV Movie)

Starring:

• Samuel L. Jackson
• Kyle MacLachlan
• Clarence Williams III
• Steve Harris
• Frederic Forrest
• Harry Dean Stanton
• Philip Bosco
• Tom Bower
• Anne Heche
• Carmen Argenziano
• Peter Murnik
• David Ackroyd
• Mark Cabus

Storyline
In this film based on a true story, an idealistic young recruit, Michael Smith (Kyle MacLachlan), begins working in Attica Penitentiary and quickly learns how awfully the inmates are being treated. Soon a prison riot breaks out, and Smith and the other guards are taken, hostage. The prisoners, led by Jamaal (Samuel L. Jackson), take control of the jail and demand better living conditions. Despite the tense environment, Smith finds sympathy for Jamaal, who is a political prisoner.

Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock (1994)

Directed by:

• Marc Levin

IMDB.com
I must admit that I may be a little partial to this title as it has somewhat achieved cult status amongst myself and my peers. This title is a beautiful first hand look into streetgangs as we know it with a unique twist. . . it's not inner city youth. Generally speaking, gangs are thought to be confined to America's inner cities affecting mostly Black and Latino youth. This documentary opens your eyes to what's not publicized, which is the fact that suburban youth indulge in this lifestyle as well which stems from an air of hopelessness and despair which is prevalent where gangs are prevalent. We all know hopelessness and despair transcend racial barriers so we are privileged to follow our gang members (Whites, Blacks, Latinos etc.) from their rites of passage into these gangs, to a typical day in the life of, down to death, murder and comraderie. Ultimately this documentary reveals a lot about the underbelly of the city where our last ex-president hails from. A must-see if you're a fan of HBO documentaries.