By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Amy Berg
Country: new_zealand, united_states
Year: 2013
Running time: 147
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2130321/combined
Thom says: “Coming so close on the heels of my viewing of the PARADISE LOST trilogy: THE CHILD MURDERS AT ROBIN HOOD HILLS, REVELATIONS, & PURGATORY, I saw this the week it opened in San Francisco. With a big heft of money from top-rank director Peter Jackson & his lovely wife Fran this is a burnished amalgam of the three earlier films. It’s basically about the great miscarriage of justice that occurred in Arkansas in late 1993 when three teenagers were convicted of the slaughter and mutilation of three boys. Almost from the start the convicted trio appear to be innocent but it’s nearly 20 years before they are finally released from prison. This film unfortunately can’t quite tie up all the loose ends but the supposed guilt of a man still living seems rather conclusive. But what is unassailable is that there is nothing of any value that suggests there was any validity in putting Misskelley, Echols, & Baldwin behind bars and those responsible for doing so are despicable beyond understanding. For those that missed the first three gems this is a more than adequate replacement if you don’t want to spend the time with the earlier classics. 5 cats”