The Top 5 All-Time List of Best Legal Films

The Top 5 All-Time List of Best Legal Films

The Top 5 All-Time List of Best Legal Films

Where would Hollywood be without lawyers? In a town built on crazy contracts, copyrights, and fine print, lawyers have played just as a big a part in the history of movies as anyone else. But while their behind the scenes work is certainly commendable, it’s when they’re portrayed in front of the camera where they truly shine.

Sure, Hollywood might not always get lawyering right. But that doesn’t mean that the juicy legal dramas we all know and love aren’t based in truth.

But which lawyer movies are actually the best? Well, we’ve done the research and watched the evidence and have come up with quite the list. So, please quiet down as the court is now in session.

So continue reading and we’ll walk you through the best legal films that you need to know about.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

You probably had to read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school. And, if you were lucky enough, you were rewarded at the end of the semester by getting to watch the movie based on the book.

In this masterpiece, actor Gregory Peck lends his legendary dignity to the part of Atticus Finch, one of pop culture’s most beloved small-town lawyers. With a script written by Horton Foote and directed by Robert Mulligan, the movie became an instant hit. Audiences across the country fell in love with Peck’s portrayal of the morally righteous Finch who fought against the explicit racism in 1930s Alabama.

The film follows Finch as his daughter, Scout, when a crippled black man is falsely accused of assaulting a white woman. Finch became a gold standard of lawyering that future attorneys could model themselves after. Atticus stood by his principles and wouldn’t allow the pressure of the town to stop him from seeking justice.

The film went on to win three Acadamy Awards that year, including Best Actor for Gregory Peck.

2. 12 Angry Men (1957)

Originally a stage play, 12 Angry Men follows a hostile jury as they debate a death penalty case. The film stars Henry Fonda, who also produced the picture. He acts as the only juror who seems to doubt what at first seemed like an open-and-shut case.

It’s hard to overstate the amount of empathy that Henry Fonda is able to elicit as he attempts to see the case from all angles. The next ninety minutes follows Fonda as he convinces one juror after another to show compassion for the defendant and see things from a different perspective.

We get to see these twelve angry men unload their prejudgments, prejudices, and personal baggage onto each other as they debate if they should send a young Puerto Rican man to the gallows.

The film was the feature directorial debut of acclaimed director Sidney Lumet, who had previously directed 12 Angry Men for television.

3. My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Are you looking for some more laughs and hijinks out of your lawyers? If so, then My Cousin Vinny may be just what you’re looking for. In this film, Vincent “Vinny” Gambini (played by Joe Pesci) is a brash lawyer from Brooklyn who only recently passed the bar exam after several attempts.

He’s now representing his cousin and his cousin’s friend who were arrested for murder in Alabama. Get ready to laugh as Vinny brings his New York swagger to the laidback South. The film also stars Marisa Tomei as Vinny’s fiancée.

My Cousin Vinny became a big critical and financial success and even won Marisa Tomei the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

4. A Few Good Men (1992)

Not only is A Few Good Men the most quotable lawyer film of all time, but it might also be one of the most quotable movies in general. With direction by Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride) and a script by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network), it’s hard to beat this cinematic combination.

The film stars Tom Cruise as a reluctant Navy JAG litigator who must defend two low-ranking Marines who have been accused of murder. The men say that they were following orders from their commander, Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson), but Jessup says otherwise.

The truth, if you can handle it, turns out to be something much more dramatic and complex than you might have guessed.

5. Brewster’s Millions (1985) 

A lot of people don’t know this but the hit 1985 film, Brewster’s Millions, is actually the seventh film adaption of the 1902 novel of the same name. If you’re looking for a hilarious movie relating to things like probate and inheritance, then you have to check this film out.

The film follows Monty Brewster (Richard Pryor), a Minor League baseball player after he gets arrested for getting into a bar fight. Brewster is then told that his distant relative just died and left him with $300 million.

However, there’s a catch. Monty can either choose to only receive $1 million upfront or he can attempt to get the $300 million. In order to get all of the money, however, he must spend $30 million in thirty days.

When Monty attempts to go for the full $300 million, he realizes that spending money is actually more difficult than he originally thought.

Which of These Lawyer Movies Are You Going to Watch?

Lawyer movies make up some of the best films that Hollywood has to offer. And that makes sense, considering the pressure and risks that lawyers take on every day. If you’re looking for some legal inspiration, then definitely make sure to check out the films listed above.

Are you looking for other helpful entertainment articles like this one? If you are, then make sure to check out the rest of our blog today for more!

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Blu-ray for Tak Sakaguchi’s ‘Re:Born’ arrives next week

Re:Born | Blu-ray (Shudder)

Re:Born | Blu-ray (Shudder)

On July 21, 2020, Shudder is releasing the Blu-ray for Yuji Shimomura’s Re:Born (read our review), starring Tak Sakaguchi (Verus, Battlefield Baseball).

Toshiro (Sakaguchi), a former special forces operative, now lives a quiet life in the Japanese countryside. Despite his seemingly peaceful existence, Toshiro struggles to contain the destructive impulses that once made him the top soldier in an elite unit of killers. But when his former commanding officer, the enigmatic Phantom, comes out of the shadows seeking revenge, Toshiro goes on a kill crazy rampage against a squad of ruthless assassins.

Re:Born also stars Yura Kondo, Takumi Saito (Shin Godzilla), Mariko Continue reading

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The Legend of Tomiris | Bu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

The Legend of Tomiris | Bu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

The Legend of Tomiris | Bu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: September 29, 2020

On September 29, 2020, Well Go USA will be unleashing the Blu-ray & DVD for Akan Satayev’s The Legend of Tomiris (aka Tomiris), a Kazakh/Russian produced actioner.

Based on historical heroine Queen Tomiris of Massagetae and her cadre of female warriors (the real-life 6th century BCE Amazonians who inspired the mythical tales), The Legend of Tomiris recounts the tale of the nomadic ruler who overcame great personal tragedy to repel the powerful Persian empire and unite the Great Steppe.

The Legend of Tomiris stars Almira Tursyn, Aizhan Lighg, and Adil Akhmetov. Don’t miss the film’s New U.S. Trailer Continue reading

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News, Other Notable Titles |

How to Win at 3 Card Poker

How to Win at 3 Card Poker

How to Win at 3 Card Poker

With all the time that we spend in the house, you may be considering playing some games online. One game that you may want to consider playing is 3 card poker.

However, when money is involved, you may be wondering a few things.

Like how to win at 3 card poker, for example. If you’re searching for answers, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’re going to find some strategies that will help win whenever you’re playing the game.

Continue reading for everything you need to know.

Know the Rules

Before you can know how to play and win at 3 card poker, you have to learn the rules of the game. Of course, you could learn the rules as you play, but that may leave you open to losing quite a bit of money in the beginning.

When you play 3 card poker, the only options that you have are ante-play or pair plus. Pair plus means that you’ll win if your cards have a pair on the table. Ante-play is when you bet or fold based on the cards that you’ve got in your hand.

Set a Maximum Play Budget

Before you begin playing, we urge you to have a maximum amount of money that you want to spend while playing. The last thing you want to do is begin playing and, in the end, have spent all of your money with nothing to show for it.

Setting a limit for the amount of money you have to play with will ensure that you don’t go overboard and get stuck in the zombie-like trance of playing gambling games. You want to know how to win at 3 card poker, not how to lose money.

Practice Makes Perfect

The only way to get better at playing 3 card poker is to practice whenever you’ve got a chance. To practice, you’ll need to find a reliable online casino that offers games to those who use it.

One such site that provides this to those looking for a game is the Unibet casino. When you visit the site, search for a 3 card poker game in play mode to give you time to get comfortable playing before the money is involved.

Know the House Advantage

Have you ever heard the saying, “the house always wins?” If so, then you’ll understand how important it is to know the house edge percentage. When you know the house edge, you’ll also improve your chances of winning.

Depending on whether you choose the pair plus or ante-play, the house edge may be higher or lower based on your choices. Knowing the house edge will help you learn how to always win at 3 card poker.

Understanding How to Win at 3 Card Poker

When it comes to how to win at 3 card poker, we hope the strategies we’ve provided above will help you start playing like a professional. Remember to play a couple of games before you start betting your money.

If this article provided you with the answers you were searching for, continue to scroll through our blog section for more articles like this one.

 

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One Night in Bangkok (2020) Review

One Night in Bangkok | DVD (Lionsgate)

One Night in Bangkok | DVD (Lionsgate)

Director: Wych Kaosayananda
Cast: Mark Dacascos, Kane Kosugi, Vanida Golten, Prinya Intachai, Michael S. New, Charlie Ruedpokanon, Alice Tantayanon, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Julie Condra, Shivam Pawa, Siripon Yuktadatta
Running Time: 105 min.

By Paul Bramhall

In 2019 Thai director Wych Kaosayananda had somewhat of an epiphany with his feature The Driver. Using nothing more than a stationery car, a green screen, and an action star who’s been off the boil for almost 20 years, it was possible to make a movie! It may not be a good movie, in fact it may be a terrible excuse for a movie, but it’s still a movie. I confess the next scenario is speculation on my part, but I have a theory that after this epiphany took place, Kaosayananda realised he was onto something, and decided to kidnap The Driver star Mark Dacascos. The Driver also starred Mrs. Dacascos and their daughter, so what choice did he have Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Parasite | Blu-ray (Criterion)

Parasite | Blu-ray (Criterion)

Parasite | Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2020

The Winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or (more importantly, it has been stamped “Certified On Fire” by our vey own Paul Bramhall) is making its way to Blu-ray on October 27, 2020, courtesy of The Criterion Collection.

Acclaimed South Korean director Bong Joon-ho (Okja) is back with Parasite (read our non-spoiler review), a black comedy/thriller starring the Bong’s frequent collaborator, Song Kang-ho (Memories of Murder).

Two families in Seoul—one barely scraping by in a dank semibasement in a low-lying neighborhood, the other living in luxury in a modern architectural marvel overlooking the city—find themselves on a collision course that will Continue reading

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News |

Here’s what’s coming to Hi-YAH! this month…

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Release line up for the month of July – complete with a new film added to Hi-YAH! every Friday, as well as an additional exclusive title!

Without further ado, here’s what’s coming this month to Hi-YAH!… Continue reading

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Legacy of Lies (2020) Review

Legacy of Lies | DVD (Lionsgate)

Legacy of Lies | DVD (Lionsgate)

Director: Adrian Bol
Producer: Marco Robinson
Cast: Scott Adkins, Honor Kneafsey, Andrea Vasiliou, Anna Butkevich, Victor Solé, Matt Mitler, Yuliia Sobol, Martin McDougall, Chee Leon Sua
Running Time: 101 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

The latest Scott Adkins vehicle Legacy of Lies has had an interesting journey to the screen. A passion project of Dutch director and writer Adrian Bol and producer Marco Robinson, it was originally planned that Robinson would play the lead, however those plans changed when the proof of concept trailer won at the Ukrainian Film Foundation. The prize was a million dollars to fund the production, but with the caveat that to access the money, it needs a bankable star attached to it. Thankfully, with only 2 weeks left before the fund expired, British martial arts star Scott Adkins entered the picture, securing the prize money needed to kickstart the Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged |

How Much Does Probate Cost on Average?

How Much Does Probate Cost on Average?

How Much Does Probate Cost on Average?

The passing of a loved one can be one of the most difficult times that you experience. Not only do you have to settle their assets and organize the legal proceedings and make funeral arrangements, but you have to do a lot of that as you grieve your loved one.

Probate court is one such complex activity that you will have to navigate after the passing of a loved one. In this article, we’ll give you details on how probate court works and how much you can expect the budget for probate cost to make this process a little simpler for you.

What Is Probate Court?

Before we start talking about the details, let’s first make sure that we have a sound understanding of what probate court is exactly.

The first thing to know is that probate court is a distinct type of legal proceedings. Probate judges serve in probate court. The purpose of this court is to adjudicate over the possessions and wealth of someone who has passed away.

The first and foremost responsibility of the probate court is to ensure that all of the creditors of the passed person receive compensation for the credit they had extended to the deceased. This means that if your loved one had significant debts, then a lot of their estate may be eaten up by those debts before it is distributed as per their will.

In instances where a will was not left and ownership of possessions is disputed, a probate court will also help adjudicate the ownership of those possessions and wealth.

As a general rule, if you know that there are is a complex situation regarding this particular inheritance (a complicated will, lots of debt, etc.) you should hire a probate lawyer to help you navigate the probate process.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Now that you know what probate court is, let’s talk money. Probate court costs money. The total fees of the court will depend based on the case.

Generally, the cost of the process could end up being up to 8% of the total estate. There are several factors to consider. First is the actual court fees that you owe to the court of law. The second is the fees that you will owe to the lawyer.

Lastly, you’ll also have to consider bond fees, valuation fees, and accounting fees. Not to mention, at the end of the day a lot of the inheritance will be taxed. This will be an additional cost on top of the answer to the question, “how much is probate?”

Prepare for Probate

The main takeaway here is that probate court is something that you should prepare for. Try your best to ensure that you are able to get a good lawyer that will maximize the amount of money you get from the estate. Be sure to budget for the miscellaneous fees, however.

For more legal articles, check out the rest of the articles available to read on the website before you leave!

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Deal on Fire! The Samurai Trilogy | Blu-ray | Only $34.99 – Expires soon!

"The Samurai Trilogy" Blu-ray Cover

“The Samurai Trilogy” Blu-ray Cover

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Criterion’s The Samurai Trilogy, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki and starring the inimitable Toshiro Mifune, was one of Japan’s most successful exports of the 1950s, a rousing, emotionally gripping tale of combat and self-discovery.

Based on a novel that’s often called Japan’s Gone with the Wind, this sweeping saga fictionalizes the life of the legendary seventeenth-century swordsman (and writer and artist) Musashi Miyamoto, following him on his path from unruly youth to enlightened warrior.

With these three films—1954’s Oscar-winning Musashi Miyamoto, 1955’s Duel at Ichijoji Temple, and 1956’s Duel at Ganryu Island—Inagaki created a passionate epic that’s equal parts tender love story Continue reading

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

A Gamer’s Dilemma: Should You Buy a PS4 Now or Wait for a PS5?

A Gamer's Dilemma: Should You Buy a PS4 Now or Wait for a PS5?

A Gamer’s Dilemma: Should You Buy a PS4 Now or Wait for a PS5?

So, you’re a gamer and want the latest and greatest power for all of your needs.

Whether you are playing Triple-A titles or lighter games, you must have the diverse and proper equipment to do the job.

The PlayStation is an iconic piece of gaming equipment and is currently in its fourth generation. With impressive specs, the PS4 has been a great console.

There may be the question of, “Should I buy a PS4?” however, the latest and greatest PS5 is on the horizon to replace the PS4.

Are the specs worth it? We’re here to break it down for you whether or not it is worth the investment.

PS4 and PS5 Key Differences

Currently, the PS5 is slated for release later this year. However, an official release date has not been confirmed, though hinting around the holiday season.

The PS4, released in 2013, still has pretty reasonable specs. It rocks an 8-core AMD processor that clocks at 1.6 GHz at the baseline. In addition to the processor, the baseline PS4 also has a 500GB hard drive.

These specs are still reasonable by 2020 standards, but if you play newer titles, you may experience slight choppiness and also storage issues.

However, there is also the PS4 Pro, which offers an attractive 2.13 GHz processor and up to 2TB of storage for all of your gaming needs. The prices begin at $300 for the base console and $400 for the PS4 Pro.

The PS5, however, is a new beast. As announced, the PS5 is equipped with an AMD Zen 2-based processor with eight cores and a clock speed of 3.5 GHz alongside a fancy-schmancy 825GB SSD, which is customizable.

PS4 vs. PS5: Design

The PS4 design is minimal, with its black finish and low profile, it is sleek and compact. In addition to its minimalism, it is also subdued and does not draw too much attention.

However, the PS5 is a whole new generation of gaming console. The sleek, futuristic dual-tone PS5 is elegant white with a black interior and LED lights on the internal panels.

The PS5 is a stunner and mixes up the look of the console. Additionally, it is more eye-catching than the previous generation.

Should I Buy a PS4?

With crucial differences in specs and a design change, you may still be wondering what to buy.

The PS4 currently supports the latest games, but once the newer generation comes out, the support may wane.

Of course, there has been no official talk of support being cut off for the PS4, but it is still important to factor in how long you plan to keep the console and what games you want to play.

As of now, PS4 should have support for the next couple of years.

If you are a casual user who enjoys lighter titles or games that are well-optimized, then a PS4 may be the best option for you.

There are also a wide variety of PS4 games that are worth your time, which you can read about in this post.

However, if you want to be on the cutting edge of tech and have access to the latest and greatest games, then it may be worth holding out for the PS5.

Which is Best for You

Should I buy a PS4?

With specs, design, and support into consideration, it is now up to you to decide what PlayStation is best for you. No matter if you choose a PS4 or PS5, you will still have an excellent console.

Do you love video games? Then check out our site for more information on gaming and tech.

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Ninja Over the Great Wall (1987) Review

"Ninja Over the Great Wall" Theatrical Poster

“Ninja Over the Great Wall” Theatrical Poster

AKA: Fire on the Great Wall
Director: Bruce Le
Cast: Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Li Ning, Yu Hai, Leung Yim, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Cheng Yuen Man, Xue Bai, Gao Jian-Hua, Ma Zheng, Yang Li-Xin
Running Time: 90 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

After spending 10 years playing various incarnations of Bruce Lee within the infamous Bruceploitation genre, Huang Kin-Lung (or Bruce Le as he’s more commonly known) directed what could be considered his first production which didn’t rely on the connection to the Little Dragon. Out of all the clones that sprung up in the wake of Bruce Lee’s death, it’s Le whose filmography most represents someone attempting to take control of his own career. Originally hired by the Shaw Brothers studios and cast as a supporting player in the likes of Rivals of Kung Fu and Big Brother Cheng, Le quit before being given a shot at lead role, and subsequently found himself inadvertently cast as a Bruce Lee clone. What was the job of a Bruce Lee clone? Continue reading

Posted in All, Bruceploitation, Chinese, News, Ninja, Reviews | Tagged |

Donnie Yen to play a Chinese-Mexican drug dealer for English-language thriller ‘Golden Empire’

“Chasing the Dragon” Theatrical Poster

“Chasing the Dragon” Theatrical Poster

In addition to Sleeping Dogs, martial arts star Donnie Yen (Ip Man 4: The Finale) is set to star and produce Golden Empire, an English-language crime thriller that’s being marketed as “the first major narco film with an Asian lead that plays to global audiences.”

Golden Empire will explore the complexities of the character, showcasing the inner turmoil of one of the world’s most successful multinational drug lords. Yen also played a real-life gangster in 2017 pic Chasing the Dragon, in which he starred alongside Andy Lau. Producer Peter Luo (Midway, Crazy Rich Asians), CEO at Starlight Media, said that performance led him to believe the actor was the only candidate to lead Golden Empire (via Deadline).

So far, no director or Continue reading

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Charlize Theron gives us an update on ‘Atomic Blonde 2’

"Atomic Blonde" International Theatrical Poster

“Atomic Blonde” International Theatrical Poster

Action starlet (are we even allowed to say that in this day and age?) Charlize Theron has re-confirmed that a sequel to David Leitch’s 2017 action-thriller Atomic Blonde (read our review) is still very high on the priority list.

The original movie – dubbed “the female version of John Wick” – was previously known as The Coldest City, the title of Antony Johnston’s 2012 graphic novel, from which the film was based.

“We’re in the development stages right now, and that’s the one thing that lockdown has been good for — being able to develop with writers over Zoom. So, we’re actively developing [an Atomic Blonde sequel] right now”, Theron told THR in a recent interview while promoting The Old Guard Continue reading

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Donnie Yen re-awakens his ambitious ‘Sleeping Dogs’

"Flash Point" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“Flash Point” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Considering Donnie Yen’s (Chasing the Dragon, Kung Fu Jungle) involvement in two high-profile Hollywood projects (xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Star Wars: Rogue One), it was inevitable that he would sooner, rather than later, headline his own Hollywood film.

Over 3 years ago, it was reported that the Hong Kong superstar would be starring in a film adaptation of Square Enix’s hit video game Sleeping Dogs, produced by Neal Moritz (Fast and Furious franchise).

Since then, news about Sleeping dogs was off and on, but now, Yen recently re-confirmed his participation in the film, posting a video of himself busting a few warm-up moves at the gym and writing that he is “aiming to make another breakthrough movie.” Continue reading

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