Redemption - The Stan "Tookie" Williams Story

Redemption - The Stan

Starring:Jamie Foxx, Lynn Whitfield, Lee Thompson Young, Brenden Jefferson, Brenda Bazinet, Wes Williams, Greg Ellwand, CCH Pounder, Barbara Barnes-Hopkins, Tom Barnett, Karl Campbell, Joseph Pierre, Vibert Cobham, David Fraser, Kahmaara Armatrading, Marcus Johnson (II), Garfield Williams, Aaron Meeks, Donovan Palma, Philip Craig
Director: Vondie Curtis-Hall
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

In the annals of acting, 2004 will be remembered as a banner year for Jamie Foxx. Before his acclaimed turns in Collateral, alongside Tom Cruise, and Ray, the Ray Charles biopic, he produced and starred in this made-for-cable movie about former gangbanger Stan "Tookie" Williams. Directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Vondie Curtis Hall (Gridlock'd), Redemption tracks Tookie's rise as co-founder of L.A.'s notorious Crips, fall to death-row inmate, and rise again to Nobel Prize Nominee. Tookie's reminiscences to journalist Barbara Becnel (Lynn Whitfield), while he is on death row, frame the story. Virtually unrecognizable from his days on In Living Color, a buffed-up, dreadlocked Foxx gives an effectively low-key performance, while Whitfield also shines in a less rewarding role. Redemption may not have the grandeur of Malcolm X or The Hurricane--and Tookie's transformation from man of violence to man of peace happens too quickly--but his story is just as inspirational. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Jamie Foxx gives a ?career defining? performance (DAILY VARIETY) as Stan ?Tookie? Williams, founder of the notorious Crips street gang in this riveting true story. Awaiting execution on death row, Tookie is now determined to stop the violence he helped create. When he begins a crusade to steer children away from gangs by writing a series of powerful anti-gang books, he earns worldwide critical acclaim, as well as four Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

Customer Reviews:

IT WAS O.K.!!!!!.......2007-07-04

THIS MOVIE WAS O.K. SO MANY PEOPLE TOLD ME TO GET THIS MOVIE. SO I DECIDED TO GET IT AND WATCH THIS MOVIE. I WAS EXPECTING A LITTLE BIT MORE. U KNOW SHOWIN WHEN HE WAS ON THE STREETS AND WHEN THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOUSE TO ARREST HIM, JUST MORE OF WHAT HE WAS DOING BEFORE HE GOT PUT ON DEATHROW. BUT IT WAS GOOD HE REALLY DID CHANGE WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON. BUT ONCE AGAIN I WANTED MORE. AND I DIDNT LIKE THE WAY IT ENDED. COULD HAVE ENDED A LITTLE BIT BETTER........UR GIRL JENN*****

Fantastic docu-drama.......2007-01-24

This is a fantastic "docu-drama" which captures the essence of the life of Stan "Tookie" Williams, executed by the State of California on December 22, 2005. Williams co-founded the notoriously violent Crips street gang in Los Angeles before eventually being sent to death row over the murders of four people in 1979 (a charge he always denied).

The film, starring Jamie Foxx as Williams, focuses on Tookie's death row experience where he begins to take stock of his negative achievements in life. From there, Tookie embarks on an ambitious project of writing children's books aimed at steering youth clear of gangs. By banking on his street credentials as the world's toughest gangster he catches the attention of youth in a way that parents, teachers and police officers cannot and even brings Crips and Bloods together at peace rallies.

This is a well-acted drama that closely follows real-life events in its study of Tookie's transformation. The film also raises serious questions about Tookie's subsequent execution despite his valiant efforts to right his earlier wrongs, his claim to innocence and his multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. If California would execute this man despite his activism (or because of it...), then who can ever claim to have truly achieved redemption?

Awakening..........2007-01-03

I enjoyed this movie greatly, it was a true awakening. Passion and a love for life is seen even in the darkest of time. His story has helped many people make better decisions about their life, making his life a master piece and a great source of enlightment.

nominado al premio nobel de la paz.......2007-01-03

basada en una historia real, nos pone pensar si realmente es la pena de muerte un metodo de justicia. Tookie nominado al premio nobel de la paz por sus escritos sobre las gangas y/o pandillas en el estado de california y sus consecuencias, trabajo para orientar a los niños y alejarlos de estas y todo desde la prision donde cumplia condeda por asesinato. Claro y la estupenda interpretacion de Jamie Foxx en mi apreciacion unos de sus mejores papeles dramaticos.

"Tookie" had the potential to be a great man.......2006-08-06

There is not doubt in my mind that Stan Williams was destiny was to be a leader. It's a shame that he hadn't had the chance to direct it to good from the beginning of his life. As someone who grew up in the inner city of Detroit myself I can testify that survival is often the best you can accomplish. And in his own sad way, he was a leader. It's not right that we all are not equal in this country and have the opportunity to fulfill your potential.

I doubt if he was innocent. If he didn't murder the ones the court said he did, I bet he committed other horrific crimes. But he proved he wanted to redeem himself, to use the the rest of his life to do good. What message is being sent when you execute someone who turned his life around? It makes America look barbaric. As Gandhi said: "An eye for eye makes us all blind".

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