Norma Rae (1979)

A young single mother and textile worker agrees to help unionize her mill despite the problems and dangers involved.

From memory: Good political drama is more well-intentioned than effective, but is well staged and Sally Field is excellent in the title role.

Halliwell*: "Well-intentioned and well-acted pamphlet of political enlightenment with an inevitably ambivalent attitude."

Maltin***: "Field is excellent in Oscar-winning performance...Entertaining, though entirely believable..."

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979)

An extension of the previous film, wherein a cache of adventurers return to the overturned ship to seek several fortunes.

From memory: The original was no masterpiece, but Irwin once again manages to take it step lower in another cheapskate production; it's amazing how you can gather such an ensemble of stars and completely ignore their talents.

Halliwell (no star): "Dreary alternative ending to The Poseidon Adventure, with cardboard character studies, cut-price action, and tenth-rate technicalities."

Maltin*1/2: "Following THE SWARM, Caine teamed up with Irwin Allen for another career killer - a needless sequel..."

Eye for an Eye (1996)

Lincoln (2012)

As the War continues to rage, America's president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Despite depicting a short historic episode, the is movie convincingly creates a complex study of Abraham Lincoln, the political and social situation of the time and some good portrayals of other protagonists concerning the fight for the 13th Amendment; Daniel Day-Lewis' performance is spectacular, but the rest of the cast is great, too.

Maltin***1/2: "Day-Lewis miraculously disappears into the role of Lincoln, while the filmmakers persuasively create the look and feel of Washington in 1865.Thoughtful screenplay...and great casting from top to bottom make this a piece of American history come to vivid life."