Ride With the Devil (1999)

 

During the American Civil War, two friends join the Bushwhackers, a militant group loyal to the Confederacy. 

Excellently and beautifully directed Western with an excellent cast takes its time to analyze the causes and effects of war, but somehow fails to make a lasting impact due to a lack of focus on its agenda. 

Halliwell**: "Dour, beautifully photographed semi-western, a harsh drama of idealism corrupted and redeemed; it ably shows the futility of war, as both sides commit atrocities and betrayals, but might have benefitted from a maturer point of view than that of its youthful participants."

Maltin**1/2: "Interesting subject matter is diffused by overlong, sometimes unfocused treatment, though the time and place are well drawn. Pop singer Jewel makes an impressive acting debut." 

 

Pawn Sacrifice (2014)

Set during the Cold War, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer finds himself caught between two superpowers and his own struggles as he challenges the Soviet Empire.

Supported by a good cast the movie is successful receating the Cold War period and the tension it created for this particular historic figure and event, but doesn't spark any enthusiasm for chess.