Welcome to my Media Law blog. I use this blog as a teaching tool that
allows me to comment on current events and topics related to media law.
It also allows you to participate in discussions involving media law
topics.
As the name of the blog suggests, I want you to use this forum to
speak freely about the topics that we will discuss in my spring classes.
We will discuss some controversial topics -- and often, we may not
agree. You may not agree with me, or you may not agree with your
classmates.
But this is a forum of expression, so you have the right to express
your opinion. My opinion is not correct just because I'm the instructor.
You should feel free to disagree with me.
Think about this as the First Amendment in practice.
A few ground rules, please. Some of our discussions may become
heated. While you have the right to express your opinion, I urge you to
be considerate of others, especially those with whom you disagree. Avoid
attacking or belittling someone just because you disagree with his or
her opinion. And, I suggest you double check your comment for grammar,
clarity and sensitivity before you post.
With your comment, please include your
first name, initial of your last name and your class (TTh class, honors class or online class). I
need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points.
You can get an idea of how I used this blog in past semesters,
though you are not responsible for reading or commenting on previous
blog entries.
Now, let's start with something light.
Share with us a favorite book, movie, TV show, song, etc., that is
related to law, then tell us why it's your favorite and include a brief
summary of the work.
I'll go first. In past semesters, the movie I would call my favorite
was "Twelve Angry Men" -- the original with Henry Fonda. But in 2012,
I saw Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" and was thoroughly impressed. The
movie recounts President Lincoln's effort to encourage Congress to pass
the Thirteen Amendment, which abolished slavery. A
movie about passing a constitutional amendment? How perfect for a media
law prof!
I look forward to reading your comments.
127 comments:
"Lincoln" was a really great movie. Personally, my favorite television show right now is Scandal. It is about a team of professionals, some former lawyers and others assassins, who work to keep important public figures, including the President out of scandals and sometimes even prison. It reminds me of Criminal Minds, but for a Poli Sci major. Spoiler alert: the only down side is that they kill off the suspicious reporter pretty quick.
- Kaiti Evans
TTH class
When I think of the words "movie" and "law", my thoughts immediately go to "Legally Blonde" with Reese Witherspoon. It was one of my favorite movies growing up about a sorority girl, Elle Woods, who ends up at Harvard Law School. She originally goes because she wants to try to get back with her ex, Warren. While she's there (ands finds out he's newly engaged), she discovers her interest and passion for law. She ends up on a special case with a great team of lawyers and ends up discovering the truth of a murder case herself, which is a great ending because people stereotyped her as a "dumb blonde" the entire movie. It really speaks volumes to those who wouldn't consider themselves very smart and familiar with law at first to be capable of upholding the rules of the court in order to solve a devestating crime. It was really inspirational and it's still one of my all time favorite movies!
-Sophie Rose
TTh class
As of now, I have two favorite law-related media. The first is a documentary on Netflix called "The 13th". This is a very well done documentary about how the 13th amendment allows for modern day-slavery through America's justice system. It goes into how the government mistreats and imprisons people of color, people of low-income, etc. Basically, it's a good insight on the institutional oppression by our government and I highly recommend. The second law-related media I enjoy is the popular tv-show "How to Get Away With Murder." I'm not going to lie, it is a tad dramatic but I love it for the modern soap opera that it is. Not only does it have so many strong female characters, but the way they talk about law is exciting and Viola Davis is a perfect actress. - Arielle Raveney, TTH Class
"Shawshank Redemption" is one of my favorite movies. It tells a story about a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. While in prison he becomes friends with a fellow prisoner and gets involved in a money laundering operation led by the prison warden.
Chandler D, TTH class
I hate to admit it, but I really can only think of one movie that pertains to law. Legally Blonde (2001.) A very stereotypical college girl turned Harvard law star. In the end she uses both her past and present knowledge in winning her first case. I enjoyed this film a lot. Not only for the humor, but for the message behind the film. A woman doesn't need a man to be successful. She had a goal, was driven, and defied all stereotypes. Especially for the year it came out.
Jake Norrie
(T/Th)
Most TV shows that I watch usually include murder, crime, and law. How to Get Away with murder is a TV show about a powerful female professor who is a criminal defense attorney and teaches a class on defense law. The show gives a good insight on criminal law and procedures that go along with it. This is my favorite law TV show due to the fact that I truly love Viola Davis, who is the main character, but also because I think criminal law is the most interesting to watch and learn about.
Ashley H.
(TTh)
My favorite tv show related to law is Chicago PD. It is a series on NBC that has been around for a long time and has many seasons because it is filled with drama. It is kind of like Law and Order but based in Chicago where the police are not friendly at all and will go to great lengths to get real criminals off of the street. The show helps you learn different angles police take to solve investigations and is a great high tension show.
Chloe W T/TH
My favorite law related TV show is “Making a Murderer.” The show is a documentary series about a Wisconsin man named Steven Avery who has been convicted of murder. The series showcases how the justice system has wronged him in the past and how his nephew was possibly persuaded into making a false confession about being involved in the murder. I like this show because it does a great job showing how our justice system has many harmful flaws. It also gives great insight into how to go about appealing a conviction.
Daniel R.
(TTh)
My favorite TV show right now (and has been for the past three years) is the BBC production "Silk". This show focuses on the trials and cases of defense barrister Martha Costello in modern day London. Filled with complicated cases and winding storylines I throughly enjoy being able to see both sides of the defense and prosecution standpoints of the show, as well as compare the differences in the English and American justice systems.
Ryan-Rose M.
(T/TH)
The first movie that came to mind when I think about the law is "Law Abiding Citizen." I'll admit it can be a little gruesome, but the entire story is based on a father trying to prove how broken our justice system is. His family is murdered and one of the suspects gets a free pass. Gerard Butler kills several people to get his point across. The movie isn't exactly realistic but it does open your eyes and make you question the flaws in our justice system.
Kate B.
(TTH class)
I recently saw “On the Basis of Sex” with Felicity Jones as Ruth Ginsburg and it is probably one of my new favorites. The movie tells the true story of Ginsburg’s success in Harvard Law School and her lack of success in finding a job in law thereafter. She became a professor at Rutgers teaching about sex discrimination in law. It becomes juicy when an associate of Ginsburg’s shows her a current case in which there is sex discrimination present; this case, however, it is sex discrimination against a man. Ginsburg and her husband go on to represent the man in appellate court, where she challenges gender norms and the status quo and ultimately wins, creating a new precedent for future cases. RBG is an icon!
Kate B, honors class
While it is not the main focus of the show my favorite show pertaining to law would have to be Daredevil. While it is a vigilante in his day job the protagonist is a lawyer and he constantly has to directly deal with how his actions affect the law and how we view crime with it current court system.
Austin B.
(TTH class)
Christopher G
(TTH Class)
My favorite book related to law is Texas Tough: Rise of America's Prison System. This is my favorite book related to law because it outlines how the prison system in America has evolved over time along with the changing of America as a whole. There are many wholes in the theory the author presents, but it is still a good history lesson with many great personal stories within the book. The Netflix documentary 13th is based partly off this book and the book is much better.
My favorite movie pertaining to law would be Flash Of Genius, based on the article in the New Yorker by John Seabrook. It's about Robert Kearns and his fight against Ford for developing the intermittent windshield wiper, which was based on Robert's ideas that he has patented. This is basically a case about patent law. This battle with Ford went on in court for years and eventually the court decides that Ford infringed Roberts patents but determined to be not deliberate on Fords behalf.
Paige S.
(Spring 2019 MC4301 Online)
The first that came to mind in relation to this class was actually a previous class I took at Texas State. Gorman's International Law class was a great class I took as part of my International Relations major. This was the first class I've had with a specific focus on law and with my previous IR classes and it being my first 4000-level class, it was a highlight in my undergraduate career. We also had a mock-trial in the UAC Moot Court as well where I represented China in the South China Sea– a tough case to fight for but a fun one!
(Geoff S, Honors)
My favorite TV show relating to law would definitely have to be Law and Order: SVU. My freshman college roommate got me hooked on it. It is a crime show that is about a team of agents that respond to "heinous" crimes in the New York area. They team up with the District Attorney to gather evidence, witness/victim testimonies and find the truth to make NYC safer. The little I know about law was for sure taught to me by this show. I love this show because it makes law and criminal jargon understandable for the viewers. I guess they did that on purpose or else no one would watch.
-Lydia C. (TTH Class)
My favorite law related tv show would have to be "How to Get Away with Murder". The main character, Annalise Keating, is so brilliant and kick butt that I'm so engaged in her development and struggles. The show has such good suspense and mystery making it very engaging. I love a show that makes you think and the show provides that opportunity through multiple crazy cases . It's about a group of law students that are picked to work for their brilliant criminal defense professor and become involved in a murder that ends up getting all of Annalise Keatings workers involved. The show isn't 100% accurate, but does have a good mix of legal and dramatic content.
-Celeste,T
(TTh)
I actually just watched 12 ANGRY MEN two weeks ago with my brother. I guess I have never really watched any type of courtroom drama or TV show, so I never understood how proceedings work. I did some research about the film afterwards just to see how accurate it was in comparison to real life, and while it doesn't represent exactly how a court room truly works, there are still elements in it that are accurate. I've been meaning to watch MY COUSIN VINNY because I heard that real law schools actually use that film to teach.
- RICHARD MOLNAR (TTH Class)
Personally, I do not watch a lot of shows or movies that pertain to law. The closest thing I would say would be Batman in The Dark Knight. To me, The Dark Knight pertains to law through Batman being a vigilante who tries to stop Joker from executing his plan. However, Joker's plan worked and he turned the best district attorney Harvey Dent into two face by starting an exclusion. Dent, he was responsible for arresting the mob. Joker, by corrupting Harvey Dent halted the balance in law and order for the city of Gotham. Overall, what Dent did as two face forced Batman and Gorden to say Batman killed all of the cops that had been murdered by Harvey. It also goes to show no one stays good forever even those involved in law and order.
- Cody Tracy Online
I have to admit that, while a lot of people would scoff at this answer, my favorite law related movie would have to be Legally Blonde. It's definitely one of those feel-good movies that I grew up with and that I can watch whenever I need cheering up. The movie revolves around Elle Woods, a "ditsy" sorority girl who decides to go to Harvard Law School to impress her ex-boyfriend. She ends up working on a case defending a widow accused of murdering her husband, and while many doubted her because of her appearance and background, she ends up solving the case in the end. I like the movie because of its message of persevering through doubt and that law is a field that anyone can get into if they have the determination and look at things from every perspective.
-Paola Bakker Online
My favorite law show that I never seem to get bored of is Law and Order SVU (Special Victims Unit.) This SVU team solves cases relating to sexual assault, but each case is different and keeps you on your toes. These types of cases are important to me because of the fact that they are very issues many women and men face today.
Hannah Holder, TTH
My favorite tv show that relates to law is the Netflix original series Daredevil. It involves the main character who is a blind new york lawyer, Matthew Murdock. However, at night, he is the vigilante known as Daredevil. Throughout the series I see Murdock explain the rights to police officers on behalf of his clients. Such as the right to not speak to the police without his presence. He also works on thrilling cases during the series, the main one being the Frank Castle (aka the Punisher) case. I'm sad Netflix is discontinuing the series, however, I think you would like it Mr.Matrinez!
Tyra "Alysse" Arias, TTH
Does "Legally Blonde" count? It's true, I love hilarious romantic comedies, and I would be lying if I said that Reese Witherspoon didn't make me want to become a lawyer. She lowkey did. Also, I am all about women empowerment. This movie is a classic. At first, the main character, Elle Woods decides to go to Harvard to win back a guy (which is terrible, right? She should be furthering her education for herself and nobody else!). However, Elle learns hard facts about life and... you know what... I cannot spoil the film for others who have yet to watch. It's an early 2000s classic! Highly recommend.
The "TV" show I would call my favourite would be "American Crime Story" and is streamed on Netflix and each season would cover big crime stories from the perspective of the people involved with each case. For example, in the first season covered the case of "The people v. O.J Simpson", in this season, it bounces from the perspective of Simpson to his defence team and the opposing Marcia Clark. Definitely, a good binge watch, if you have nothing better to do on the weekend!
-Jose V
-TTH
My favorite movie relating to law would have to be "End of Watch" it's not a really courtroom type of movie but more from the perspective of Police officers. It's a really good watch because it shows, in a pretty realistic and funny way, how officers of the law conduct themselves and what they go through. The story is about two officers who discover a huge drug ring and end up digging too deep with dire consequences. It's one of my favorites and I would highly recommend it! -Thomas V. (TTH Class)
My favorite show would have to be Narcos all 3 seasons. Narcos is the only show where I do not mind reading the subtitles the whole entire time. It gives you real life scenarios in the world of a drug cartel, and most of the episodes are based on true events. In the first two seasons the show explores Pablo Escobar and the rise of the Medellin Cartel and continues to also explore Mexico in the midst of their Drug war. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who has never seen it or simply looking for something new to watch.
Jenna U. MC 4301-253
One of my all time favorite movie that is law related is 'Double Jeopardy'. It deals with the court defense that prevents a person who is accused of a crime to be tried again on the same charges. So when a woman is accused of murdering her husband and tried for the crime, she cannot be tried again if she actually kills her husband! Its pretty twisted and a great thriller, with a lot of law and court discussion throughout. 'A Few Good Men' is another great one - I can't think of law movies without thinking "You can't handle the truth!". Another great movie that I stand by is 'Legally Blonde'. Although it is not a serious movie at all, I still think it is great!
It's no book or movie, but one of the most memorable video games that I played as a kid was Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney for the Nintendo DS. The game follows Phoenix Wright, a defense attorney, and consists of investigating crime scenes, analyzing evidence, and courtroom trials. While a little over-the-top and cartoonish, the series covers serious topics like organized crime and murder. The game presents a real challenge with its creative storytelling that makes the player connect the dots on their own, rather than doing the work for them. The information/evidence you gather before the courtroom trial directly affects your success at proving your client "not guilty," and finally cracking a case that you've been struggling with for a few days is incredibly satisfying.
-Allen Barnes (Honors class)
Currently, my favorite show related to law is How to Get Away with Murder. The show is about a defense attorney and a college professor named Annalise Keating who is a criminal herself. In one of her classes she nominates students to help assist her with her cases. 5 of the students she picked gradually become part of her dirty work and cannot surrender because if one goes down, they all go down. I definitely recommend to watch it, you will not be disappointed.
-Lola Onatoye
TTh
My favorite movie that is related to law would have to be, "All the Presidents Men" from 1976. I like this movie a lot because it has two of my favorite actors portraying the main characters in the film, Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. Watergate is such a controversial and interesting topic, I find it in very entertaining to learn about how it shaped the culture in 1970s America and forward. With this story playing straight into laws concerning the press and media in the United States, it fits right in with mass communication studies nicely. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein are the two men who made me first realize that being a journalist can be pretty cool.
Jacob Salois
TTH MC4301
"All The Presidents Men" is a movie describing the true story behind two journalists from the Washington Post who uncovered the details of the Watergate scandal, beginning in 1972, which ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.
Jacob Salois
TTH MC4301
Lawless is my favorite movie that has to do with law and breaking it to make a living. It's a Drama/Crime film released in 2012 starring Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf as brothers in 1931 running a bootlegging operation in the backwoods of Virginia. With phenomenal acting and a gritty prohibition era setting this is an immersive movie with a plot thicker than molasses. Pretty much about the good ol' boys outwitting over-zealous, highfalutin lawmen. Also, Tom Hardy is just a total badass.
Samuel Cravey
T/Th
My name is Lauren M. and I am recently enrolled in the TTh class at 12:30!
I am a huge movie buff so this question Is going to be a two parter. One of my favorite books is To Kill A Mockingbird, this is obviously one of the most famous pieces of literature that directly has to do with the law and needs little explanation. It was incredibly well written and transformational.
My second answer to this question has to be Blackkklansman, a movie and biopic released last year. It was hands down my favorite film release of 2018 and it is a fascinating story about a black man in the 70s who becomes the first black police officer in a small Colorado town. He is able to join the KKK while using a fellow officer and Jew as his "face" at meetings. It is a true story and has almost insane insight into how our government has ties with racist organizations and how their power effects the people.
Personally, I don't watch a lot of television or movies, but if I had to name something law related that I occasionally enjoy watching would be Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Obviously not a serious representation of law as it is a sitcom, but enjoyable nonetheless. Even throughout its comedic plot line, there are some things highlighted about the law system, including corruption in the line of police work. There have even been some allusions to problems we currently face with law in our society. It's a great show for viewing criminal justice in a light hearted manner. Otherwise, I would also like to mention a good song, This is America by Childish Gambino. Really, anyone with social media has probably heard this song or seen the music video since it exploded upon release, but the song by mainstream rapper Childish Gambino highlights the current injustices in both social-political and law enforcement practices against black Americans. The music video and the lyrics do this in an artistic and abstract manner, which I think was a great way to approach it. Even if you don't agree with what is being said, its a catchy song all around.
Ann-Marie V.
Online Class
My favorite TV show would have to be Dexter. I enjoy this show one because it is a thriller and keeps me thoroughly interested throughout all the seasons. It would also happen to pertain to the law because the main character, Dexter, works for the police department, but he also doubles as a murderer. Although this sounds bad, his heroism is that he only kills other murders or "the bad guys" who do not get caught. It is crazy to sympathize with a killer, but he is doing what he sees as a improvement for society, also while taking care of his deepest secret. I find myself rooting for Dexter and only wanting him to come out on top, despite him repeatedly breaking the law, in what I might add, is a major offense. I lastly think it is quite ironic that he works for the police, and uses his resources to clean up the scum of society that police can't get off the streets themselves.
MacKenzie Dornak MC 4301 TTR
My Favorite TV show that comes to mind when I think Law is Law and Order: SVU. I got hooked on that show a few years ago and it gets me so frustrated and very interested in law. In fact I was so amazed by it and the whole court scene that I went to Austin and took a tour of the court room and asked how to watch hearings. The show is about "special victims" which is the department of things like rape, sexual assault, harassment and more. The show starts off with the crime and then goes chronologically through the process of justice. Sometimes the cases are easy to break and other times the rapist ends up getting away with it due to lack of evidence or something else. i like it so much because it is real and raw and shows you the tension and steps that really happen throughout this process. This show has taught me more about law than what I have learned in school.
Christina Seuffert
Online class MC 4301
Although I do not watch a lot of TV shows or movies, one I do occasionally watch that relates to law is Law and Order: SVU. The series is about a group of detectives that work together to solve cases related to sexual assault. The show begins with the crime itself then progresses into the justice aspect. The show does not always have a 'happy' ending since the criminal does not always go to prison due to a lack of evidence or whatever the case may be. This makes the show seem more real due to it following all the steps from start to finish and the fact that these types of cases are dealt with daily.
-Olivia Walker
T/Th Honors
My favorite TV show that relates to law is Scandal. The show was written by renowned television film writer and author Shonda Rhimes who also blessed the world with Grey's Anatomy. Scandal is mainly centered around Olivia Pope and her crisis management law firm located in Washington D.C. Olivia is a "fixer" for many high power political officials both nationally and internationally. The show also depicts her close-knit relationship with the White House and the President Fitzgerald Grant that is played by Tony Goldwyn.
-Tori Glass
T/TH
One of my favorite TV shows that relates to law is Dexter. Dexter is the main character in a Netflix series that tells a story about a cop/detective by day, but by night he is a murderer. Although he murders people, he justifies it with the fact that all of his victims are criminals who "don't deserve to live" and that "got away" from the law. This show is extremely gripping and entertaining because it makes you question your morals, after you find yourself rooting for a serial murderer.
Lani McNatt
T/Th
To be honest, I don't really like watching law, documentary, or historic movies or shows. However, I have watched some that are really good. I'd go with the Korean drama called "While You Were Sleeping". The main characters are a prosecutor, a reporter, and a police officer. They have one thing in common which is they can see the future through their dreams. This helps them with criminal investigation, finding the wrong doer, or preventing the bad dreams becoming a reality. I saw a lot of how the lawyers and prosecutors work in this drama. There is an example of a bad lawyer who only wanted money as well. You guys should check this drama out!
Sasikarn S.
(Online)
While it does not pertain directly to law, my favorite show regarding some sort of law is "Veep". Veep is a show about the US government, mainly focusing on the President and Vice President. There are actually many reporters that are main characters in the show and it kind of represents how they can say whatever they want and they're somehow always around to catch the bad stuff, but never around to report on the good stuff, This show is a comedy but I think it portrays media law in a factual manner.
Taylor Parks
Online class
One of my favorite law movies is "Selma" directed by Ava DuVernay. By now, most of us should know Dr. King's story. This movie does an excellent job at reliving the history that took place in Selma, Alabama, 1965. This is a favorite because it shows how black people peacefully and persistently protested against the government that was not representing them. I believe the movie captured the emotion, frustration and perseverance African Americans went through at the time.
Christopher Gentry
T & Th Class
Tramesha Hardy
Online Class
My favorite TV show is How to get away with murder. This show caught my attention because it was a lot going on leading to figuring out different murder cases. Viola Davis is the main character in these series. She is a criminal defense attorney and a law professor that selects five student in her class to intern at her firm. These five students get into some trouble when viola husband is killed. They all stick together to get out the mess but it also torn them apart. At the end they still needed one another to make it out. I recommend watching this show, it is really good and law is my least favorite.
My favorite book related to law is "To Kill a Mockingbird" I liked this book because it tells the story of the trial of an african american man in the south during segregation and the opposition that he and his lawyer faced. I think this is an important message because one of the main purposes of the legal system is to defend those who are innocent even if the majority of the public is biased against them.
Lucus Newman
TTH class
As I’ve been scrolling through the comments, I’ve noticed that Legally Blonde is a more common choice than I originally thought it would be. I find that fact amusing because as I had been thinking of a movie or book for the past couple of days, the first movie that came to mind was Legally Blonde as well. I actually re-watched it at the beginning of my first semester of college, last semester, because I wanted to motivate myself. As a blonde, female, aspiring lawyer, the movie Legally Blonde really humors me. The movie is centered around Elle Woods, who follows her ex-boyfriend to law school because he claims that she is too “blonde” for law school. Essentially, she proves him wrong like the iconic queen that she is. There is a song in the movie’s soundtrack called Watch Me Shine that I listen to when I need to remember that I can do whatever I set my mind to. Overall, it’s an enjoyable movie to watch when I need a laugh that I can relate to in a sense.
Marybeth G
T/TH
I am quite biased towards 12 Angry Men. Mainly because I was juror #9 in my high school play which was a blast. It's just a fascinating story and it's kinda crazy how so many people can interpret the same story. I think that is great about law but also scary cause you never know what people are gonna get out of it.
Sallie H, TTR
This is such a hard question! There are too many good choices but I guess the most recent book I read involving the law that comes to mind is Enemy of the People by Marvin Kalb. The book analyses the current war on the press to certain aspects of McCarthyism while emphasizing the importance of the first amendment and the free press during periods in which the American democracy is threatened. Super relevant to this class actually!
Sandra S.
Honors
Immediately the first book/movie that came to my head regarding law was To Kill A Mockingbird. It is one of the most iconic pieces of literature ever regarding the topic. I just recently watched the movie and was just as moved as the other times I've seen it, as well as when I read it. It gives us an insight to the climate of the United States nearly 100 years ago and how justice and segregation weren't exactly words that went together. The book is truly a classic, and I will forever love the way Atticus Finch was the caring soul he was during the time of the Great Depression and Jim Crow , while also forever having a sour taste in my mouth for those that looked down on him and people of different races (I say this in a way that I am also referring to all of the "real life" people who fell under similar personalities as Atticus and those with personalities of those who were racist).
Faith Fuentes
Spring 2019 MC4301 Online
My favorite show surrounding law is Scandal. From the white house drama to Oliva Popes own law office. the "scandals" she handles are so intriguing and show how Washington might actually be. I admire all she does to get the job done and win the case. This show makes me want to work in Washington.
Victoria N.
Online class
One movie I enjoy that pertains to law would have to be The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It focuses on the accounts of a true story where a possessed girl dies during her exorcism and the priest who performed it is being prosecuted for her death. Prosecuting attorney Ethan Thomas accuses Rev. Moore of being negligent to Emily’s physical and mental health and uses Emily’s untreated schizophrenia as being part of the suffering she endured. Defense attorney Erin Bruner then has to defend Rev. Moore and prove to the jury that Emily did in fact die from demonic possession. Some of the more interesting factors of this story is knowing that Erin is an atheist; and of course, seeing how religious practice is viewed and held accountable in a courtroom.
Julianna Montoya
TTh Class
When I think of any law content I have seen, other than Law & Order, I think about the show American Crime Story about the OJ Simpson trials. Most of the show is centered around the court and the legal side of the case. Being such a wide known case, it was still interesting to see what went on inside the courts and to see the case from a legal standpoint rather than a scandal standpoint. Another interesting thing about the case, is that you can see how law is so up to interpretation just how we discussed in class.
Karley C
TTh Class
I love "Twelve Angry Men!" I was a theatre student for years and got to play in the stage-version multiple times and even got to play in a version called "Twelve Angry Jurors" that included both men and women (I would highly recommend thinking of the characters across gender barriers for a cool feminist perspective to the plot)! My favorite law-related TV show is the Netflix original "The Staircase." It is a documentary-style series that follows a man who the state deems guilty of murdering his wife despite a lack of motive or hard evidence. The series followed the entire legal process for about 15 years and allows viewers to see how the media affects such cases and how legal proceedings affect the accused individual, their family, their friends, their reputations, and their understandings of the world. While the series is beyond infuriating, it's absolutely fascinating.
Conner Y. (online)
My favorite law related TV show has to be "Brooklyn Nine-Nine". It's not as serious as something like "Law & Order" or "How to Get Away With Murder", it's definitely more of a comedy. The show follows a group of cops and detectives and their lives in the precinct with different cases and situations in their lives. The show is on it's 6th season and you can stream it on Hulu!
Lucero T.
(TTH Class)
The first thing that popped into my mind was Legally Blonde 2. This was one of my favorite movies growing up and I have fond memories of sitting on the couch, eating popcorn and watching this movie with my mom. I remember watching it more than the first Legally Blonde movie, and I love that it explains the process of introducing and passing a bill in a fun way. Elle Woods is planning her wedding and wants to invite Bruiser, her dog, and his mom to the event. While searching for Bruiser's mom, Elle discovers that she is being held in a laboratory that uses dogs to test makeup on. Elle then takes "Bruiser's Bill," a bill that would stop cosmetics companies from testing on animals to D.C. in order to get it passed, but learns just how difficult it can be, especially when dirty politics come into play. But through her knowledge, skills and connections, Elle gets the bill passed and all of the animals are released, including Bruiser's mom. Elle gets married with Bruiser and his mom in attendance and lives happily ever after.
I think I would say the movie adaptation of Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl". While the poem itself is political, it has little to do with the legal process. In the film, however, there is an explanation of the legal battle surrounding the publication of the poem, namely the issue of censorship surrounding lines of a more explicitly sexual and/or homosexual nature. Its one of my favorites because I think the issue of censorship prevention is key in protecting free speech issues and allowing artists to create to their fullest.
Abby B.
TTh Honors
The one book I ever read about law was To Kill a Mockingbird. It starts off being about the adventure of a little girl named Jean Louise Finch, or Scout, and the people in her life, like her dad Atticus, a lawyer.
A black man named Tom was accused of raping a white woman, even though he would not because for one thing, he was not fit to commit any form of assault. The “rape victim,” and her father, were found very well to be liars, but the jury convicted the black man because… well, he was black. Atticus did his best to help Tom, teaching an important lesson to the court, and the readers, but he failed.
Even though the “rape victim’s” father, Bob Ewell, won the court case, he lost his credibility, so he tried to get revenge on Atticus by killing Scout and her brother Jem. Thankfully, Arthur “Boo” Radley killed him in their defense.
What I like about this book is it shows how racism can corrupt the justice system, but even when we win something, we sometimes lose something at the same time, and vice versa.
Online Mass Communications Law and Ethics Class
My favorite show that relates to law is How to Get Away With Murder. It tells the story of law professor and criminal defense attorney, Annalise Keating, who chooses 5 of her students to intern at her firm. these 5 students become close friends while they work with Annalise to solve criminal cases and try to stay out of legal trouble in their own lives. the show is a mix of drama and suspense and has good legal content.
Hannah H
TTH class
"The Green Mile" is an extraordinary law novel-turned-movie by Stephen King, in which the people wrongly incarcerated John Coffey because he had a big build (literally in terms of physicality) and is African American. During those times, segregation was still in effect so there was a lot of hostility towards African Americans, thus it I inferred he had an unfair trial. They had found him crying with two dead white girls laying in his hands and charged him with murder. We later discovered that a white male inmate was the true killer but nothing could be done for John because they had no evidence. John was electrocuted through the electric chair as punishment for a crime he did not commit. It was really heartbreaking as John was an honest, innocent man who hadn't yet known what the world could offer him and I gathered an attachment to him during the duration of the movie as he was a kind-hearted man.
-Manal Mubarak
Honors TR Class
My favorite movie related to law is "My Cousin Vinny". It involves a wrongful murder conviction in of 2 boys from New York. Joe Pesci is one of my favorite actors and happens to be the hard nosed lawyer for the wrongfully convicted boys. "My Cousin Vinny" has long been praised by judges and lawyers for being the most accurate in terms of a court room scenario.
-Alexander Gaskill (TTH)
I really enjoy crime/law shows, and recently I watched "Conversations with a Killer: the Ted Bundy Tapes" which is a Netflix original series of different interviews with Ted Bundy. The documentary danced between Bundy's past, the crimes he committed, and the court case itself. It traced his adolescent life, his teenage years, and his adult life; before recounting his murder trial where he represented himself.
-Lauren Jurgemeyer
Honors
A TV show that is related to law is "Judge Judy" which is a televised court show. I used to watch this show a lot with my grandpa. I like Judge Judy for her no nonsense attitude, and I find the show funny due to the silliness of the people that go on the show.
Kayla D.
(TTH)
The movie "A Few Good Men" directed by Rob Reiner follows a military lawyer, Tom Cruise, who is attempting to uncover a larger conspiracy within the United States Marines. After a marine stationed at Guantanamo Bay is killed by two fellow Marines, more bits of information about the fact pattern begin to trickle out. Colonel Nathan Jessup, played by Jack Nicholson, is the Base Commander at Guantanamo Bay. Over time, he becomes implicated in the death of the Marine when it becomes clear that he gave direct orders to "retrain" (or haze/intimidate) said Marine due to his application to transfer from the base. As a woman, it is refreshing to see a powerful woman, JoAnne Galloway, portrayed by Demi Moore, in a position of power. Successfully, she and Cruise are able to coerce a confession from Colonel Jessup, winning the case and getting justice for the Marine killed. Everyone loves a good underdog story, which this certainly is. On top of that, though, I think this film provides an essential look into our military, especially for that time period, in terms of toxic masculinity - this is definitely an extreme instance but worth considering.
- Talya Morris (TTh HON3396E)
One of my favorite shows pertaining to law is Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It's not a very realistic interpretation like Law and Order: SVU or factual such as Forensic Files, but I find it enjoyable. The show is about a police precinct in New York City and the lives of the detectives and cops who are part of it. There's a lot of crime fighting involved, but also has a nice mix of more personal anecdotes from the characters. It's a pretty funny show and I'm glad that NBC was able to pick it up after it had been cancelled on FOX.
- Melody M. TTH class
The song "locked up" by Akon, is one of my favorite songs. I like it because I like Akon's choice of lyrics and the sound is catchy. The song is about a man who stole a car and didn't pay for the insurance or registration on "his" car and winds up going to jail for it. Not only was the car stolen but he had a lot of drugs in the car with him as well. The rest of the song is about how he regrets his choice and that no one is helping him, he is all alone is his jail cell. I feel like the lyrics convey the fact that he felt that he had friends and family and things in the free world, but now that he's locked up, no one is visiting him or calling or sending letters. I feel like this song relates to law in the fact that people go to jail every day for reasons but then come to regret them after they are convicted.
Genaro P.
(T/TH) class
The song "F*ck the Police" by NWA is one of my favorite songs when it comes to dealing with the law. This song was made during the Rodney King era, because of how the LAPD where attacking young African American men for no reason. I feel the song is still relevant today because the world we are living in are afraid of us and cops would rather shoot us first and answer questions from the media later.
Alex C. TTH
My favorite movie that pertains to law would most definitely be “Legally Blonde”. The movie shows a young dedicated woman who is judged for being too “blonde” and yet over comes all obstacles and learns law with her hard dedication to become a smart law student. She then becomes a lawyer in solving a case and proves to everyone that with hard work and dedication, learning law is achievable. It definitely motivates people who want to go to school for law because if she can do it so can anyone else who sets their mind to it.
- Jacqueline D
(T/TH)
My favorite movie pertaining to law has to be "Catch Me If You Can" with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. It's a high action movie where Frank (Leonardo) lied about his credentials and somehow became a doctor, pilot and lawyer. Throwing himself into the life of law proved to be difficult at first but he studied day and night so he didn't look like such a fool. He was so good at fraud that the FBI asked him to work instead of getting jail time in the end. It shows us that really anything is possible. You just have to put your mind to it. Law wasn't easy for Frank but threw himself head first in the court room and concord with a bit of learning and diligence.
- Jason E
T/TH
I would have to say my favorite form of media that is related to law is the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. The show is loosely based on a memoir by Piper Kerman, an upper-class woman who spent several months locked up in federal prison due to drug trafficking she did in her youth. The series follows Piper's exploits in prison and the stories of the other women she meets while in there. I believe the show does an incredible job at humanizing inmates, as the characters are often depicted as normal people who grew up in terrible situations and/or made poor decisions that landed them in prison. The show also details the complex reality of the prison industrial complex, and tackles issues such as the unfairness of the United States' justice system when it comes to sentencing individuals that are poor or a minority. In short, Orange is the New Black is an exceptional show that features themes relevant to current controversies regarding law.
-Valkyrie M.
TTh 12:30-1:50 class
The song "This is America" by Childish Gambino is one of my favorite songs pertaining the law. I like this song because it talks abut the harsh reality of law enforcement, law in general, shootings and other uncivil acts that is happening around us. Aside from it being catchy, it makes you think deeper about the situation at hand. Also, the music video helps the viewer create the necessary image to help summarize the intentions behind the song.
Will C.
T/TH
Legally Blonde is one of my favorite movies about the law. I like it because it breaks stereotypes. Lawyers are generally seen as serious, uptight, and they all dress the same. The style, her emotions, and as well as her ability to be creative while still being just as good as a lawyer as anyone else is a powerful message for women and individuals who feel like they don't fit in.
Dejai Walton
TTH Class
The first movie I thought about was 12 Angry Men as well, however after a little more thought I have to go with A Few Good Men. A Few Good Men is the story of a murder trial surrounding the death of a soldier on a military base. Tom Cruise plays the lead prosecutor on the case playing against Jack Nicholson who plays the Commanding Officer of the base. Its an incredible movie.
Ghrae D (TTH Class)
Hi, I'm Araceli M. I am in your 12:30 p.m. TTh class. I have many favorite movies, and shows that deal with the law, for example Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Law & Order: SVU, Legally Blonde, Lincoln etc. I love SVU because it never shows the same storyline, every episode is different. I especially have a love hate relationship with the episodes that end without giving you a verdict because the creators stated they wanted us to make our own verdict, because each side had a compelling argument they wanted us to decided who was telling the truth, the victim or the perp. Another one that I am completely obsessed with is the Broadway show Hamilton. I have yet to see the show, but I have seen clip and have about every single song memorized. When I first learned about Hamilton, I got so enamored with the show that I researched anything and everything I could about Alexander Hamilton. I loved that the show depicts how he became one of our founding fathers and how he wasn't the most like man, but he did what he needed to to get his bills passed. How when he disagreed with the Articles of Confederation, he, John Jay & James Madison wrote the Federalist Papers. I one day hope to see the show for myself so I can get a better feel about the time and place that it takes place in.
I love the show Scandal, by Shonda Rhimes. The show has many different factors but it touches on certain parts of law within every episode almost. It is a great show to educate your self on certain famous law cases and just also with common laws. The show refers to real history in some ways and also uses correct vocabulary. I highly suggest this show for any person who loves government conspiracy theories, drama, and learning new things.
Breann Barrow (TTh Class)
Hey, I'm Farran M., I am in the online class.
One of my favorite shows that's related to law would be Banshee. It's about this ex-criminal who gets out of prison and goes to a town called Banshee, but when he gets there, there's a bar fight and the new sherif of the town ends up dying. The main character then buries the actual sherif and takes on his identity, since no one in the town of Banshee has seen the new sherif yet, they all believe him. As the show goes on, the other cops start getting suspicious of the main character because he doesn't follow any of the police rules and is kind of a loose cannon the whole time. The show is kind of trashy but I really enjoy it, it's a show where when someone does something horrible and you want something bad to happen to them, you don't have to wait a whole season. The main character usually gets revenge the same episode every time, it's amazing.
My favorite movie that relates to law is a movie called Double Jeopardy, its about a woman and mom that spends years in prison accused of murder and when she is released she has to track down her husband (who framed her for his murder) and son while not getting caught by her parole officer and *spoiler alert* she wants to actually kill him because she can't be tried twice. Really great thriller!
Taylor K (TTh class)
My favorite TV show related to law is Suits. The show revolves around Mike, a lawyer who didn’t go to law school, but , because of his photographic memory, he understands the law and starts working for one of the best law firms in New York City. Mike works closely with Harvey, the top dog lawyer who recruited him, on cases while they both try to protect his secret from getting out. It’s cool seeing the types of cases they encounter and how they can effectively use the law to win those cases. I’d highly recommend it.
-Dalton Marshall
TTh class
One of my favorite TV shows related to law is also Suits. However, if we're talking about movies, I haven't watched too many related to law. The one I can recall is called The Case for Christ about Lee Strobel doing some investigative reporting to prove that God does not exist. It's not entirely about law but I like how he reports on a topic that is controversial during that time and still is today.
Suits revolves around an uneducated lawyer who finds his way to the top at a law firm in New York City. There's so much drama in the show which allows the audience to stay tuned to the show. I would recommend it!
-Megan Wehring
TTh class
While I've always enjoyed shows about crime and law, I've never been a huge fan of the shows and movies that take place almost completely in the court room. Recently, I started a series on netflix called "The Sinner." The entire plot of the first season revolves around a detective trying to figure out a woman named Cora's past to get her released from her recent life sentencing. Throughout each episode, more crimes occur and more mysteries unravel that help reveal Cora's past (some things are good, while others keep her behind bars). The detective work that takes place is very intriguing and keeps you watching episode after episode - so it's a good show to 'binge' watch if that's what you're looking for. This is probably one of my new favorite crime shows because rather than being heavy on the criminal aspects it focuses more on solving mysteries and working with officers and detectives outside of the court room.
Allison Jones
TTH Class
While it may not be directly connected with law, I love the movie "Spotlight" and how it shows the media trying to give the truth behind cover ups that have happened. I think it's a great movie for young journalists to see, and it gives some insight to how media and law can go hand in hand and how the media can expose those who break the law.
- Annie F
TTh Class
One of my all time favorite movies is "All the President's Men". Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman both portrayed the roles of the two journalists that sparked the Watergate investigation. The movie recounts how the Washington Post defended the right to publishing, simply by publishing. Despite threats from the White House, the media prevailed in informing the people of the truth of the Vietnam war.
-Jacob Blackmon
TTh Class
One of my all-time favorite TV series is Law and Order: SVU. Running for decades, the series has become a classic investigatory and prosecution television series. Each episode is split into two parts; investigating the crime and prosecuting said crime. As this is the SVU or special victims unit of Law and Order, all cases primarily deal with sex crimes. Although the series can be predictable, the shows diverse special victim cases prove once again that law is a grey area.
I would have to use the book To Kill a Mockingbird as my favorite. It was a book that my Mom would read to me as a kid and a book that I have read probably a dozen times myself. It is a book about an African-American man who is falsely accused of rape and who is defend bya white lawyer who faces reprisals for his white contemporaries for his willingness to stand up for what was right. It raises many questions about how we treat each other, the fairness of our justice system, and what it means when legalism sets itself against morality.
Clayton Sprague
T/Th 12:30
My favorite movie that relates to Law is definitely Legally Blonde. While it is a fun and cute movie, it offers real lessons about law school and its stereotypes. Elle is able to raise her LSAT score to a nearly perfect 179 with the help of her sorority sisters. It shows a lot about feminism and the issue of not nearly enough women being in law school, and if they are they are expected to be dull, boring and overly studious. Elle shows that her wit and charm is very necessary for her to be a great lawyer. The procedurals in the courtroom don't seem the most accurate but her life in law school is very inspiring to watch and is a movie that has influenced young women like me for over a decade.
-Summer Hawkins
t/th 12:30 class
I am a major Harry Potter nerd. I went to a midnight release at an old library in 4th grade, and I was hooked after that! I have a whole section of my closet dedicated to HP stuff.
I haven't seen Lincoln, but I'll have to add it to my list!
Taylor P. - online class
I also thought Lincoln the movie was a great movie. I wish they had told more about where and how he grew up.How politics were back then is not so different then today, patties still fight the same way and about the same things. The movie that I recently watched was on Netflix called the Page. IT was based in another country where a politician had the newspaper in his back pocket. With this he was able to destroy his opponent through media control. My question is could this happen in this country without our knowledge?
John R.- Honors Class
Feb.3,2019
Akosua A.
Honors class
I really love the movie Legally Blonde because Elle Woods was the stereotype of a person that is expected to not even pursue law but she did and defies all negative expectations. She did extremely well in law school and even won a case by the end of the movies.
Even moreso, I love the show Scandal which has more to do with crisis management and public relations. Olivia Pope is a "fixer" in Washington D.C. and her job is mostly doing damage control for political figures. She has a relationship with the president and is deeply involved in the political atmosphere of the White House, CIA, etc. She is actually the reason I decided to pursue a degree in public relations!
Cody H. Online Class
One of my favorite movies is "A Few Good Men" which was a film released in 1992 with Tom Cruise and Demi Moore. The movie is about a military lawyer who has to defend to U.S. Marines charged with killing a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay. I really enjoyed this movie because it embodied patriotism, morality and integrity; and now as a young adult I have way more appreciation for the movie.
“The Green Mile” not only had great actors but a sad reality of how the law was not always fair. The story follows a prison guard who has a convicted man, John Coffey, in one of his cells. Coffey was convicted of brutally killing a pair of young sisters and even though another man admitted to it within the storyline Coffey’s fate was already decided and sentenced to death. Not only does the movie show the hardships of a prison guard (good or bad) it showed how the death penalty was carried out and what life was like for those who waited for their time to die.
Chelsea C.
(T/TH) 12:30
"Law and order SUV" (special victims unit) the show is constantly making twist and turns. Truly your are innocent until proven guilty. The show is follows multiple NYC detectives and their constant search of the truth. Detectives are forced to see some of the most gruesome crimes commuted in the NYC area. I think the reason i enjoy the show is the severity of all the cases.
Zachary Ballard
(T/TH) 12:30
February 5, 2019
One of my most favorite TV shows on Netflix, Dexter, taugt me a lot about the criminal justice system and the police department. Dexter, the main character obviously, works as a blood splatter analyst for the Miami police department, but he also has a secret agenda. Throughout the 8 seasons of the show, Dexter continuously gets away with murder and other serious crimes. He kills people that have slipped through the cracks of the justice system and got away in order to feed his “dark passenger.” This show taught me a lot about how criminal cases proceed and how some are able to get away with it due to corruption or set ups. Because Dexter is able to get away with murder for 8 seasons straight, and even though it is just a fictional TV show, I learned a lot about criminal cases and how they proceed to incarceration.
Helena Van Maren
(T/TH) 12:30 pm
February 5, 2019
One of my favorite law related movies is “The Judge” with Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall. Hank, Robert Downey Jr,. is a shady attorney who only represents the guilty. He learns of his mother’s passing and returns to his hometown. He is then forced to see his father, Duvall, a judge of 42 years. The father son relationship between Hank and Joseph is troubled. Approaching the end of his visit Hank’s father is arrested for a hit and run murder and Hank takes it upon himself to defend his father in the courtroom.
Rylee W.
(TTH) Class
One of my favorite shows is "How to get away with murder." This shows students attending law school who work for a defense attorney. Throughout the show there is tons of shady stuff that happens with the main character Annalise and the government. The show unfolds slowly and has various plot twists. Every time I though I knew what was going to happen, something else changed. Overall it is an intense show that will keep you on your feet.
Sarah Fairweather
(TTH 12:30 Class)
My favorite law-related show is Better Call Saul. It's a prequel for the Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman. Saul is a successful and well-meaning lawyer that gets fed up with the legal system and starts working with criminals. I don't condone what he does but some of his complaints about the legal system are reasonable and his journey from junior partner to being a meth kingpin's lawyer/money launderer is exciting at the very least.
Troy V
(TTh 12:30)
One of my favorite rock bands is System of a Down. In many of their songs they call out government propaganda and military injustice. One of my favorite songs by them is called "Hypnotize". It includes references to Tiananmen square and calls out television and government propaganda for blinding simple-minded people. They exercise their right to free speech to warn against the wrongs of the government. The Tiananmen square reference is important though because it represents what can happen to people in other countries who try to exercise the rights we are so freely given in the United States.
-Melina Ivy-Cruz
TTH
A movie that I still admire to this day that is law related is, Spotlight - a biographical movie that follows The Boston Globe's team of investigative journalists who uncovered cases of child sex abuse in the Boston area within a widespread of Roman Catholic priests.The movie is highly sensitive because policemen were trying to keep arrests secretive so that press wouldn't get ahold of such information therefore releasing priests to become repetitive pedophiles and still be able to prey among innocent children. While interviewing victims, they developed a list of 87 names of priests who were sexually abusive. This movie not only brought a very important subject from the scary world into reality, but also reached a larger crowd through a movie and made viewers like myself, make personal changes in what I believe in.
Alexandra C. T/Th 12:30pm
My favorite law-related show to watch is "Bull" with Michael Weatherly (formerly DiNozzo from NCIS.) This show is about Dr. Jason Bull, a trial scientist, and his team of lawyers and experts who try and pick the best jurors that would benefit their particular case. One of the reasons I love this show, as with most law TV shows, is that Dr. Bull and they attorney always find a way to show that the person on trial is lying and guilty of the said crim. One of the other great parts about this show is that no matter the information given to them, they still do their own research and find the most insane, out of the box ways to prove the other person is guilty.
- Marilyn S. (online class)
My mind went straight to the remarkable film starring Gregory Peck, "To Kill a Mockingbird". I know I probably sound unoriginal. So be it. That doesn't negate from the fact that this is one of the few movies that has truly altered my course of life. For those who haven't heard of this beautiful film and/or novel, the story follows a young girl named Scout living in Maycomb, Alabama. Through her eyes, we witness the unfolding of a rape accusation made against a black man in the 1930's in a town where racism and classism plagued the streets. This Pulitzer winning story exposes the capability of the justice system to oppress the innocent. By doing so, it allows us to see how our courts have improved, remained the same, or gotten worse in terms of treatment for all of its people.
- Morgen A. (T/Th 12:30pm)
Let's be honest about how we're really feeling here and not just throw out a name to make a good impression. Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert DeNiro in "Men of Honor" is, unquestionably, my favorite film that incorporates elements of law and ethics. Granted, it is more centered around the UCMJ and Admiralty Courts/Court Martial's rather than the civilian equivalent, but it remains as one of the most impactful movies I've seen and was one of the reasons I decided to join the Navy. Even tried out for Navy Diver. If you've yet to see it, Cuba Gooding Jr. joins the Navy to become to world's first black master diver and Robert DeNiro plays his opposite as a salty, grizzled Master Chief who constantly pushes him to the edge. The law aspects don't really come in until the second half of the movie, but DeNiro's and Gooding's "10 steps" in a diving suit is absolutely inspirational.
-Kyle S.
(T/TH 12:30)
My favorite book and current read is Crazy Rich Asians. It doesn't seem like there would be anything related to media law in a story about a Chinese mother who doesn't accept her son's girlfriend, but If we compare the Young family (richest family is Singapore) to rich officials we see in our political environment, we see that "image" is a very important quality in their objectives for themselves or their business. If someone dares threaten their high-end, yet vulnerable reputation, there is civil dissonance. Rachel Chu isn't accepted by the family because of her family's background, and it nearly ruins her relationship with Nick Young. Her family's background is a threat to the Young's reputation in China, so they try to take her down so she goes away. The Media, like Rachel Chu, is not always welcomed or accepted by some officials, and those cases end up in court with one suing the other. There are public officials that will do whatever is necessary to make anything damaging to their reputation or business go away.
~Shannon C.
(T/TH 12:30)
My favorite law-related show that I've been obsessing over for a couple of years now is "How To Get Away With Murder." The series stars a law professor and four of her students who become part of a murder plot and now have to apply their law skills to their real life. I find this show fascinating because though the episodes might be fictional the idea behind the story has some truth and it. This show has taught me that if you know your rights and the law and you play the cards right you might just be able to get away with any crime even murder.
Yadira O. (TTH class)
My favorite tv show that is law related has always been any of the Law and Orders, but primarily Law and Order: SVU. I’ve been watching it since season one and still watch reruns of it when I feel like binging a show. It’s essentially a show where a team of detectives solves multiple crimes happening in the New York area that deals with cases such as sexual assault, kidnapping, abuse, etc. It’s really an interesting show that covers situations that can happen, that most people are too scared to talk about and I feel like I can relate more to this show because I see people that are like me in need of help and it talks about the difficulties that can arise because of the original situation. It may not be completely accurate with the reactions of certain people because it’s meant to be dramatized so that it is more favorable to the viewer who is seeking entertainment. But I would think it’s around a 50/50 split of what’s the truth and what’s a lie.
-Kierra Simmons, TTh class
One of my favorite movies that come to mind is My Cousin Vinny. It's about two boys that are falsely accused of murder and one of the boys calls on his cousin to help defend their case in court. The problem is, Vinny has only barely just begun practicing law and he has a New Yorker's attitude in a southern state setting. I like it because I learned a bit about law and court rulings without even noticing because it was so funny. It's somewhat educational I guess but it's mainly a comedy flick. I just liked the characters and the plot and how it all ended.
Michael Southall - TTh Class
I love My Cousin Vinny!!! But I would have to say my favorite show regarding law is How To Get Away With Murder. I'm sure a lot of you have seen it. It's on Netflix. But if you haven't it's basically about a cutthroat lawyer who is a professor and teaches a class called "How to get Away with Murder." She takes a group of students under her wing who end up accidentally committing murder and the whole first season is them trying to hide the fact that they killed someone.
-Jessica Calderon, Online Class
I don't really watch movies or tv much and I couldn't think of a song about law that I’m familiar with, so the only thing I can think of is the movie Liar Liar. This movie, although comical, does have some representation of law and can be looked at in this way. The breakdown of the movie includes Jim Carey playing a lawyer who has a "curse" put on him that he has to tell the truth 100% of the time. In my mind this was playing off the idea that lawyers always lie and without lying, lawyers couldn't win, so clearly this is the twist in the movie. There are several court scenes and topics of law in the whole movie and it is, what I would think, was my first experience with law in a movie after watching it at a young age.
Additional information, recently there was a Youtuber who is a lawyer and broke down the correct and incorrect scenes in the movie and I thought it was very well put together and explained. If you are reading this Professor Martinez, I would love to see your personality break down a similar law movie and see your opinions on how accurately movies put together law and still make it entertaining.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen "Kyle" Findley
TTH Class
My name is Kylie M. and I am in your online class. My favorite show regarding law would have to be "How to Get Away with Murder". It is based around a law professor and five of her students. They work directly with client cases while being tangled in their own legal conflicts. The show includes law in each episode but also has dramatic twists which keeps me tied to the series.
My favorite work involving law has to be The Sopranos. The early seasons starts off with a heavy focus on the empire Tony Soprano comes to rule, but after certain members of his crew flip under pressure from the FBI and agree to wear wires, law enforcement becomes a central part of the story. In the show, there are several scenes where the discussion of the limits of the law are brought up by those in the FBI trying to indite Tony Soprano on RICO charges, and these discussions lead to events like a failed tapping of the Soprano household, leaving cameras around businesses Tony owns, and several other actions. One of the scenes where law is most involved shows a prominent member of the family under trial, and the subsequent decision to dismiss the case as a mistrial due to indecision by the jury. This, of course, is due to pressure on behalf of Soprano to one of the jury members in order to keep the jury divided. The Sopranos has to be the gold standard of the original mob story, where a crew rises to prominence in a brutal and long process, only to lose it all either at the hand of a killer or law enforcement.
Jack Pirtle
T-Th Class 12:30 PM
I have recently started enjoying a show called “ I am a killer” on Netflix, and it displays several different cases on inmates on death row who committed murder. I like the show because you get to analyze all of these different people who are crazy and you get to try and think in their shoes. The show can teach you how these murderers think and try to understand their mental processes. You can learn a lot about crime scenes and the judicial process through these inmates stories as well.
Matthew, Hawkins
(TTH)
One of my all time favorite movies called "Law Abiding Citizen" has a lot to do with law, hence the title. It is a very intense story about a man named Clyde that loses his family in probably the most gruesome way. Two men break into Clyde's house, and one of the two rape & murder Clyde's wife & daughter in front of him. Clyde expects justice, but doesn't get it as the lead prosecutor named Nick makes a shady deal with the murderer to testify against his partner.
Clyde goes berserk as he seeks justice to fix the broken legal system. He generously plans out an evil plan for revenge while making the law look like his playground.
Sam Durhman
(TThu)
Jaelyn A., TTh class:
One of my favorite TV shows that I follow is 'How To Get Away With Murder.' It's my favorite because I adore Viola Davis as an actress, and I think that the show is very intriguing to follow. I've been watching for about 3 years now, and I still haven't gotten bored! The show follows criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating and her five interns as they work criminal defense cases in real time, while also dealing with other entanglements (spoiler: murder) outside of the courtroom. I'll admit that it's a little melodramatic at times, but I'd still definitely recommend!
My favorite show that involves law is "Law & Order: SVU". I am a a big fan of Mariska Hargitay and the way the police force and attorneys advocate and fight for victims of such heinous crimes through each step of the legal system. They've explored multiple cases that involve topics that may incorporate media law, so it'll be interesting to see how the two coincide.
Justin Rosales
TTh 12:30-1:50
While not exactly centered on law, "Shawshank Redemption" is my favorite movie, and just so happens to contain snippets of law within it. At the very beginning of the movie, you see a young Andy Defresne sentenced to life in prison for a double murder of his wife and his lover. Here, Defresne's case is weak and the evidence surrounding him as the killer is insurmountable. Later on in the movie, it's later found that Defresne isn't the killer after all, but a retrial isn't possible due to a sinister plot from the bible-thumping warden Norton.
This movie is my favorite because it is something that my father and I can relax and watch countless times. It really is an amazing story.
-Kristofer F
TTh Class
My favorite Law related movie would be Anita from 2013 which covers the controversial confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Anita during this time came forward with sexual harassment allegations against Thomas and argued against his nomination due to character. This film does a great job at showing how the inner working of our governmental processes and issues of race on the 20th century. Definitely recommend to everyone in this class.
Raymond Garcia
T-Th 12:30
The first thing that came to my mind was the show “Better Call Saul”. As a Breaking Bad fan, I love this show because it involves my favorite character. Saul a smart guy and has a past of conning businesses and people. He works hard to become a lawyer. He wants to live an honest life but his old ways cloud his judgement. I like the struggle and character development. The outcome of his nature is already known but there is an underdog quality Saul possesses that makes him likable. This show definitely teaches me what not to do but I still love it.
Peyton Gittings
Honors
The first movie that came to my mind is "Legally Blonde." Legally Blonde is a movie about a sorority girl that gets dumped by her lawyer boyfriend for being too blonde. She decides to follow him to Harvard Law School and eventaully realizes there is much more to herself than her pretty looks. The movie proves the point that women are equal to men. It's always a classic!
Katie R.
TTh
One of the best TV shows I know is called The West Wing, which follows President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his White House staff through political drama. Admittedly, I do not watch much TV so I am not very far through the series. The writing is clever and fast-paced, and despite the serious context the jokes are rapid-fire. I enjoy a show that has you paying attention to every line, and makes you rewind every now and then to keep up with the dialogue. That combined with the political drama had me hooked from episode one.
Hayden Hovsepian
Honors class
Shira R.
TuTh class
My favorite law related TV show is Law and Order SVU. The show is about a police division that works with victims of sexual crimes and a lot of the episodes show how the cases unfold in courts. Although it can be dramatized, some episodes are based on actual court cases and are good examples of what happens in a court room. I like this show because it does a good job of explaining laws that are related to the crime that took place in the episode.
My favorite law related piece of media will always be “My Cousin Vinny.” As many people like to mention, it is fairly accurate in its portrayal of court proceedings for a dramatized movie, however the reason I like it is because it is able to be accurate without sacrificing the plot or comedic beats to do so. I think any form of media that is using a legal process as it’s background is much better when it is entertaining enough to draw the viewer or reader in and getting them invested in not only the world, but the actual legal process; all without dumbing it down too much or even making it very realistic. It’s is a hard thing to do, but I think this movie did an execellent job accomplishing it.
- Bart P.
TTh class
Jacob Buckley
(Tuesday-Thursday class)
If I had to choose a certain movie pertaining to law/politics I'd have to pick Malcolm X. I think the movie did a fantastic job at portraying the struggles he and other other African Americans had to face when trying to change things within the legal system. I think it's something all people should be knowledgeable about. Not many people know a whole lot about Malcolm X and his story and I believe they should. He was just as influential as any other civil rights activists, he just had his own tactics in approaching the manner.
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