Peter McAlevey Movies

As Armenian-American rockers System of a Down wage a heated musical campaign for the Turkish government to finally acknowledge the 1915 Armenian genocide that is still denied by the powers that be, filmmaker Carla Garapedian explores the origins of the crime often considered the 20th century's first act of mass slaughter. System of a Down are the rarest of the rare in contemporary music -- a band with a true cause. Now, as Garapedian follows the members of the band to rallies staged specifically to get the U.S. government to acknowledge this long-forgotten tragedy, music fans will finally find out just what an impact the actions of one band can have on the modern interpretation of history. With powerful concert performance footage intercut with sobering political commentary, Garapedian's documentary proves without question that, even in a world where the Dixie Chicks are castigated for their "controversial" comments, some bands are still willing to take a stand. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Former boxing great Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini brings years of experience in the ring to his role in this drama. Charlie (Mancini) is an up-and-coming boxer who decides he needs to move to the big city if he wants to be a contender. With his best friend and manager Tiny (Michael Chiklis) in tow, Charlie heads to Reno; en route, Charlie falls for Gina (Jennifer Beals), an attractive hitchhiker, though Tiny is certain she's up to no good. In Reno, Charlie's skills as a fighter attract the attention of Johnny (Rod Steiger), a veteran trainer who thinks Charlie has what it takes to be a champ. Johnny is able to arrange a meeting for Charlie and Tiny with Dumas (Joe Mantegna), a boxing promoter who controlls the fight game in Reno. Charlie soon learns that fame and fortune could be his for the asking, but is he willing to give up his principles and betray the people he cares about in exchange for a shot at the big time? Body and Soul is a loose adaptation of the 1947 classic starring John Garfield, though beyond the fact the lead characters are boxers named Charlie, the two films have little in common. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Two brothers are the victims of their widowed mother's violent drunkard husband who spares no rod with the youngest brother. Reverting to a world of make-believe, they imagine that their Radio Flyer wagon can fly and that in it they can escape their tormenting stepfather. This film deals in an almost make-believe manner with the serious issue of child abuse. It is narrated by Tom Hanks. ~ All Movie Guide