Refuse and Resist

List creator: AHurley Created on: June 19, 2004 - 11:32 PM PDT Description: (mostly) young protagonists resist, struggle to survive, and fight the power

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)
Taking resistance underground and expressing it with molotov cocktails, this film rocks the black nationalist revolution!
	Skins (2002)
Just about the BEST movie ever. For real. The ending is a beautiful act of resistance -- wow, what an image. And "showing off is not a Lakota virtue."
	Once Were Warriors (1994)
Probably the best film I've seen -- if not Skins. Julian Arahanga fights back against his dad. But resistance is hard, and his sister's struggle is heart-wrenching.
	The Weather Underground (2003)
White supremacy and imperialism aren't cool. These kids tried to smash both.
	If You Were Young: Rage (1970)
An early piece by the dir. of Battle Royale, this film shows the struggles of a group of young Japanese men trying to make a living in tough times. Their lives are marked by frustration, disappointment, and violence.
	Blood In, Blood Out (1993)			Not Rated
A 3 guys from East LA with guns, drugs, prison, and cops story. Miklo bugs me, but Jesse Borrego's Cruz is one of the best performances of the 90's.
	The Brother From Another Planet (1984)
A film that can inspire resistance and all things good and wonderful.
	Bob Roberts (1992)
This mock documentary is about the powers we should be resisting - the military industrial complex, Wall Street, dehumanization, and racism.
	Five on the Black Hand Side (1973)
Clarice Taylor, her pals, her kung-fu practicing revolutionary son, and some GORGEOUS neighborhood children stand up to Clarice's husband. "Take the chains off your brain, John Henry!"
	Revolutionary Girl Utena vol. 1: The Rose Collection 1 (1997)			Not Rated
This animated girl saw bad times and came out swinging. Viva la revolucion!
	Breaker Morant (1980)
The human costs of empire building as seen in the scapegoating of "colonials" (Australian soldiers fighting for the UK army in South Africa). The almost invisible indigenous population is a weak point though!
	The Boys of St. Vincent (1991)
Boys abused by Catholic brothers in an orphanage grow up -- some survive to take their abusers to court; others do not survive the trauma. Based on a true story.
	Bamboozled (2000)
I won't give away from where the resistance comes, but check this one out!
	Malcolm X (1992)
His story remains a model for many, and the film is an excellent one. Denzel shoulda won for THIS performance!
	Do the Right Thing (Criterion Collection) (1989)
Sometimes you just get too damned mad when it's hot.
	The Maldonado Miracle (2002)
A very young boy looks for his dad and resists INS and a local cop. It's a bit sappy at times, but this first directorial effort from Salma Hayek is definitely worth seeing. A cameo by Jesse Borrego at the end is nice.
	Monster (2003)
Aileen Wuornos resisted in her own way. In this case, the Oscar was warranted.
	House of Sand and Fog (2003)
The young son's resistance comes near the end, and it breaks my freakin' heart. This movie is truly, truly a kleenex box movie!
	Harold and Maude (Criterion) (1971)
That freaky Bud Cort resists his mom, the army, and all things normal with a geriatric hottie whose libertine ways are the stuff of anarchist fantasy!
	Piņero (2001)
Resist everything through art and creative substance abuse. (And enjoy a cameo by Amiri Baraka reading Piņero's poetry in the last scene!)
	Adrenaline Drive (1999)			Not Rated
Resist your jerky boss and find millions of dollars in gangster cash and love.
	Lone Star (1996)
Resist your dad, developers, the prison system, and good ole boys.
	Bread & Roses (2000)
Resist exploitation! Justice for Janitors!
	Salt of the Earth (1954)
The original resistance film. "We want a formula!" Blacklisted movie makers + Mexican American labor organizers = good movie. The lead performer could never again act in the US (and apparently Mexico) b/c of this film.
	Medium Cool (Criterion) (1969)
The 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention is the setting for this commentary on manipulative media and politics. A real call to action for us to become the media.
	Men With Guns (1997)
Another by John Sayles. Much is set in Chiapas, and the film takes on how the elite in the Americas enjoy comforts that are made possible through the brutal exploitation and oppression of indigenous peoples.
	Billy Jack (1971)
An alternative school that promotes indigenous rights and black power is threatened by a nasty bunch of racists from town. Aside from the romanticized images of Native culture, a good movie for kicking whitey's butt. P.S. Billy's white.
	Sin Dejar Huella (Without A Trace) (2000)			Not Rated
A "two women on the run, resisting drug runner boyfriends and crooked cops" movie.
	Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned (1998)
Based on Walter Mosley's popular fiction, this film is truly a gem and a wonderful call to action.
	Jasper, Texas (2003)
As soon as GC gets this film about James Byrd's murder, it's moving to the top of my queue. Joe Morton, the fine actor in Brother From Another Planet and Lone Star, also appears here.