Against the Wall (1994, TV Movie)

Starring:

• Samuel L. Jackson
• Kyle MacLachlan
• Clarence Williams III
• Steve Harris
• Frederic Forrest
• Harry Dean Stanton
• Philip Bosco
• Tom Bower
• Anne Heche
• Carmen Argenziano
• Peter Murnik
• David Ackroyd
• Mark Cabus

Storyline
In this film based on a true story, an idealistic young recruit, Michael Smith (Kyle MacLachlan), begins working in Attica Penitentiary and quickly learns how awfully the inmates are being treated. Soon a prison riot breaks out, and Smith and the other guards are taken, hostage. The prisoners, led by Jamaal (Samuel L. Jackson), take control of the jail and demand better living conditions. Despite the tense environment, Smith finds sympathy for Jamaal, who is a political prisoner.

Imitation of Life (1959)

Starring:

• Lana Turner
• Juanita Moore
• Susan Kohner
• Sandra Dee
• John Gavin
• Robert Alda
• Dan O'Herlihy
• Karin Dicker
• Terry Burnham

Storyline
Lora Meredith (Lana Turner), a white single mother who dreams of being on Broadway, has a chance encounter with Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), a black widow. Annie becomes the caretaker of Lora's daughter, Suzie (Sandra Dee), while Lora pursues her stage career. Both women deal with the difficulties of motherhood: Lora's thirst for fame threatens her relationship with Suzie. At the same time, Annie's light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner), struggles with her African-American identity.