Drew's

Date Reviewed	10/30/2009
Title	Chicago 10
Rating
Directed By :	Brett Morgen
Starring :	featuring a documentary regarding protesters put on trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention
Review	Documentaries are far from the films you viewed growing up. With creative visions drifting beyond common boundaries, many docs are now highly stylized, flashy and eye catching. Back in the day, there were black and white, less re-creations and monotone communications. By heightening a scene with music, using animation along with archive footage, this genre of filmmaking has broadened our past perceptions. Brett Morgen writes and directs a movie about eight protesters that wanted attention for their cause and used the 1968 Democratic National Convention as their field to spread their message. These eight men were put on trial after the Convention’s conclusion for inciting a riot. They were tried for perceived intentions. If you put your hand in front of someone’s face long enough, that person is likely to remove your hand without grace, tenderness and prompting impulse. Several Hollywood actors lend their voice during the animated portions of the film. Celebrities like Hank Azaria voice Abbie Hoffman. Mark Ruffalo lends his vocal chords as Jerry Rubin. Jeffery Wright fights the power from his diaphragm as a Black Panther leader named Bobby Seale. Roy Scheider is the fairly tolerant Judge Julius Hoffman, no relation to Abbie. Nick Nolte, Dylan Baker and Liev Schreiber all can be heard inside the cartoon courtroom. The trial was a circus twenty-five years before the infamous O.J. trial was under the metaphorical big top. Those on trial felt persecuted by law enforcement, government officials and those influenced by money. The judge didn’t appear to have much control over the non-consequence fearing accused. It’s as if the men alleged to have broken the city’s laws didn’t take anything serious once inside the courtroom stage. When certain folks crave the mass ears for their agenda, they’re likely to find a way to obtain it, regardless of post attention yearned suffering. A protest starts off peaceful until one or more parties make it not peaceful. Going to a central location in a large city purposely to break laws during a grand event is asking for trouble. The city officials preparing for a physical contest by wearing riot gear and garnishing weapons is also requesting a leverage battle. Here’s a documentary that should have been made before the mid 90s so it could set a precedent for wacky goofy trials. Since the mid 90s we’ve all been subjected through the media full of courtroom crazies. “Chicago 10” is entertaining, amusing and educational at times and other times it’s much of the same you see on television while flipping channels. Drew's Reviews, copyright 2009, Drewsmoviereviews.com, property of Drew Bean.