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From: Reviews and Criticism of Vietnam War Theatrical and Television Dramas (http://www.lasalle.edu/library/vietnam/FilmIndex/home.htm) compiled by John K. McAskill, La Salle University ([email protected])

T5535 A TIME TO KILL (USA, 1996) (Other titles: Droit de tuer?; Momento di uccidere)

Credits: director, ; writer, Akiva Goldsman. Cast: , Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, . Summary: set in contemporary . In Clanton, Mississippi, a ten-year-old black girl is raped by two drunken young white men. The girl’s father (Jackson), fearing the pair will escape justice, acquires an assault rifle and takes justice into his own hands. The murder trial which ensues brings the small Mississippi town’s racial tensions to the flashpoint. Amid a frenzy of activist marches, Klan terror, media clamor and brutal riots, an unseasoned but idealistic young attorney mounts a stirring courtroom battle for justice.

Andersen, Soren. “Review: Flaws not quite fatal in ‘A time to kill’” News tribune [Tacoma WA] (Jul 24, 1996), SoundLife, p. SL3. Arnold, Gary. “‘Time’: Jury is rigged in courtroom drama” Washington times (Jul 24, 1996), p. C11. Baltake, Joe. “A brilliant search for justice” Sacramento bee (Jul 24, 1996), p. F1. Barna, Gyorgy. “Ho olni kell” Film vilag 39/11 (1996), p. 58. Barnes, Harper. “‘A time to kill’ is unrealistic drama” St. Louis post-dispatch (Jul 26, 1996), p. 3E. Baron, David. “Emotions overrule objections in ‘Time to kill’” Times-picayune (Jul 26, 1996), p. L26. , Marilyn and Smith, Stacy Jenel. “Grisham films just can’t get no respect” San Diego union-tribune (Jul 30, 1996), p. E3. Beifuss, John. “Shaky thesis flaws potent Grisham epic” Commercial appeal [Memphis TN] (Jul 23, 1996), p. 1B. Bernard, Jami. “Smug, with a vengeance, ‘A time to kill’: Major talent sacrificed to the Grisham reaper” Daily news [New York] (Jul 24, 1996), p. 41. Bierinckx, Cis. “A time to kill” Film en televisie + video no. 464 (Sep 1996), p. 25. Blinkhorn, Lois. “Split decision on Grisham: Author guilty of being entertaining” Milwaukee journal sentinel (Jul 23, 1996), p. 1. Boyar, Jay. “Dated views fog Grisham film” Orlando sentinel (Jul 24, 1996), p. E1. Brus, Tia. “A time to kill: An expert’s view” Campaign (Aug 30, 1996), p. 14. Buchet, Jean-Marie. “Le droit de tuer?” Grand angle no. 198 (Nov 1996), p. 33-4. Bunke, Joan. “‘A time to kill’: Sizzling courtroom drama” Des Moines register (Jul 25, 1996), Today, p. 1. Burgess, Harvey. “‘A time to kill’ is intense drama that hits the mark” Herald [Rock Hill SC] (Jul 26, 1996), p. 5D. Carr, Jay. “The right ‘Time’ for a Grisham thriller” globe (Jul 24, 1996), p. G1. Charles, Nick. “‘Time to kill’ held in contempt: Trial attorneys say film based on Grisham novel depicts a law unto itself” Daily news [New York] (Jul 30, 1996), p. 33. Cohen, Bari (see under Garey, Juliann) Connors, Joanna. “Another star is born: McConaughey on par with Peck in Grisham drama” Plain dealer (Jul 24, 1996), p. 5E. Cross, Howard. “A time to kill” Chattanooga free press (Jul 25, 1996), p. ? Denby, David. “McRedford” New York 29 (Aug 12, 1996), p. 41-2. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Denerstein, Robert. “Southern fried tension: Movie version of ‘Time to kill’ one of better adaptations” Rocky mountain news (Jul 24, 1996), p. 12D. Dreher, Rod. “Time to star, a moral tale, memorable performances” Sun-sentinel [Fort Lauderdale FL] (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1E. Du Cille, Ann. “The of my familiar” Transition 7/1 [73] (1998), p. 10-32. Dudek, Duane. “‘Time to kill’ forces moral images: Film of Grisham novel tells of complex South with passion, not subtlety” Milwaukee journal sentinel (Jul 24, 1996), p. 6. Dupre, Bill. “Fine ‘Time to kill’” News and observer [Raleigh NC] (Jul 27, 1996), p. E12. Ebert, Roger. “The case for ‘Time’: Convincing characters highlight Grisham story” Chicago sun-times (Jul 24, 1996), p. 45. Eidem, Ivar. “Tod for ettertanke” Film & Kino n. 7-8 (Dec 1996), p. 46-7. Elliott, David. “For director, it’s a ‘Time’ to overkill” San Diego union-tribune (Jul 24, 1996), p. E8. Evansen, Russell. “‘Kill’ is grown-up, gripping” Wisconsin state journal (Jul 21, 1996), p. 4F. Farber, Stephen. “Contents under pressure” Movieline 8 (Sep 1996), p. 36+ [2 p.] Fenster, Bob. “Black, white & shades of gray: Actors bring racial issues to life in ‘A time to kill’” Arizona republic (Jul 24, 1996), p. C1. Fischbach, Bob. “‘Time to kill’ is Grisham at his best” Omaha world-herald (Jul 25, 1996), p. 41SF. Flatley, Guy. “Movies” Cosmopolitan 221/3 (Sep 1996), p. 36. Fuller, Graham. (see under Sischy, Ingrid) Gabrenya, Frank. “No Mockingbird” Columbus dispatch [Columbus OH] (Jul 24, 1996), p. 12E. ______. “Samuel L. Jackson as a vengeful father in ‘A time to kill’” Columbus dispatch [Columbus OH] (Jul 21, 1996), p. 1G. Garey, Juliann and Cohen, Bari. “This summer’s eight great movie dates: A time to kill...” Glamour 94/6 (Jun 1996), p. 68. Giles, Jeff. “Blood, sweat and fears” 128 (Jul 29, 1996), p. 68. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Gorfinkle, Constance. “Killer cast: Performances save pedestrian ‘Time to kill’” Patriot ledger [Quincy MA] (Jul 24, 1996), p. 25. Gottardi, Michele. “Il momento di uccidere” Segnocinema n. 83 (Jan/Feb 1997), p. 30-31. Greene, Leonard. “Despite its flaws, ‘A time to kill’ may wake people up to ” Boston herald (Jul 26. 1996), p. O23. Harmon, Rick. “Superb performances make for absorbing film” Montgomery advertiser [AL] (Jul 25, 1996), p. ? Haun, Harry. “A time to kill” Film journal 99 (Aug 1996), p. 51-2. Hewitt, Chris. “‘A time to kill’ doesn’t have a clue” News & record [Greensboro NC] (Jul 26, 1996), p. W16. Hinson, Hal. “‘A time to kill’: Justice gets a make-over” Washington post (Jul 24, 1996), p. B1. Hoffman, Brian. “‘A time to kill’ takes on justice, moral issue” Sun-sentinel [Ft. Lauderdale FL] (Aug 16, 1996), p. 46. Hornaday, Ann. “‘Time to kill’ murders the storyline: Simplistic look at justice in the New South misses chance to explore racial dynamics” Austin American statesman (Jul 24, 1996), p. D1. Horwitz, Jane. “Overblown ‘Kill’ offers insights” Buffalo news (Jul 26, 1996), p. 3D. Howe, Desson. “A ‘Time’ for overkill” Washington post (Jul 26, 1996), Weekend, p. N31. Johnson, Malcolm. “Jackson, McConaughey set fire to Grisham’s ‘A time to kill’” Hartford courant (Jul 24, 1996), p. E1. Jewett, Dave. “A killer of a film from the pen of John Grisham” Columbian [Vancouver WA] (Jul 25, 1996), p. F13. Jones, Allan Wayne. “Time killer: In ‘A time to kill,’ the racial conflicts are just too black-and-white” Dallas observer (Jul 25, 1996), p. ? Kauffmann, Stanley. “On films: Midsummer roundup” New republic 215 (Sep 2, 1996), p. 24+ [2 p.] Keogh, Jim. “‘A time to kill’ best adaptation of Grisham” Telegram & gazette [Worcester MA] (Jul 25, 1996), Time out, p. C2. King, Dennis. “Killer instinct: Heat is on in adaptation of Grisham debut” Tulsa world (Jul 26, 1996), p. 11. Kiss, Tony. “Grisham courtroom thriller ‘A time to kill’ seems Oscar bound” Asheville citizen-times [Asheville NC] (Jul 26, 1996), p. ? Kliewer, Brent. “‘A time to kill’: Grisham book goes to screen: Will set back race relations” Santa Fe New Mexican (Aug 2, 1996), p. 43. Lambert, Susan. “A time to kill” Boxoffice 132 (Sep 1996), p. 118. Larsen, Dave. “Film: ‘A time to kill’ promises to please with strong cast, true adaption” Dayton daily news (Jul 24, 1996), p. 3C. Larue, Johanne. “A time to kill” Sequences no. 186 (Sep/Oct 1996), p. 49-50. Leydon, Joe. “Black, white and a few shades of gray: ‘A time to kill’ does John Grisham proud” Houston press (Jul 25, 1996), p. ? Lochen, Kalle. “Den sentimentale sannhet omselvtekt” Film & Kino n. 6 (Nov 1996), p. 2-3. Longsdorf, Amy. “‘Time to kill’ is overly melodramatic” Morning call [Allentown PA] (Jul 25, 1996), p. D2. Lovece, Frank. “Time to kill, A” Motion picture guide annual (edited by Jay Robert Nash and Stanley Ralph Ross) Chicago : Cinebooks, 1987-2000. (1997, p. 379-80) Mahrenholz, Simone. “Die Jury” EPD Film 13 (Nov 1996), p. 38. Malkin, Marc S. “A time to kill” Premiere 9/7 (Mar 1996), p. 34. Maslin, Janet. “Film review: A father’s revenge for his child’s rape” New York times (Jul 24, 1996), p. C9. Mathews, Jack. “One man’s revenge against racist evil” Newsday (Jul 24, 1996), p. B3. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Mazier, E. E. “‘A time to kill’: Not the best way to kill time” lawyer (Aug 5, 1996), p. 7. McCarthy, Cameron. “Living with anxiety: Race and the renarration of white identity in contemporary popular culture and public life” Journal of communication inquiry 22/4 (1998), p. 354-64. McCarthy, Todd. “‘Time’ on WB’s side this summer” Variety 363 (Jul 15-21, 1996), p. 37+ [2 p.] McGurk, Margaret A. “‘Time to kill’ exploits race, lauds violence” Cincinnati enquirer (Jul 24, 1996), p. D1. McTavish, Brian. “At times it thrills, and at times it doesn’t, but ‘A time to kill’ does more than just kill time” Kansas City star (Jul 24, 1996), p. F8. Medved, Michael. [Time to kill] (Jul 24, 1996), p. 37. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Meyer, George. “Southern charm: Despite its obvious flaws, ‘A time to kill’ has a strong cast acting in a strong story” Sarasota herald-tribune (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1E. Meyers, Richard. “The crime screen” Armchair detective 29/4 (1996), p. 450-52. Mooney, Joshua. “A time to do ‘a lot of growing up’: Race based film shot in ‘new’ South” Commercial appeal [Memphis TN] (Jul 19,1996), p. 12E. Morgenstern, Joe. “Film: New court date for Grisham fans” journal (Jul 26, 1996), p. A11. Munro, Donald. “Better title: ‘A time to hype’” Fresno bee (Aug 2, 1996), p. F1. Novak, Ralph. “A time to kill” People weekly 46/6 (Aug 5, 1996), p. 17. O’Sullivan, Eleanor. “‘A time to kill’ emotionally volatile” Asbury Park press [Neptune NJ] (Jul 19, 1996), p. 1. Parker, Heidi. “Movie previews: A time to kill...” Seventeen 55/8 (Aug 1996), p. 160. Parks, Louis B. “‘A time to kill’: Mississippi melodrama” Houston chronicle (Jul 24, 1996), Houston, p. 1. Persall, Steve. “If nothing else, it kills time” St. Petersburg times (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1D. Pfefferman, Naomi. “Taking ” American cinematographer 77 (Aug 1996), p. 72-4+ [6 p.] Pickle, Betsy. “Disappointment: ‘A time to kill’ not like the book” Knoxville news sentinel (Jul 26, 1996), p. T8. Price, Michael H. “Like Grisham’s book ‘A time to kill’ is a superior work” Fort Worth star-telegram (Jul 24, 1996), Life & arts, p. 1. Pyun, Jeanie. “Big movies, heavy issues: A time to kill...” Mademoiselle 102/8 (Aug 1996), p. 89. Rafferty, Terrence. “Long, hot summer” New Yorker 72 (Jul 29, 1996), p. 75-7. Ratliff, Larry. “Grit ‘n’ Grisham: ‘A time to kill’ more than star trip” San Antonio express-news (Jul 26, 1996), p. H8. Reed, Katherine. “‘Time to kill’ too predictable” Roanoke times & world news (Jul 27, 1996), p. B12. Ringel, Eleanor. “Review: A time to kill” Atlanta journal and constitution (Jul 24, 1996), p. ? Rodriguez, Rene. “‘Time to kill’ pushes emotions to the limit” Miami herald (Jul 24, 1996), p. E1. Ross, Bob. “This ‘Time,’ justice is black and white” Tampa tribune (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1. Ryan, Desmond. “Legal drama, alas ends as trial” Philadelphia inquirer (Jul 24, 1996), p. C1. “Samuel L. Jackson stars in deep south thriller ‘A time to kill’” Jet 90/11 (Jul 29, 1996), p. 34+ Schickel, Richard. “Summons to justice” Time (Jul 29, 1996), p. 76. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Schumacher, Joel. “Long shot” Premiere 9 (Aug 1996), p. 76. Schwan, Gary. “‘A time to kill’ too self-righteous” Palm Beach post (Jul 24, 1996), p. 4D. Seavor, Jim. “On screen: Grisham’s ‘Time’ too true to novel” Providence journal- bulletin (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1F. Seitz, Matt Zoller. “Grisham succeeds in a novel way: Is John Grisham everywhere, or does it just feel that way?” Star tribune [Minneapolis MN] (Jul 27, 1996), Variety, p. 9E. Sheehan, Henry. “Profile: A director’s delicate balancing act: ‘A time to kill’s’ Joel Schumacher feared tensions might lead to more than just good acting” Orange County register (Jul 28, 1996), p. F15. ______. “Review: Courthouse drama is a solid adaptation of the John Grisham best seller” Orange County register (Jul 24, 1996), p. F4. Shulgasser, Barbara. “Grish for the mill: Court and spark: A critical look at ‘A time to kill’” San Francisco examiner (Jul 24, 1996), p. B1. Simon, Jeff. “‘A time to kill,’ a time to resist manipulative swill” Buffalo news (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1C. Simons, Roger. “” Grand angle n. 200 (Jan 1997), p. 51-2. Sischy, Ingrid and Fuller, Graham. “Heartbreakers” Interview 76 (Aug 1996), p. 91+ [17 p.] Smith, Stacy Jenel (see under Beck, Marilyn) Sragow, Michael. “Confederacy of dunces: ‘A time to kill’” SF weekly (Jul 24, 1996), p. ? Stackpole, John ... [et al.] “A time to kill” Audience no. 191 (Oct/Nov 1996), p. 31- 33. Stark, Susan. “Jackson shows pain, rage in racially charged drama: ‘A time to kill’ star is incendiary, expressing the character’s emotions largely through his eyes” Des Moines register (Jul 28, 1996), Diversions, p. 7. ______. “A question of justice: ‘A time to kill’ asks ‘What would you do?’” Detroit news (Jul 24, 1996), p. E1. Steelman, Ben. “‘A time to kill’ goes heavy on the moonlight and magnolias” Morning star [Wilmington NC] (JUl 25, 1996), p. 1D. Sterritt, David. “‘A time to kill’ hits on relevant race issues, misses key insights” Christian science monitor (Jul 30, 1996), p. 13. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Strickler, Jeff. “Back with a vengeance: Grisham’s latest is thoughtful, suspenseful” Star tribune [Minneapolis MN] (Jul 24, 1996), p. 12E. Taubin, Amy. “Dead time” Village voice 41 (Jul 30, 1996), p. 44. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Thirard, Paul-Louis. “Le droit de tuer?” Positif no. 430 (Dec 1996), p. 50. “Time to kill, A” Film review annual 1997 Englewood, N.J. : J.S. Ozer, 1981- (p. 1454-63) Torniainen, James. “A time to kill” Film score monthly no. 74 (Oct 1996), p. 21. Trieschmann, Werner. “It ain’t heavy, but it should be: ‘Kill’ full of good intentions” Arkansas democrat-gazette (Jul 24, 1996), p. ? Turan, Kenneth. “Movie review: Throwing the book at them: Adaptation of ‘A time to kill’ presents its case at full throttle” times (Jul 24, 1996), Calendar, p. 1. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1997] Vancheri, Barbara. “‘A time to kill’ delivers” Pittsburgh post-gazette (Jul 24, 1996), p. B4. Verniere, James. “Movies: Grisham adaptation has too much ‘Time,’ to little depth” Boston herald (Jul 24, 1996), p. 35. Vincent, Mal. “Superb cast enhances ‘Time to kill’” Virginian-pilot [Norfolk VA] (Jul 28, 1996), p. E10. Weeks, Jerome. “The success: Critics may question John Grisham as a writer, but there’s no denying his grip on readers” Dallas morning news (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1C. Williamson, Bruce. “Movies: ‘A time to kill’ directed by Joel Schumacher” 43/9 (Sep 1996), p. 24. Wilmington, Michael. “Cast, intensity, Grisham’s tale help ‘Time to kill’ pack a punch” (Jul 24, 1996), Tempo, p. 1. Wrathall, John. “A time to kill” Sight and sound 6 (Oct 1996), p. 54-5. Wuntch, Philip. “‘A time to kill’ promises viewers a time well spent” Dallas morning news (Jul 24, 1996), p. 1C. Wyatt, Gene. “‘A time to kill’ gets day in the sun: Grisham’s first novel plays well” The Tennessean (Jul 24, 1996), p. 3D.

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