Synopsis: A lot of men turn to alcohol to cope with things in their lives. The day before his death, Mike Pierre finds himself hitting rock bottom. Not only has he lost his job, but finally his wife and baby boy. These events were preceded by the death of his best friend Jerry who was brutally executed. Jerry was murdered not in some random incident, but was shot dead because he was Mexican. The two brutes, Jimmy and Freddy, that kidnap the young girl are blatantly racist white men that have a deep hatred for Mexicans. They take Lela to a vineyard shack where things start to turn south for them. The all out battle to get Lela back leads Mike through old memories, gun fights and to a red farm house where Mike ultimately sacrifices himself for her.
Synopsis: On the eve of May's return from Australia, her unprofessional assistant allows Glen to bunk down in the Guest House. May, initially dismayed by the situation, decides that Glen isn't much trouble and allows him to stay on. And she soon becomes fond of Glen, finding him a soothing presence as other parts of her life aren't going so well. Unhappy about the film she was just in, and stalked by the paparazzi, she is still not over her painful breakup with former flame Rory. Finding herself at a loose end because of all this, and becoming somewhat reclusive, she grows close to Glen. But Glen is experiencing difficulties of his own, adjusting to May's world. He comes from a religious background, which is at odds with his current environment. To additionally complicate matters, May's agent June Schaeffer takes an immediate dislike to Glen, and then falls in love with him. The subtext is that religious, secular, and demonic forces are battling it out for control.
Synopsis: MARK never thought he would get another shot at playing professional baseball after being hit by a pitch, years earlier. He decides to take one more chance at pursuing his dream. This time, though, he needs the money that a big league contract will offer to free himself and his mother from the abuse they have both endured for years. Despite his fear of failing, Mark realizes his new incentive far outweighs the chance of re-injuring himself. CRYSTAL, his girlfriend, leads Mark to find a newfound strength in faith. Coupled with an invitation to a big audition in front of pro scouts, Mark believes this is finally his time. Just then, his life is turned upside down again when he finds out that all the years of verbal and physical abuse he suffered from his father could have been avoided. Mark discovers he was adopted and a violent confrontation with his father leaves Mark hospitalized, blind and fighting for his life.
Synopsis: Shay does her best to blend into the domain of the social elite and finds guidance from an improbable source--Mrs. Hunt's sole heir and mentally challenged granddaughter, Chia. Shay forges a bond with Chia and tries to save her from Mrs. Hunt's ironfisted grooming and tyrannical clutches. Shay discovers the prestige of living at 834 Fifth Avenue comes with a price--a monthly maintenance charge of almost $10,000. Desperately in need of money, Shay becomes a real estate agent and works evenings as a receptionist at Metropolitan, Manhattan's most prestigious escort agency. Shay recognizes the advantages of having access to the dark secrets of some of NYC's most prominent and brazenly blackmails certain corrupt clients into giving her exclusives to sell their apartment. The competitive realm of real estate, and the viperous game of one-upmanship with Mrs. Hunt, sets Shay down a slippery slope as she serves her own form of justice against the nefarious and abusers of power.
Synopsis: A group of friends from the 30-year Army career of Colonel Richard Stryker have gathered at his antebellum home for a "retirement" party. They reminisce about their experiences with Stryker. His oldest army friend Ellard, now a congressman, begins the story in 1980 as the 2 privates hear the new "Be All You Can Be" jingle while digging a foxhole in Panama. They all share favorite stories that cover everything from combat training, Desert Storm, Panama and the Global War on Terror to relationships and raising children. Chip (now a State Department operative) and Crews (now a chemical engineer) were young officers together. Tex Steiner, currently commanding the Ranger Regiment, tells stories that span the entire career. The anecdotes are exciting, humorous and very tender. The ending is a surprise double-twist.
Synopsis: The scales of justice are tipped with a highly controversial sentencing option after a rebellious teenager is convicted of sexual misconduct with a young woman of the Old Order Amish. The victim's secluded community is offered as a haven for true rehabilitation. The young man's culturally painful two-year commitment is further exacerbated when he eventually ends up living in the same household as his victim. Nonetheless, the boy's character is slowly remolded as he helps the girl overcome her own trauma. Living in northern Indiana the past 12 years has provided me unique insight into the Amish.
Synopsis: Two sisters live in 2009 Alcatraz Lane, the worst housing project in the United States. After the death of their parents, and their individual accomplishments, the sisters are torn. One sister wants to move away from the bad element who infest Alcatraz Lane, and move into a decent neighborhood. The other sister wants to stay and fight, and rid Alcatraz Lane of its vermin. After one of the sisters is murdered by the project bully, the other sister is convinced that she should stay and fight. She believes if you get rid of the "king pin", all his bullies will follow. She, along with the project wanna-be-voodoo lady devise an ingenious plan to bring down the bully and make Alcatraz Lane a safe place to live.
Synopsis: Former investigator, Alex Jones has been fired from the New York City Police Department. After being fired, he concocts a brilliant plan to make money. With the help of his best friend, Felix, Felix's college buddy Marc, and Felix's long term girlfriend, Nora; each with a different skill to help make Alex's plan flawless by robbing every store in Diamond District. Yet, after three successful robberies, the group begins to tear apart under Alex's scheming mind with only one of them left to take him down with the help of an unlikely source.
Synopsis: Herbie Mendoza a very shy, sensitive young man enjoys drawing, writing poetry and dreams of being a writer. Bobby Mendoza on the other hand is a macho, hard drinking bus mechanic and ex boxer who feels his son's dreams and interests are impractical and somewhat effeminate. Despite their differences Herbie desperately tries in vain to win his father's approval and even attempts to become a boxer which proves to be a waste of both time and energy. And in a case of mistaken identity, Herbie is arrested for murder where the actual culprit is a gang leader from the same neighborhood, who though no relation bears a striking resemblance to Herbie. Though despite the tragic scenario, the circumstances bring both Bobby and his son closer together.
Synopsis: This dark and unsettling story, based on true events, takes place during the nineteenth century, a time when it was not uncommon for an unwed or destitute mother to `adopt out' an unwanted baby. In exchange for a one-off payment, `baby farmers' would take rejected babies' without question under the premise of providing them with safe and loving homes. According to historical accounts baby- farming was deemed a profitable business; however, it appears that it was only lucrative if the babies were disposed of instead of re-homing them. This led to numerous inhumane practices, of which, many have been associated with the notorious baby-farmer, Amelia Dyer. While this atmospheric story will appeal to a broad audience it also serves as a stark and sad reminder of the often brutal and unforgiving era that epitomized Victorian England.