Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine are working to create global change. The husband and wife directing duo are not only filmmakers but humanitarians, and the two have created the nonprofit organization, Shine Global, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those devastated by unyielding catastrophes. On Shine Global's website their mission in their films is most eloquently stated: "To illuminate the positive efforts made by children and their families to overcome devastating odds." This is exactly what they intend to do with their upcoming film War/Dance.

The film is already receiving attention and is being distributed by ThinkFilm; its first screening will be at the Sundance Film Festival. For nearly 20 years, Uganda has been plagued with a civil war that is causing great devastation to its people. War/Dance profiles three individuals directly affected by this civil war as they find hope through dance at Uganda's annual dance and music competition. Children who are displaced by the war look forward to traveling to this competition, free to enjoy themselves through this incredible form of self-expression.

This won't be the first time we see a documentary that brings light to a drearier part of our world through dance. In a less extreme circumstance, but still bearing the same influence on the audience and the children in the film, was Marilyn Agrelo's Mad Hot Ballroom. Instead of Ugandan children, the subjects were the children of lower income families in New York City. Typically, these kids most often fall into drugs and a life of crime, but teachers with a passion for dance manage to instill that same passion in the hearts of their students. Through the documentary, the audience was able to see with their own eyes the children's incredible transformation.

Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine have set out to make a film that directly rocks the global perspective on Ugandan children. It is their way of hoping to contribute to the relief of these communities ... and I for one am sold. I look forward to more documentary filmmakers not only opening everyone's eyes, but also using the proceeds of their films to directly donate to their causes. Paramount donated 5% of An Inconvenient Truth ticket sales to Alliance for Climate Protection and Shine Global is doing the same; all proceeds from War/Dance will directly fund the individuals projected on the screen. It's amazing how easy they are making it for us to contribute; all we have to do is buy a ticket to sit down and watch a film.

Alpha Dog sways the court! No, no, it hasn't yet. I don't want to be spreading rumors here -- although the defense is afraid it might. Nick Cassavetes' film Alpha Dog is based on the life of Jesse James Hollywood. Hollywood is strikingly singular in Los Angeles and criminal history. He is -- or rather, was -- one of the wealthiest and youngest drug dealers ever. He set records -- although not an impressive one -- by being the youngest individual, only 20 at the time, to be wanted by the FBI. The young man reportedly abducted the younger brother of a career-threatening client. Later, instead of serving life in prison for kidnapping he had the 15-year old young man shot to death. Go figure. And the new film Alpha Dog -- based on Hollywood's life and crimes -- may actually face a court injunction blocking it from release. ...

The film changes Jesse James Hollywood to the fictional character Johnny Truelove, played by Emile Hirsch. In fact, all the characters are changed although the story is strikingly similar to the real-life happenings of Mr. Hollywood's frightening choices. Although fiction, the defense still is concerned that there isn't enough separation from truth to not sway a jury. Therefore the judge will view the film before it receives wide release in January 2007. The film has already had its U.S. debut last January at Sundance to less than desirable reviews.

I can understand where the defense is coming from. After rewatching Alex Cox's Sid and Nancy just recently I found myself terrified by director Alex Cox's choice in crafting the ending. It's well known that the relationship between Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen was a volatile one but there was never any solid conclusion as to who actually murdered her. According to close confidants in the book Please Kill Me it is believed that it was a drug dealer that did her in, and not her beloved Sid in a heroin haze. It is also believed that if the police thought Nancy to be a positive member of society, they would have found that out on their own.

Unfortunately, Sid died of an overdose before anything would ever be resolved. But perhaps if he were alive and Alex Cox were able to make the film during Sid's trial his defense would ask for the release to be halted as well. And, by God, I would beg for them to grant it! It's not because I like my men corrupt, heroin addicted and bloody it's because everyone deserves the right to a fair trial...right?