Hollywood Goes Big on Hope 2007: Freedom Writers; Stomp the Yard; God Grew Tired of Us

The opening of the girl's school for economically deprived students in South Africa on January 2, 2007 by its founder Oprah Winfrey heralds a new crop of films of hope in Hollywood. The film and entertainment industry is continuously scapegoated for creating moral riffs. These films offer action instead of words to their critics. .

Freedom Writers: Release date 01/05

Richard LaGravenese the director of this film who also gave us Fisher King and Bridges over Madison County has another big winner in Freedom Writers. The film based on a true story, stars Hillary Swank in the title role of Erin Gruwell an optimistic 23 year old teacher who embarks on her first teaching job at Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. Wilson High School's student body is diverse in race and culture. The students have several things in common, poverty and hopelessness punctuated by contempt.

Erin tries initially to get the students involved, but to no avail. A gang related murder witnessed by a member of the class and the interception of a racial cartoon provides the catalyst for Erin to embark on a life changing project for her students to see their importance in life and to give them an avenue of expression. She cajoles the state to provide 140 computers and after some initial trials the students become authors of their journal. Eventually, the students define themselves and take the name, The Freedom Writers. The film chronicles their journey from outcasts to creators. The film also features Scott Glenn, Kristin Herrera, April L. Hernandez and Patrick Dempsey. The films music score Dream by Common & William punctuate the importance of young people's dream for a place. The music video shows the images of Martin Luther King's, "I have a dream" set to a rap interpretation. It looks like Grammy for this track.

Stomp the Yard: Release date 01/12/07