Stuart Millar

Birdman of Alcatraz -- Burt Lancaster stars as a murderer sentenced to Alcatraz, who becomes a world renowned authority on birds. The excellent supporting cast includes Thelma Ritter, Telly Savalas and Karl Malden.

How does bitter convict Robert Stroud cope with a lifetime of solitary confinement? The answer, in a sense, comes from above in the form of a feeble sparrow he finds in the isolation yard. Stroud brings this newfound companion to his cell, nurses it to health and, from that point on, there's no turning back. Despite having only a third-grade education, and no hope of parole, Stroud becomes a renowned ornithologist and achieves a greater sense of freedom and purpose behind prison walls than many in the outside world will ever know.

Oscar-winner Diane Keaton ("Something's Gotta Give," "Marvin's Room") stars as a mother of four whose husband, Albert Finney, leaves her for a younger woman. Keaton and Oscar-nominee Finney ("Tom Jones," "Murder On the Orient Express") deliver powerful performances in this provocative and brutally honest look at a failing marriage. With Peter Weller ("Screamers," "Robocop"), Karen Allen ("Raiders of the Lost Ark"), and Tracey Gold (TV's "Growing Pains"). Directed by Oscar-nominee Alan Parker ("Evita," "Fame," "The Commitments"). Written by Oscar-winner Bo Goldman ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Scent of a Woman").

Diane Keaton stars as a mother of four whose husband, Albert Finney, leaves her for a younger woman. Keaton and Finney deliver powerful performances in this provocative and brutally honest look at a failing marriage. With Peter Weller, Karen Allen, and Tracey Gold. Directed by Alan Parker.