Saltzman Sees...The Tuskegee Airmen (1995)

The Tuskegee Airmen is the true story of how a group of African American pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest US fighter groups in World War II.  A special project is begun by the US Army Air Corps to integrate African American pilots into the Fighter Pilot Program. Known as the "Tuskegee Airman" for the name of the airbase at which they were trained, these men were forced to constantly endure harassement, prejudice, and much behind the scenes politics until at last they were able to prove themselves in combat.

Laurence Fishburne, Allen Payne and Cuba Gooding Jr. star in this movie about racism, perseverance, and courage.

Saltzman Sees...Soul of the Game (1996)

Soul of the Game is the true story of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson: arguably the three greatest Negro League Ballplayers of All-Time.  At a time when Major League Baseball was refusing to allow black players to play, one man was looking for the right man to be first.  This story shows what happened before and after that memorable day on April 15, 1947 when Robinson broke the color barrier in Professional Baseball in America. Delroy Lindo, Mykelti Williamson and Blair Underwood star as Paige, Gibson and Robinson and they are all masterful in this gripping look at what happened.

Saltzman Sees...Recount (2008)

Recount is a chronicle of the weeks after the 2000 U.S. presidential election and the subsequent recounts in Florida.  George Bush was declared the winner of the 2000 election despite losing the popular vote.  Al Gore, who did win, was declared the loser.  How it happened, and that process is fascinating, confusing, and down right infuriating.  An All-Star cast delivers for HBO once again, headed by Kevin Spacey, Denis Leary, Tom Wilkinson, and Laura Dern.  Jay Roach, who is better known for comedies like the Austin Powers Trilogy and Meet the Parents, delivers here as well.

Saltzman Sees...61* (2001)

Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane are Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 61*.  Billy Crystal creates a perfect look back at the 1961 season that pitted Yankee against Yankee against Babe Ruth as two men chased the most hallowed record in sports.  Pepper and Jane are incredible as they transform into the former Yankee legends.  It is the movie Crystal was always suppose to make, and it is flawless.  If you don't know the story of Roger Maris, this is a must see.  It shows everything that is right, and everything that is wrong with America's pastime.  It is one of the best Sports Movies ever made, and another shining example of why HBO always seems to create beautiful films for us to enjoy.

Billy Crystal won my Best Director of 2001.

Saltzman Sees...A Lesson Before Dying (1999)

A Lesson Before Dying stars Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson and Mekhi Phifer. Tyson is always brilliant, but Cheadle gives another masterful performance for HBO.  He was tremendous as Earl Manigault in Rebound three years earlier, and he is again magnificent as Grant Wiggins.  This was a novel and a teleplay before becoming an HBO Movie and is certainly adapted well to the screen.  Very much like Dead Man Walking, which got much acclaim, Wiggins is asked to help a man on death row.  With the racial tension of the 1940's and a young black man in jail for killing a white man, Wiggins becomes the only person willing to help.

Saltzman Sees...Real Women Have Curves (2002)

Real Women Have Curves is a story about family, struggle, and sacrifice. Ana, played by America Ferrera, is a first generation Mexican-American teenager on the verge of becoming a woman. She lives in the predominately Latino community of East Los Angeles. Freshly graduated from high school, Ana receives a full scholarship to Columbia University. Her very traditional, old-world parents feel that now is the time for Ana to help provide for the family, not the time for college. Torn between her mainstream ambitions and her cultural heritage she agrees to work with her mother at her sister's downtown LA sewing factory.

It is a story of love and understanding and has a depth to it that all compelling stories have.  Life isn't as simple as it first appears and what you learn along the way can be a great education in and of itself.

Saltzman Sees...Lackawanna Blues (2005)

HBO certainly know how to make a movie, and another example is Lackawanna Blues.  S. Epatha Merkerson, best know for her supporting role on Law & Order, gives the performance of her career in this gripping story.  The story centers around a young boy's life, shaped by love and the stories of a cast of characters in the boarding house where he lives in 1960s Lackawanna, New York. Rythym & Blues fill his heart as does the "Nanny" that runs the house.  This is an absolute must see and one of the best films made in 2005.

Saltzman Sees...Rebound (1996)

Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault is a true story of the greatest basketball player nobody got to see play.  Manigault, played by Don Cheadle, became legendary for his play at Rucker Park in New York.  However, he became a drug addict and wasn't ever able to pursue any dreams of playing basketball professionally.  It is a tragic look at the young life of "The Goat" but in the end it is the story of redemption and recovery.  James Earl Jones, Forrest Whitaker and Loretta Devine are all terrific in Eriq La Salle's directorial debut for HBO.

Eriq La Salle won my Best Director of 1996.

The TV Movie did not win any awards.  It is not even the most well-known movie named Rebound, ever since Martin Lawrence came out with a comedy of the same name in 2005.

Saltzman Sees...Temple Grandin (2010)

Temple Grandin is the remarkable look at Autism through the eyes of one of its greatest champions.  Claire Danes becomes Temple as we learn what is possible when you have people who believe in your potential.  Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara and David Strathairn are all fabulous as we learn that it takes compassion and an open heart to allow people to find their own path.

The movie won several awards, including Clair Danes for Best Actress by both the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild, as well as nearly sweeping the Emmys that year. However, since TV movies don't get nominated for Oscars, a movie like Temple Grandin flies under the radar in movie of the year voting.

It is my Best Picture of 2010, and Claire Danes won my Best Actress of 2010. 

Saltzman Sees...Something the Lord Made (2004)

Something the Lord Made is the true story of the relationship between heart surgery pioneers Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas. Played by Alan Rickman and Mos Def, respectively, it shows the hard truths of a time when not only was their racism, but also a hard fast rule that you never operate on the heart.  The roadblocks faced by Dr. Blalock were nothing compared to the hardships lived by Dr. Thomas.  HBO does a masterful job telling this story.

It did win 2 Emmys, and was nominated for 2 Golden Globes, but like many TV Movies, isn't nearly as popular as other blockbusters of the year.