The biggest travesty (besides Kenny’s conviction) will be if Rockwell does not get some attention at the next Academy Awards. If they can honor Johnny Depp for his Capt. Jack Sparrow then there’s absolutely no reason Rockwell shouldn’t be nominated for his hilarious scene-stealing turn as Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2. However, his portrayal in Conviction of Kenny Waters is particularly heartbreaking as you see just how a good man can keep his scruples and sense of humor even while behind bars for a crime he knows he didn’t commit while he watches his sister spend her life setting him free. Minnie Driver also deserves kudos for her hilariously quick witted turn as Abra.
Oscar bait season is officially upon us, and while this may not be one of the best films of the year, it’s certainly far greater than most of what’s come out. If the Academy sticks to its ten- nominations rule for Best Picture (which went into effect last year), I won’t be surprised if Conviction gets a nomination. It may be Halloween this weekend, but instead of wasting your money on another tread through Hollywood’s sequelitis (the worse than the first Paranormal Activity 2 and the supposedly “final” Saw 3D until it makes more money than any of its predecessors), why not seek out the underdog? It deserves as much of a fighting chance as Kenny did in real life.





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