Current: "The Woodsman" (2004)
Kevin Bacon's sincere depiction of a pedophile trying to reform his life forces the viewer to look more closely at the nature of crime. The film chronicles his struggles as he encounters children after his release from prison. The portrayal of a man plagued with mental illness rather than the stereotypical depiction of a shadowy villain provides a great deal of insight into his character.
Classic: "M" (1931)
This socially progressive movie tackles the problems of moral ambiguity. Directed by master German filmmaker Fritz Lang, the film is a character study with uncharacteristic depth that influenced a generation of modern-day psychological thrillers. Without "M," we would never have seen villains like Hannibal Lector. The viewer comes close to sympathizing with child-murderer Hans Beckert, a revolutionary point in cinema.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
