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In a decade that saw some of the most unforgettable biopics of all time, Frank Marshall’s filmAlive often finds itself slipping through the cracks of recognition. While its competitors like Schindler’s List and Braveheart were basking in widespread acclaim and box office glory, Alive quietly earned its place as one of the most realistic and emotionally devastating portrayals of survival in cinema.

Yet, despite its quiet presence, it remains an underappreciated masterpiece, often overshadowed by its bigger biographical peers. Unlike the biopics from the same era, Alive is a slow-burning exploration of survival, focused more on the drawn-out reality than on heroic dramatics. But what it may lack in grandness, it more than makes up for in its intimate depiction of one of the most extraordinary survival stories in modern history.

Alive Tells the Story of One of History’s Bravest Rugby Teams

Based on the incredible true story,...

On October 13, 1972, members of the Old Christians Rugby Football Club from Montevideo, Uruguay chartered a flight across the Andes mountains for an exhibition game in Chile. The plane crashed into the high mountain peaks initially killing 16 and leaving 29 stranded in the wreckage. 72 days later, 16 survivors emerged from the mountains, emaciated, injured and nearly snowblind, but grateful to be alive. Their harrowing story of survival was told in Piers Paul Read’s bestselling novel, Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors.

Frank Marshall’s ambitious adaptation of this story premiered in 1993, shortly after the 20th anniversary of their rescue, reminding the world of this astounding feat of courage and perseverance. Usually classified as a drama, Alive is an authentic recreation of this harrowing ordeal and one of the best examples of true survival horror ever committed to film. Fifty years after the crash, Alive remains an inspiring example of hope in...

Quantum Leap, Season 3, Episode 5, “The Boogieman”

Written by Chris Ruppenthal

Directed by Joe Napolitano

Aired Oct. 26, 1990 on NBC

Scott Bakula has one of those likable personalities that immediately connects him to audiences. This heart is at the core of Quantum Leap and its lead, Sam Beckett. It’s easy to expect that he’ll do the right thing, no matter how crazy the situation. The NBC series premiered in 1989 and aired for five seasons during a much different TV era. The theme song, episode structure, and overall style spring from that era and lack the rough edges of many notable shows today. There were certain beats to most stories that brought a familiarity that can be comforting. Viewers shared the journey with Sam and only knew the information that he received. The audience’s connection with Bakula made the show work because his persona made the adventure worth taking. There...

When director Jan de Bont set about casting the various faces and secondary characters that populated bus #2525 in his 1994 actioner "Speed," it was very important to him that they reflect the multicultural identity of Los Angeles. Not only that, but he wanted there to be a heavy dose of realism in his choices, actors who seemed to be people you could look over on a morning commute and see reading the paper, sipping coffee, gazing out the window and starting their day. On the occasion of the film's 20th anniversary, I thought it would be interesting to track down as many of those actors as possible and tell the story of "Speed" from their perspective. It was a gargantuan task. While a number of them have remained in the industry in some way, many have moved on to other careers. But their individual stories are nevertheless as fascinating as the...