Latest news with #JohnGrisham
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Rainmaker Trailer: Lana Parrilla & Madison Iseman Star in Legal Drama
USA Network has shared a trailer for its newest legal drama, The Rainmaker, featuring Once Upon a Time vet Lana Parrilla and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star Madison Iseman. The show is slated to premiere on August 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on USA. Episodes will be available to stream on Peacock one week after airing on USA. 'The series follows Rudy Baylor, who is fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond as well as his law school girlfriend, Sarah. Rudy, along with his boss, Bruiser, and her disheveled paralegal, Deck, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client's son,' reads the official synopsis. Check out The Rainmaker trailer below (watch more trailers): The video introduces Dune: Prophecy's Milo Callaghan as Rudy Baylor, who gets fired from his first law firm after he is unable to control his emotions. Because of this, he finds himself working at an unconventional law firm that represents normal people against powerful figures. In the 1997 adaptation, the main character was portrayed by Oscar winner Matt Damon. The Rainmaker is written and executive produced by showrunner Michael Seitzman, based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham. The cast also includes John Slattery, P.J. Byrne, Dan Fogler, Wade Briggs, and Robyn Cara. It is executive produced by Michael Seitzman, Jason Richman, John Grisham, David Gernert, and Jason Blum. 'The Rainmaker began as John Grisham's fastest-selling novel, then became a feature film, and now, it's a TV series,' Seitzman said in a statement. 'What is it about this story that keeps drawing people in? Maybe it's the David-and-Goliath legal thriller, the dangerous romance or the coming-of-age story. For me, above all, it's the characters. They jumped off the page in John's book and were a joy to expand upon in our show. Not to mention, Milo Callaghan, who plays Rudy Baylor, is your next crush.' The post The Rainmaker Trailer: Lana Parrilla & Madison Iseman Star in Legal Drama appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Geek Tyrant
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Great Trailer For USA Legal Drama THE RAINMAKER Based on John Grisham Novel — GeekTyrant
USA Network has released a great trailer for their series The Rainmaker , based on the novel by John Grisham, author of other adapted stories like The Firm , The Client and The Pelican Brief . The Rainmaker was previously made into a 1997 film starring Matt Damon. The USA series stars Milo Callaghan, Lana Parilla, John Slattery, Madison Iseman, P.J. Byrne, Dan Fogler, Wade Briggs and Robyn Cara. In the trailer, which can be seen below, Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) loses his job at a prestigious law firm on his first day. With no other options, he is forced to work for a lawyer (Lana Parilla) operating out of an old fast food restaurant. But once he takes on his first case, he discovers two connected conspiracies surrounding the death of a client's son, putting him at odds with not only his old boss but also his girlfriend. The Rainmaker will premiere on USA Network on August 15th at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with episodes available to stream on Peacock one week after their linear debut. Check out the trailer below:
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Epoch Times
John Grisham's Wake-Up Call to Prevent Wrongful Convictions
The author and former lawyer John Grisham has an impressive legal background, one that lends credibility to his over three dozen crime and courtroom novels. In his first nonfiction work, 'The Innocent Man' released in 2012, Grisham shone a light on the true story of Ron Williams who was sentenced to death after a flimsy investigation that included tainted evidence and lying witnesses. This experience led Grisham to meet Jim McCloskey, whose organization Centurion Ministries works to right wrongful convictions. Founded in 1983, it was the first organization in the world devoted to freeing the innocent. The two began talking about the over 70 cases McCloskey's team worked on, and from those conversations came this co-authored work, 'Framed: Astonishing True Cases of Wrongful Convictions.' Readers will get an in-depth look at 10 cases, their investigations, the courtroom drama, the sentencing of innocent individuals, and the lengthy legwork to get these sentences overturned. Grisham wrote: 'Our goal with this book is to raise awareness of wrongful convictions and in some small way help to prevent more of them.' A Train Wreck Right off the bat, 'The Norfolk Four' will have readers scratching their heads and wondering how this conviction could have ever happened. Considered one of the 'greatest train wrecks in the history of American criminal justice,' this story concerns the rape and murder of a Navy wife while her husband was deployed at sea. The real murderer remained free and continued to commit sexual assaults while a variety of suspects were brought in and cruelly interrogated. Some of those wrongfully convicted of the crime, though eventually freed from prison, continue to suffer from PTSD. Throughout the stories, Grisham brings to our attention the tactics that law enforcement uses to win a confession. In 'The Norfolk Four,' readers learn that 'the law allows the police to lie about the results of the polygraph test,' something that innocent suspects readily agree to take to prove their innocence. Even with a passing score, they're confused by the failed results and begin to doubt their own memory. Related Stories 4/19/2025 4/7/2025 Those brought in for questioning also tend to also waive their Miranda Rights and refuse an attorney since, after all, they have nothing to hide. They believe that demanding one implies guilt. In the case of 'The Norfolk Four,' detectives took advantage of the suspects' weakened state after hours of grueling questioning. They made suggestions about how the crime was committed. To one suspect, the detective offered that the suspect might have been 'sleepwalking.' This supposedly explained why they had no recollection of the events. At one point, detectives had seven suspects in custody for the murder when all evidence pointed to a lone killer. One of those detained, Dan Williams, was interrogated for 11 hours, and eventually broke. He said he was 'frightened, drained, and thoroughly confused,' and 'gave the detectives what they wanted.' In his confession, he accepted the idea that he was sleepwalking and included confused and fabricated details just to please. When the detectives saw his description didn't match the crime, they brought him back in for more questioning and more 'suggestions.' Crumbling under the pressure, Williams gave them the confession they wanted. He was charged and pleaded guilty to avoid a death penalty trial. But six more suspects were brought in, questioned, interrogated and traumatized. It took years before the real killer was uncovered. Shoddy Autopsies Skilled storyteller that he is, Grisham begins his chapters with an intriguing fact about the kind of crime story we're about to read. In 'Autopsy Games,' we learn a bit about the first recorded autopsy, performed on Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. Over the centuries, autopsies became a useful tool in criminal investigations. The procedure was regulated by the the National Association of Medical Examiners, and their recommendation was that a medical examiner do no more than 250 to 325 cases a year to ensure quality reporting. However, due to shortages in the profession, pathologists were grabbing case after case, performing shoddy work, with one claiming to have performed 1,000 autopsies in a year. The main character in one story is a Mississippi medical examiner who went from 320 autopsies a year in 1988 to 1200 in 1990. His medical reports, wrote Grisham, 'had errors, and plenty of them.' Because of 'bogus scientific testimony,' an innocent man—who had an alibi—was charged. The killer was free to strike again. An Innocent's Execution In 'The Fire Does Not Lie,' we learn how in 1976 the United States Supreme Court lifted a ban on executions. The states using the death penalty resumed their hangings, lethal injections, and firing squads. The organization that tracks these executions, The Death Penalty Information Center, lists 20 men who were 'probably' innocent. Grisham wrote that while the courts tend to lose interest in a case when the defendant is dead, 'journalists and innocence advocates do not.' He leads readers into the story with this dramatic introduction: 'In 2004, Cameron Todd Willingham was executed for a crime that never occurred.' On a December morning, Willingham's house caught fire with Todd (the name he went by) and three daughters asleep. He was awakened by their calls, but the smoke was too thick for him to find them; the three children perished. The cause of the fire was incorrectly deemed intentional, and Todd was charged with murder. He served twelve years before being executed. Because reporters, lawyers and advocates never let this case be forgotten, they forced crucial details to be uncovered, and the cause of the fire to be reclassified as accidental. The cause of the fire that took the lives of Willingham's three young children was attributed to 'bad forensics' and the falsification of official records. However, it wasn't enough to give Willingham a posthumous full pardon. What did come from this case, though, was the understanding that arson investigators need better training, and it placed the debate over capital punishment 'into the forefront.' 'Innocent Until Proven Guilty' In this collaboration, Grisham and McCloskey agreed to choose five stories each, and to work on them on their own with little input from the other. All are page-turners; all take a microscopic look at what leads to wrongful convictions in the first place. These include factors like racism, misconduct, flawed testimony, and corruption in the court system. While it's exhilarating to read the detailed accounts of the steps taken to free the innocent, the satisfaction of justice finally being served is short-lived. We read the damage caused to those wrongly convicted in the words of one freed suspect who finds it impossible to go one day without thinking about the experience: 'The nightmare is triggered in many ways: the sight of a police car; a television show in which the cops kick in a door, or even a suspicious look from a neighbor.' Grisham and McCloskey are reminding us that we must do better and never forget that 'a fundamental principle of our legal system is a presumption of innocence.' 'Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions' By John Grisham and Jim McCloskey Doubleday, Oct. 15, 2024 Hardcover: 368 Pages What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
USA Today ranks square in Mississippi college town among the best in the nation. See why
A charming Mississippi city has been named among the best public squares in the nation. The USA Today ranking looked for the best places that act like the heartbeat of American cities, serving as a gathering place for live entertainment, community events and more. Now, one Mississippi college town has bragging rights. It's town square ranked among the Top 5 nationwide, among cities like New Orleans, Detroit, Cincinnati and Philadelphia. An expert panel nominated the places they thought were the most significant to the people who live in, near the towns and how historically important they are. Editors reviewed the list and gave the public four weeks to vote. One Mississippi town stood out for its phenomenal food, art, local shopping options and festivals. Here's what we know about the ranking. "The Square in Oxford, Mississippi, features well-preserved architecture, and it hosts diverse boutiques, art galleries, and local shops, including the oldest department store in the South, and is renowned for its dining options from down-home Southern cooking to haute cuisine. The Square is also a cultural hub, hosting special events and festivals," USAT wrote. The town's historic Square is surrounded by Square Books and restaurants including City Grocery, St. Leo, Ajax and Tico's. The city, with a population of 27,000 is between Clarksdale and Tupelo and south of Memphis. It's known for literature, football and great food. World-famous author William Faulkner lived there and wrote about it as Yoknapatawpha County, and best-selling author John Grisham more recently called it home. Earlier this year, HGTV named Oxford one of the the most charming small towns in America. And World Atlas named it among the South's 12 best towns to retire. It noted Oxford is affordable with access to college football and thriving culture, including art and dining options. It's also close to some great places to spend time outdoors, enjoying nature. More: This Mississippi city was named best small town in the South by USA Today. See where, why USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards named these public squares the best in the United States. Campus Martius Park, Detroit. Jackson Square, New Orleans. Winterset Town Square, Winterset, Iowa. The Square, Oxford, Mississippi. Franklin Square, Philadelphia. Capitol Square, Madison, Wisconsin. Fountain Square, Cincinnati. Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg, California. Centerway Square, Corning, New York. Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo, California. Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Oxford, MS has one of the best public squares in US. How did it rank?
Telegraph
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Rory McIlroy turns to Bridgerton and John Grisham to end Masters heartbreak
Considering Rory McIlroy's desperation to win the Masters, a book called The Reckoning might seem rather close to the bone, but the world No 2 is counting on John Grisham's thriller, as well as Bridgerton, to help ease the pressure here this week. This is McIlroy's 11th opportunity to become the sixth male player to complete the career grand slam – joining Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in the pantheon – and each year the burden of the missing Green Jacket inevitably only multiplies for the 35-year-old. All he can do is take measures to try to reduce the stress when he is away from the course. But having enjoyed his best ever start to a season, with wins at Pebble Beach and at last month's Players Championship at Sawgrass, the expectation on him to finally end his barren run at Augusta is bigger than ever. 'It's just narratives. It's noise,' McIlroy said, when asked about the pressure. 'It's just trying to block out that noise as much as possible. I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year. 'Look, I understand the narrative and the noise, and there's a lot of anticipation and build-up coming into this tournament each and every year, but I just have to keep my head down and focus on my job. Hopefully I can give myself a chance to win this tournament and that would be awesome.' And how exactly does McIlroy intend to 'block out the noise' this week? 'I've got into Bridgerton – I didn't think I would,' he said. 'I was very against watching it, but [wife] Erica convinced me. So we're on a bit of a Bridgerton kick this week, yeah. 'And for the first time in a long time I am reading a novel. I actually got some fiction into my life. It's a John Grisham book: The Reckoning. It's got off to a pretty good start.' McIlroy was in a positive mood in the Augusta media centre, and with good reason. But the draw for the first two rounds was released an hour later and it does no favours to the Northern Irishman, who has now gone 11 years without a major. He is one of the great front-runners. His four majors successes have come when he has been setting the pace from the off, so McIlroy prefers an early tee time on the Thursday. But there he is on the starter's sheet going out in the fourth-last group, alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg and American Akshay Bhatia. Those are the breaks, but, after so many close calls in the majors – he has finished second in the last two US Opens and truly should have ended the drought at Pinehurst 12 months ago – McIlroy appreciates he must struggle before he is first to the line again. 'At a certain point in someone's life, someone doesn't want to fall in love because they don't want to get their heart broken,' he said. 'People, I think, instinctually as human beings, we hold back sometimes because of the fear of getting hurt, whether that's a conscious decision or subconscious decision, and I think I was doing that on the golf course a little bit for a few years. 'Once you go through that, once you go through those heartbreaks, you get to a place where you remember how it feels and you wake up the next day and you're like, 'yeah, life goes on, it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be'. The last few years I've had chances to win some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world, and it hasn't quite happened. But life moves on. You dust yourself off and you go again.'
