The year is 1863. Former blacksmith Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey) steadies an ex-slave’s head against a mangrove tree in a Mississippi swamp and starts slamming the steel bolt on the medieval, 4-pronged “punishment collar” the runaway slave had been forced to wear.
Popcorn and Inspiration: Film Review: ‘Free State of Jones’: The ’Braveheart' of Mississippi

Mark Jackson
Film Critic
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Mark Jackson is the chief film critic for The Epoch Times, and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by a classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is cited in the book "How to be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to film, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, martial arts, rock-climbing, qigong, and human rights activism.
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