Atticus Finch trial "State of Alabama vs. Charles White, Alias," and Atticus Finch's defense of Tom Robinson in "To Kill a Mockingbird". In a letter to the author, Harper Lee herself noted the "obvious parallels" between the cases (Lee was 12 at the time of the Charles White trial) and between Atticus Finch and Foster Beck, though she also stated that she could not recall the trial, and that "To Kill a Mockingbird" was a work of fiction. Former President Barack Obama referenced Atticus Finch as an ideal American character. In addition Atticus was mentioned during one of Obama's speeches. In July
Into the Wild (film) is great acting, and more than acting." Ebert added, "The movie is so good partly because it means so much, I think, to its writer-director, Sean Penn." The American Film Institute listed the film as one of ten AFI Movies of the Year for 2007. National Board of Review named it one of the Top Ten Films of the Year. "Into the Wild" also ranks 473rd in "Empire" magazine's 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time. The film appeared on many critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007. In North America, "Into the Wild"