Talented film critic-turned-director who burst onto the scene in late 2000 with his hotly debated political thriller _Contender, The (2000)_ . That film launched Lurie into the spot of filmmakers-to-watch and stood out amongst a year's worth of mindless and politically empty films. Born in Israel, Lurie spent his childhood living in Connecticut and Hawaii. At age 18 he began attending the highly prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation in 1984, he spent 4 years servin ...[Read Story]