Actor Andy Serkis (1964)

An American superhero film, The Batman (2022), is based on the DC Comics character of the same name. On Halloween night, Gotham City’s mayor, Don Mitchell Jr., is found dead and a man claiming to be the Riddler takes responsibility. Bruce Wayne, a wealthy recluse who has been operating as Batman for two years now, joins forces with the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) to investigate. During their investigation, Lieutenant James Gordon uncovers a message from the Riddler intended for Batman. The villain strikes again by killing Commissioner Pete Savage and leaving another message for Batman. As they dig deeper into the case, Batman and Gordon discover ...

Long Shot (2019) is an American romantic comedy film directed by Jonathan Levine. U.S. Secretary of State Charlotte Field learns from President Chambers, a former television actor, that he does not plan on running for a second term as he is trying to break into the movie industry. Seeing an opportunity, she convinces him to endorse her as a potential presidential candidate. Meanwhile, New York City journalist Fred Flarsky’s career takes a turn when his newspaper is purchased by Parker Wembley, a wealthy mogul with opposing political views. Frustrated and unable to find another job, Fred seeks solace in his ...

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018) is an adventure drama film, directed by Andy Serkis. The screenplay, written by Callie Kloves, is based on tales from All the Mowgli Stories by Rudyard Kipling. In the Indian jungle, the wise Indian python seer Kaa witnesses Shere Khan, a cruel Bengal tiger, breaking ‘jungle law’ by attacking a human family. After finding a surviving infant, Bagheera takes him to an Indian wolf family led by Nisha and Vihaan. However, their presence is noticed by Tabaqui, Shere ...

Black Panther (2018), an American superhero film, is the 18th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it tells the story of a meteorite containing vibranium that caused conflict among five African tribes centuries ago. The power of this metal was harnessed by one warrior who consumed a ‘heart-shaped herb,’ giving him incredible abilities and earning him the title of ‘Black Panther.’ This leader united all tribes except for the Jabari to form Wakanda, where they used vibranium to advance ...

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) is an American sci-fi action film, directed by Matt Reeves and co-written with Mark Bomback. It depicts a full-on conflict between apes and humans, where Caesar embarks on a mission to seek justice for his fallen comrades. The story takes place two years after Koba, an aggressive bonobo, attacked human survivors in San Francisco. Now, Caesar and his tribe of intelligent apes are pitted against Alpha-Omega, a rebellious military group helmed by a merciless colonel. This faction also enlists other apes formerly loyal to Koba, mockingly ...

Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017) is the second part of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, written and directed by Rian Johnson. It is the eighth episode in the Skywalker saga, following The Force Awakens (2015). General Leia Organa leads the Resistance forces in evacuating their base after the battle of Starkiller Base. Despite her orders, Poe Dameron initiates a costly counterattack that destroys a First Order dreadnought. The Resistance escapes into hyperspace, but the First Order has a tracking device and attacks again. Kylo Ren hesitates to fire on the lead ship upon sensing ...

The American epic space opera film, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens  (2015), was co-produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. Three decades after the Battle of Endor, the once-defeated Galactic Empire has been replaced by the First Order, determined to overthrow the New Republic. In opposition, General Leia Organa leads the Resistance with support from the Republic. Searching for her missing twin brother Luke Skywalker, Leia enlists help from an old ally on Jakku, where Resistance pilot Poe Dameron receives a map to Luke’s whereabouts. However, their plans are interrupted when Kylo Ren ...

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) is an American sci-fi action film directed by Matt Reeves. A decade after the deadly Simian Flu pandemic, the global human population has drastically decreased and only a small fraction are genetically immune. Human society collapsed as a result. Meanwhile, a group of apes with enhanced intelligence from the virus have settled in Muir Woods National Monument near San Francisco, led by Caesar and his lieutenants Maurice, Rocket, and Koba. Unknowingly, a team of humans led by Malcolm enter the apes’ territory in search of a hydroelectric dam to restore their community’s ...

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) is an epic high fantasy adventure film helmed by director Peter Jackson and written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro, and Jackson himself. Adapted from J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel of the same name, it serves as a prequel to Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings ...

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), an American science fiction action film, follows pharmaceutical chemist Will Rodman in San Francisco as he tests the virus-based drug ALZ-112 on chimpanzees at biotechnology company Gen-Sys. His goal is to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Their test subject, a chimp named Bright Eyes, shows remarkable intelligence after being given the drug. Her newfound intelligence leads her to escape her cage during Will’s presentation and ultimately be killed. Will’s boss, Steven Jacobs, ends the project and orders all chimps to be euthanized. However, Robert Franklin, Will’s assistant, reveals that Bright Eyes had ...

The animated film, The Adventures of Tintin (2011), is based on Hergé’s comic book series of the same name. Set in 1938 Brussels, Belgium, it follows young journalist Tintin and his trusty dog Snowy as they explore an outdoor market. Despite being approached by Interpol officer Barnaby and ship collector Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine, both eager to purchase a miniature model of a ship called the Unicorn, Tintin manages to secure the item for himself. But upon returning home with the model, it is accidentally broken during a chase between Snowy and a cat. As Tintin searches for the missing pieces, he discovers a ...

Wild Bill (2011), a British crime comedy drama film directed by Dexter Fletcher, follows the story of a recently paroled man. After serving an eight year sentence for drug offenses, he returns home to East London to find his two sons, Dean and Jimmy. However, their mother has abandoned them and Dean has been taking care of both himself and his younger brother. Despite this, Dean makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with Bill. As Bill tries to adjust to life on the outside, he is offered a chance to return to illegal activities by his former associates Dickie and Terry. Knowing the consequences of getting caught ...

Directed by Iain Softley, Inkheart (2008) is a fantasy adventure film that follows the Folchart family. Mo and Resa read a fairy tale to their daughter, Meggie, when a red velvet hood appears mysteriously. Twelve years later, while on a trip to Europe with her father, Meggie finds herself in an old book shop. Little does she know, Mo is secretly searching for a specific copy of Inkheart. As he finds the book, Meggie has an encounter with a horned marten that tries to attack her fingers. A familiar man comes to her rescue, claiming to be an old friend. Recognizing him as Dustfinger, Mo quickly seeks refuge with Meggie. ...

The Prestige (2006) is a psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan. This film is based on a novel by Christopher Priest that was published in 1995. Set in 1890s London, it follows two shills for a magician named Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, who are both mentored by John Cutter, an engineer responsible for designing stage magic tricks. During one performance involving a water tank, Angier’s wife Julia tragically drowns while attempting to escape. In ...

King Kong (2005), a monumental adventure monster film, was co-written, produced, and directed by the talented Peter Jackson. In the midst of the Great Depression, New York City’s struggling vaudeville performer Ann Darrow is offered a role by filmmaker Carl Denham, who is facing financial troubles. Despite her initial reservations, Ann agrees to join the project upon discovering that her favorite playwright, Jack Driscoll, is involved as well. The filming takes place on the SS Venture, with Captain Englehorn at the helm and Carl claiming that they are heading to Singapore. However, his true intention is to capture ...

The epic high fantasy adventure film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), was directed by Peter Jackson and written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Jackson. Based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s third volume of the novel series, The Return of the King (1955), it follows the journey of Sméagol, a hobbit who becomes consumed by the power of the One Ring after murdering his cousin Déagol to obtain it. As ...

The film, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), directed by Peter Jackson and written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Stephen Sinclair, and Jackson himself, is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s second volume of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, titled The Two Towers. In one of his dreams, Frodo Baggins envisions Gandalf battling a Balrog in Moria, before ...

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) is an epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson and written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Jackson. It is based on the first volume of J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel, also titled The Fellowship of the Ring, which was published in 1954. The story takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth and revolves around the Rings of Power given to the ...

Royal Deceit (1994) is a drama adventure film co-written and directed by Gabriel Axel. Prince Amled witnesses the murders of his father, King Hardvendel of the Danes, and brother, leading him to enter a semi-catatonic state. This saves him from being killed like his family members by Fenge (the king’s brother) and his henchmen. The king and prince’s bodies are brought back to Amled’s distraught mother, Geruth, at their castle. Fenge claims he arrived after the murders and offers support to Geruth as she mourns her loss. He is eventually crowned king and declares Geruth as queen. During the funeral ...