Actor Bill Nighy (1949)

Based on the book by Aileen Mioko Smith and W. Eugene Smith, Minamata (2020) is a powerful biographical drama directed by Andrew Levitas. It features Johnny Depp (also producer) as W. Eugene Smith, an American photographer renowned for his World War II photojournalism. The film focuses on his assignment to Minamata, Kumamoto, where he witnesses the devastating effects of mercury poisoning on the locals due to industrial negligence by the Chisso Corporation. Premiering at the ...

The British horror-mystery film, The Limehouse Golem (2016), directed by Juan Carlos Medina and written by Jane Goldman, tells the story of a series of murders that have shocked the docklands community of Limehouse in Victorian London. Known as the Golem, after a well-known Jewish legend, the killer has not been caught yet. However, when John Cree is accused of poisoning his wife, Elizabeth Cree on the same night as the latest Golem killing, Inspector John Kildare uncovers evidence linking him to all the murders. In order to save Elizabeth from being hanged and solve this ...

The World’s End (2013), an apocalyptic sci-fi comedy film, was created by director Edgar Wright and screenwriters Simon Pegg and Wright. In an effort to relive his youth, 40-year-old Gary King, who struggles with alcoholism, reconnects with childhood friends Oliver Chamberlain, Peter Page, Steven Prince, and Andrew Knightley. He convinces them to join him on the ‘Golden Mile’, a pub crawl through their hometown of Newton Haven that ends at the World’s End pub. The group had attempted this feat in ...

About Time (2013), a romantic science fiction comedy-drama film written and directed by Richard Curtis, follows Tim Lake as he grows up in Cornwall. He lives with his father James, mother Mary, absent-minded uncle Desmond, and free-spirited younger sister Katherine (‘Kit Kat’) in a house by the sea. On his 21st birthday, Tim discovers that the men in his family can travel back in time to relive past moments. Although James warns him against using his gift for personal gain, Tim decides to use it to improve his love life. During the summer, Charlotte, Kit Kat’s friend, comes to visit. Tim falls for her ...

The animated Christmas comedy film, Arthur Christmas (2011), was co-produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Aardman Animations. Instead of a single individual, the title of Santa Claus has been passed down for generations to gift-givers. Currently on his seventieth mission, the current Santa, Malcolm Claus, holds more of a ceremonial role. The traditional sleigh and reindeer have been replaced by the S-1, a state-of-the-art vessel operated by hundreds of elves who use advanced equipment and military precision to deliver presents. All the intricate details of Christmas are meticulously managed from Mission Control at the North Pole by Malcolm’s eldest son, Steve. ...

In the animated Western comedy Rango (2011), directed by Gore Verbinski and written by John Logan, a theatrically-minded pet chameleon finds himself stranded in the Mojave Desert of Nevada when his owners’ car accidentally loses his terrarium. Seeking refuge, he meets a nine-banded armadillo named Roadkill, who is on a quest for the ‘Spirit of the West’ and tells him about a town called Dirt where water mysteriously appears every Wednesday. With no other options, the chameleon sets out into the desert but not before narrowly escaping being preyed upon by ...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) is a fantasy film directed by David Yates and written by Steve Kloves. Based on J. K. Rowling’s novel of the same name, it is the first of two cinematic installments. At Malfoy Manor, Severus Snape meets with Lord Voldemort and his followers to report that Harry Potter will be moved to a safe location by the Order of the Phoenix. Voldemort takes Lucius Malfoy’s wand since his own is powerless against Harry’s, as they both share a phoenix feather core. ...

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) is an action-packed horror movie directed by Patrick Tatopoulos. It was written by Danny McBride, Dirk Blackman, and Howard McCain based on a story by Len Wiseman, Robert Orr, and McBride. The plot revolves around Lucian who is both the first werewolf to take human form and the first to be ...

The animated superhero film, Astro Boy (2009), is a loose adaptation of the manga series by Japanese writer and illustrator Osamu Tezuka. Set in the futuristic city-state of Metro City in the 22nd century, the story follows teenage protagonist Toby Tenma. His father, Dr. Tenma, works at the Ministry of Science alongside his colleague Dr. Elefun. Together, they create the Peacekeeper – a highly advanced defensive robot powered by two opposite energy spheres – one blue and one red. These powerful orbs were discovered from a star fragment by Dr. Elefun himself. The two scientists then present their creation to Stone, the President of Metro City who is ...

Valkyrie (2008), a thriller directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, features Tom Cruise. Set during World War II, the film follows Wehrmacht Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg in Tunisia as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with Hitler’s regime. After his battalion is attacked by P-40 fighter-bombers, Stauffenberg is gravely injured and returned to Germany for treatment. However, he ultimately loses his left eye, right hand, ...

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), an American epic fantasy swashbuckler film directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, follows the story of Lord Cutler Beckett’s tyrannical rule over the seas. He orders Davy Jones to destroy all pirate ships and executes anyone affiliated with piracy in Port Royal. In response to this threat, nine Pirate Lords are called upon to convene at Shipwreck Cove for the Brethren Court. However, due to Jack Sparrow’s absence and lack of a named successor, Barbossa, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, ...

Underworld: Evolution (2006), an American action horror film, is directed by Len Wiseman and written by Danny McBride, based on a story developed by both of them. In the year 1202, an army led by three vampire elders (Markus, Viktor, and Amelia) attacks a village occupied by werewolves. During the assault, Markus’s twin brother William Corvinus, the first and most powerful werewolf, is captured by Viktor and Amelia. Despite Markus’s objections, Viktor orders William to be imprisoned in a hidden location for eternity. In present day, vampire Selene brings ...

Notes on a Scandal (2006) is a British psychological drama/thriller directed by Richard Eyre and produced by Robert Fox and Scott Rudin. Based on Zoë Heller’s novel of the same name from 2003, the screenplay was written by Patrick Marber. The story follows Barbara Covett, a London history teacher who has reached retirement age without ever getting married. She holds disdain for her students and colleagues at the ...

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006) is a swashbuckling adventure directed by Gore Verbinski, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. At the wedding of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, their celebration is cut short when Lord Cutler Beckett arrives at Port Royal with arrest warrants. These charges stem from their involvement in freeing Captain Jack Sparrow. However, they are not the only ones on Beckett’s list. ...

The British film, Shaun of the Dead (2004), is a romantic zombie comedy directed by Edgar Wright, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Pegg. In London’s Crouch End neighborhood, 29-year-old electronics salesman Shaun faces disrespect from his coworkers, a strained relationship with his stepfather Philip, and a recent break-up with his girlfriend Liz due to his failed attempt at planning an anniversary date. Seeking solace, Shaun turns to his go-to spot, the Winchester pub, where he drowns his sorrows with his slacker best friend Ed. Meanwhile, their roommate Pete ...

Underworld (2003) is an action horror film that marks Len Wiseman’s debut as a feature film director. The screenplay was written by Danny McBride, based on a story co-authored by Kevin Grevioux, Wiseman himself, and McBride. For centuries, vampires and Lycans – an ancient race of werewolves – have been locked in a hidden battle. After the apparent death of Lycan leader Lucian at the hands of vampire Kraven, ...