Actress Carla Gugino (1971)

The film Gerald’s Game (2017), directed and edited by Mike Flanagan, is a psychological horror thriller with a screenplay co-written by Flanagan and Jeff Howard. The movie is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, which was once considered impossible to bring to the screen. Jessie and Gerald Burlingame travel to an isolated lake house in Fairhope, Alabama for a romantic retreat. On their way there, they encounter a stray dog that Jessie wants to ...

Wayward Pines (2015–2016), a mystery science fiction TV series based on the novels by Blake Crouch and developed for television by Chad Hodge, follows the story of Ethan Burke, a U.S. Secret Service agent investigating the mysterious small town of Wayward Pines, Idaho. After waking up from a car accident with no way to reach the outside world or leave the town, Ethan discovers that two fellow agents have gone missing. He also reunites with his former lover Kate Hewson, who is now living in what seems like a perfect community. However, it soon becomes clear that the ...

In the disaster film, San Andreas (2015), directed by Brad Peyton and written by Carlton Cuse, we follow the journey of Caltech seismologist Dr. Lawrence Hayes. Along with his colleague, Dr. Kim Park, he is conducting tests at Hoover Dam using a new earthquake prediction model. However, their plans are disrupted when an unknown fault suddenly ruptures nearby, causing a catastrophic 7.1-magnitude earthquake that destroys the dam. Despite Park’s heroic sacrifice to save a young girl, he is swept away by the ensuing flood. As Hayes investigates further, he discovers ...

Sucker Punch (2011), an American psychological fantasy action film, is the directorial debut of Zack Snyder and was co-written by him and Steve Shibuya. The story follows a young woman named Babydoll who accidentally shoots her sister while trying to defend herself from their abusive stepfather. After discovering that their mother left everything to her daughters in her will, the stepfather has Babydoll institutionalized under false pretenses and bribes orderly Blue Jones to have her undergo a lobotomy. In a state of delusion, Babydoll imagines the asylum as a brothel ...

Faster (2010) is an American action thriller directed by George Tillman Jr. Upon his release from prison, James ‘Jimmy’ Cullen retrieves a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, a gun, and a list of names. He then heads to a telemarketing office in Bakersfield, California where he kills Prescott Ashton, and proceeds to visit Roy Grone for more names. Detectives Cicero and Humphries are hot on Cullen’s trail, while hitman ‘Killer’ is also hired to take him down. Cullen manages to track down the next name on his list, Kenneth Tyson, who is known for producing personal snuff films. After eliminating Tyson, ...

Race to Witch Mountain (2009), directed by Andy Fickman, is an American sci-fi adventure thriller. In the small town of Searchlight, Nevada, an alien spacecraft crashes just outside of Las Vegas. In response, Project Moon Dust – a covert Defense Department group under the command of Henry Burke – arrives in black helicopters. Without hesitation, the men in black take control of the spaceship and begin their search for its occupants, determined to exploit their DNA and abilities. Meanwhile in Vegas, ex-convict Jack Bruno has turned his life around as a taxi cab driver to avoid returning to jail. Along his ...

The American superhero film Watchmen (2009) is based on the series of the same name created by Dave Gibbons and published by DC Comics from 1986 to 1987. Set in 1985, it follows a man living in a Manhattan apartment as he watches news about escalating Cold War tensions and the response from President Richard Nixon when an unknown assailant attacks him and throws him to the street below. As the opening credits roll, a montage explores the history of costumed crime-fighters from 1939 to 1977, leading up to public backlash and the enactment of an anti-vigilante act. One vigilante detective, Rorschach, who operates outside ...

American Gangster (2007), a biographical crime film, was directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian. Set in 1968, it follows the story of Frank Lucas, who worked as the right-hand man for Ellsworth ‘Bumpy’ Johnson, a Harlem mob boss. After Johnson’s death from a heart attack, Frank delves into the heroin trade by sourcing it directly from Thailand and smuggling it into the United States through returning Vietnam War soldiers. He markets his product under the name ‘Blue Magic’, which quickly gains popularity due to ...

The American crime film, The Lookout (2007), marks the directorial debut of Scott Frank. While driving with his lights off at night, high school sports star Chris Pratt crashes into a stalled combine on the road. Tragically, two of his passengers do not survive while he and his girlfriend Kelly are able to live through the accident. However, Chris is left with lasting mental impairments, including anterograde amnesia and anger management issues. In an effort to cope with these challenges, Chris attends classes to learn new skills and keeps a small notebook as a tool for remembering daily tasks. Despite having only ...

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002) is an American spy action comedy film that was both co-produced and directed by Robert Rodriguez. Siblings Carmen and Juni Cortez are now full-time agents for the OSS’ recently established Spy Kids Division. Their main competition comes from Donnagon Giggles’ children, Gary and Gerti. During a mission to rescue the president’s daughter, Alexandra, the Giggles siblings outshine Carmen and Juni. While defending Gary, Carmen’s actions drive a wedge between her and Juni. At the OSS awards ceremony, Donnagon manipulates the president’s teleprompter and takes over as director of the agency instead of ...

Spy Kids (2001), an American spy action comedy film, was a collaborative effort between Robert Rodriguez who co-produced, wrote, edited, co-composed and directed the movie. Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez lead a double life as spies while protecting their two children, Carmen and Juni. Their work at the Organization of Super Spies (OSS) usually involves desk jobs but they are called back to active duty when agents go missing. Their prime suspect is Fegan Floop, a children’s TV host who has allegedly turned his victims into ‘Fooglies’, creatures featured on his show that Juni is an avid fan of. In their absence, the children are entrusted to their uncle ...

Snake Eyes (1998) is an American mystery thriller film directed and produced by Brian De Palma. On a stormy night in Atlantic City, corrupt police detective Rick Santoro attends a boxing match at the Atlantic City Arena between champion heavyweight Lincoln Tyler and challenger Jose Pacifico Ruiz. He runs into his childhood friend, U.S. Navy Commander Kevin Dunne, who is assisting the Department of Defense in escorting Defense Secretary Charles Kirkland and Arena director Gilbert Powell to the fight after their trip to Norfolk, Virginia. As the first round commences, Kevin becomes captivated by an alluring redhead named ...

The film This Boy’s Life (1993) follows the story of a young boy named Tobias ‘Toby’ Wolff. In the 1950s, Toby and his mother Caroline are constantly on the move, but she desires to find stability for her son. They eventually settle in Seattle, where Caroline meets a man named Dwight Hansen who appears to be the perfect match. However, as Caroline is briefly away from home, Dwight’s true nature is exposed as he becomes emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive towards Toby. The marriage between Caroline and Toby progresses, and they settle down in Dwight’s home in Concrete, a small town near the north Cascades Mountains. Despite ...