Actress Cate Blanchett (1969)

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) is an epic high fantasy adventure film, directed by Peter Jackson with a screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro, and Jackson himself. It is based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel of the same name. As Smaug sets Laketown ablaze, Bilbo and the Dwarves watch from the Lonely Mountain. Bard manages to escape ...

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) is an American animated action fantasy film based on the book series by Cressida Cowell. Five years after the Viking villagers of Berk and the dragons made peace, Hiccup and his dragon Toothless explore new territories. Despite pressure from his father Stoick, who wants him to become chieftain, Hiccup feels uncertain about being ready for the role. During an expedition, Hiccup and his friend Astrid stumble upon a frozen fortress inhabited by a group of dragon trappers led by Eret, working for a man named Drago Bludvist. This villainous figure aims to capture and enslave all dragons as ...

The Turning (2013) is an Australian anthology drama that debuted at the Melbourne International Film Festival on 3 August 2013. It is based on a collection of short stories by Tim Winton published in 2005. The film was recognized with a nomination for Best Feature Film at the 2013 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and also screened as part of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Special Galas selection. The Turning delves into the lasting effects of the past on our present. It shows how the unexpected events that alter and mold us can never be evaded or ...

Blue Jasmine (2013), a film from writer and director Woody Allen, follows the story of Jasmine Francis as she arrives in San Francisco from her flight from New York City. Upon arriving at her sister Ginger’s apartment, it is revealed that despite claiming to be broke, Jasmine traveled first class. This revelation disappoints Ginger, who soon learns that Jasmine has suffered a nervous breakdown and sought refuge with her sister due to heavy debts. In a series of flashbacks, it is uncovered that Jasmine’s husband, Hal Francis, was arrested for defrauding his clients. Among his victims were Ginger and her ...

Director Peter Jackson brought us an epic high fantasy adventure film titled The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013). Adapted from J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel, it was written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro, and Jackson himself. As Thorin Oakenshield and his companions flee from Azog and his Orc party, they seek refuge in the home of Beorn – a ...

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 ...

Hanna (2011), an action thriller directed by Joe Wright, follows the story of fifteen-year-old Hanna Heller and her ex-CIA operative father, Erik, who live in rural northern Finland. Raised and trained by her father since she was two, Hanna is a highly skilled assassin with expertise in hand-to-hand combat and target shooting. However, their peaceful life is disrupted when Marissa Wiegler, a senior CIA officer, seeks to eliminate Erik for knowing a dangerous secret. In response, Erik has taught Hanna everything she needs to know to kill Marissa. One night, after proving her readiness to face their enemies, Hanna ...

The action film, Robin Hood (2010), directed by Ridley Scott, is based on the legendary character of the same name. The story takes place in 1199 AD and follows Robin Longstride, a skilled archer serving in the army of King Richard the Lionheart. Having experienced the hardships of Richard’s crusade, Robin and his fellow soldiers find themselves in a siege at Chalus Castle. Tired and disenchanted, Robin speaks honestly about the King’s leadership when asked by him and as a result, he and his comrades – Allan A’Dayle, Will Scarlett, and Little John – end up in the stocks. When King Richard ...

The American fantasy romantic drama film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), directed by David Fincher, follows the loosely based storyline by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story of the same name. In August 2005, Daisy Fuller shares with her daughter Caroline the tale of Mr. Gateau, a blind clockmaker commissioned to create a train station clock in 1918 as a tribute to those who lost their sons in World War I, including Gateau ...

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) is a American action adventure film helmed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by David Koepp based on a story by George Lucas and Jeff Nathanson. In 1957, Soviet agents, led by Colonel Doctor Irina Spalko, abduct beloved archaeologist Indiana Jones along with his partner, George ‘Mac’ McHale. They infiltrate Hangar 51 in Nevada to coerce Jones into locating a mummified alien from Roswell. Despite being ...

Directed by Todd Haynes and co-written by Haynes and Oren Moverman, I’m Not There (2007) is a musical drama film that utilizes a nonlinear narrative, interweaving the stories of six characters who each represent a different aspect of Bob Dylan’s public persona. These personas include poet (Arthur Rimbaud), prophet (Jack Rollins/Father John), outlaw (Billy McCarty), fake (Woody Guthrie), ‘rock and roll martyr’ (Jude Quinn), and ‘star of electricity’ (Robbie Clark). According to production ...

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur released a biographical historical drama called Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007). During this time, Catholic Spain, under the rule of King Philip II, held immense power in Europe. Despite multiple Catholic plots against Queen Elizabeth’s life in the 1570s, all were ultimately unsuccessful. Pope Sixtus V then turned to King Philip and convinced him to use his formidable naval force for invading and re-Catholicizing England. This plan would result in the overthrow of Elizabeth and give control of England to Philip with the pope’s approval. As part of this plot, Philip plans to have his ...

The Good German (2006), an American neo-noir crime film, was directed by Steven Soderbergh and based on Joseph Kanon’s 2001 novel of the same name. It follows Jacob Geismer, an American war correspondent for The New Republic, as he returns to Berlin during the Potsdam negotiations after World War II in Europe (May 1945), but before the end of hostilities in Asia (August 1945). While there, he witnesses his driver Tully’s murder and discovers that Tully had been involved in black-market activities. As Geismer investigates further, he becomes entangled in the ...

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 ...

Babel (2006), a psychological drama, was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and written by Guillermo Arriaga. This multi-narrative film features an ensemble cast and interweaves stories set in Morocco, Japan, Mexico, and the United States. It is an international co-production between companies from the US, Mexico, and France, completing Arriaga and Iñárritu’s Death Trilogy that also includes Amores perros (2000) and 21 Grams (2003). The ...

Stories of Lost Souls (2005) is an anthology film featuring a star-studded cast, including Josh Hartnett, Hugh Jackman, Keira Knightley, Cate Blanchett, James Gandolfini, Paul Bettany, and Illeana Douglas. It was directed by eight different directors, such as Deborra-Lee Furness and ...

Directed by Rowan Woods and written by Jacquelin Perske, Little Fish (2005) is an Australian film following the story of Tracy Heart. Despite her past struggles with heroin addiction, Tracy is determined to move forward and achieve her dreams. Living in Cabramatta, Sydney where heroin is easily accessible, she resides with her mother and brother Ray. In order to become a partner in the video store she works at, Tracy needs financial assistance. However, due to her criminal record, credit card debt, drug history, and lack of collateral, her loan applications are ...

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) is an American adventure comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson and written by both Anderson and Noah Baumbach. While documenting his latest sea expedition, oceanographer Steve Zissou’s closest friend and lead diver, Esteban du Plantier, is consumed by a large, glowing spotted creature referred to as a ‘jaguar shark’ by Zissou. Determined to capture the shark’s demise for his next project, Zissou enlists the help of a diverse crew aboard his aging research ...

The Aviator (2004), a biographical drama directed by Martin Scorsese and written by John Logan, tells the story of young Howard Hughes. In 1913, his mother teaches him to spell ‘quarantine’ while giving him a bath in Houston, warning about a cholera outbreak. Fourteen years later, he begins directing Hell’s Angels and hires Noah Dietrich to manage his business affairs. However, after seeing the success of The Jazz Singer, Hughes becomes determined to make his film as realistic as possible and converts it to a talking movie. While the film is ...

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) is a compilation of short films and a feature-length anthology by renowned director Jim Jarmusch. Throughout the various segments, black and white tiles are consistently used as a visual element. This artistic choice reflects the underlying theme of opposing personalities, as each vignette portrays two individuals who have conflicting views but still maintain a cordial atmosphere while seated at a table together. Strange to Meet You. In the 1986 short film Coffee and Cigarettes, Roberto ...