Actor Christian Bale (1974)

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 ...

Harsh Times (2005) is an American action crime film written and directed by David Ayer in his directorial debut. The film follows former U.S. Army Ranger and GWOT veteran, Jim Davis, who struggles with PTSD. Determined to marry his Mexican girlfriend, Marta, and start a new life together in the United States, Jim returns to Los Angeles, California. There he reunites with his best friend Mike Alonzo and Mike’s girlfriend Sylvia – a young attorney who urges Jim to help Mike hand out resumes as he recently lost his job due to outsourcing. Despite Jim getting denied for a position at the LAPD because of his ...

The historical romantic drama film, The New World (2005), was written and directed by Terrence Malick. It tells the story of Pocahontas, the adventurous daughter of Chief Powhatan, and her tribe’s encounter with three English ships in 1607. Captain John Smith, who had been sentenced to death for mutinous comments on board one of the ships, is pardoned upon arrival ashore by Captain Christopher Newport. Despite an initially promising start, the colony soon faces challenges such as disease, poor discipline, supply shortages and tensions with the local Native Americans – referred to as ‘the ...

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Batman Begins (2005) is a superhero film co-written by Nolan and David S. Goyer. After an incident involving bats in his childhood, Bruce Wayne develops a fear of them. Years later, at the opera with his parents, he becomes unsettled by performers dressed as bats and asks to leave. Tragically, they are killed in front of him by Joe Chill, a mugger. Bruce is then taken in and cared for by Alfred Pennyworth, the family’s loyal butler. As an adult, when Chill is released from prison after ...

The psychological thriller film, The Machinist (2004), was directed by Brad Anderson and written by Scott Kosar. Its protagonist, Trevor Reznik, suffers from insomnia which has caused him to become severely underweight. His coworkers have shunned him due to his physical appearance and unusual behavior. However, things take a turn for the worse when he is involved in an accident at work that results in a coworker losing their arm. Despite being distracted by a coworker named Ivan who no one seems to know or have records of, Trevor is blamed for the accident. Seeking ...

Laurel Canyon (2002), an American drama film written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko, follows the story of newly engaged couple Sam and Alex as they embark on a move to Los Angeles in pursuit of career opportunities. Sam, a recently graduated medical student, is starting his residency in psychiatry, while Alex is nearing completion of her Ph.D. dissertation on genomics. The plan was for the couple to stay at Sam’s mother Jane’s vacant home in the eccentric Laurel Canyon area of the city. However, their plans are thrown off when they arrive to find Jane still there, caught up in a passionate love affair with ...

Reign of Fire (2002) is a post-apocalyptic science fantasy film directed by Rob Bowman. During one of his visits to a London Underground construction site, Quinn Abercromby witnesses the awakening of a massive dragon from its dormant state. Tragically, most of the workers are killed by its fiery breath, leaving Quinn as the sole survivor. His mother Karen, who was also working on the project, sacrifices her life to protect him. After emerging from the Underground, the dragon is soon joined by others and humanity finds itself on the brink of extinction. Despite numerous attempts by military forces to stop their spread ...

The American science fiction film Equilibrium (2002), written and directed by Kurt Wimmer, follows the story of survivors of World War III in a totalitarian city-state called Libria. In this city, all forms of human emotion are blamed for causing conflicts, leading to strict bans on anything that can stimulate emotions. Those who disobey these laws are known as Sense Offenders and face a death sentence. The citizens must also take a daily injection of Prozium II, an emotion-suppressing drug. Governed by the Tetragrammaton Council, led by ‘Father’, propaganda is spread through large video screens. The police ...

John Madden directed Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001), a war film based on Louis de Bernières‘ 1994 novel of the same name. The Italian Army, accompanied by a few Germans, occupies Greece’s Ionian Islands and takes over the peaceful island of Cephalonia. The island’s inhabitants surrender quickly. Among the invaders is Captain Antonio Corelli of the Italian 33rd Acqui Infantry Division. He is known for his cheerful personality and love for playing the mandolin. Despite his troops never having fired a shot before, he teaches them to sing in ...

The American action crime thriller film, Shaft (2000), was both co-written and co-produced by John Singleton. In the initial investigation of Trey Howard’s brutal attack outside a restaurant in 1998, NYPD Detective John Shaft apprehends Walter Wade Jr., the son of a wealthy real estate mogul, after noticing blood on his person. Claiming self-defense, Wade is taken into custody by Shaft. While surveying the scene, Shaft notices an injured waitress named Diane Palmieri who appears to be eyeing Wade. Attempting to gather crucial information from her, Shaft is unsuccessful in coaxing a statement. A friend of ...

American Psycho (2000), a satirical psychological thriller film, is directed and co-written by Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner respectively. Set in 1987, the story follows investment banker Patrick Bateman as he maintains his façade for his fiancée Evelyn Williams and wealthy acquaintances. During a business meeting, Bateman’s colleagues showcase their business cards and obsess over their designs. One particular card belonging to Paul Allen sparks anger in Bateman, leading him to kill a homeless man and his dog later that night. As Bateman plans dinner with Allen after a Christmas party, he harbors resentment ...

The American made-for-television Biblical drama film, Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999), shares the story of Jesus from his mother’s perspective. While not all events depicted in the film can be found in the New Testament, it highlights Mary’s significance in Jesus’ life. For instance, it suggests that his parables were inspired by stories told to him by his mother during his childhood. Additionally, the film portrays the risen Jesus appearing to Mary privately. In the closing scene, Mary encourages the disciples to continue spreading Jesus’ teachings and emulating his love and way of life even after his death.

A film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comedic play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999), was written, produced, and directed by Michael Hoffman. Set in the 1890s in Monte Athena, a fictional Italian kingdom, the story follows the preparations for Duke Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding banquet. During this time, Egeus, father of young Hermia, approaches the Duke to request his support in forcing his daughter to marry Demetrius. Egeus threatens that Hermia will die if she does not comply. In response, Theseus offers Hermia four days to decide between ...

Velvet Goldmine (1998), a musical drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes from a story by Haynes and James Lyons, follows British journalist Arthur Stuart as he delves into the mysterious withdrawal of 1970s glam rock icon Brian Slade. Stuart interviews those involved in Slade’s career, each recalling their experiences which become a vignette for that particular segment of Slade’s life. Along with exploring the vibrant rock shows, fashion, and journalism of 1970s Britain, the film also touches on ...

All the Little Animals (1998) is a drama film directed and produced by Jeremy Thomas, starring Christian Bale and John Hurt. Inspired by Walker Hamilton’s 1968 novella of the same name, the screenplay was written by Eski Thomas. The tale follows Bobby, a troubled man who flees his home to escape his abusive stepfather, known as ‘The Fat’. Bobby’s mother had passed away after enduring verbal and physical abuse from their stepfather, including killing her pet mouse. Lost in woodlands near Cornwall, ...

Metroland (1997), directed by Philip Saville, tells the story of Chris and Marion living a peaceful life with their child in Eastwood. They reside in the London suburbs known as Metroland, the area at the end of the Metropolitan Line on the London Underground. However, their routine is disrupted when Chris’s childhood friend Toni calls early one morning. After years of traveling through Africa, Europe, and the United States as a bohemian poet, Toni has returned to England. Chris reflects on their past adventures in Paris during the late 1960s when they both dreamed of escaping suburban life for avant-garde ...

The Secret Agent (1996), a British drama-thriller film written and directed by Christopher Hampton, is set in London during the late 19th century. This bustling city serves as a refuge for various political exiles, including refugees, partisans, and anarchists. One such exile is Verloc, who earns his living as a spy for the Russian government. In addition to this role, he also provides information to Chief Inspector Heat of the London police force. However, when the new Russian ambassador challenges Verloc to prove his loyalty or lose his salary, he sets in motion a tragic series of events involving his alluring wife ...

Based on the 1881 novel by Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady (1996) is a British-American film directed by Jane Campion and adapted by Laura Jones. Isabel Archer, a striking woman, has turned down multiple potential suitors including Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood, whom she had initially given hope to. Her close friend Henrietta arranges for Caspar’s visit, as she deeply cares for Isabel. Isabel’s fierce personality and independent nature are admired by her cousin Ralph Touchett, who convinces his father ...

The American animated musical historical drama film, titled Pocahontas (1995), follows the story of a Powhatan woman named Pocahontas and the arrival of English settlers from the Virginia Company. Set in 1607, the Susan Constant sets sail from London to the New World with Captain John Smith and other settlers on board. Excited by the prospect of adventure, finding gold, and fighting ‘Injuns’, they hope to make a new home in this foreign land. Meanwhile, in Werowocomoco, Tsenacommacah, Virginia, Pocahontas is faced with the possibility of marrying Kocoum, a serious warrior who does not share her free-spirited nature. After receiving a vision of a spinning ...

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 ...