Actor Forest Whitaker (1961)

The crime thriller film City of Lies (2018) follows the Los Angeles Police Department’s investigation into the killings of rappers Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. In 2015, investigative reporter Darius ‘Jack’ Jackson from the Los Angeles Times is assigned to cover the Notorious B.I.G.’s murder. Jackson seeks out retired and disgraced LAPD detective Russell Poole for information. Through a series of flashbacks, Poole shares his belief that Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight bribed corrupt officers to carry out Wallace’s murder and conceal it. In 1997, Poole is tasked with looking into the shooting of off-duty black officer Kevin ...

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 ...

Based on the 1998 short story Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang, Arrival (2016) is an American science fiction drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve and adapted by Eric Heisserer. Linguist Louise Banks’s twelve-year-old daughter Hannah dies from an incurable illness, as twelve extraterrestrial spacecraft appear over different locations on Earth. Amidst widespread panic, various nations send military and scientific experts to investigate. In the United States, US Army Colonel Weber enlists Banks and physicist ...

Rogue One (2016), an American epic space opera film directed by Gareth Edwards, follows research scientist Galen Erso and his family as they evade Imperial weapons developer Orson Krennic on the planet Lah’mu. Krennic seeks to force Galen to complete the Death Star, a destructive superweapon. During their confrontation, Galen’s wife Lyra is killed and their daughter Jyn escapes with the help of rebel extremist Saw Gerrera. Fifteen years later, cargo pilot Bodhi Rook defects from the Empire and delivers a holographic message from Galen to Gerrera on the desert moon Jedha. Upon learning of Rook’s ...

Out of the Furnace (2013), an American crime drama film directed by Scott Cooper and written by Cooper and Brad Ingelsby, follows steel mill worker Russell Baze as he deals with his brother Rodney’s involvement in illegal gambling. After seeing Rodney at a horse racing simulcast, Russell learns that he borrowed money from John Petty, who runs unlawful games at his bar. Russell visits Petty, pays off part of the debt, and promises to cover the rest. However, after driving home drunk one night, Russell causes a fatal ...

Directed by David Ayer, Street Kings (2008) is an American action thriller film. The protagonist, Tom Ludlow, is a detective for the LAPD’s Vice-Special unit who has struggled with alcoholism following his wife’s death. In his latest undercover mission, he arranges a meeting with Korean gangsters under the guise of a firearms deal as he believes they have abducted two teenage girls. During the encounter, Ludlow allows himself to be beaten and robbed before tracking them down using a device on his stolen vehicle. Upon arriving at their hideout, he takes swift action to eliminate the gang members, fabricates ...

The Great Debaters (2007), an American historical drama film directed by Denzel Washington, tells the story of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson’s efforts to overcome racial barriers in the Jim Crow-era American South. Based on a true story and inspired by a 1997 article for American Legacy by Tony Scherman, the film follows Tolson as he leads his team at Wiley College, a historically black institution affiliated with The United Methodist Church. Despite facing discrimination and violence, the Wiley debaters defy expectations and eventually earn the opportunity to challenge Harvard University in a debate competition. ...

Mary (2005), a drama thriller flick, was written and directed by American filmmaker Abel Ferrara. After completing a movie about Jesus named This Is My Blood, Marie Palesi – the actress portraying Mary Magdalene – seeks refuge in Jerusalem to uncover the truth behind the story. Meanwhile, the film’s director (who also portrays Jesus) returns to New York with an aggressive campaign to promote the movie. Controversy surrounds the film due to its use of non-canonical Gnostic Gospels in some scenes, as well as allegations of anti-Semitism that remain unexplained. In New ...

Directed by David Fincher, Panic Room (2002) is an American thriller about recently divorced Meg Altman and her eleven-year-old daughter, Sarah, who move into a four-story brownstone on New York City’s Upper West Side. The previous owner, a millionaire with a reclusive nature, had equipped the house with a ‘panic room’ for protection against intruders. The reinforced room contains concrete and steel walls, as well as a thick steel door. Additionally, the house has an extensive security system with numerous surveillance cameras and a public address system. On their first night in the new home, Meg and ...

The Twilight Zone (2002–2003), a science fiction horror anthology show, was presented by Forest Whitaker. This version of the series aired for one season on UPN network and was the second of three revivals of Rod Serling’s original 1959-1964 show. Forest Whitaker served as both narrator and on-screen host, taking over Serling’s role. The series was a joint effort between Spirit Dance Entertainment, Trilogy Entertainment Group, Joshmax Productions Services, and New ...

Robert Altman wrote, directed and produced Ready to Wear (1994), an American satirical comedy-drama film. During Paris Fashion Week, a group of models, designers, industry insiders and journalists gather to work, argue and attempt to seduce each other. The fashion world is thrown into chaos when the head of the Fashion Council, Olivier de la Fontaine, dies from choking on a sandwich. He leaves behind a wife, mistress and a mysterious Russian companion who has since disappeared. As authorities investigate the death, Fashion Week continues. American television personality Kitty inserts herself among the designers to get ...

Bird (1988) is a biographical musical drama film, directed and produced by Clint Eastwood. In Kansas City, Missouri during 1939, young saxophonist Charlie Parker plays at the Reno Club, but his fast and erratic playing leads to a negative response from the audience. Moving to New York City, he performs at various jazz venues on 52nd Street and meets Dizzy Gillespie. Together, they develop a unique style of jazz that gains popularity as ‘bebop’. While playing with Dizzy, Charlie meets Chan Parker, a dancer and fellow fan of jazz. Despite his persistent attempts to ask her out, she rejects him and relocates to ...

Platoon (1986), an American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone, follows the story of Chris Taylor as he volunteers for the U.S. Army in South Vietnam in 1967. His assigned infantry platoon, part of the 25th Infantry Division near the Cambodian border, is led by young and inexperienced Lieutenant Wolfe. However, the soldiers look to two older and more experienced members, Staff Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias, for guidance instead. Taylor joins them for a night ambush against a North Vietnamese Army force and engages in a brief firefight when an NVA patrol appears. During a patrol, one new recruit is ...

The film The Color of Money (1986) was directed by Martin Scorsese. It serves as a sequel to the 1961 classic, The Hustler, and is also based on Walter Tevis’ novel with the same title. In the movie, ‘Fast Eddie’ has left his pool-playing days behind and has become a successful liquor salesman in Chicago. However, he teams up with other pool players, including Julian, a hustler who is no match for the young and magnetic Vincent at nine-ball. Recognizing Vincent’s talent, Eddie sees potential in him and his inexperienced girlfriend Carmen ...