Actor Hal Holbrook (1925)

Gus Van Sant’s drama, Promised Land (2012), follows the journey of Steve Butler as he climbs the ranks at Global Crosspower Solutions, an energy company focused on fracking for natural gas. With a proven record of efficiently and cost-effectively securing mineral rights leases from land owners, Butler catches the attention of top management. Teaming up with his partner Sue Thomason, Butler travels to a struggling farming community in Pennsylvania where residents take great pride in their long-standing family farms. Having grown up in a town similar to this one, Butler is determined to win over the locals on behalf ...

The American biographical historical drama film Lincoln (2012) was brought to life by director and producer Steven Spielberg. With a focus on Lincoln’s efforts in early 1865, the film showcases his determination to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude through the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. As the Civil War nears its end with the defeat of the Confederate States, President Abraham Lincoln shares his concern that his 1863 Emancipation Proclamation may not hold up in court post-war, and that the proposed Thirteenth Amendment may face defeat from returning slave states. ...

The American biographical adventure drama film, Into the Wild (2007), was written, co-produced, and directed by Sean Penn. Based on the 1996 non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer of the same name, it tells the story of Chris McCandless who arrives in Healy, a remote area just north of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Upon realizing McCandless’ lack of preparedness, the man who gives him a ride provides him with gumboots. McCandless then sets up camp in an abandoned city bus that he dubs ‘The Magic Bus’. Enjoying his solitude and surrounded by ...

The American romantic drama film, The Majestic (2001), was produced and directed by Frank Darabont and written by Michael Sloane. Set in 1951 during the height of McCarthyism, the story follows Peter Appleton, a rising young Hollywood screenwriter. He is informed by his agent Leo Kubelsky and attorney Kevin Bannerman that he has been accused of being a communist due to attending an antiwar gathering in college. Despite claiming he only went to impress a girl, the accusation causes his latest film, Ashes to Ashes, to be delayed and credited to someone else. It also leads ...

Men of Honor (2000) is an American drama film directed by George Tillman Jr. In the movie, Carl Brashear leaves his life as a sharecropper in Kentucky behind to join the United States Navy in 1949. Prior to leaving, he made a promise to his father that he would never give up and would fight for what he wants. Carl serves on the USS Hoist as part of the crew, working in the galley. During his time on the ship, he witnesses Master Chief Petty Officer Leslie William ‘Billy’ Sunday’s courageous actions as he rescues a diver who had fallen overboard without an air line. Unfortunately, Sunday suffers from an ...

Sydney Pollack directed The Firm (1993), an American legal thriller. Mitch McDeere, a top Harvard Law School graduate, is offered a lucrative position by boutique law firm Bendini, Lambert & Locke in Memphis, Tennessee. He and his wife Abby relocate there as he prepares for the Tennessee bar exam. Mitch receives guidance from senior partner Avery Tolar on the firm’s strict values of loyalty, confidentiality, and high fees. Despite the enticing perks such as a new house, a Mercedes-Benz, and paid-off student loans, Abby resents the firm’s interference in employees’ personal lives. Despite working long hours, Mitch passes the bar exam but this ...

Oliver Stone’s drama film, Wall Street (1987), tells the story of Bud Fox, a junior stockbroker at Jackson Steinem & Co. in New York City. Bud idolizes Gordon Gekko, an influential Wall Street player. Despite calling Gekko’s office 59 days straight in hopes of securing an appointment, Bud finally takes matters into his own hands and shows up at Gekko’s office on his birthday with a box of Cuban cigars – Gekko’s favorite forbidden indulgence. Impressed by Bud’s boldness, Gekko agrees to meet with him and listen to his stock pitches. However, none of them impress Gekko until Bud ...

The film Creepshow (1982), directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King, marked King’s first foray into screenwriting. After young Billy Hopkins is caught reading the horror comic of the same name, his abusive father Stan disciplines him and throws the comic in the trash. As Billy sits upstairs, wishing his father ill will, he suddenly hears a noise at the window. The source of the sound is revealed to be none other than the Creep, beckoning Billy closer and removing the lid from the trash can.

Magnum Force (1973) is an American neo-noir action thriller and the second film to feature the iconic Clint Eastwood as renegade cop Harry Callahan. The year prior, mobster Carmine Ricca had been acquitted of a mass murder charge due to a legal loophole. As he drives away from court in his limousine, the SFPD pulls him over. However, instead of issuing a ticket, the motorcycle cop calmly guns down everyone in the car. Harry and his new partner, Early Smith, visit the crime scene despite being assigned to a stakeout. Their superior, Lieutenant Neil Briggs, seems eager to keep Harry away from the investigation. During his ...