Actor Jeff Bridges (1949)

The Old Man (2022–2024) is an American drama thriller television series based on the 2017 novel The Old Man by Thomas Perry. As a Vietnam veteran and former CIA operative, Dan Chase lives off-the-grid in Connecticut for thirty years after killing an intruder who broke into his home. The show was developed by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine. While fleeing, Chase rents a room from Zoe McDonald, who becomes his forced partner. In light of Chase’s complicated past during the Soviet–Afghan War, FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Harold Harper was ...

Drew Goddard wrote, directed, and produced Bad Times at the El Royale (2018), an American neo-noir thriller with multiple intertwining plotlines. The once-popular hotel, situated on the border of California and Nevada, lost its gambling license and is now managed solely by heroin addict Miles Miller. It was in this same hotel in 1959 that Felix O’Kelly met his demise after hiding a bag of money under the floorboards of his room. Ten years later, four new guests arrive: Catholic priest Daniel Flynn, singer Darlene Sweet, salesman Laramie Seymour Sullivan, and hippie Emily Summerspring. As they check into their ...

The American biographical drama film, Only the Brave (2017), was directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer. It is based on Sean Flynn’s GQ article No Exit. In 2007, Eric Marsh of the Prescott Fire Department in Arizona faces frustration while battling forest fires. The distant Type 1 or ‘Hotshot’ crews overrule his operational suggestions causing sorrow for his area. To change this dynamic, Marsh gains approval from ...

In Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by Jane Goldman and Vaughn, Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin has officially joined the Kingsman a year after the events of the previous film. He now holds the title of Galahad, previously held by his late mentor Harry Hart, and is in a relationship with Tilde, Crown Princess of Sweden. On his way home from the tailor shop, Eggsy is suddenly attacked by Charlie Hesketh, a former Kingsman trainee who lost his arm and vocal chords during the Valentine ...

In David Mackenzie’s film, Hell or High Water (2016), the Howard brothers take matters into their own hands in West Texas, robbing two branches of the Texas Midlands Bank. Despite their detailed plans, Tanner’s impulsive behavior constantly puts Toby on edge. The recent passing of their mother has left their ranch in debt due to a reverse mortgage given by the bank. This debt could lead to losing their property if not resolved. Meanwhile, Toby is determined to secure a better life for his estranged sons after oil is discovered on their land. Assigned to the case are two Texas Rangers, Marcus Hamilton and ...

The American Western film True Grit (2010) was directed, written, produced, and edited by the Coen brothers. While traveling to Fort Smith, Arkansas, fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross’s father is killed by hired hand Tom Chaney. Upon arriving in town to collect her father’s body, Mattie learns that Chaney has most likely escaped with “Lucky” Ned Pepper and his gang into Indian Territory, where the local sheriff has no jurisdiction. Wanting to bring Chaney to justice, Mattie seeks out a Deputy U.S. Marshal and receives three recommendations from the sheriff. Ultimately, she chooses Rooster Cogburn due ...

Tron: Legacy (2010) is an American science fiction action film directed by Joseph Kosinski. In 1989, Kevin Flynn, who had been promoted to CEO of ENCOM International seven years earlier, mysteriously vanishes. Two decades later, his son Sam, now the primary shareholder of ENCOM, pulls a prank on the company by releasing their signature operating system for free online. Alan Bradley, an executive at ENCOM and Flynn’s longtime friend, approves of this act as he believes it aligns with Flynn’s values of open software. However, Sam is arrested for breaking and entering. Alan bails him out and reveals that there ...

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) is a satirical black comedy war film directed by Grant Heslov and adapted by Peter Straughan. It begins with U.S. Army General Dean Hopgood’s failed attempt to use paranormal abilities to pass through a solid wall. Ann Arbor Daily Telegram reporter Bob Wilton is left by his wife for the editor, leading him to fly to Kuwait to cover the Iraq War. There, he crosses paths with retired U.S. Army Special Forces operator Lyn Cassady, who shares that he was part of a unit training psychic spies in skills such as invisibility and remote ...

Crazy Heart (2009), an American drama written and directed by Scott Cooper in his feature directorial debut, is based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Thomas Cobb. The story was inspired by country singer Hank Thompson. Otis ‘Bad’ Blake, a 57-year-old alcoholic songwriter and former country music star, now makes a modest living performing in small-town bars throughout the southwestern United States. He has had four failed marriages (although there is mention of a fifth he does not discuss) and no family aside from his 28-year-old son whom he hasn’t ...

The American superhero film, Iron Man (2008), is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, making it the first installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tony Stark has taken over his father’s company, Stark Industries, and is in Afghanistan with his friend and military liaison, Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes, to showcase their new ‘Jericho’ missile. However, during the demonstration, Stark’s convoy is attacked with a missile from their own company and he is gravely injured. The attackers are members of a terrorist group called the Ten Rings who ...

Surf’s Up (2007) is a humorous animated film created by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation, and then distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. It follows the story of Cody Maverick, a teenage northern rockhopper penguin living in Shiverpool, Antarctica with his mother Edna and older brother Glen. Since first meeting the renowned surfer emperor penguin Zeke ‘Big Z’ Topanga, Cody has been determined to become a professional surfer. So when talent scout shorebird Michael Abromowitz visits Shiverpool to find participants for the Big Z Memorial surfing competition on Pen-Gu Island, Cody eagerly joins in. On the way to the contest, Cody makes ...

K-PAX (2001), a science fiction mystery film based on Gene Brewer’s novel of the same name, follows prot (not capitalized and pronounced with a long O, rhyming with boat) as he is sent to the Psychiatric Institute of Manhattan after claiming to be an extraterrestrial from the planet ‘K-PAX’, located 1,000 light years away in the Lyra constellation. Dr. Mark Powell, his psychiatrist, attempts to cure him of his supposed delusions but prot remains steadfast in his ability to provide coherent explanations about himself, K-PAX, and its civilizations. During his medical examination, it becomes clear that ...

White Squall (1996) is an American disaster survival film directed by Ridley Scott, based on the sinking of the brigantine Albatross on May 2, 1961, supposedly due to a white squall. The movie follows Dr. Christopher B. Sheldon, known as ‘Skipper’ by the boys on his ill-fated school sailing trip. Skipper is a tough leader who imposes strict discipline on his students. Among them are Chuck Gieg, from a wealthy family, troubled Frank Beaumont, shy Gil Martin, and rebellious Dean Preston. During their first few days at sea, they encounter an incident where Chuck begins choking and becomes entangled in the mast ...

Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) is a biographical comedy-drama movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Detroit’s Preston Tucker harbored a passion for car-making since his youth. During the Second World War, he created an armored vehicle for the military and earned profits producing gun turrets for planes in a small workshop near his Ypsilanti residence. With the unwavering support of his extended family, especially his wife Vera, children Preston Jr., Noble, and Marilyn Lee, Tucker embarks on a mission to create the ‘car of tomorrow’. The ‘Tucker Torpedo’ boasts groundbreaking safety ...

Tron (1982) is a sci-fi action film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, based on a story by Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird. Kevin Flynn, a skilled software engineer, used to work for the big tech company ENCOM before opening his own video game arcade. In an attempt to gain access to ENCOM’s mainframe system, he faces resistance from the Master Control Program (MCP). Meanwhile, Alan Bradley and Lora Baines discover that their access to projects within ENCOM has been cut off by the MCP. When Alan confronts Ed ...

Heaven’s Gate (1980), an epic Western film directed and written by Michael Cimino, follows the story of two recent Harvard graduates, Jim Averill and Billy Irvine. During their graduation ceremony, the Reverend Doctor delivers a speech on the value of education and its connection to different social classes. However, Irvine, as the class orator, has opposing and irreverent views. The festivities continue with a celebration and male students serenading the female attendees, including Averill’s girlfriend. Twenty years later, Averill is now a marshal traveling through Casper, Wyoming on his way to Johnson ...

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), an American crime comedy film written and directed by Michael Cimino, follows the story of a young man named Lightfoot who impulsively steals a car. Meanwhile, an assassin targets a preacher giving a sermon and chases him on foot. By chance, Lightfoot comes to the preacher’s rescue when he unintentionally runs down the assailant and offers him a ride. As they continue to evade danger, they bond over stealing cars and visiting prostitutes. However, Lightfoot soon discovers that his companion is actually infamous bank robber ‘Thunderbolt’, hiding under the guise of a ...