Actor Joaquin Phoenix (1974)

Napoleon (2023), an epic historical drama film directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa, explores the story of Napoleon Bonaparte, chronicling his ascent to power and his relationship with his wife, Joséphine Bonaparte. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the film begins with young army officer Napoleon witnessing the execution of Marie Antoinette by guillotine in 1793. Later that year, Revolutionary leader Paul Barras entrusts Napoleon with managing the Siege of Toulon, where he successfully repels British ships using artillery. ...

Directed by Todd Phillips, Joker (2019) is an American psychological thriller film with a screenplay co-written by Scott Silver. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, the loosely based DC Comics story follows Arthur Fleck, an aspiring stand-up comedian and clown living in Gotham City during the early 1980s recession with his mother Penny. Despite suffering from a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable laughing fits, Arthur relies on social services for medication. Randall, his co-worker, gives him a revolver after he is ...

Mary Magdalene (2018) is a biblical drama film, telling the story of its titular character. Set in Judea during 33 AD, Mary is a young woman from the village of Magdala by the Sea of Galilee. Strong-willed and determined to break away from societal norms that limit women to being wives and mothers, she longs for freedom. However, her rejection of a marriage proposal from family friend Ephraim leads her brother Daniel and father Elisha to believe she is possessed by a demon. As a result, they arrange an exorcism. In search of help, Elisha turns to Jesus – a healer who has become renowned among the local Jewish population for his teachings on love, peace, and ...

Irrational Man (2015), an American mystery comedy-drama film by Woody Allen, tells the story of Abe Lucas, a philosophy professor who begins teaching at a small-town college in New England. Struggling with an existential crisis and battling depression, he turns to heavy drinking for comfort. Despite his troubled state, Abe attracts the attention of two women: Rita Richards, a chemistry professor dissatisfied with her marriage, and Jill Pollard, one of his students who is in a serious relationship and lives with her parents. While Abe sleeps with Rita, he maintains a strictly platonic connection with Jill. His depression ...

The Village (2004), an American period thriller film written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, is set in 19th-century Pennsylvania. The small, isolated village is plagued by mysterious humanoid-creatures that inhabit the nearby woods. To protect themselves, watchtowers and tall poles with oil lamps are positioned around the perimeter of the village. Additionally, the elders have forbidden the color red as it seems to attract the creatures. When a young villager dies, Lucius Hunt asks for permission to venture through the woods to retrieve medicine from ‘the towns’, but his request is denied. His ...

Ladder 49 (2004), an American disaster thriller directed by Jay Russell and written by Lewis Colick, tells the story of Baltimore City firefighter Jack Morrison. While responding to a four-alarm fire in a 20-story concrete grain elevator/warehouse in the Canton waterfront neighborhood, Jack saves a man’s life before tragedy strikes. The stored grain explodes, causing Jack to fall through multiple floors and break his leg. As Jack fights for survival, his comrades from Ladder Company 49, led by Deputy Chief Mike Kennedy, work tirelessly to rescue him. Throughout the ...

Signs (2002), an American sci-fi horror movie, was both written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Graham Hess, a former Episcopal priest, resides on a rural farmland in Doylestown, Pennsylvania with his asthmatic son Morgan and daughter Bo. Since the tragic death of his wife Colleen in a car accident six months ago, Graham’s brother Merrill has been assisting the family. The incident caused Graham to leave the church behind. Initially, the appearance of large crop circles in their cornfield was attributed to vandals, but soon similar formations were reported globally, accompanied by hovering lights over cities. ...

The Yards (2000), a film directed and written by James Gray and Matt Reeves respectively, follows Leo Handler as he celebrates his release from prison at his mother Val’s house in Queens, New York. At the surprise party, Leo reconnects with Willie Gutierrez, who thanks him for taking the fall for their group of friends. In need of employment to support his mother’s medical condition, Leo considers working for Erica Soltz’s stepfather, Frank Olchin, at the Electric Rail Corporation in Maspeth. During a meeting with Frank the next day, he offers to fund ...

Gladiator (2000) is a film set in ancient Rome, directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. In 180 AD, Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius returns home after leading the army to victory against Germanic tribes near Vindobona on the Limes Germanicus. Emperor Marcus Aurelius informs Maximus that his son, Commodus, is not fit to take over as emperor. Instead, he offers Maximus the role of regent in hopes of restoring the Roman ...

U Turn (1997) is a neo-noir crime thriller directed by renowned filmmaker Oliver Stone. The plot follows the story of Bobby Cooper, a struggling drifter who finds himself in a tough spot when his red 1964½ Ford Mustang Convertible breaks down in Superior, Arizona. Penniless and stranded, Bobby crosses paths with Jake and Grace McKenna, a married couple also facing their own financial struggles. Both Jake and Grace separately offer Bobby money to kill the other, leaving him desperate and filled with fear. Eventually, Bobby decides to pursue Grace’s proposition and eliminate Jake in order to start a new life ...

Parenthood (1989) is a hilarious and touching family dramedy, helmed by director Ron Howard who collaborated with screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel on the story. Gil Buckman, a salesman from St. Louis, is struggling to juggle his job and his family. He faces a tough situation when he discovers that his oldest son Kevin needs therapy for emotional problems, and that his younger children Taylor and Justin also have their own issues. As he begins to blame himself and question his parenting abilities, Gil’s ...