Actor John Hurt (1940)

Hercules (2014) is an American action-adventure fantasy film featuring Dwayne Johnson in the lead role. Directed by Brett Ratner and written by Ryan J. Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos, the film follows the journey of the eponymous character as he leads a team of mercenaries consisting of King-turned-prophet Amphiaraus, thief Autolycus, feral warrior Tydeus, Amazon archer Atalanta, and storyteller Iolaus. Known as a demigod and supposedly the son of Zeus, Hercules is known for ...

Immortals (2011) is an American fantasy action film directed by Tarsem Singh. When the Twelve Olympians confined the treacherous Titans beneath Mount Tartarus, they also lost possession of the Epirus Bow. In 1228 BC, Hyperion, an oppressive ruler, seeks out the bow in order to unleash the Titans from their prison. His plan involves abducting Phaedra, a young oracle gifted with prophetic dreams and visions. Theseus, a skilled warrior trained by the wise Old Man, has been chosen by the gods for a special purpose. Along with his mother Aethra, who is shunned due to her illegitimate son, Theseus faces the wrath of Hyperion ...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) is a British Cold War spy thriller film directed by Tomas Alfredson. The script was written by Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan, adapted from John le Carré’s novel of the same name. In 1973, ‘Control’, head of British intelligence, sends agent Jim Prideaux to Budapest on a mission to uncover a mole within their ranks. However, Prideaux is shot during the operation and Control subsequently dies. Sir Percy Alleline ...

In the fantasy film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), directed by David Yates from a screenplay by Steve Kloves, our hero must seek help from the goblin Griphook after burying Dobby. With Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger by his side, Harry suspects a Horcrux is hidden in Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault at Gringotts bank. Griphook agrees to assist them, on the condition that he receives the Sword of Gryffindor in return. Ollivander informs Harry that two wands previously belonging to Bellatrix and Draco Malfoy were taken from Malfoy Manor; sensing a ...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) is a fantasy film directed by David Yates and written by Steve Kloves. Based on J. K. Rowling’s novel of the same name, it is the first of two cinematic installments. At Malfoy Manor, Severus Snape meets with Lord Voldemort and his followers to report that Harry Potter will be moved to a safe location by the Order of the Phoenix. Voldemort takes Lucius Malfoy’s wand since his own is powerless against Harry’s, as they both share a phoenix feather core. ...

The American romantic comedy-drama anthology film, New York, I Love You (2008), showcases 11 short films directed by different filmmakers. Each of the shorts explores the theme of love and is set in one of the five boroughs of New York City. It first premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival in September and was later released in the United States on October 16, 2009. However, during a focus screening in New York, it was decided to cut two novellas from the original version: These Vagabond Shoes by Scarlett Johansson and Apocrypha by Andrei ...

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) is a American action adventure film helmed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by David Koepp based on a story by George Lucas and Jeff Nathanson. In 1957, Soviet agents, led by Colonel Doctor Irina Spalko, abduct beloved archaeologist Indiana Jones along with his partner, George ‘Mac’ McHale. They infiltrate Hangar 51 in Nevada to coerce Jones into locating a mummified alien from Roswell. Despite being ...

The Skeleton Key (2005) is an American Southern Gothic supernatural horror film directed by Iain Softley and written by Ehren Kruger. Caroline Ellis, a hospice aide, leaves her job at a nursing home and takes on the role of caretaker for an isolated plantation house in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Violet Devereaux, the elderly matriarch of the house, is in need of assistance caring for her husband Benjamin, who has been mostly paralyzed following a stroke. Upon the suggestion of the family’s estate lawyer, Luke Marshall, Caroline accepts the position. During a ...

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 ...

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) is a magical film helmed by director Chris Columbus and produced by David Heyman. The screenplay, written by Steve Kloves, is based on J.K. Rowling’s popular novel from 1997. Late one evening, professors Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, along with Hogwarts groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid, bring an orphaned infant wizard named Harry Potter to his Muggle aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley – his only ...

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, ...

The American acid Western film, Dead Man (1995), was both written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. It follows the story of William Blake, an accountant from Cleveland, Ohio, as he travels by train to Machine, a frontier company town. He is looking to start a new accounting job at the metal works. However, the fireman on the train warns him against this plan. Upon arriving in Machine, Blake realizes that the townspeople are not welcoming towards him. To his dismay, he discovers that the accounting position had already been filled by someone else. The town’s owner, John Dickinson, even resorts to threatening Blake with ...

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 ...

Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O’Bannon, is a science fiction horror film. The story was co-authored by Ronald Shusett. The seven-member crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo, including Captain Dallas, Executive Officer Kane, Warrant Officer Ripley, Navigator Lambert, Science Officer Ash, and engineers Parker and Brett, are in stasis as they return to Earth. Upon receiving a transmission from a nearby moon, Mother awakens the crew. In accordance with protocol to investigate any potential ...

Watership Down (1978) is a film based on Richard Adams’ novel, directed and written by Martin Rosen. According to Lapine language mythology, the god Frith created the world where all animals lived harmoniously as grass eaters. However, as the rabbit population grew, their hunger caused a food shortage. In response, Frith asked the rabbit prince El-Ahrairah to control his people, but he refused. As punishment, Frith granted other animals gifts to hunt rabbits. Satisfied that El-Ahrairah had learned his lesson, Frith bestowed upon rabbits the gifts of speed and ...