Actor Johnny Depp (1963)

The film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s 1998 novel, The Rum Diary (2011), was directed by Bruce Robinson. Paul Kemp is a struggling author who takes a job at a newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is quickly introduced to the ins and outs of the newspaper world by Sala, a staff photographer who predicts the newspaper’s eventual downfall. After settling into a hotel, Kemp crosses paths with Chenault, an alluring woman he meets while lounging on a boat in the ocean. Despite getting off on the wrong foot with his editor, E.J Lotterman, due to a night of ...

In the animated Western comedy Rango (2011), directed by Gore Verbinski and written by John Logan, a theatrically-minded pet chameleon finds himself stranded in the Mojave Desert of Nevada when his owners’ car accidentally loses his terrarium. Seeking refuge, he meets a nine-banded armadillo named Roadkill, who is on a quest for the ‘Spirit of the West’ and tells him about a town called Dirt where water mysteriously appears every Wednesday. With no other options, the chameleon sets out into the desert but not before narrowly escaping being preyed upon by ...

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), the fantasy swashbuckler film directed by Rob Marshall, marks a change in leadership for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. For this installment, Jerry Bruckheimer produces while Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio write, drawing inspiration from Tim Powers’ novel On Stranger Tides and connecting to previous films At World’s End (2007) and the first ...

The Tourist (2010), an American romantic thriller movie co-written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, follows the story of Elise Clifton-Ward, a British woman. As she walks through downtown Paris, she is trailed by French police working with Scotland Yard under the command of Inspector John Acheson. Acheson has tirelessly searched for Alexander Pearce, Elise’s boyfriend who owes £744 million in unpaid taxes. Pearce is also being pursued by Reginald Shaw, a mobster from whom he stole $2.3 billion and who wants revenge. In a Parisian café, Elise receives instructions from Pearce to board a train to ...

The film Alice in Wonderland (2010), directed by Tim Burton and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, follows the story of a 19-year-old Alice Kingsleigh. Still grieving the loss of her father and feeling trapped by societal expectations, Alice begins to have strange recurring dreams. At a garden party, she is proposed to by Hamish Ascot, but her attention is soon drawn to a familiar white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and carrying a pocket watch. Following the rabbit down a rabbit hole, she accidentally shrinks after drinking from a bottle labeled ‘Drink Me’ (also known as a Pishsalver). This makes it impossible ...

The fantasy film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), was directed and co-written by Terry Gilliam along with Charles McKeown. Heath Ledger’s performance in most of the movie was later replaced by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as different versions of his character in the dream world. This was Ledger’s final acting role and a dedication to him and ...

Public Enemies (2009), an American biographical crime drama film directed by Michael Mann, follows notorious criminal John Dillinger as he attempts to evade the law and continue his life of crime in 1933. With a screenplay co-written by Ronan Bennett and Ann Biderman, the movie begins with Dillinger’s daring escape from the Indiana State Penitentiary alongside his crew. Tragically, his mentor Walter Dietrich is killed during the jailbreak. After changing their clothes and finding refuge at a safe house on Chicago’s east side, Dillinger and his accomplices carry out a series of bank robberies while FBI agent ...

In the  musical slasher film, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), directed by Tim Burton and written by John Logan, a barber named Benjamin Barker arrives in London with young sailor Anthony Hope. After being falsely convicted and sent to Australia by corrupt Judge Turpin, who desired his wife Lucy, Barker assumes the identity of ‘Sweeney Todd’ and returns to his old shop above Nellie Lovett’s meat pie shop on Fleet Street. Lovett, who harbors unrequited love for him, informs Todd that after his exile, Turpin drove Lucy to suicide and ...

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), an American epic fantasy swashbuckler film directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, follows the story of Lord Cutler Beckett’s tyrannical rule over the seas. He orders Davy Jones to destroy all pirate ships and executes anyone affiliated with piracy in Port Royal. In response to this threat, nine Pirate Lords are called upon to convene at Shipwreck Cove for the Brethren Court. However, due to Jack Sparrow’s absence and lack of a named successor, Barbossa, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, ...

Deep Sea 3D (2006), a visually stunning IMAX documentary, dives into the world of sea creatures. Directed by renowned filmmaker Howard Hall, known for his captivating underwater films like Into the Deep and Island of the Sharks. The mesmerizing narration is provided by acclaimed actors Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, accompanied by an enchanting score from composer Danny Elfman. Spanning 40 minutes in length, this captivating film offers a glimpse into the fascinating lives of ...

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006) is a swashbuckling adventure directed by Gore Verbinski, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. At the wedding of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, their celebration is cut short when Lord Cutler Beckett arrives at Port Royal with arrest warrants. These charges stem from their involvement in freeing Captain Jack Sparrow. However, they are not the only ones on Beckett’s list. ...

Corpse Bride (2005) is a stop-motion animated musical fantasy film directed by Tim Burton from a screenplay by John August, Caroline Thompson, and Pamela Pettler. It is based on characters created by Burton and Carlos Grangel. Set in an unnamed Victorian era town, the story follows the arranged marriage preparations of Victor Van Dort, son of nouveau riche fish merchants, and ...

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) is a whimsical musical movie, directed by Tim Burton and written by John August. It is based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel of the same name from 1964. The story follows Charlie Bucket, a kind and affectionate young boy living in poverty with his family near the famous Wonka Factory. Willy Wonka, the eccentric owner of the company, has closed his factory to outsiders for years due to issues with industrial espionage. As a result, all of his employees, including Charlie’s ...

The French comedy drama film, Happily Ever After (2004), explores the concept of fidelity through the intertwined storylines of three friends and their tumultuous relationships. The film gained popularity in North America after its English release, and is often praised for featuring a lengthy cameo by the talented Johnny Depp, who impressively speaks fluent French. The story begins with Vincent and Gabrielle playfully bantering at a bar. Despite the attention from other possible suitors, Vincent seems to have won over Gabrielle’s heart. However, their supposed game of courtship ...

The period drama film, The Libertine (2004), marked the directorial debut of Laurence Dunmore and was adapted by Stephen Jeffreys from his play of the same name. Set in 1675, it follows the tale of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, as he delivers a prologue filled with themes of his love for alcohol, his sexual desires, and his disdain for his audience. Despite being banished by King Charles II, Rochester is brought back to join the House of Lords due to the king’s need for him. Upon returning to London, he reunites with his ‘Merry Gang’ friends ...

The film Secret Window (2004) is a psychological thriller featuring Johnny Depp and John Turturro. Written and directed by David Koepp, it is based on Stephen King’s novella Secret Window, Secret Garden. After finding his wife Amy in an affair with their friend Ted, mystery writer Mort Rainey seeks solace in his cabin at Tashmore Lake, while Amy remains in their home. Although they have been separated for six months, Mort has yet to finalize their divorce due ...

Finding Neverland (2004) is a biographical fantasy directed by Marc Forster and written by David Magee. The film is based on Allan Knee’s 1998 play, The Man Who Was Peter Pan. In the early 1900s, acclaimed playwright Sir James Matthew Barrie encounters Sylvia, a widowed mother of four (George, Jack, Peter and Michael), during a chance meeting in Kensington Gardens. As they grow closer, Barrie becomes not only a playmate but also a father figure to the boys. Their playful adventures become fodder for ...

The film Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) tells the story of El Mariachi, who is recruited by CIA officer Sheldon Jeffrey Sands for a mission. He must take down General Emiliano Marquez, a corrupt Mexican Army officer working for drug lord Armando Barillo. Barillo plans to assassinate the President and overthrow the government during a time of civil unrest in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa. Years ago, El Mariachi’s wife and daughter were killed by Marquez in retaliation for a previous confrontation. Along with El Mariachi, Sands enlists retired FBI agent Jorge Ramírez to kill Barillo, who had also killed his former partner Archuleta. AFN operative Ajedrez is ...

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) is an American fantasy supernatural swashbuckler film directed by Gore Verbinski. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, it’s based on the popular Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disney theme parks. In the 18th century, Governor Weatherby Swann and his daughter, Elizabeth, sail aboard HMS Dauntless. During their voyage, they come across a shipwrecked survivor named Will Turner. However, when Elizabeth takes a gold medallion from around Will’s neck, she ...

Blow (2001) is an American biographical crime drama film directed by Ted Demme, centered around an American cocaine kingpin and his global network. George Jung, alongside his parents Fred and Ermine, reside in Weymouth, Massachusetts. At the age of 10, Fred declares bankruptcy and attempts to show George the importance of values beyond money. As an adult in the late 1960s, George moves to Los Angeles with his close friend ‘Tuna’, where they meet Barbara – a flight attendant who introduces them to Derek Foreal, a marijuana dealer. With Derek’s assistance, George and Tuna amass a substantial amount ...