Actress Judi Dench (1934)

The mystery film, Murder on the Orient Express (2017), was co-produced and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Michael Green wrote the screenplay, based on Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel of the same name. It was winter in 1934 when the eccentric yet famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot traveled to the Middle East for both business and pleasure. Despite First Class being sold out during this time of year, Poirot was able to secure a cabin at the last minute thanks to his friend Bouc, who worked for the railroad and happened ...

Tulip Fever (2017), a historical romantic drama directed by Justin Chadwick and written by Deborah Moggach and Tom Stoppard, is based on Moggach’s novel of the same name. It follows the story of Sophia, an orphan raised in a Dutch convent during the time of tulip mania in the 17th century. She is offered a marriage proposal from Cornelis, a much older spice merchant, which allows her to leave the convent and provide dowries for her sisters to emigrate to New Amsterdam. ...

Skyfall (2012) is the twenty-third installment in the iconic James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. Starring Daniel Craig as the titular MI6 agent and featuring Javier Bardem as his adversary Raoul Silva, the film sees Judi Dench reprising her role as M. Under the direction of Sam Mendes and written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and

The American biographical drama film, J. Edgar (2011), directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, tells the story of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover’s career. Through a non-linear narrative, the film delves into Hoover’s involvement in the creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as well as his later efforts to protect it from perceived threats. In the present day, an aging Hoover shares these events with a group of agents he has tasked with writing a book about the Bureau’s early years. Following an assassination attempt on Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer by anarchists in 1919, Justice ...

Quantum of Solace (2008) is the twenty-second installment in the iconic James Bond series created by Eon Productions. Bond transports Mr. White, a detainee, from Lake Garda to Siena, Italy in his vehicle. While evading pursuers, Bond successfully delivers White to M, who questions him about the elusive organisation Quantum. When White reveals that their agents are ubiquitous, one of M’s protectors named Craig Mitchell shoots a guard and turns on her. In an attempt to apprehend Mitchell, Bond ends his life as White manages to escape. Further investigation of Mitchell’s residence in London leads Bond and M to learn about his connection with a man ...

Notes on a Scandal (2006) is a British psychological drama/thriller directed by Richard Eyre and produced by Robert Fox and Scott Rudin. Based on Zoë Heller’s novel of the same name from 2003, the screenplay was written by Patrick Marber. The story follows Barbara Covett, a London history teacher who has reached retirement age without ever getting married. She holds disdain for her students and colleagues at the ...

Casino Royale (2006) is the twenty-first film of the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. It is based on Ian Fleming’s novel of the same title and directed by Martin Campbell, with a screenplay written by Neil Purvis, Robert Wade, and Paul Haggis. The movie features Daniel Craig as Bond in his debut performance. In an effort to shake off the ...

Die Another Day (2002), a spy film and the twentieth in the James Bond series from Eon Productions, was directed by Lee Tamahori and written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. The film also marked the final appearance of Pierce Brosnan as the iconic MI6 agent, with John Cleese making his debut as Q. In the movie, Bond goes undercover to infiltrate a North Korean military base where Colonel Tan-Sun Moon is dealing weapons ...

The Shipping News (2001), directed by Lasse Hallström, is a romantic drama based on the novel of the same name by E. Annie Proulx. As a child, Quoyle’s father Guy expected him to naturally swim when he was thrown into a lake. But the memories of nearly drowning still haunt Quoyle whenever he’s stressed. Now living in Poughkeepsie, New York and working as an ink setter for a small newspaper, Quoyle leads a solitary life. He falls for Petal, a lively woman from town whom he eventually marries. However, Petal turns out to be unfaithful and neglectful to their ...

Chocolat (2000) tells the story of a young woman named Vianne and her daughter Anouk, as they travel through Europe, guided by the same north wind that led Vianne’s mother years before. In 1959, they settle in a tranquil French village where the strict mayor, Comte de Reynaud, is gearing up for Lent. Despite not being accepted by the villagers, Vianne opens a chocolate shop and slowly starts to win over some of the locals. However, Reynaud, who is still in denial about his wife leaving him, publicly denounces Vianne for tempting people during Lent. One of her early supporters is her elderly landlady Armande, whose daughter Caroline refuses to let her see her ...

The spy film, The World Is Not Enough (1999), is the nineteenth installment in the James Bond series by Eon Productions. It features Pierce Brosnan as the iconic MI6 agent, James Bond, and is directed by Michael Apted. In Bilbao, Bond meets with Swiss banker Lachaise to retrieve funds for British oil tycoon Sir Robert King at the request of M. While attempting to extract information from Lachaise about an MI6 agent’s assassin, Bond is interrupted by his murder. He manages to escape with the money. At MI6 headquarters in London, it is discovered that the ...

The romantic comedy film, Shakespeare in Love (1998), was directed by John Madden. Set in London during 1593, it follows the story of William Shakespeare as he struggles with writer’s block while working for Philip Henslowe, owner of The Rose Theatre and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. In an attempt to sell his new comedy, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter, to rival theatre owner Richard Burbage, Shakespeare tries to seduce Rosaline, Burbage’s mistress. He also seeks advice from fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe. However, his plans are complicated when he discovers Rosaline is involved with ...

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), a spy film and the eighteenth in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions, stars Pierce Brosnan as fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode and written by Bruce Feirstein, the film follows Bond as he is sent into the field by MI6 to investigate a terrorist arms bazaar on the Russian border. Despite M’s insistence on allowing Bond to complete his reconnaissance mission, Royal Navy Admiral Roebuck takes matters into his own hands and orders the frigate ...

GoldenEye (1995) is the seventeenth installment in the James Bond franchise brought to you by Eon Productions. Starring Pierce Brosnan as MI6 agent James Bond and directed by Martin Campbell, this film strays from utilizing any story elements from Ian Fleming’s novels. In 1986, Bond and his fellow MI6 agent Alec Trevelyan infiltrate a Soviet chemical weapons facility known as Arkangel. After a failed mission and Trevelyan’s apparent death at the hands of Colonel Arkady Grigorovich Ourumov, Bond destroys ...

Kenneth Branagh’s directorial debut, Henry V (1989), is a British historical drama film adapted from William Shakespeare’s famous play. The opening scene features Chorus, portrayed as a modern person, walking through an empty film studio and setting the stage for the main action to unfold. Throughout the film, Chorus makes multiple appearances to guide and enhance the storytelling. The act divisions in the film follow the structure of Shakespeare’s original play.