Actress Julianne Moore (1960)

Based on Stephen King’s 2006 novel of the same name, Lisey’s Story (2021) is an American psychological horror drama miniseries. It features Julianne Moore in the title role, with King as the writer, Pablo Larraín as the director, and J. J. Abrams as the producer. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on June 4, 2021, following Lisa “Lisey” Landon’s journey. Lisey is the widow of renowned fiction writer Scott Landon, who passed away two years prior to ...

In 2017, Todd Haynes brought to life Wonderstruck (2017), an American mystery drama adapted from Brian Selznick’s 2011 novel of the same title. Christine Vachon produced the film under her Killer Films banner and had enlisted Haynes as director by May 2015. As someone who typically works on period pieces, Haynes found the double-period concept of Wonderstruck, set in both the 1920s and 1970s, particularly intriguing. He also saw it as a classic mystery that ...

Suburbicon (2017), an American black comedy crime film co-written by the Coen brothers, is directed by George Clooney. The story takes place in the year 1959 and opens with a glimpse into the small town of Suburbicon. Established in 1947, it has transformed into a pleasant community attracting people from all over for its peaceful way of life. Cheerful mailman Henry goes about his usual route greeting the townspeople with a smile. He eventually arrives at the home of the new residents, the Mayers family, who happen to be African-American. When Henry chats with Mrs. ...

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 ...

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015) is an American thriller directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Peter Craig and Danny Strong. It is adapted from Suzanne Collins’ novel Mockingjay (2010). After being assaulted by a brainwashed Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen recuperates in District 13. President Alma Coin holds back Katniss from heading to the Capitol until they take control of the last district, District 2. To persuade District 2 to join ...

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) is a dystopian action film directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Peter Craig and Danny Strong. It is based on Suzanne Collins’ novel from a decade earlier. Following their rescue from the destroyed arena of the 75th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen, Beetee, and Finnick Odair are taken to District 13, an underground district that has been leading the rebellion. There, Katniss is reunited with her mother and sister ...

Carrie (2013) is an American supernatural horror film, directed by Kimberly Peirce. It’s the third adaptation and a remake of Stephen King’s novel from 1974, also titled Carrie. The main character, Carrie White, is a shy and unpopular girl at Ewen High School in Maine. One day while showering after gym class, she experiences her first menstrual period. Fearing she is dying, she calls out for help but instead is mocked by her classmates who throw tampons and pads at her. Chris Hargensen, the school bully, films this on her phone and uploads it to ...

Rebecca Miller’s film, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009), follows the tumultuous life of its titular character. Growing up as the youngest and only girl in a large Christian family, Pippa’s childhood was overshadowed by her neurotic mother Suky’s obsessive focus on her appearance. As a teenager, Pippa learns that her mother self-medicates with amphetamines to cope with intense mood swings. Seeking refuge from her dysfunctional family, she moves in with her aunt Trish and her partner Kat, who live in a lesbian menage. However, when Trish discovers Pippa’s involvement in erotic photo shoots ...

Directed by Todd Haynes and co-written by Haynes and Oren Moverman, I’m Not There (2007) is a musical drama film that utilizes a nonlinear narrative, interweaving the stories of six characters who each represent a different aspect of Bob Dylan’s public persona. These personas include poet (Arthur Rimbaud), prophet (Jack Rollins/Father John), outlaw (Billy McCarty), fake (Woody Guthrie), ‘rock and roll martyr’ (Jude Quinn), and ‘star of electricity’ (Robbie Clark). According to production ...

Far from Heaven (2002) is a historical romantic drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes. Set in 1957 suburban Connecticut, Cathy Whitaker embodies the ideal wife, mother, and homemaker. Her husband, Frank, holds an executive position at Magnatech, a television advertising company. However, one evening, Cathy receives a call from the local police station informing her that Frank has been detained. Despite Frank’s claims of a misunderstanding, it becomes clear that he has been frequenting gay bars in Hartford. Amidst the turmoil, Cathy encounters Raymond Deagan in her yard – the son of her late gardener ...

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 ...

Hannibal (2001), an American crime thriller directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from Thomas Harris’s novel, follows FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling. A decade after catching serial killer Jame Gumb, Starling is blamed for a failed drug raid that cost five lives. She is approached by Mason Verger, the lone survivor of cannibalistic murderer Hannibal Lecter who has been on the run since escaping custody. Verger, a wealthy predator who was left paralyzed and disfigured by Lecter, has been plotting revenge against him and enlists Starling’s help to capture him. ...

The British film An Ideal Husband (1999), based on the 1895 play by Oscar Wilde, follows a group of upper-class individuals before the turn of the 20th century. At a fashionable park outing, Lady Markby reconnects with Mrs. Laura Cheveley, an old school acquaintance. Laura is eager to meet Gertrude’s husband, Sir Robert Chiltern, and Lady Markby suggests bringing her to the evening’s ball. Although Gertrude initially hesitates, she ultimately cannot refuse without appearing rude. At the extravagant party at the Chiltern residence, Laura tries to manipulate Sir Robert into supporting a bill for a questionable ...

Magnolia (1999), an American drama film directed and co-produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, follows Los Angeles police officer Jim Kurring as he investigates a disturbance at a woman’s apartment. Inside, he discovers a body in the closet. A neighborhood boy named Dixon futilely attempts to reveal the identity of the murderer to Jim. Later, Jim visits Claudia Wilson’s apartment after her neighbors call the police during an argument with her estranged father, Jimmy Gator. Despite her erratic behavior and drug use, Jim still asks her out on a date. Meanwhile, Jimmy is dying of cancer and hosts a quiz show called ...

The American science fiction action film, The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), takes place four years after the events on Isla Nublar. A British family unknowingly anchors their yacht near the nearby Isla Sorna, which is home to genetically engineered dinosaurs. During their visit, their daughter wanders off and is attacked by a pack of Compsognathus. Dr. John Hammond, who created the dinosaurs through his company InGen, invites mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm to his residence to discuss the incident. However, following the incident, Hammond’s nephew Peter Ludlow takes over control of InGen from him. Ian discovers that besides Isla Nublar, InGen also had a ...

Safe (1995) is an American psychological horror film written and directed by Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore. Carol White is a housewife in an affluent Los Angeles suburb. She fills her days with activities such as gardening, aerobics, and socializing with friends. Despite appearances of stability, her marriage and family life lack passion and her friends keep their distance. After the renovation of her home, Carol begins to experience physical ailments in ordinary situations: uncontrollable coughing from nearby exhaust fumes while driving, difficulty breathing at ...

Assassins (1995), an American action thriller film directed by Richard Donner, features a screenplay written by The Wachowskis and Brian Helgeland. Protagonist Robert Rath, plagued by guilt over his past deed of killing mentor Nicolai, is ready to hang up his deadly profession. However, his plans are halted when he finds out that fellow assassin Miguel Bain has taken out one of Rath’s assigned targets. Despite admiring Rath, Bain also wishes to eliminate him in order to claim the title of the world’s greatest ...

The American action thriller film, The Fugitive (1993), was directed by Andrew Davis and written by Jeb Stuart and David Twohy. After returning home in January 1992, Chicago surgeon Dr. Richard Kimble discovers his wife, Helen, has been murdered by a one-armed assailant who escapes capture. Despite Kimble’s explanation of events, there is no evidence of forced entry and his account is disregarded. Due to a misinterpreted 911 call and Helen’s large life insurance policy, Kimble is falsely accused and wrongfully ...

Short Cuts (1993) is a comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman. The film follows the lives of several characters brought together by a neighborhood-wide medfly spray operation. Dr. Ralph Wyman and his wife, Marian, meet an unemployed salesman, Stuart Kane, and his wife Claire, who works as a party clown, at a concert featuring Zoe Trainer on cello. Spontaneously, they agree to have dinner together on Sunday. Meanwhile, Marian’s sister Sherri is married to Gene, a cheating cop who is having an affair with Betty Weathers. Coincidentally, Betty is in the process of divorcing one of the helicopter pilots involved in ...

Benny & Joon (1993) is an American romantic comedy-drama film by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. Following the accidental death of their parents, siblings Benjamin ‘Benny’ Pearl and his mentally ill sister Juniper (‘Joon’) live together. When Joon loses a bet during a poker game with friends and agrees to let Sam, the eccentric cousin of Benny’s friend Mike, stay with them, Benny is initially upset. However, after spending an evening at the local diner with Sam and coming home to find that he has cleaned the house, Benny changes his mind and decides to let Sam ...