Actor Kenneth Branagh (1960)

Oppenheimer (2023) is an epic biographical drama film written, directed and co-produced by Christopher Nolan. The story follows 22-year-old J. Robert Oppenheimer, a doctoral student studying experimental physics at the Cavendish Laboratory in the University of Cambridge under Patrick Blackett. Struggling with homesickness and frustration towards Blackett, Oppenheimer leaves him a poisoned apple, but ultimately decides against it. Upon the advice of visiting scientist Niels Bohr, he transfers to the University of Göttingen where he meets fellow scientist Isidor Isaac Rabi and later encounters theoretical physicist Werner ...

Fireheart (2022), a computer-animated adventure comedy directed by Theodore Ty and Lauren Zeitoun, takes place in 1930’s New York. The protagonist is Georgia Nolan, a determined 16-year-old with aspirations to become the first female firefighter. Despite being discouraged by her father Shawn, a former firefighter himself, who believes women are not fit for the job. The mayor of New York reaches out to Shawn and convinces him to lead a new team of young firefighters in stopping a serial arsonist using purple gas to hypnotize and kidnap fellow firefighters. In order ...

Death on the Nile (2022), a mystery film, directed by Kenneth Branagh and written by Michael Green. The movie is based on Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel of the same name and is the second film adaptation of her work, following the 1978 version. In World War I, Poirot, a young strategizer, is unable to prevent his captain’s death from a booby trap that leaves him with facial scars. His lover and wife, nurse Katherine, encourages him to grow a mustache to conceal them. In 1937, Poirot attends a club where jazz ...

Tenet (2020), a science fiction action thriller film, was both written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film was produced by Nolan himself and his wife Emma Thomas. During a staged terrorist siege at an Opera House in Kyiv, the Protagonist leads a covert CIA extraction on ‘the 14th’ date. While facing KORD forces, he is rescued by a mysterious individual wearing a red trinket. Our protagonist successfully secures an artifact but his team is captured and subjected to torture. In a moment of desperation, he ...

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 ...

Dunkirk (2017) is an epic historical war thriller film written, directed and co-produced by Christopher Nolan, showcasing the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II from multiple perspectives. The small number of primarily-French soldiers guarding the perimeter where the amassed British and French soldiers await evacuation find themselves facing an advancing enemy force, shrinking their territory. Despite being outnumbered, each country takes care of their own as they await rescue on the beach. The wounded are given priority for evacuation, despite taking up more space on the ships. However, a major issue arises with only ...

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) is an American action thriller film based on the character Jack Ryan from author Tom Clancy’s series. As the fifth film in the franchise and second reboot, it stands apart from previous adaptations by featuring an original storyline. Following the events of September 11, Jack Ryan is a Marine serving in Afghanistan and suffers a critical injury while bravely saving his comrades in a helicopter crash. After a long recovery, he meets Cathy Muller, who assists him during his rehabilitation and eventually becomes his fiancée. It isn’t until ten years later that Jack is recruited by CIA veteran Thomas Harper to ...

Valkyrie (2008), a thriller directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, features Tom Cruise. Set during World War II, the film follows Wehrmacht Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg in Tunisia as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with Hitler’s regime. After his battalion is attacked by P-40 fighter-bombers, Stauffenberg is gravely injured and returned to Germany for treatment. However, he ultimately loses his left eye, right hand, ...

The fantasy film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), was directed by Chris Columbus and written by Steve Kloves, adapting J.K. Rowling’s novel of the same name from 1998. While spending the summer with the Dursleys, Harry Potter meets Dobby, a house-elf who warns him not to return to Hogwarts as danger is looming. Despite Dobby’s warning, Harry refuses to stay away and ends up getting locked up by his relatives. Luckily, Ron Weasley and his brothers Fred and George come to his rescue in their ...

The American film Wild Wild West (1999) takes place in a steampunk version of the American West. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and written by S. S. Wilson, Brent Maddock, Jeffrey Price, and Peter S. Seaman, the film is based on a story by Jim and John Thomas. Set four years after the Civil War, the movie follows U.S. Army Captain ...

The American legal thriller film The Gingerbread Man (1998) was directed by Robert Altman and adapted from a rejected John Grisham manuscript. Rick Magruder, a divorced lawyer known for his shady tactics and defending criminals, celebrates another courtroom win at a party held by his firm. As he becomes increasingly intoxicated, he crosses paths with Mallory Doss, a waitress who has misplaced her car. Rick offers to drive her home, where her father Dixon Doss has already parked the vehicle. The two argue about Mallory’s mistreatment by her father before she ...

Celebrity (1998), an American comedy-drama film by Woody Allen, follows the story of a divorced couple who take different paths in life. Lee Simon, an unsuccessful novelist who turns to travel writing after his midlife crisis and split from his insecure ex-wife, Robin, a former English teacher of sixteen years. As he navigates the world of celebrity journalism, Lee’s search for purpose is hindered by his constant pursuit of fame and struggles with insecurities and neuroses, causing him to miss out on multiple opportunities. As she moves forward, Robin sheds her numerous neuroses ...

The romantic comedy film, Much Ado About Nothing (1993), is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play of the same name. After quashing an uprising led by his half-brother Don John, Don Pedro of Aragon and his comrades pay a visit to their friend Leonato in Messina. Accompanying Don Pedro is Benedick, a quick-witted man who has a history with Leonato’s clever niece, Beatrice. Claudio, a young count and friend of Benedick’s, also joins them. Despite his previous rebellion, Don John seems to have reconciled with his brother. Claudio has been enamored with Hero, Leonato’s daughter, since before he ...

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.