Actor Mark Strong (1963)

Tár (2022) is a psychological drama film written and directed by Todd Field. Acclaimed actress Cate Blanchett takes on the role of Lydia Tár, a world-renowned conductor facing accusations of misconduct. As the first female chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, she relies on Francesca, her personal assistant, to handle her busy schedule. During an interview with Adam Gopnik at The New Yorker Festival, Lydia shares details about her upcoming live recording of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and her book Tár on Tár. In addition to her musical endeavors, she also collaborates with Eliot Kaplan, an investment banker and amateur conductor who co-founded the Accordion ...

Cruella (2021) is an American crime comedy-drama film from Walt Disney Pictures, Marc Platt Productions, and Gunn Films. The film follows the story of Estella Miller, a creative child with a knack for fashion but also a cruel side, earning her the nickname “Cruella” from her mother Catherine. Growing up ostracized due to her unique appearance and bold attitude, Estella’s rebellious behavior nearly gets her expelled from school. To avoid any tarnished reputation, Catherine withdraws Estella and plans to relocate them both to London. Along their journey, they stop at a lavish party where Estella sneaks in with her dog Buddy and discovers the world of ...

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019), a Netflix and The Jim Henson Company collaboration, serves as a prequel to the 1982 fantasy film. This series delves into the world of Thra from the original movie and follows three Gelflings – Rian, Deet, and Brea – on their journey to unite their clans and overthrow the oppressive Skeksis. Their mission is to save Thra from destruction caused by the Darkening. Despite receiving positive reviews upon its debut on August 30, 2019, it was announced in September 2020 that the series would not continue for a second season. In a different world, at a different time and in a ...

Shazam! (2019) is an American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. It was produced by New Line Cinema, DC Films, the Safran Company, and Seven Bucks Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures as the seventh installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). In 1974 Upstate New York, Thaddeus Sivana, a young boy, is riding in a car with his abusive father and brother Sid during a snowstorm. As they constantly mock and verbally harass him, he suddenly finds himself transported to the Rock of Eternity – a mystic temple in another dimension. There he meets Shazam, an ancient wizard who has spent centuries searching for ...

Directed and produced by Sam Mendes, the British war film 1917 (2019) was co-written by Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns. Partially inspired by his paternal grandfather Alfred’s experiences in World War I, the film is set after the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich. On April 6th, aerial reconnaissance reveals that the Imperial German Army has strategically withdrawn to the new line and is waiting with artillery to attack the British. With field telephone lines cut, General Erinmore orders ...

Stockholm (2018) is a crime comedy-drama film written, produced and directed by Robert Budreau. Based on true events, it delves into the fascinating concept of Stockholm Syndrome – the psychological phenomenon where captives develop an emotional bond with their captors. The story takes place in 1973, when a lone armed man, believed to be American, holds up a downtown Stockholm bank. He demands $1 million US, the release of convicted bank robber and murderer Gunnar Sorensson, and a Mustang Boss 302 as their getaway car – inspired by Steve McQueen’s iconic ride in Bullitt. However, things take an ...

The Catcher Was a Spy (2018) is an American war film directed by Ben Lewin and written by Robert Rodat, based on the book of the same name by Nicholas Dawidoff. Moe Berg, an experienced 15-year baseball player, takes on a new role as a spy in the war effort to outdo Nazi Germany in developing the first atomic bomb. The Germans made a breakthrough by splitting the atom in 1938, and the race for the bomb was on. In charge of delivering this weapon was German Nobel prize winner Werner Heisenberg. To counter this threat, Moe ...

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 ...

Miss Sloane (2016), a political thriller directed by John Madden and written by Jonathan Perera, follows the story of Elizabeth Sloane. She is a cutthroat lobbyist known for her intense work ethic, who finds herself testifying before Senator Ronald Sperling’s congressional hearing. The hearing focuses on possible violations of Senate ethics rules during Sloane’s time at Washington D.C.’s Cole Kravitz & Waterman lobbying firm. Three months prior to this, Sloane’s firm is approached by Bill Sanford, a representative from the gun manufacturing ...

The film The Brothers Grimsby (2016) is a hilarious blend of spy action and comedy, directed by Louis Leterrier and written by Sacha Baron Cohen, Phil Johnston, and Peter Baynham. The main character, Kyle Alan ‘Nobby’ Butcher, had been estranged from his younger brother Sebastian for almost three decades. During their time apart, Nobby became a hard-drinking football hooligan who settled down with his girlfriend Dawn and their 11 children in Grimsby. Meanwhile, ...

The film The Imitation Game (2014), directed by Morten Tyldum and written by Graham Moore, is based on the biography Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges. In 1951, two policemen named Nock and Staehl investigate mathematician Alan Turing after a possible break-in at his home. During his interrogation with Nock, Turing recounts his time at Bletchley Park during World War II. In 1928, the young Turing struggles with being bullied at boarding school but finds solace in his friendship with Christopher Morcom, who ...

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) is a film that follows the story of Harry Hart, a member of Kingsman, a private intelligence service founded by the British elite. In 1997, Harry’s colleague Lee Unwin sacrifices himself to save Harry. Feeling responsible for Lee’s death, Harry returns to London and gives his young son Gary ‘Eggsy’ a medal and an emergency assistance number. Seventeen years later, Eggsy is rebellious and has dropped out of training for the Royal Marines despite his abilities. When he gets arrested for stealing a car, he calls the emergency number given to him by Harry. This leads to Harry arranging his release and taking down ...

A movie John Carter (2012) tells the story of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ uncle who passed away unexpectedly. The film was directed and written by Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews, and Michael Chabon respectively, and is based on the Barsoom novel series. At the time of his uncle’s death in 1881, Burroughs learned that John had requested to be buried in a tomb that only he could open from inside. He was also given John’s personal journal to read by his lawyer. The plot then rewinds back to 1868 when Carter ...

The Guard (2011), a buddy cop comedy from Ireland, is written and directed by John Michael McDonagh. It follows the story of Sergeant Gerry Boyle, an officer with the Garda Síochána in the Connemara district. Boyle is known for his brash and aggressive demeanor, often turning to drugs and alcohol while on duty. However, he also has a softer side and demonstrates care for his sick mother, Eileen. Along with his new colleague Aidan McBride, Boyle is tasked with investigating a murder that seems to be linked to an occult serial killer. During this time, he attends a briefing led by American FBI agent Wendell Everett who ...

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 ...

The action film, Robin Hood (2010), directed by Ridley Scott, is based on the legendary character of the same name. The story takes place in 1199 AD and follows Robin Longstride, a skilled archer serving in the army of King Richard the Lionheart. Having experienced the hardships of Richard’s crusade, Robin and his fellow soldiers find themselves in a siege at Chalus Castle. Tired and disenchanted, Robin speaks honestly about the King’s leadership when asked by him and as a result, he and his comrades – Allan A’Dayle, Will Scarlett, and Little John – end up in the stocks. When King Richard ...

Kick-Ass (2010) is a superhero film, directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by Jane Goldman and Vaughn. It is based on the Marvel Comics’ comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. Dave Lizewski, an average teenager from Staten Island, New York, is inspired by comic books to become a real-life superhero. He modifies a scuba diving suit and arms himself with batons for his first outing, which ...

Starring Robert Downey Jr. as the iconic detective, Sherlock Holmes (2009) is a period mystery action film based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Set in 1890 London, the story follows Holmes and his partner Dr. John Watson as they thwart a ritualistic murder committed by Lord Henry Blackwood, a notorious killer who has already claimed five victims. Thanks to the efforts of Inspector Lestrade and the police, Blackwood is apprehended and arrested. Fast forward two months later, and Watson, who is now engaged to Mary Morstan, eagerly prepares to move out of their ...

Directed and produced by Ridley Scott, and written by William Monahan, Body of Lies (2008) is an American spy action thriller film. In Manchester, England, anti-terrorism police teams are preparing to raid a house. As they enter the house, the terrorists inside hear them and one of them triggers an explosion with a button on his cell phone, destroying the entire house. While tracking a high-ranking terrorist leader named Al-Saleem in Iraq, CIA case officer Roger Ferris encounters Nizar – a member of the terrorist organization who offers information in exchange for ...

RocknRolla (2008), a gangster crime comedy film by Guy Ritchie, follows the story of mob boss Lenny Cole as he dominates London’s real estate business with help from corrupt councillor and right-hand man Archy. When billionaire Russian businessman Uri Omovich plans a lucrative land deal, everyone in the city wants a piece of it — including Stella, Uri’s devious accountant, and a gang known as ‘The Wild Bunch’ led by small-time crook ‘One-Two’, his partner ‘Mumbles’, and their driver ‘Handsome Bob’. In exchange for €7,000,000 to bribe the Council, Uri lends ...