Actor Martin Landau (1928)

The film Frankenweenie (2012), directed by Tim Burton and written by John August, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist and aspiring filmmaker who lives in the quiet town of New Holland, Pennsylvania with his parents and beloved dog Sparky. Despite his involvement in various school activities, Victor keeps to himself and doesn’t interact much with his classmates, including Elsa Van Helsing, Edgar ‘E’ Gore, Bob, Toshiaki, Nassor, and an eccentric girl known as ‘Weird Girl’. To help him be more social, Victor’s father ...

The American romantic drama film, The Majestic (2001), was produced and directed by Frank Darabont and written by Michael Sloane. Set in 1951 during the height of McCarthyism, the story follows Peter Appleton, a rising young Hollywood screenwriter. He is informed by his agent Leo Kubelsky and attorney Kevin Bannerman that he has been accused of being a communist due to attending an antiwar gathering in college. Despite claiming he only went to impress a girl, the accusation causes his latest film, Ashes to Ashes, to be delayed and credited to someone else. It also leads ...

In the Beginning (2000), an American biblical miniseries directed by Kevin Connor, follows the journey of Abraham’s tribe in their travels and challenges. Originally airing on NBC, this narrative takes place around 2000 B.C. As depicted in Genesis 12, God instructs Abraham and his followers to leave their country for a new land promised to be rich and bountiful. To uplift his followers during their journey, Abraham shares a sermon summarizing God’s creation of the universe. Through the use of stock footage and special-effects shots, the producers aim to connect ancient sermons with modern ...

Rounders (1998) is an American drama film, directed by John Dahl, that delves into the underground world of high-stakes poker. Mike McDermott, a gifted player and law student in New York City, has his sights set on winning the World Series of Poker. However, at an underground Texas hold ’em game run by Russian mobster Teddy ‘KGB’, Mike’s confidence leads to him losing his entire $30,000 bankroll in one hand. Determined to focus on school and keep his promise to his girlfriend Jo, Mike turns down mentor Joey Knish’s offer to stake him and instead takes on a part-time job. But when his friend ...

The X-Files (1998) is an American science fiction thriller film adapted from Chris Carter’s well-known television series. During the Ice Age in 35,000 B.C., two cavemen in what would later become North Texas encountered an alien life form in a cave. One was killed and the other was infected by a dark liquid-like substance. Many centuries later, in 1998, a young boy falls into a hole and is also infected by the same substance seeping from the ground. When firefighters enter to rescue him, they do not make it back out. In response, a team of men wearing hazmat suits is sent to retrieve their bodies as well as the ...

The American biographical comedy-drama, Ed Wood (1994), was directed and produced by Tim Burton. At the time, Ed was determined to make a name for himself in the film industry. He heard that producer George Weiss was looking to purchase Christine Jorgensen’s life story from an announcement in Variety magazine. Hoping to direct a film based on this story titled I Changed My Sex!, Ed met with Weiss, but was not selected. However, he did have the opportunity to meet his lifelong idol, horror film star Bela Lugosi, and their friendship began. Convinced that having a well-known actor in the film would attract ...

In the film Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), written and directed by Woody Allen, two main characters are introduced: Judah Rosenthal, a successful ophthalmologist, and Clifford Stern, a documentary filmmaker. Despite being a respected family man from the upper-class society, Judah is having an affair with flight attendant Dolores Paley. When Dolores realizes that Judah has no intention of leaving his marriage for her, she threatens to reveal their affair to his wife, Miriam. In addition, Dolores also knows about some questionable financial transactions Judah made before becoming wealthy which only adds to his worries. ...

Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) is a biographical comedy-drama movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Detroit’s Preston Tucker harbored a passion for car-making since his youth. During the Second World War, he created an armored vehicle for the military and earned profits producing gun turrets for planes in a small workshop near his Ypsilanti residence. With the unwavering support of his extended family, especially his wife Vera, children Preston Jr., Noble, and Marilyn Lee, Tucker embarks on a mission to create the ‘car of tomorrow’. The ‘Tucker Torpedo’ boasts groundbreaking safety ...

The American epic religious film, The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), recounts the Biblical tale of Jesus from his birth in Nazareth to his Ascension. It was produced and directed by George Stevens. A group of wise men (Magi) travel from Asia to Jerusalem after seeing a bright star, hoping to find the prophesied newborn king. King Herod is alerted of their arrival and is told about a Messiah mentioned in prophecies. Remembering that Bethlehem is the predicted birthplace, Herod sends the Magi there to confirm the child’s existence but secretly sends guards to keep an eye on them. In Bethlehem, they find Mary and ...