Actress Patricia Clarkson (1959)

The American dystopian science fiction film, Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018), was directed by Wes Ball and written by T.S. Nowlin, based on James Dashner’s 2011 novel of the same name. The remaining free ‘Gladers’ – Thomas, Newt, and Frypan – team up with the Right Arm resistance in an attempt to rescue other Immunes from WCKD’s train. Their mission takes a dangerous turn when they realize their friend Minho, who was captured by WCKD, is on a separate carriage headed to the ...

Sharp Objects (2018) is an American miniseries based on Gillian Flynn’s debut novel of the same name, which aired on HBO on July 8, 2018. Recently released from a psychiatric hospital, reporter Camille Preaker is faced with a difficult assignment: she must return to her small hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls. Camille has had little contact with her anxious, hypochondriac mother or her half-sister, a stunning 13-year-old who seems to have an unsettling hold over the town. As she settles into her old bedroom in the family’s Victorian mansion, Camille can’t help but feel a strong ...

The film Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) is an American dystopian science fiction based on James Dashner’s novel of the same name. A hesitant Thomas is left by his mother with scientist Ava Paige and soldiers from the organization WCKD. Along with other children, he is placed in a mobile maze in the Glade for scientific testing. Years later, after being rescued from the maze, Thomas and the other survivors are brought to a facility led by Mr. Janson. He claims that the facility offers protection from the Flare virus and ‘Cranks’, and supplies them with necessary resources. Under Janson’s ...

The Maze Runner (2014) is an American sci-fi film directed by Wes Ball. It is based on the eponymous novel written by James Dashner and marks Ball’s directorial debut. Our protagonist, a teenage boy, wakes up in an underground elevator with no recollection of his identity. He is welcomed by a group of male youths in an open grassy area known as the ‘Glade’, enclosed by towering stone walls. The boys have established a basic society with each assigned specific tasks. It becomes clear to our young hero that their only means of escape from the maze they are trapped in lies within its complicated pathways. ...

House of Cards (2013–2018), an American political thriller streaming television series, was created by Beau Willimon and is based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs. It is also an adaptation of the 1990 BBC series, which was based on the novel by Andrew Davies. The first season, consisting of 13 episodes, premiered on February 1, 2013, exclusively on Netflix. This marked the first time a TV series had been produced by a studio for the streaming service. House of Cards received rave reviews and garnered ...

Friends with Benefits (2011) is a romantic comedy flick directed by Will Gluck and starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. Jamie Rellis, an executive headhunter in NYC, recruits Dylan Francis Harper Jr., an LA art director, for a position at GQ magazine. Despite initial doubts, he accepts the job after spending an adventurous evening in the city with her. Dylan moves to New York on a one-year contract that earns Jamie a commission, and they develop a strong platonic bond. One day, they mutually agree that sex should not ...

One Day (2011), a romantic drama film directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by David Nicholls, tells the story of two characters who meet on July 15th, St. Swithin’s day, and their relationship over the course of 20 years. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 1988, Dexter and Emma spend a platonic night together and agree to remain friends. The following year, he helps her move to London to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. However, she struggles to find success and ends up working as a waitress at a Mexican restaurant where she meets Ian, ...

Shutter Island (2010) is a gripping neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and adapted by Laeta Kalogridis from the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehan. The film follows U.S. Marshal Edward ‘Teddy’ Daniels and his new partner Chuck Aule as they are sent to investigate the disappearance of patient Rachel Solando at Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, Boston Harbor. Despite encountering resistance from the hospital staff, particularly from psychiatrist Dr. John ...

In the American comedy film Whatever Works (2009), directed and written by Woody Allen, Boris Yelnikoff is a cynical and misanthropic chess teacher. He used to be a quantum mechanics professor at Columbia University before getting divorced. Boris tends to keep to himself and only has three friends and students he interacts with. He can be condescending towards those who don’t match his intelligence level. Additionally, he frequently sings “Happy Birthday” while washing his hands throughout the film. One night, when Boris returns home, he finds Melody, a simpleminded 21-year-old, at his front door. ...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), a rom-com written and directed by Woody Allen, follows the story of two friends as they spend their summer in Barcelona. They stay with Vicky’s relatives, Judy and Mark. While Vicky and Cristina are close, they have different outlooks on love. Vicky is more traditional and practical, engaged to her dependable fiancé Doug. Cristina, on the other hand, sees herself as a free-spirited nonconformist who is unsure of what she wants from life or love. While visiting an art exhibition, Cristina is captivated by the artist Juan Antonio, whom Judy reveals had a tumultuous relationship with ...

Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) is a riveting historical drama directed by George Clooney that delves into the world of American television news. At a gathering titled ‘A Salute to Edward R Murrow’ on October 25, 1958, Murrow delivers a powerful speech addressing Senator McCarthy and other prominent figures. The film then transports us back to October 14, 1953 at CBS Studios, where an on-screen caption reveals McCarthy’s claim of over 200 Communists in the US government. With this latest development, Fred Friendly and the news team discuss potential stories for their upcoming episodes. Murrow makes it ...

The American sports film Miracle (2004), directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Eric Guggenheim and Mike Rich, follows the story of Herb Brooks, head ice hockey coach at the University of Minnesota. He interviews for the national team coach’s job with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), sharing his strategies on how to defeat the dominant Soviet team who have won the gold medal in the previous four Olympics. Despite initially doubting Brooks, the USOC ultimately hires him and he meets assistant coach ...

The Station Agent (2003) is an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Tom McCarthy in his directorial debut. The main character, Finbar McBride, is a quiet and unmarried man with dwarfism who has a deep passion for railroads. He spends most of his time working at a hobby shop in Hoboken, New Jersey, owned by his elderly and equally reserved friend Henry. Being uncomfortable with the attention brought on by his size, Fin keeps to himself. However, after Henry’s passing, Fin discovers that he has inherited a rural property with an abandoned train depot. Hoping for solitude, he moves into the old building ...

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 ...

Welcome to Collinwood (2002), the American caper comedy film written and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The plot follows Cosimo, who gets arrested with Toto while attempting to steal a car. In prison, he meets an elderly inmate who mentions the ‘Bellini’ – a perfect heist that he couldn’t complete due to a life sentence. With hopes of pulling off this elusive crime, Cosimo solicits his girlfriend Rosalind’s help in finding someone willing to take his place in jail for a sum of money. Rosalind and Toto reach out to Basil, Leon, Riley, and ...

Carrie (2002), a supernatural horror television film, is based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel of the same name. The film is both a re-imagining of the novel and the third installment in the Carrie franchise. During his investigation into the disappearance and suspected arson of high school student Carrie White, Detective John Mulcahey interviews several individuals, including students like Sue Snell and Ms. Desjarden, her gym teacher. Through these interviews, details emerge about the events leading up to Carrie’s disappearance. One week before the prom at Ewen High School, Carrie is a lonely and shy girl who ...

The American neo-noir psychological mystery drama film, The Pledge (2001), directed by Sean Penn, follows the story of Jerry Black, an aging Reno detective. On the night of his retirement party hosted by his department, Captain Pollack presents Jerry with tickets for a fishing trip in Mexico. However, their celebration is abruptly cut short when a murdered child, Ginny Larsen, is discovered. Jerry and Detective Stan Krolak quickly head to the crime scene. After breaking the tragic news to Ginny’s parents, Margaret Larsen makes Jerry promise on a cross made by their daughter that he will catch the killer. The next ...

The Green Mile (1999), an American fantasy drama film based on the novel with the same title by Stephen King, was written, directed and co-produced by Frank Darabont. In 1935, at Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s death row, nicknamed ‘The Green Mile’, retiree Paul Edgecomb served as an officer. Whilst watching the film Top Hat in 1999 at a Louisiana assisted-living home, Paul begins to cry. His companion Elaine becomes concerned and he explains that it reminded him of events he witnessed during his time as an officer. He worked alongside corrections officers ...

Joe Johnston’s film, Jumanji (1995), tells the story of a boy named Alan Parrish living in Brantford, New Hampshire with his parents, Sam and Carol. When he is chased by bullies one day, Alan seeks refuge in Sam’s shoe factory where he comes across a new prototype made by their friend Carl Bentley. Unfortunately, Alan accidentally damages the shoe and although Carl takes the blame, he is fired from his job. As if that wasn’t enough trouble for one day, the bullies also steal Alan’s bicycle. Desperate to get it back, Alan follows the sound of tribal drumbeats to a nearby construction site where he ...

Tune in Tomorrow (1990) is an American comedy film directed by Jon Amiel, based on the 1977 Mario Vargas Llosa novel Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter. Martin Loader works at WXBU, the local radio station, where scriptwriter Pedro Carmichael becomes his mentor. Pedro has a tendency to weave real-life events into his outrageous storylines and this time it involves Martin’s Aunt Julia, who returns to New Orleans after many years away. As their romance unfolds, Pedro starts incorporating details of their relationship into his daily drama series ‘Kings of ...