Actor Rhys Ifans (1967)

House of the Dragon (2022–2024), an American fantasy drama on HBO, was created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal as a prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019). It is the second show in the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise, with Condal and Miguel Sapochnik serving as showrunners for the first season. Drawing from Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood, the series is set approximately 100 years after the Targaryen Conquest that united the Seven ...

The King’s Man (2021), a spy action film directed by Matthew Vaughn, is the third installment in the British Kingsman franchise. Based on the comic book The Secret Service, it serves as a prequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Set in 1902 during the Second Boer War, British aristocrat Orlando, Duke of Oxford, and his family visit a refugee camp in South Africa while working for the British Red Cross. Tragically, Orlando’s wife Emily is fatally wounded in a sniper attack on the camp and makes her husband promise to keep their son away from ...

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), a superhero film, is based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It was co-produced by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. Following Quentin Beck’s deceitful actions, Peter Parker is wrongly accused of murder and his true identity as Spider-Man is exposed. This results in Peter, along with his girlfriend MJ, best friend Ned, and aunt May, being questioned by the Department of Damage Control. Fortunately, lawyer Matt Murdock successfully clears Peter’s name. However, the group must now deal with the consequences of their newfound notoriety. As things become increasingly ...

The film Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) was a live-action/animated fantasy adventure produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Roth Films, Team Todd, and Tim Burton Productions. For three years, Alice Kingsleigh had followed in her father’s footsteps and explored the high seas. However, upon returning to London from China, she discovered that her ex-fiancé Hamish Ascot had taken over his late father’s company. He demanded that Alice hand over her family home in exchange for her father’s ship. Following a familiar butterfly (previously known as Absolem), Alice returned to Wonderland through a mirror. She was welcomed by well-known characters such as ...

Oliver Stone’s biographical thriller Snowden (2016) follows the story of Edward Snowden, who in 2013 arranged a secret meeting in Hong Kong with documentarian Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald. During the meeting, they discussed releasing classified information regarding illegal mass surveillance conducted by the NSA. This meeting was later documented in Poitras’ film Citizenfour, which was also featured in the movie Snowden. Prior to this, in 2004, Snowden joined the U.S. Army with plans to join the Special Forces but was discharged due to a fractured tibia. He then applied for a position at the ...

Based on the popular Marvel Comics character, The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) is a superhero flick that also shares its name with the long-running comic book series. After discovering his father’s office has been ransacked, a young Peter Parker is taken in by his aunt and uncle along with some secretive documents left behind by his parents. Years go by and Peter is now a teenager attending Midtown Science High School where he excels in academics but struggles socially due to being constantly bullied. He harbors feelings for Gwen Stacy, who reciprocates his affections. Through an unexpected turn of events, Peter learns of his father’s connection to Dr. Curt ...

Anonymous (2011), a period drama directed by Roland Emmerich and written by John Orloff, tells a fictionalized tale of the life of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. The film suggests that de Vere was actually the true author of William Shakespeare’s plays. In modern-day New York, Derek Jacobi delivers a monologue at a theatre questioning the lack of written manuscripts from Shakespeare, despite his unparalleled success as a playwright. Meanwhile, Ben Jonson prepares to take the stage. The narrator offers to lead the audience on a journey through an alternative ...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) is a fantasy film directed by David Yates and written by Steve Kloves. Based on J. K. Rowling’s novel of the same name, it is the first of two cinematic installments. At Malfoy Manor, Severus Snape meets with Lord Voldemort and his followers to report that Harry Potter will be moved to a safe location by the Order of the Phoenix. Voldemort takes Lucius Malfoy’s wand since his own is powerless against Harry’s, as they both share a phoenix feather core. ...

The science fiction drama film, Mr. Nobody (2009), written and directed by Jaco Van Dormael, follows the life of Nemo Nobody. As the last mortal on Earth in a world where humans have achieved quasi-immortality, 118-year-old Nemo’s memories are fading. He shares his life story with a doctor and journalist, discussing his three main loves and the impact of his parents’ divorce on his journey. Throughout the film, the speculative narrative explores alternate life paths resulting from different decisions made by Nemo at ages nine, fifteen, and thirty-four. With a nonlinear structure incorporating the multiverse ...

The American comedy-drama film Greenberg (2009), directed by Noah Baumbach, follows the story of Florence Marr as she works as a personal assistant for the Greenberg family in Hollywood Hills. Prior to their trip to Vietnam, Phillip Greenberg informs her that his brother Roger will be staying at the house while he builds a doghouse for their German Shepherd, Mahler. Carol opens up to Florence about how Roger has recently been released from a psychiatric hospital after having a nervous breakdown. When Roger arrives from New York City, he has an awkward interaction with Florence. He spends his days constructing the ...

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur released a biographical historical drama called Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007). During this time, Catholic Spain, under the rule of King Philip II, held immense power in Europe. Despite multiple Catholic plots against Queen Elizabeth’s life in the 1570s, all were ultimately unsuccessful. Pope Sixtus V then turned to King Philip and convinced him to use his formidable naval force for invading and re-Catholicizing England. This plan would result in the overthrow of Elizabeth and give control of England to Philip with the pope’s approval. As part of this plot, Philip plans to have his ...

Hannibal Rising (2007) is a chilling psychological thriller that serves as the fifth installment in the Hannibal Lecter franchise. Serving as a prequel to Red Dragon, Hannibal, and The Silence of the Lambs, this film brings to life Thomas Harris’ eponymous 2006 novel. It delves into the origins of Lecter’s descent from a vengeful Nazi hunter to a monstrous cannibalistic serial killer. Set in 1944 Lithuania during World War II, we see an eight-year-old Hannibal and his family take refuge in their hunting lodge to escape the advancing German troops. However, after three long years, ...

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 ...

The sports comedy film The Replacements (2000), directed by Howard Deutch, centers around a professional football league that is facing a players’ strike with only four games remaining in the season. In response, the league’s owner, Edward O’Neil, reaches out to his former coach Jimmy McGinty and asks him to return and coach the Washington Sentinels for the rest of the season. O’Neil informs McGinty that winning three out of the four remaining games will secure their spot in the playoffs. However, McGinty agrees to return on one condition – that he has full control over selecting his own players ...

Notting Hill (1999), a romantic comedy directed by Roger Michell, features a screenplay by Richard Curtis. It follows the story of William Thacker, owner of a travel book store in the vibrant Notting Hill district of London. Following his divorce from his wife, who had left him for another man, he shares an apartment with Spike – his carefree and rather messy Welsh roommate. One day, fate brings famous Hollywood actress Anna Scott into William’s shop, where she purchases a book. As she leaves, however, a mishap causes her to cross paths with William again ...