Actor Rod Steiger (1925)

The American biographical sports drama film, The Hurricane (1999), was directed and produced by Norman Jewison. It tells the story of Rubin ‘The Hurricane’ Carter, a middleweight boxer wrongfully convicted of a triple murder in Paterson, New Jersey. After spending nearly two decades in prison, his sentence was finally overturned. The film focuses on Carter’s life from 1966 to 1985 as he fights against the unjust conviction. In parallel, we follow the journey of Lesra Martin, an underprivileged Afro-American youth from Brooklyn now living in Toronto. In the 1980s, Lesra becomes intrigued by ...

Mars Attacks! (1996), an American black comedy science fiction film, was directed by Tim Burton and co-produced by Larry J. Franco. When Earth is suddenly visited by a massive fleet of flying saucers from Mars, President James Dale addresses the nation. Among those following the developing story are talk show host Nathalie Lake and her boyfriend Jason Stone, who try to take advantage of the situation with an interview featuring Professor Donald Kessler, Dale’s scientific advisor. However, their plans are interrupted by a broadcast from the Martian leader. As the ...

The Specialist (1994), an American action thriller directed by Luis Llosa, follows the story of Ray Quick and Ned Trent, two CIA operatives with expertise in explosives. During a mission to destroy a car carrying a South American cocaine dealer, they discover that there is also a young girl inside. Despite Ray’s objections, Ned proceeds with the detonation, resulting in the death of both the dealer and the child. Enraged by Ned’s actions, Ray confronts him and reports him to their superiors before leaving the CIA. Years later in Miami, Ray works as a freelance hitman and often communicates with his potential ...

F.I.S.T. (1978) is a neo-noir crime drama film from America, produced and directed by Norman Jewison. At a loading dock in Cleveland in 1937, Mr. Gant, the supervisor, hires Lincoln Dombrowsky – a new worker of Polish descent. Gant warns Dombrowsky that any overtime work will go unpaid and any damages to merchandise during working hours will be taken out of his pay. When Dombrowsky accidentally spills some carts of tomatoes, he loses pay and a colleague gets fired for trying to help him clean up. Johnny Kovak – a Hungarian-American laborer – becomes resentful of these unjust practices and leads a riot. ...

Jesus of Nazareth (1977) is an epic film and television drama serial. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli and co-written by Anthony Burgess and Suso Cecchi d’Amico, it tells the story of Jesus’s birth, life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. In the screenplay writing process, additional scenes were added for a more concise and dramatic presentation. Some characters, like Zerah, were also included for the same reason. Notably, Judas Iscariot is portrayed as initially well-intentioned but later manipulated by ...

Once Upon a Time in the Revolution (1971) is a sprawling Zapata Western film helmed by renowned director and co-writer, Sergio Leone. Set in revolution-torn 1913 Mexico, the story follows outlaw Juan Miranda as he leads his bandit family in a daring robbery of wealthy men, which also includes the assault of a female passenger who had insulted him. While on his motorcycle, Irish Republican explosives expert John H. Mallory happens to pass by and is drawn into Juan’s world as he poses as ‘Seán’. Despite initially refusing to join forces with Juan, he soon finds himself framed for murder and on the run ...