Actor Sam Rockwell (1968)

The Bad Guys (2022) is an American animated heist comedy film loosely based on the children’s book series by Aaron Blabey. It follows the story of Mr. Wolf, a pickpocket and leader of The Bad Guys, a gang of notorious animal criminals in Greater Los Angeles where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist. Due to their reputation, they are able to successfully pull off bold thefts and evade capture by the authorities. However, after being insulted by Governor Diane Foxington on live TV, Wolf hatches a plan with his gang to steal the Golden Dolphin award from philanthropist Professor Marmalade during his ...

The One and Only Ivan (2020) is an American fantasy drama film based on the 2012 children’s novel of the same name by Katherine Applegate. Directed by Thea Sharrock and written by Mike White, the film follows Ivan, a gorilla who has spent 20 years as the main attraction at a circus located inside a shopping mall in Central Florida. Alongside his fellow animal performers – wise elephant Stella, spoiled poodle Snickers, spunky chicken Henrietta, toy fire truck-riding rabbit Murphy, anxious sea lion Frankie, and ...

Richard Jewell (2019), an American biographical drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood and written by Billy Ray, follows the story of Richard Jewell. In 1986, he starts off as an office supply clerk at the Small Business Administration where he forms a friendship with attorney Watson Bryant. Eventually, he leaves to pursue a career in law enforcement. Although he briefly works as a sheriff’s deputy, he ultimately gets discharged. In early 1996, Jewell takes on a security guard position at Piedmont College but is terminated due to multiple complaints of ...

Jojo Rabbit (2019), a war comedy-drama film written and directed by Taika Waititi, is based on Christine Leunens’s 2008 book Caging Skies. Set in the city of Falkenheim during the fall of Nazi Germany, the story follows ten-year-old Johannes ‘Jojo’ Betzler as he joins the Deutsches Jungvolk, a youth group under the Hitler Youth (HJ). Indoctrinated with Nazi beliefs, he relies on his imaginary friend Adolf – a foolish version of Adolf Hitler. The local HJ training camp is led by Captain Klenzendorf, who struggles with conflicted beliefs. ...

Vice (2018) is an American biographical political satire comedy-drama film that follows the career of Dick Cheney. Directed, written and produced by Adam McKay, the film is narrated by Kurt, a fictional veteran of the Afghan and Iraqi wars. In 1963, after dropping out of Yale University due to his struggles with alcoholism, Cheney works as a lineman in Wyoming. However, after being pulled over for driving while intoxicated, his wife Lynne gives him an ultimatum to get his life together or she will leave him. Six years later in 1969, Cheney lands a job as a White House intern during the Nixon Administration where he ...

The crime drama film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), written, directed, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh, follows Mildred Hayes in the fictional town of Ebbing. Seven months after her teenage daughter Angela was raped and murdered, Mildred is still grieving and frustrated with the lack of progress in the investigation. To draw attention to the case, she rents three abandoned billboards near her home and displays provocative messages: ‘Raped While Dying’, ‘And Still No Arrests?’, ‘How Come, Chief Willoughby?’. Her actions catch the attention of Bill Willoughby, the ...

Seven Psychopaths (2012) is a film, directed and co-produced by Martin McDonagh. Marty, an alcoholic writer in Los Angeles, is struggling with his new screenplay of the same name. Although he has the title, he lacks the characters to fill it. His best friend Billy, a struggling actor, makes money by kidnapping dogs for rewards. Hans, Billy’s partner-in-crime, is devoted to his religious beliefs and caring for his wife Myra who has cancer. While Billy wants to collaborate with Marty on the screenplay, he feels too embarrassed to ask directly. In hopes of persuading Marty, Billy shows him a newspaper article about ...

The American superhero film, Iron Man 2 (2010), is based on the beloved Marvel Comics character. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it gained widespread attention in Russia when billionaire Tony Stark publicly revealed his identity as Iron Man. This revelation caught the eye of Ivan Vanko, whose father had recently passed away after working for Stark Industries. In response, Vanko began constructing a miniature version of Stark’s arc reactor. As time passed, Stark became a media sensation, refusing to hand over his armored suits to the government despite pressure to do so. To honor his father Howard’s legacy, he reinstated ...

The American epic revisionist Western film, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), is a retelling of the events leading up to the titular killing. Written and directed by Andrew Dominik and based on Ron Hansen’s novel of the same name, it portrays the relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford. In 1881, a starstruck young man named Robert ‘Bob’ Ford seeks out Jesse James while the James Gang plans a train robbery in Blue Cut, Missouri. Despite his brother Charley being a member of the gang, Bob’s attempts to join are unsuccessful. The robbery is not as successful as hoped and Frank James leaves while Jesse ...

Matchstick Men (2003) is a darkly humorous film directed by Ridley Scott and based on Eric Garcia’s novel of the same name. The story follows Roy Waller, a con artist with crippling Tourette syndrome and OCD, as he runs scams with his partner Frank Mercer. One day, Roy accidentally loses his medication and discovers his doctor has left town. This leads to a cleaning frenzy in his house that lasts until the next day. When Frank visits, Roy experiences a terrifying panic attack. Concerned for his well-being, Frank suggests he see psychiatrist Dr. Harris Klein who ...

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 ...

The American biographical spy film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), follows the fictional life of Chuck Barris, who aspired to be a famous television personality. Initially rejected by the women he desires, he moves from Manhattan to become an NBC page, but is ultimately let go. He then becomes Dick Clark’s personal assistant on American Bandstand in 1961, where he writes the hit song ‘Palisades Park’ and becomes involved with Penny Pacino. Eventually, Chuck pitches his idea for The Dating Game at ABC and receives $7,500 to create a pilot. However, ABC ultimately chooses to produce Hootenanny instead. After being ousted from a bar for ...

Heist (2001) is an American heist film written and directed by David Mamet. The story follows Joe Moore, the leader of a team of skilled thieves consisting of Bobby Blane, Donnie ‘Pinky’ Pincus, and Joe’s wife Fran. During a jewelry store robbery in New York City, Joe’s uncovered face is caught on camera as he attempts to distract the store’s last employee. Knowing that both the photo and a witness can identify him, Joe decides to retire from crime and escape with his wife on their sailboat. However, this doesn’t sit well with Mickey Bergman, Joe’s fence who runs a garment ...

A film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comedic play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999), was written, produced, and directed by Michael Hoffman. Set in the 1890s in Monte Athena, a fictional Italian kingdom, the story follows the preparations for Duke Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding banquet. During this time, Egeus, father of young Hermia, approaches the Duke to request his support in forcing his daughter to marry Demetrius. Egeus threatens that Hermia will die if she does not comply. In response, Theseus offers Hermia four days to decide between ...

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 ...

Glory Daze (1995) is an American independent comedy film written and directed by Rich Wilkes. The story follows Jack Freeman, a 22-year-old graduating from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in art. Dealing with a recent breakup with his ex-girlfriend Dina, Jack shares a house nicknamed ‘El Rancho’ with four friends. Rob is also graduating and planning to move to Los Angeles with his girlfriend Joanie. However, he has concerns about settling down and living close to Joani’s mother. Dennis, on the other hand, is a perpetual student who has three degrees under his belt and will be ...