Actress Samantha Morton (1977)

The fantasy film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), directed by David Yates and written by J. K. Rowling, is the first instalment in the Fantastic Beasts series and the ninth in the Wizarding World franchise. Set in 1926 New York City, it serves as a spin-off and prequel to the Harry Potter films, following British wizard Newt Scamander on his journey. While searching for a Niffler that escaped from his magical creature-filled suitcase, he crosses paths with Jacob Kowalski, an aspiring baker who accidentally swaps suitcases with ...

A movie John Carter (2012) tells the story of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ uncle who passed away unexpectedly. The film was directed and written by Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews, and Michael Chabon respectively, and is based on the Barsoom novel series. At the time of his uncle’s death in 1881, Burroughs learned that John had requested to be buried in a tomb that only he could open from inside. He was also given John’s personal journal to read by his lawyer. The plot then rewinds back to 1868 when Carter ...

The Walking Dead (2010–2022), an American post-apocalyptic horror drama show, is the source material for the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard. This show and its corresponding comics make up the foundation of The Walking Dead franchise. The plot revolves around a diverse group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies, also known as ‘walkers’. As society has crumbled, these survivors must also contend with other groups who have established their own ...

The Messenger (2009) is a war drama film, marking the directorial debut of Oren Moverman, who co-wrote the screenplay with Alessandro Camon. After returning from fighting in the Iraq War, U.S. Army staff sergeant Will Montgomery discovers that his girlfriend Kelly is now engaged to someone else. Before his discharge, he is assigned the role of casualty notification officer, under the guidance of Gulf War veteran Captain Tony Stone. Their superior, Lieutenant Colonel Dorsett, emphasizes the importance of this task as many have failed in the past. Captain Stone then briefs ...

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 ...

The period drama film, The Libertine (2004), marked the directorial debut of Laurence Dunmore and was adapted by Stephen Jeffreys from his play of the same name. Set in 1675, it follows the tale of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, as he delivers a prologue filled with themes of his love for alcohol, his sexual desires, and his disdain for his audience. Despite being banished by King Charles II, Rochester is brought back to join the House of Lords due to the king’s need for him. Upon returning to London, he reunites with his ‘Merry Gang’ friends ...

The American science fiction action film, Minority Report (2002), directed by Steven Spielberg, is loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s 1956 novella The Minority Report. The federal government plans to nationally implement the ‘Precrime’ police program in 2054. This prototype has been operating in Washington, D.C. for six years. In this program, three clairvoyant humans (‘precogs’) receive psychic impressions of future homicides, allowing officers to prevent them before they happen. Perpetrators are put in a panopticon-like prison ...

Sweet and Lowdown (1999), a American comedy-drama mockumentary by Woody Allen, tells the story of jazz guitarist Emmet Ray. Inspired by Federico Fellini’s La Strada, the film follows Ray’s rise to fame in the 1930s with his recordings for RCA Victor. However, after his sudden disappearance from the public eye, Ray’s personal life takes a turn for the worse. He struggles with alcoholism and often shows up late or even misses performances with his quintet. In addition, he indulges in lavish spending, womanizing and pimping. When he’s not focused on music or women, Ray spends his time shooting rats ...