Mr. Mudd (USA): 5

Labor Day (2013) is an American drama film written and directed by Jason Reitman, adapted from the 2009 novel of the same name by Joyce Maynard. Set in 1987, it tells the story of Adele Wheeler, a despondent single mother living with her 13-year-old son, Henry, in a rural home. While out shopping, they encounter a man who convinces them to take him back to their house. The man is later revealed to be Frank Chambers, an escaped convict wanted by the authorities. As the film unfolds through flashbacks and imagery, we learn that Frank is a Vietnam War veteran who had married ...

The American comedy-drama film, Young Adult (2011), was directed by Jason Reitman, written by Diablo Cody, and starred Charlize Theron. Mavis Gary, a 37-year-old alcoholic ghost writer of young adult novels, was facing a tight deadline from her editor to finish the final book of the series before it was canceled. In the midst of this pressure, Mavis received an email containing a photo of her high school ex-boyfriend Buddy Slade’s newborn daughter with his wife Beth. This picture triggered something in Mavis and she ...

Juno (2007) is a comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. In Elk River, Minnesota, the sixteen year old high-schooler discovers she is pregnant by her friend and longtime admirer Paulie Bleeker. She initially considers an abortion, but then decides to visit a local women’s clinic where she encounters a schoolmate protesting against abortion. After discussing her options with the clinic staff, Juno ultimately chooses to give the baby up for adoption. With the help of her friend Leah, she searches for potential adoptive parents in the ...

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 ...

Ripley’s Game (2002), a thriller directed by Liliana Cavani, is based on the eponymous novel by Patricia Highsmith from her series about the anti-hero Tom Ripley. The story follows Ripley as he partners with British gangster Reeves in an art forgery scheme in Berlin. But when he discovers that Reeves has attempted to cheat him, Ripley takes matters into his own hands. He forces Reeves’ customer to hand over the money intended for the forgeries at gunpoint and kills the man’s bodyguard. In addition, he also reclaims the stolen artwork for himself ...