Relativity Media (USA): 53

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), an American action adventure fantasy film directed by Rob Cohen, is a story about a warlord who becomes the Dragon Emperor and unites China’s kingdoms to form an empire. The warlord then leads a civil war to establish the Qin dynasty and burns books and scrolls in the process. He also orders the construction of the Great Wall of China and buries his enemies’ remains underneath it. In addition, he discovers how to control fire, water, earth, wood, and metal using traditional Chinese elements known as Wuxing. However, fearing that his death will undo all he has ...

Pineapple Express (2008) is a buddy stoner action comedy directed by David Gordon Green and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The story takes place in Clark County, the same fictional county from the film Superbad. We meet Dale Denton, a process server and marijuana lover, as he visits his dealer Saul Silver. After trying the rare ‘Pineapple Express’ strain together, Dale heads back to work. However, things take a dramatic turn when he witnesses Ted Jones and officer Carol Brazier kill a Korean gangster. ...

The film, The Bank Job (2008), is a heist thriller directed by Roger Donaldson and written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. It is based on the true story of a burglary in Baker Street where Lloyds Bank safety deposit boxes were targeted. MI5, the British Security Services, had taken notice of this particular branch in 1971 due to a safety deposit box belonging to Michael X, a notorious black gangster. The box contained incriminating photos of Princess Margaret and was used as insurance to keep the authorities at bay. ...

Directed by James Mangold, 3:10 to Yuma (2007) is an American Western action drama film. It is the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s 1953 short story Three-Ten to Yuma, following the 1957 film of the same name. Set in Arizona in 1884, it tells the story of Dan Evans, a poor rancher and Civil War veteran who is in debt to wealthy Glen Hollander. Following Hollander’s warning by burning down his barn and scattering his cattle, Evans and his two sons set out to find their lost herd. They come across Ben Wade and his gang robbing an armored stagecoach ...

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), an American biographical comedy-drama, tells the story of Congressman Charlie Wilson and CIA agent Gust Avrakotos. The duo worked together to establish Operation Cyclone, a program aimed at supporting Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989). Directed by Mike Nichols and written by Aaron Sorkin, based on George Crile III’s book, the film follows Congressman Wilson in 1980 as he focuses more on partying than his legislative duties. His lavish lifestyle eventually ...

American Gangster (2007), a biographical crime film, was directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian. Set in 1968, it follows the story of Frank Lucas, who worked as the right-hand man for Ellsworth ‘Bumpy’ Johnson, a Harlem mob boss. After Johnson’s death from a heart attack, Frank delves into the heroin trade by sourcing it directly from Thailand and smuggling it into the United States through returning Vietnam War soldiers. He markets his product under the name ‘Blue Magic’, which quickly gains popularity due to ...

The American psychological thriller film, Mr. Brooks (2007), directed by Bruce A. Evans and starring Kevin Costner, follows the story of Earl Brooks. Despite appearing as a respected businessman in Portland, Oregon, Brooks leads a secret life as a serial killer. Struggling to control his ‘killing addiction’, Brooks eventually gives in to his id, Marshall, and murders a young couple in their bedroom. This pattern of leaving a thumbprint on the lampshade earned him the moniker ‘Thumbprint Killer’. His methodical approach includes meticulous ...

Directed by Phil Joanou, Gridiron Gang (2006) is an American biographical sports drama film that tells the story of Sean Porter, an employee at Kilpatrick Detention Center in Los Angeles. Frustrated by his inability to aid the troubled kids upon their release from the center – whether it be from street gangs or drug dealings – Porter devises a plan. He decides to form a football team, believing that it will instill in them the values of responsibility, maturity, and discipline. Carefully selecting individuals who he believes will benefit from this program, Porter gathers his team – the Kilpatrick ...

The Holiday (2006) is an American romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Nancy Meyers. Iris Simpkins, a society columnist for the Daily Telegraph in London, is hopelessly in love with her ex-boyfriend, Jasper Bloom; despite his infidelity and current relationship, he has maintained a close friendship with Iris. However, when he reveals his engagement at their company’s Christmas party, Iris is heartbroken. Meanwhile, Amanda Woods, owner of a Los Angeles film trailer company, ends things with her cheating composer boyfriend Ethan due to her own emotional unavailability. By chance, Amanda stumbles ...

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) is an American sports comedy film directed by Adam McKay and co-written by Will Ferrell. Born in rural North Carolina, Ricky Bobby’s arrival into the world was a bit unconventional – in the backseat of a speeding car, as his father Reese missed the turnoff for the hospital. After that, Ricky only saw his father once at school when he was 10 years old. It was during this brief encounter that Reese imparted some valuable advice to his son: ‘If you ain’t first, you’re last’. Taking those ...

Smokin’ Aces (2006) is a thrilling American action film written and directed by Joe Carnahan. Infamous Las Vegas magician and aspiring criminal, Buddy ‘Aces’ Israel, finds himself holed up in a Lake Tahoe hotel while his agent negotiates for him to receive immunity from the FBI. With mob boss Primo Sparazza offering a million-dollar reward for Israel’s heart, various hitmen have been summoned to collect the bounty: master of disguise Lazlo Soot, contract killers Sharice Watters and Georgia Sykes (hired by Sparazza’s right-hand man), mercenary Pasquale Acosta, and three merciless neo-Nazis ...

The American biographical drama film, The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), directed by Gabriele Muccino, follows the story of Chris Gardner. In 1981, Gardner, a San Francisco salesman, puts all his savings into portable bone-density scanners. He promotes them to doctors and touts their convenience over regular X-rays. These scanners become a key factor in Gardner’s life. Despite being successful in selling most of them, the delay in receiving payments causes tension with his wife Linda, who also works as a hotel maid. As their financial struggles increase, so does the strain on their marriage, even with their young ...

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) is an action-packed film directed by Justin Lin and written by Chris Morgan. As the third movie in the Fast & Furious franchise, it serves as a standalone sequel to both The Fast and the Furious (2001) and 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003). In Oro Valley, Arizona, high school student Sean Boswell finds himself in trouble when he races against classmate Clay. Their cars collide, resulting in a crash that leads to Sean being sent to live with his father – a U.S. Navy lieutenant stationed in Tokyo – instead of ...