Sony Pictures Classics (USA): 6

Truth (2015) is an American biographical political drama film written and directed by James Vanderbilt in his directorial debut. It is based on American television news producer Mary Mapes’s memoir Truth and Duty: The Press, the President and the Privilege of Power, which recounts the events leading up to the 2004 presidential election. As producer of 60 Minutes Wednesday, Mary Mapes and her team, consisting of Mike Smith, Lucy Scott, and Colonel Roger Charles, investigate allegations that George W. Bush received preferential treatment during his military ...

The Indonesian action thriller, The Raid 2 (2014), was written, directed, and edited by Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans. Following his successful takedown of his boss in the previous film, Rama’s brother seeks to help him take down Jakarta gang boss Andi. However, before they can do so, Andi is captured and executed by another criminal called Bejo. Meanwhile, Rama brings his injured squadmate Bowo and corrupt superior Lt. Wahyu to meet with Lt. Bunawar from the internal investigation unit. While Bunawar sends Bowo for treatment, he has Wahyu killed under the guise of keeping Rama safe from other corrupt officers. He ...

The film Inside Job (2010), directed by Charles Ferguson, delves into the financial crisis of the late-2000s. It received high praise from critics for its well-paced storytelling, thorough research, and clear explanation of complex concepts. The documentary was even showcased at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May 2010 and went on to win Best Documentary Feature at the 83rd Academy Awards on February 27, 2011. Through examining the effects of Iceland’s government deregulation in 2000, including privatizing its banks, the film sheds light on how the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and collapse of AIG led to a ...

In the American comedy film Whatever Works (2009), directed and written by Woody Allen, Boris Yelnikoff is a cynical and misanthropic chess teacher. He used to be a quantum mechanics professor at Columbia University before getting divorced. Boris tends to keep to himself and only has three friends and students he interacts with. He can be condescending towards those who don’t match his intelligence level. Additionally, he frequently sings “Happy Birthday” while washing his hands throughout the film. One night, when Boris returns home, he finds Melody, a simpleminded 21-year-old, at his front door. ...

Layer Cake (2004), a British crime film, marked the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughn. The screenplay was adapted by J. J. Connolly from his novel of the same name. The story follows XXXX (an unidentified character), a London cocaine dealer known for his aversion to violence and business-like approach. His trusted colleagues include Morty, his enforcer and partner, and Gene, an Irish gangster who maintains a relationship with mob boss Jimmy Price. Despite his plans to retire from the criminal world, XXXX is summoned by Jimmy for a lunch meeting where he is given two ...

Laurel Canyon (2002), an American drama film written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko, follows the story of newly engaged couple Sam and Alex as they embark on a move to Los Angeles in pursuit of career opportunities. Sam, a recently graduated medical student, is starting his residency in psychiatry, while Alex is nearing completion of her Ph.D. dissertation on genomics. The plan was for the couple to stay at Sam’s mother Jane’s vacant home in the eccentric Laurel Canyon area of the city. However, their plans are thrown off when they arrive to find Jane still there, caught up in a passionate love affair with ...