Troublemaker Studios (USA): 8

Alita: Battle Angel (2019) is an American cyberpunk action film adapted from Yukito Kishiro’s Gunnm manga series. The story takes place in 2563 on a ravaged Earth, dubbed ‘The Fall’, where Dr. Dyson Ido comes across a brain-attached cyborg while scavenging for parts in Iron City’s scrapyard. After reuniting the body and brain, Ido names the cyborg ‘Alita’ after his late daughter. With no recollection of her past, Alita quickly forms a bond with Hugo, a young man longing to escape to the opulent sky city of Zalem, and Dr. Chiren, Ido’s estranged ex-wife. Upon discovering ...

In the American sci-fi action flick Predators (2010), directed by Nimród Antal and written by Alex Litvak and Michael Finch, a group of strangers discovers they have all been mysteriously dropped into a jungle. Among them are Royce, Cuchillo, Nikolai, Isabelle, Mombasa, Stans, Hanzo, and Edwin. Led by Royce, who Isabelle suspects is a former special ops soldier turned mercenary, the group explores the unfamiliar terrain. Along the way, they come across strange structures and evidence of someone else’s presence – ...

The American exploitation action film, Machete (2010), was helmed by directors Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis. In the story, Mexican Federal Machete Cortez and his younger partner embark on a rescue mission for a kidnapped girl in Mexico. Tragically, during the operation, Machete’s partner is killed while the girl stabs him in the leg before meeting her own fate. To make matters worse, Machete’s corrupt Chief betrays him to powerful drug lord Rogelio Torrez, who not only kills Machete’s wife but also implies that his daughter may be next. As a ...

Death Proof (2007) is an American slasher film penned and directed by Quentin Tarantino. While cruising down Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas to celebrate Julia’s birthday, three friends – Arlene, Shanna, and radio personality ‘Jungle’ Julia Lucai – make a pit stop at a local bar. During their visit, Julia entices customers with the promise of a free lap dance from Arlene, under the condition that they call her ‘Butterfly’, buy her a drink, and recite a verse from ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’. The women are joined by another friend named Lanna as they ...

Planet Terror (2007), an American action comedy horror film written and directed by Robert Rodriguez, is set in Texas. It follows the survivors of a biochemical outbreak as they face off against zombie-like creatures and a corrupt military unit. In rural Texas, go-go dancer Cherry Darling runs into her enigmatic ex-boyfriend El Wray at the Bone Shack, owned by brothers J.T. and Sheriff Hague. At the same time, demented Lt. Muldoon and his team strike a deal with chemical engineer Abby for large amounts of DC2, a deadly biochemical agent. When Muldoon discovers that Abby has an additional supply, he attempts to capture ...

The film Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) tells the story of El Mariachi, who is recruited by CIA officer Sheldon Jeffrey Sands for a mission. He must take down General Emiliano Marquez, a corrupt Mexican Army officer working for drug lord Armando Barillo. Barillo plans to assassinate the President and overthrow the government during a time of civil unrest in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa. Years ago, El Mariachi’s wife and daughter were killed by Marquez in retaliation for a previous confrontation. Along with El Mariachi, Sands enlists retired FBI agent Jorge Ramírez to kill Barillo, who had also killed his former partner Archuleta. AFN operative Ajedrez is ...

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002) is an American spy action comedy film that was both co-produced and directed by Robert Rodriguez. Siblings Carmen and Juni Cortez are now full-time agents for the OSS’ recently established Spy Kids Division. Their main competition comes from Donnagon Giggles’ children, Gary and Gerti. During a mission to rescue the president’s daughter, Alexandra, the Giggles siblings outshine Carmen and Juni. While defending Gary, Carmen’s actions drive a wedge between her and Juni. At the OSS awards ceremony, Donnagon manipulates the president’s teleprompter and takes over as director of the agency instead of ...

Spy Kids (2001), an American spy action comedy film, was a collaborative effort between Robert Rodriguez who co-produced, wrote, edited, co-composed and directed the movie. Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez lead a double life as spies while protecting their two children, Carmen and Juni. Their work at the Organization of Super Spies (OSS) usually involves desk jobs but they are called back to active duty when agents go missing. Their prime suspect is Fegan Floop, a children’s TV host who has allegedly turned his victims into ‘Fooglies’, creatures featured on his show that Juni is an avid fan of. In their absence, the children are entrusted to their uncle ...