The Last Emperor, 1987 Directed By: Bernardo Bertolucci Link to Trailer The film "The Last Emperor" follows Pu Yi's appointment as emperor at the age of three. He resides inside the Forbidden City and leads a protected life away from the rest of society. Pu Yi's power declines as China experiences political unrest, which results in his resignation in 1912. Pu Yi, who is still a teenager, comes to represent Chinese tradition during World War II, when China was ruled by the Japanese. He is taken prisoner by Soviet forces after Japan is defeated, and he is sent to the Chinese Communist Party. Pu Yi is imprisoned and retrained as he deals with the fallout from his wealthy background.  The movie explores Pu Yi's complicated relationships, especially those with his wives and court officials. He becomes friends with a kind jailer while contemplating his life decisions, which causes him to reevaluate his identity and place in Chinese history. Pu Yi adjusts to a new world ...

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, 2023 Directed By: James Mangold Link to Trailer The film is about Indiana Jones and Basil Shaw trying to obtain the Lance of Longinus from the French Alps. They are quickly captured by the Nazi's. Astrophysicist Jürgen Voller notifies his superiors that the Lance is a fake but that he has discovered half of a device called the Archimedes Dial, which was created by the ancient mathematician Archimedes. This device reveals time-based gaps and allows potential time travel. Jones, who is now elderly and lives in New York City, retired from Hunter College in 1969. Due to Jones growing depression and isolation after his son Mutt was killed in the Vietnam War, his wife left and filed for legal separation. The henchmen attack Jones and Helena as they are removing the Dial-Half from the college archives. The CIA helps Voller, who is currently employed by NASA under the fake name "Dr. Schmidt." Helena, afterwards discovered to be an antiquitie...

Haunted Mansion, 2023 Directed By: Justin Simien Link to Trailer The film "Haunted Mansion" is about Ben Matthias, who is working on a camera to find dark matter, meets and marries Alyssa, a ghost tour guide, and becomes fascinated by her faith in the paranormal. Ben quits his job and carries on with Alyssa's ghost tour when she passes away in a car accident. Years later, when Gabbie, a single mother, and her son Travis move into the mansion to transform it into a bed and breakfast, they quickly discover that the house is haunted. Ben receives a visit from Father Kent, a priest and exorcist, who requests that he capture images of the ghosts. Until he gets home and feels obligated to go back to the mansion by a phantom Mariner, Ben is initially skeptical. Ben learns that Travis, Kent, and Gabbie are also being haunted and are stranded at the mansion.  Ben and Kent hire the psychic Harriet and steal the mansion's designs from Professor Bruce Davis, an expert in haunted ...

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1, 2023 Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie Link to Trailer The film's opening scene is in the ocean, beginning with the submarine "Sevastopol". The submarine was carrying the most powerful computer in the world. Access to the computer requires a unique, two-part, cross-shaped key. This sets the scene for the plot of the rest of the film. A new IMF agent comes to meet Ethan Hunt and gives him his mission log while posing as a delivery person. Eugene Kittridge, director of the IMF, gives Ethan the task and tells him about the key and how it's being used for something possibly fatal. Kittridge talks with the heads of several intelligence services. The Entity, a quickly self-learning and intelligent computer system, is reported to have been involved in various attacks on networks, including the Russian sub. They believe that because The Entity cannot be eliminated, controlling it is their best option. The IMF group arrives at the ai...

Jurassic Park, 1993 Directed By: Steven Spielberg Link to Trailer The 1993 film Jurassic Park" is the first film to come out from the Jurassic Park Series. The film follows John Hammond, a weird billionaire who has created an innovative biological technique that allows the cloning of dinosaurs. On a remote island called Isla Nublar, he builds the Jurassic Park theme park. Paleontologists Dr. Alan Grant, Dr. Ellie Sattler, and mathematicians Ian Malcolm and Donald Gennaro are among the experts that Hammond invites to the island. The guests watch in astonishment as live dinosaurs are brought back from extinction using advanced cloning methods. Some of the experts express concern about the park's potential dangers and moral consequences. The group discovers the genetic engineering techniques used to create the cloned dinosaurs while taking a tour of the park. However, they quickly learn that the park's electrical and security systems are prone to malfunctioning, trapping them...

Jerry Maguire, 1996 Directed By: Cameron Crowe Link to Trailer The film "Jerry Maguire" is about a successful sports agent who has a life-changing epiphany that leads him to question his career and personal relationships. The film follows Jerry's journey as he looks for love and purpose in his life. Jerry Maguire is a successful sports agent who represents clients for Sports Management International, a renowned firm. Money, success, and winning at all costs are what motivate him. Jerry gives his coworkers an emotional and ambitious mission statement he wrote that promotes for a more sympathetic method of sports management. But his supervisor, Bob Sugar, mocks him and ultimately fires him. With the assistance of his devoted and lone mother assistant, Dorothy Boyd, Jerry starts his own sports agency after becoming unhappy and unsure of his future. Jerry is having a difficult time keeping his current clients and bringing in new ones when he launches his new firm. Only one at...

Jaws, 1975 Directed By: Steven Spielberg Link to Trailer The film "Jaws" starts off with, The movie begins with a young woman called Chrissie Watkins killed while swimming in the water at night by an unseen creature. Although her death is first thought to have been caused by a boating accident, Martin Brody, the town's police chief, believes there may be more to it. Chief Brody begins an investigation into the awful event and finds evidence that suggests there was likely a shark attack.  The mayor and other leaders of the town, however, are hesitant to admit the threat because they are worried about how it would affect tourism.The safety of the town is in danger as a result of numerous attacks, so Chief Brody recruits Quint, an experienced shark hunter, for assistance. Quint decides to assist in exchange for a sizable payment, and he teams up marine biologist Matt Hooper, to track down and kill the shark. The trio sets out into the ocean on Quint's boat, the Orca, in ...

Sound of Freedom, 2023 Directed By: Alejandro Gómez Monteverde Link to Trailer The film, "Sound of Freedom" is a film based on true events. It is about a man named Tim Ballard, he is introduced in the first several minutes of the movie as a committed husband, father, and federal agent. But the more he learns about the world of child exploitation and trafficking, the more his conscience tugs at him. Ballard is troubled by an ethical crisis after seeing the crimes committed by cruel criminals against helpless kids. He decides to leave his government job and pursue a different career after realizing that he cannot continue to be silent. He forms a private organization with the mission of rescuing and saving trafficked children. He creates a team of people with similar goals as himself, each bringing their unique skills and experiences to the cause.  The movie shows risky rescue missions taking place all across the world as Ballard's operation picks up the pace. Ballard and h...

Barbie, 2023 Directed By: Greta Gerwig Link to Trailer The film "Barbie" is about Barbieland, a matriarchal society where women are confident in themselves, independent, and successful, and is home to stereotypical Barbie and a vast variety of other Barbies. The Barbies hold important jobs like doctors, lawyers, and politicians while the Kens spend their days relaxing at the beach. Beach Ken feels that Barbie makes him happy and tries to get closer to her, but she rejects him because of her independence and the value of her female relationships. Barbie becomes overwhelmed with concerns about her mortality during a dance party. The next day, she learns she can't seem to accomplish her usual tasks and that she has cellulite and flattened feet (like regular people). Weird Barbie, a clever but deformed Barbie tells Stereotypical Babrie that she has to go into the real world and find the child who is playing with her in order to recover from her state. Then, Barbie discovers K...

The Taking of Pelham 123, 2009 Directed By: Tony Scott Link to Trailer The film, "The Taking of Pelham 123", is about a New York City subway dispatcher named Walter Garber is briefly demoted as a result of his participation in a bribery scam. So he finds himself in the Rail Control Center, directing the subway trains. One day, the Lexington Avenue Line subway train Pelham 123 is hijacked as it leaves the Pelham Bay Park station by a heavily armed group under the command of a man only known as Ryder. Ryder threatens to execute prisoners if he doesn't get his $10 million ransom within an hour. Ryder's main point of contact with the authorities is Walter Garber. As time runs out, Garber must use his social skills to reason with Ryder and attempt to prevent the situation from getting worse. Ryder turns out to be a crafty and unexpected opponent, increasing the tension. In the meantime, the city's police officers and the mayor of New York City are planning how to handl...

JFK, 1991 Directed By: Oliver Stone Link to Trailer JFK, The film, is a fictional version of the assassination on John F. Kennedy. It shows several related conspiracies by combining set up scenes with actual historical facts. The movie's portrayal of the events are a combination of historical truth and speculation. Jim Garrison, the district attorney of New Orleans develops doubts about the official story of President Kennedy's killing. On November 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald is soon arrested and charged with the crime after Kennedy is shot in Dallas, Texas. Garrison begins to suspect that there was a bigger conspiracy behind the assassination because several elements of the case do not make sense to him. Garrison starts investigating and finds inconsistencies in the official account of what happened. He starts to believe that Kennedy was killed as the result of a high-level conspiracy and that there was a second shooter in the assassination. He comes across several potential w...

Groundhog Day, 1993 Directed By: Harold Ramis Link to Trailer Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy film about  the story of a cynical weatherman who finds himself trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. As he goes through this interesting experience, he goes through a transformation and learns valuable life lessons. Phil Connors is a weatherman who is sent to Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day ceremony. Going with him are his producer, Rita, and cameraman, Larry. Phil finds the whole assignment tiresome and is mostly a self-centered and unpleasant person.  On February 2nd, Phil wakes up in his hotel room in Pennsylvania only to realize that he is reliving the same day. No matter what the day keeps repeating, and he is the only one aware of the time loop. At first, he uses the situation to his advantage, indulging in odd activities, breaking the law, and manipulating people since their memories reset with each day.  As Phil continues to ex...

The Great Train Robbery, 1903 Directed by: Edwin S. Porter Link to film The Great Train Robbery was a short (12 mins), silent film made in 1903. The movie is set in the American Old West and focuses on a band of outlaws who plan and carry out a risky train heist. Below are some major scenes that make up the plot: The opening title cards of the movie suggest what that the audience is going to see is a recreation of a real rail heist that happened in the West. The group of criminals that meet at their hideout to make plans for the robbery. They plan and talk through every detail of their theft, such as how they will halt the train and pass the security guards. The criminals begin to move as the train gets closer. They use a number of methods, including telling the engineer to halt the train and separating the engine from the other cars. Then they proceed to raid the mail car, stealing bags of valuables and letters. The thieves then steal from the passengers as they pass through the passe...

The Great Gatsby, 1974 Directed By: Jack Clayton Link to Trailer The film The Great Gatsby is about Nick Carraway, relocating to New York City in order to pursue a career in the bond business. He rents a modest cottage in the wealthy Long Island community of West Egg, which is located across the harbor from the opulent East Egg, where the affluent live. Here, the mysterious and wealthy Jay Gatsby and Nick move in next door to each other. Nick revives his relationship with his affluent cousin Tom Buchanan and Daisy Buchanan. It becomes clear that Daisy and Tom's marriage is under stress as a result of Tom's infidelity and Daisy's nostalgia for the past. As the plot develops, it becomes clear that Gatsby and Daisy had a romantic relationship before she married Tom. Gatsby confides in Nick and expresses his desire to rebuild his relationship with Daisy when he learns of Nick's closeness to Daisy. In the hopes that Daisy is going to one of his extravagant parties, Gatsby ho...

The Graduate, 1967 Directed By: Mike Nichols Link to Trailer The Graduate is a classic film about the life of Benjamin Braddock. He's a recent college graduate who feels lost and discouraged in the face of society expectations. Benjamin engages in an unusual relationship with the attractive Mrs. Robinson as he sets out on a voyage of self-discovery. His relationship with Mrs. Robinson's daughter Elaine, however, causes an unexpected turn in his life, creating an insightful investigation of generational conflict and the search for real love. After graduating from college, Benjamin Braddock returns home at the start of the movie. He struggles with an overwhelming feeling of insecurity about his future and his place in society as he is suddenly thrown into the adult world. Benjamin is unable to find fulfillment in the life that lies ahead of him, feeling distant and dissatisfied despite the celebrations of his academic success.  Benjamin meets Mrs. Robinson, the wife of...

Going in Style, 1979 Directed By: Martin Brest Link to Trailer The film Going in Style centers on three old friends who, after experiencing financial troubles in retirement, plan to rob a bank. Joe, Al, and Willie, the three major protagonists, are all retirees striving to make ends meet while living on low incomes. Joe, is informed that his bank has been taken over and that his pension will be significantly decreased. While Willie, has medical bills that he can't pay, Al, is facing foreclosure on his home. The three decide to take matters into their own hands and come up with a plan to rob the bank that's to blame for their financial problems after feeling annoyed and helpless. They carefully plot the theft, making use of their age to appear innocent and remove suspicion. The contrast between the old men and the idea of them robbing a bank is what makes the movie amusing. They successfully carry out the robbery while making an escape with the cash as they execute their plan. T...

The Godfather, 1972 Directed By: Francis Ford Coppola Link to Trailer The Film of Godfather is set in the late 1940s and revolves around the Corleone crime family, led by Don Vito Corleone. Don Vito is a powerful and respected mafia boss known for his wisdom and sense of honor. Connie Corleone's wedding serves as the setting for the beginning of the narrative.  Michael Corleone, the youngest son of Don Vito and a war hero and educated in college outsider, is introduced to the family business during the wedding. Michael initially wants to steer clear of the family's illegal activities and pursue a respectable job.However, things change when Don Vito becomes the target for murder by rival gangsters controlled by Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo and the shady police officer Captain McCluskey.  The Don is seriously injured during the planned assassination, so Michael intervenes to save his father and the family. Michael starts to reveal a brutal and cunning side as he gets more...