- Encino Man (1992)- “Encino Man” is a 1992 comedy film directed by Les Mayfield and starring Sean Astin, Brendan Fraser, and Pauly Shore. The film tells the story of two high school seniors, Dave (played by Astin) and Stoney (played by Shore), who unearth a frozen caveman (played by Fraser) while digging a swimming pool in Dave’s backyard in Encino, California. They thaw him out and attempt to integrate him into modern-day society.
The caveman, who is named Link, quickly becomes popular at school due to his impressive physical abilities and lack of inhibitions. However, his presence also causes several problems for Dave and Stoney, as they struggle to keep Link’s true identity a secret and help him navigate the complexities of modern life.
- The Goonies (1985)- “The Goonies” is a 1985 adventure-comedy film directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg. The movie tells the story of a group of misfit kids known as the Goonies who embark on a treasure hunt to save their homes from being demolished by property developers.
The film follows a group of young friends, including Mikey (played by Sean Astin), Chunk (played by Jeff Cohen), Mouth (played by Corey Feldman), Data (played by Ke Huy Quan), and their older brother’s friend, Andy (played by Kerri Green), as they stumble upon a map leading to the treasure of the notorious pirate One-Eyed Willy. With the help of a local girl named Stef (played by Martha Plimpton) and a dim-witted criminal named Sloth (played by John Matuszak), the Goonies embark on an adventure through underground tunnels and booby-trapped caves to find the treasure before it’s too late.
- Shazam! (2019)- “Shazam!” is a 2019 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The movie was directed by David F. Sandberg and stars Zachary Levi as the titular character, a teenage boy named Billy Batson who can transform into a superhero with the powers of six legendary figures by saying the word “Shazam.”
The film follows Billy as he is chosen by the ancient wizard Shazam to inherit his powers and become the champion of good in the world. With the help of his foster brother Freddy (played by Jack Dylan Grazer), Billy learns how to use his newfound powers while also dealing with the challenges of being a teenager.
- Scream 4 (2011)- “Scream 4” is a 2011 horror film and the fourth installment in the “Scream” franchise. The movie was directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, who also wrote the previous films in the series.
The film takes place ten years after the events of the previous movie, with the main character Sidney Prescott (played by Neve Campbell) returning to her hometown of Woodsboro to promote her new book. However, her arrival coincides with a new series of murders committed by a new Ghostface killer, who seems to be targeting Sidney and her friends once again.
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)- “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is a 2019 comedy-drama film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Al Pacino.
The film takes place in 1969 Los Angeles and centers around two fictional characters: Rick Dalton (played by DiCaprio), a fading Hollywood actor who is struggling to find work, and his stunt double and best friend Cliff Booth (played by Pitt). The two men navigate the changing landscape of the movie industry and the countercultural revolution of the era, all while living next door to the real-life actress Sharon Tate (played by Robbie).
- History of the World: Part I (1981)- “The History of the World Part I” is a comedy film directed by Mel Brooks, which was released in 1981. The movie is a satirical take on historical events and features various comedic skits that parody different periods of history, from the Stone Age to the French Revolution.
The movie is divided into several segments, each of which focuses on a different era in history. The segments include “The Dawn of Man,” “The Old Testament,” “The Roman Empire,” “The Spanish Inquisition,” “The French Revolution,” and “The End of the World.” Each segment features different characters and comedic situations that playoff historical events and stereotypes.
- This is Where I Leave You (2014)- “This Is Where I Leave You” is a comedy-drama film directed by Shawn Levy, which was released in 2014. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Jonathan Tropper and features an ensemble cast including Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Jane Fonda, and Corey Stoll.
The plot of the movie centers around the Altman family, who come together to sit shiva after the death of their patriarch. Over the course of seven days, the family members must confront their past, their relationships with one another, and their own personal demons.
Jason Bateman plays the lead character, Judd Altman, who is struggling with the collapse of his marriage and the death of his father. Tina Fey plays his sister, Wendy, who is dealing with the challenges of motherhood and a failing marriage. Adam Driver plays their younger brother, Phillip, who is a perpetual man-child with commitment issues. Jane Fonda plays their mother, Hillary, a successful author who is trying to come to terms with her own mortality.
- The Gentleman (2019)- “The Gentlemen” is a crime-comedy film directed by Guy Ritchie, which was released in 2019. The movie features an ensemble cast including Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, and Colin Farrell.
The plot of the movie revolves around Mickey Pearson, a wealthy and successful marijuana kingpin in London, who decides to retire and sell his business. However, his plans are complicated by a cast of eccentric and dangerous characters, including a rival drug lord, a tabloid journalist, and a group of young gangsters looking to muscle in on his territory.
Matthew McConaughey plays the lead character, Mickey Pearson, who is trying to extricate himself from the criminal underworld and start a new life. Charlie Hunnam plays his right-hand man, Ray, who helps him navigate the treacherous waters of the London drug trade. Henry Golding plays a ruthless gangster named Dry Eye, who is trying to take over Mickey’s business. Michelle Dockery plays Rosalind, Mickey’s wife, who is a tough and savvy businesswoman in her own right.
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)- “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, which was released in 2013. The movie is based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort, a former stockbroker who was convicted of securities fraud and money laundering in the late 1990s.
The plot of the movie follows the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who starts as a young and ambitious stockbroker on Wall Street and quickly becomes involved in a world of greed, excess, and corruption. Along with his partner, Donnie Azoff, played by Jonah Hill, Belfort founds his own brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, and becomes incredibly wealthy by defrauding investors through illegal means.
- Knives Out (2019)- “Knives Out” is a murder mystery film directed by Rian Johnson, which was released in 2019. The movie features an ensemble cast including Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, and Christopher Plummer.
The plot of the movie centers around the wealthy and eccentric Thrombey family, who come together after the death of their patriarch, Harlan Thrombey, played by Christopher Plummer. Daniel Craig plays the lead character, a private detective named Benoit Blanc, who is hired to investigate the death and determine if foul play was involved.
As Blanc delves into the case, he discovers that each member of the Thrombey family has a motive for killing Harlan and that many of them have secrets they would rather keep hidden. The film uses flashbacks and a non-linear narrative structure to explore the events leading up to Harlan’s death and to reveal the complex relationships between the various characters.
