The Filmspotting Guide to the Archives

Michelle awakens disoriented in a sterile underground bunker, her leg throbbing from a car crash. Two men, the gruff Howard and the nervous Emmett, inform her of a horrific event: an alien attack that has poisoned the outside world.

London, 1949. John Christie is an unassuming, middle-aged man who, along with his wife Ethel, lives in the ground-floor flat at 10 Rillington Place. His demeanor masks the fact of being a serial killer. His modus operandi is to act as a person with a medical background, lure unsuspecting women to his apartment on the pretense of curing them of some ailment, knock them unconscious with carbon monoxide gas, gain his sexual release through contact with the unconscious body, then strangle the victim dead before disposing of the body somewhere in the house or outside area. His next intended target is Beryl Evans, a young woman who has just moved into the top flat in the house. Beryl's husband, Tim Evans, is an illiterate man who likes to put on airs. Already with an infant daughter named Geraldine, the Evanses learn they are going to have another baby, which they cannot afford to have, nor can they afford to abort the pregnancy. This problem, on top of the constant issue of lack of money in all aspects of their lives, places a strain on the marriage, of which all their neighbors are aware through the constant fighting they overhear. Christie will offer to perform the abortion for free. The difference with this intended murder is that Tim will be aware that his wife will have died, but Christie plans either to goad Tim into keeping silent since the abortion would have been illegal, an act to which Tim would have provided his consent, or pin the murder on Tim who would have motive. Will this change in modus operandi affect Christie's ability to kill Beryl, or kill her without detection?

When Norwegian scientist Marie attends a seminar in Paris on the actual weight of a kilo, it is her own measurement of disappointment, grief and, not least, love, that ends up on the scale.

A riveting courtroom drama that unfolds as a jury deliberates the fate of a young man accused of murder. Initially, eleven jurors are quick to convict, but one dissenter, Juror 8, challenges their assumptions, raising doubts about the evidence presented. As tensions flare and personal biases are revealed, Juror 8's steadfast determination to seek justice leads to intense debates and a gripping exploration of reasonable doubt. Through compelling dialogue and powerful performances, the film delves into themes of prejudice, justice, and the importance of critical thinking in the legal system.

Director Steve McQueen delivers a powerful cinematic masterpiece as he brings to life the incredible true story of Solomon Northup. Witness the harrowing journey of a free black man from upstate New York, abducted and sold into the dark depths of slavery. This film will grip your soul, shedding light on the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Based on a true story, this epic survival drama follows the remarkable journey of Aron Ralston who gets trapped between a slot canyon when a heavy boulder pins his arm to a wall while hiking alone. Portrayed with raw intensity by James Franco, the film skillfully captures the blend of desperation, courage, and determination that drives his struggle for survival, offering a powerful and visceral experience that will leave you breathless.

A band of samurai, led by Shinzaemon and played by Koji Yakusho, unites to prevent the tyrannical Lord Naritsugu from attaining power and triggering a devastating war in 1844 Japan. This remake of Eiichi Kudo's classic weaves a gripping tale of sacrifice, honor, and bravery as the group faces harrowing moral challenges while confronting a merciless lord.

The film begins with the idea that 25 percent of the people in the world who are incarcerated are incarcerated in the U.S. Although the U.S. has just 5% of the world's population. "13th" charts the explosive growth in America's prison population; in 1970, there were about 200,000 prisoners; today, the prison population is more than 2 million. The documentary touches on chattel slavery; D. W. Griffith's film "The Birth of a Nation"; Emmett Till; the civil rights movement; the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Richard M. Nixon; and Ronald Reagan's declaration of the war on drugs and much more.

"All they had to do was get across town." For aging NYPD detective Jack Mosley, this should've been his last assignment before a well-deserved retirement. The job was simple: transport Edward "Eddie" Bunker, a reluctant African-American witness, all the way to the New York State Supreme Court Building 16 blocks from the police department. Until it wasn't. Now Jack and Eddie are on the run from a group of corrupt and dirty cops, led by officer Frank Nugent, who will do anything in their power to stop them from reaching the Supreme Court. It's a race against time that may cost Jack everything he's devoted his job to.

In the throes of WWI, two young British soldiers embark on a perilous mission. Racing against time, they must cross enemy territory to deliver a life-saving message, averting a catastrophic attack on countless soldiers. Experience the raw intensity of trench warfare through this immersive, unmissable feat of filmmaking. Don't miss watching this movie if you crave heart-pounding action and wartime drama!

2 Jours - 2 Days follows two days in the relationship of a New York based couple - a French photographer Marion and American interior designer Jack - as they attempt to re-infuse their relationship with romance by taking a vacation in Europe. Their trip to Venice didn't really work out, - they both came down with gastroenteritis. They have higher hopes for Paris. But the combination of Marion's overbearing non-English-speaking parents, flirtatious ex-boyfriends, and Jack's obsession with photographing every famous Parisian tombstone and conviction that French condoms are too small, only adds fuel to the fire. Will they be able to salvage their relationship? Will they ever have sex again? Or will they merely manage to perfect the art of arguing?

The backup singer exists in a strange place in the pop music world; they are always in the shadow of the feature artists even when they are in front of them in concert while they provide a vital foundation for the music. Through interviews with veterans and concert footage, the history of these predominately African-American singers is explored through the rock era. Furthermore, special focus is given to special stand outs who endeavored to make a living in the art burdened with a low profile and more personal career frustrations, especially those who faced the very different challenge of singing in the spotlight themselves.

Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international cultural icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, the film examines what makes us who we are, and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.

After humanity uncovers a mysterious black monolith on the Moon, scientists realize it was intentionally buried millions of years ago, sparking an expedition to Jupiter to find its origins. Aboard the spacecraft Discovery One, two astronauts, Dave Bowman and Frank Poole, work alongside HAL 9000, an AI designed to ensure mission success. However, HAL begins to display erratic behavior, putting the crew's survival at risk.

In the aftermath of In the Mood for Love (2000), after losing Su Li-zhen, the love of his life, the journalist and author, Chow Mo-wan, returns to Hong Kong to write a book. Obsessed with finishing his new science fiction novel, Chow begins a series of romantic relationships with four different women; however, the more he tries to understand and forget, the more he finds himself haunted by his past. In his novel, a train sets off for a remote, mysterious destination in 2046, where passengers hope to reclaim their lost memories. Now, a maelstrom of beautiful and sad feelings, secret longings, and wild passions govern Chow's life, who's been trying to relive a life-altering experience ever since his doomed affair with Su: an emotionally intense relationship that has defined Chow's life and condemned his future romances. Has time stopped in Room 2046?