Manon The Craft

From Damien Chazelle, starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Whiplash is an intense and dramatic film about a young jazz drummer, Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), and his teacher, Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). Andrew is a talented but inexperienced musician who dreams of becoming one of the greats in jazz music. After a chance encounter with Fletcher, he is offered a chance to join the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory jazz band. Despite his age, Fletcher pushes Andrew to his limits, pushing him to the brink of psychological and physical exhaustion. Andrew's determination and resilience are tested as he struggles to gain Fletcher's approval and recognition. As the film progresses, the relationship between Andrew and Fletcher becomes increasingly strained, leading to a dramatic and powerful climax.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan that takes place in London during the late 1800s. The movie follows two rival magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman). After a tragic accident, the two former friends become bitter enemies, each trying to one-up the other with increasingly dangerous and spectacular illusions. As the stakes become higher, the rivalry spirals out of control and both men are willing to do whatever it takes to top the other. The film explores themes of obsession, identity, and the power of secrets.

From Ron Howard, starring Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara
Rated R

Rush is a 2013 biographical sports drama film directed by Ron Howard, based on the true story of the 1976 Formula One season and the rivalry between drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda. The film follows the intense competition between Hunt and Lauda, two of the greatest Formula One drivers of their time, as they battle for the 1976 world championship. As their rivalry intensifies, each driver pushes himself to the limit and beyond in pursuit of the ultimate victory. Through shifting alliances, dangerous crashes, and personal and professional crises, Hunt and Lauda must go head to head in a race to the finish. The film stars Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Lauda, with supporting performances from Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, and Pierfrancesco Favino. Rush is a thrilling recreation of one of the most iconic and intense rivalries in motorsport history.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Rated R

Black Swan is a psychological horror-thriller film written by Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin, and director Darren Aronofsky. The film follows the story of Nina, a ballerina in a New York City ballet company. She is cast as the lead in their production of Swan Lake and must perfect her performance to stay on top in the highly competitive world of professional dance. As she and her rival compete for the starring role, Nina begins to unravel as she struggles to achieve perfection and is haunted by a dark side of her psyche, embodied by the character of a sinister doppelganger. In the end, she must confront her own demons to discover her true identity and the power of art over personal demons.

From David Fincher, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara
Rated PG-13

The Social Network is an award-winning 2010 biographical drama film directed by David Fincher. It follows the story of Mark Zuckerberg, the Harvard student who revolutionized the world of social media by creating the popular website Facebook. Through a series of flashbacks, the film explores the events that led to the founding of the website, as well as its ongoing fallout after. Along the way, it examines the impact of social media, the power of personal ambition, and the struggle between friendship and business.

From James Marsh, starring Philippe Petit, Jean François Heckel, Jean-Louis Blondeau, Annie Allix
Rated PG-13

Man on Wire is a 2008 British-American documentary film directed by James Marsh. The film chronicles the story of Philippe Petit's 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. With the help of a rag-tag team of associates, Petit overcomes numerous practical and legal obstacles to achieve his seemingly impossible feat. The film combines archival footage and interviews with the participants to recreate the planning and execution of the event. Man on Wire was met with critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Olivier Dahan, starring Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner
Rated PG-13

La Vie en Rose is the inspiring story of Edith Piaf, the legendary French singer and performer whose remarkable life was filled with tragedy, passion and resilience. The film follows her from her tumultuous childhood in the slums of Paris, to her meteoric rise to fame and the tumultuous personal life that eventually led to her death at age 47. Along the way, we witness her passion for performing, her struggles with addiction and poverty, her myriad relationships with men, and her unshakable faith in her music. With her signature song, “Non, je ne regrette rien,” Edith Piaf left an indelible mark on the world of music, and this biopic captures her remarkable journey.

From Alex Gibney, starring Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp, Joe Cairo, David Carlo
Rated R

Gonzo is a documentary film about the life and career of legendary journalist, author, and counterculture icon Hunter S. Thompson. Directed by Alex Gibney, the film explores the many facets of Thompson’s life and career, including his rise and fall, his drug use and wild behavior, and his eventual suicide. Through interviews with people close to Thompson, archival footage, and readings of Thompson’s own words, the film offers an intimate, often humorous, and ultimately tragic look into the life of an American original.

From Luc Besson, starring Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Rosanna Arquette, Paul Shenar
Rated PG

The Big Blue is a 1988 French romantic adventure film directed by Luc Besson and starring Jean-Marc Barr and Jean Reno. The film tells the story of two lifelong friends, Enzo and Jacques, who compete as professional divers in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. Enzo is an Italian champion from a humble background, while Jacques is a French champion from a wealthy family. As the two men compete to reach ever-greater depths in their search for sunken treasure, they also develop a strong bond of friendship and mutual respect. The film follows their story as they push the boundaries of human endurance in their pursuit of the deep blue sea. Ultimately, the film celebrates the triumph of the spirit over physical limits.

From George Clooney, starring David Strathairn, George Clooney, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels
Rated PG

From Betty Thomas, starring Howard Stern, Mary McCormack, Robin Quivers, Fred Norris
Rated R

From Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito
Rated R

From Alan Parker, starring Eddie Barth, Irene Cara, Lee Curreri, Laura Dean
Rated R