Movies About Luxury

From Quentin Tarantino, starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis
Rated R

Pulp Fiction is an iconic crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie follows the intertwined storylines of two mob hit men, an aging boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits. The film features an all-star cast, including John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Bruce Willis. The movie is set in a crime-ridden Los Angeles, and follows the characters as they deal with the consequences of their past actions. Through violent and comedic scenes, the film presents a morality tale which explores themes of fate, redemption, and the consequences of violence. Pulp Fiction's non-linear story and unique direction, as well as its dark humor, have made it one of the most influential films of all time.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas (1990) is an American crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. The film chronicles the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and the rise and fall of his involvement with the Lucchese crime family. The story follows Henry from his childhood in the 1950s, when he begins running errands for the mob. As Henry grows older, he works his way up the ranks of the family, becoming more and more involved in the life of organized crime. Through his close relationship with Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), Henry eventually reaches the pinnacle of his underworld career. However, he soon finds himself in hot water due to his increasingly reckless behavior, and the FBI begins to close in on him. In the end, Henry is forced to turn on his former associates and testify against them, leading to their arrests and convictions. As Henry's life spirals out of control, he must face the consequences of his actions and the life he has chosen.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror film directed by Jonathan Demme and released in 1991. The movie follows Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), an FBI trainee who is thrown into the case of a serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill". She turns to the imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant yet psychotic former psychiatrist, in order to gain insight into the criminal's mind. As the story progresses, Clarice is forced to confront her own demons in order to hunt down Buffalo Bill and save his latest victim, a young woman kidnapped by the killer. With the help of Lecter, Clarice must use her wits to survive and solve the case. The film is a tense, suspenseful thriller that explores the depths of human depravity and the power of the human mind.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter
Rated PG

Rear Window is a 1954 American mystery thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Wendell Corey. The film follows L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies, a wheelchair-bound photographer confined to his apartment in a Greenwich Village neighborhood, as he spends his days spying on his neighbors with a telephoto lens. When Jeff notices a man in an opposite apartment behaving suspiciously, he enlists the help of his girlfriend Lisa Freemont and his visiting nurse Stella to investigate. It is soon revealed that the man, believed to be a murderer, has killed his wife in a jealous rage. Jeff and his friends must find evidence to prove the man’s guilt before he finds out that they are onto him. The film is notable for its use of a continuous point-of-view shot from Jeff’s apartment window, as well as its clever manipulation of suspense and audience expectations.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a high school student who is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, where he meets his future parents and becomes his mother's romantic interest. With the help of eccentric scientist Dr. Emmett Brown, Marty must find a way to get back to the future and prevent disastrous consequences from occurring. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and learns that his actions will affect the future in unexpected ways.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a science fiction action horror film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver. It is the sequel to the 1979 film Alien. The film follows Ellen Ripley (Weaver) as she returns to a desolate planet, inhabited by deadly alien creatures, after drifting in space for 57 years. Along with a team of soldiers and scientists, Ripley must prevent the aliens from reaching Earth and destroying humanity. The film features intense action, alien gore, and psychological suspense, and emphasizes the bond between Ripley and a young girl whom she rescues. Ultimately, Ripley and her team are able to save the day and destroy the alien nest.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining tells the story of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a job as the caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies over the winter. Despite warnings from the hotel's chef, Jack's wife Wendy, and son Danny - who possesses "the shining", an array of psychic abilities - Jack arrives at the hotel determined to get some much-needed work done. But soon, the supernatural forces within the hotel begin to manifest themselves and Jack is propelled into a terrifying, nihilistic spiral of madness. As Wendy and Danny try to escape the hotel's grasp, Jack is forced to confront his inner demons in order to save his family.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent
Rated R

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 war-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The story follows two plots that intertwine during World War II. The first plot focuses on a group of Jewish-American soldiers, known as the "Basterds", led by Lieutenant Aldo Raine. The Basterds are on a mission to murder Nazi officers and terrorize them by scalping their victims. The second plot follows a young Jewish woman, Shosanna, who is hiding in Nazi-occupied France. When she learns of a plan to hold a high-ranking Nazi event at her cinema, she decides to take revenge. In the end, the two plots converge, leading to a climactic confrontation between the Basterds and the Nazis. The film stars Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Diane Kruger, and Michael Fassbender, among others.

From Godfrey Reggio, starring Edward Asner, Pat Benatar, Jerry Brown, Johnny Carson
Rated Not Rated

Koyaanisqatsi is an experimental film directed by Godfrey Reggio, released in 1982. The film examines the relationship between humans, nature, and technology. It is composed of a series of visually stunning landscapes and documentary footage intercut with music by Philip Glass. The narrative has no dialogue and instead focuses on the visual and audio elements, creating a juxtaposition of the modern world in a state of chaos and imbalance. The title, Koyaanisqatsi, is a Hopi word meaning "life out of balance". The film explores a variety of themes ranging from urban sprawl and consumerism, to natural beauty and the destructive nature of modern technology. The film is divided into three sections: sections one and two explore the imbalance of man and nature, while section three focuses on the hope of restoring balance. As the film progresses, the music and visuals become increasingly chaotic, ultimately culminating in a scene of peace and harmony. The film is often seen as a warning to modern society, and a call for balance between humanity and the environment.

From John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Rated R

Die Hard is an action thriller directed by John McTiernan and released in 1988. It stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, an off-duty NYPD officer who is visiting his wife in Los Angeles for Christmas. He finds himself in the middle of a terrorist attack by a group of highly-armed German criminals led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). McClane must use his quick wit and improvisational skills to take down the criminals and save the hostages, including his wife. With the help of the LAPD and a street-wise L.A. cop, Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson), McClane must find a way to outsmart Gruber and his team of criminals, while also attempting to survive the ordeal. In the end, McClane manages to defeat Gruber, saving the hostages and restoring peace to the city.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough
Rated PG-13

Jurassic Park is a 1993 science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. The film follows a group of scientists and archaeologists who become trapped on an island inhabited by living dinosaurs. The group must find a way to survive the dangerous creatures while trying to get off the island alive. The film stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, and Bob Peck. The film was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1993 and the highest-grossing film at the time. It was followed by three sequels, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, and Jurassic World.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American crime-comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows an amiable, unemployed slacker, Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, who is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski, a millionaire who is the victim of a $1 million ransom demand. The plot follows The Dude, his bowling buddies, and his interactions with the wealthy Lebowski family and the Los Angeles criminal underworld. The Big Lebowski has been met with critical acclaim and has become a cult classic. Its cast includes Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, and John Turturro, among others. The film's soundtrack features several songs by The Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a 1996 crime film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows a pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson, as she investigates a series of homicides in her small Minnesota town. Marge discovers that a car salesman, Jerry Lundegaard, has hired two criminals to kidnap his wife in a scheme to get money from his wealthy father-in-law. As the situation escalates, Jerry finds himself in deeper and deeper trouble as Marge unravels the mystery behind the crime. Ultimately, Marge is able to bring the criminals to justice and bring closure to the case. Fargo is a darkly hilarious and suspenseful film that was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi
Rated G

My Neighbor Totoro is a classic animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The movie follows the story of two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. While exploring their new environment, they discover a family of magical spirits living in the nearby forest. Led by the larger-than-life Totoro, they embark on an incredible journey through nature and meet a variety of other friendly creatures along the way. Through their adventures, the girls learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and discover the power of friendship and family. The film is beloved for its charming characters, gorgeous animation, and timeless message about the importance of nature.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Joseph Melito
Rated R

12 Monkeys is a 1995 science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt and Christopher Plummer. In a future world ravaged by disease, a convict (Willis) is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet. His mission is to find the origin of the virus and stop its release, but his efforts are complicated by a mysterious group known as the Army of the 12 Monkeys. With the help of a brilliant psychiatrist (Stowe) and an enigmatic scientist (Pitt), the convict must battle the Army of the 12 Monkeys, who are determined to protect the future of mankind by any means necessary.

From Katsuhiro Ôtomo, starring Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tesshô Genda
Rated R

Akira is set in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo in 2019, 31 years after a devastating explosion that destroyed Tokyo. The story follows a teenage biker gang leader, Shotaro Kaneda, who must save his childhood friend Tetsuo Shima from a secret government project that unleashes powerful psychic forces. As Tetsuo gains immense powers, the government attempts to control him, fearing he will become the next "Akira", a mysterious entity of immense power. The film follows Kaneda's attempts to save Tetsuo, and the complex conspiracy that threatens the city's fragile peace. Along the way, Kaneda and his friends encounter a number of strange and powerful characters, from a group of psychic children, to a powerful and enigmatic being known as Lady Miyako. As the city is threatened by chaos, it is up to Kaneda and his friends to save the city from the brink of destruction.

From Mamoru Oshii, starring Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, Kôichi Yamadera
Rated TV-MA

Ghost in the Shell is a 1995 anime classic directed by Mamoru Oshii. Set in the near future, the film follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a female cyborg and the sole agent of a secret government agency tasked with stopping a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master. As the Puppet Master begins to threaten the existence of the entire world, Major Kusanagi embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the hacker's true identity and agenda. Along the way, she encounters a wave of robot assassins, a mysterious hacker collective, and a powerful artificial intelligence. With the help of her team, Major Kusanagi is able to unravel the secrets of the Puppet Master and ultimately save the world from destruction. Ghost in the Shell is a thought-provoking exploration of the rapidly evolving relationship between technology and humanity, as well as a thrilling sci-fi action movie.

From Tony Scott, starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer
Rated R

True Romance is a 1993 action-romance film directed by Tony Scott. It stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette as Clarence and Alabama, two young lovers from different backgrounds who fall in love, and then embark on a road trip to California in order to sell a cache of stolen cocaine. Along the way, they encounter various dangerous and eccentric characters, including an actor played by Brad Pitt, a mobster played by Dennis Hopper, and a pimp played by Christopher Walken. The film features intense violence, twisted humor, and a memorable score by Hans Zimmer. It is widely acclaimed as a cult classic.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll
Rated PG

Strangers on a Train is a 1951 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It tells the story of two men, Guy Haines (Farley Granger) and Bruno Antony (Robert Walker), who meet on a train journey. Guy is a professional tennis player who is estranged from his wife, while Bruno is an eccentric socialite with a dangerous obsession. They hatch a plan to exchange murders, with Bruno killing Guy's wife and Guy killing Bruno's father. However, things don't go as planned, and Guy finds himself in a web of lies and deception. As the tension mounts, Guy must find a way to outwit Bruno and escape a fate worse than death. In the end, justice prevails and Guy is relieved of his guilt.

From David Lynch, starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates
Rated R

Mulholland Drive is a surreal mystery-thriller film by celebrated director David Lynch. The film follows the story of aspiring actress Betty Elms (Naomi Watts) and amnesiac Rita (Laura Harring) as they try to uncover the truth behind Rita’s identity. Along the way, they encounter a strange assortment of characters, dark secrets, and other elements of the dark underbelly of Hollywood’s dream factory. All the while, the film blurs the line between dream and reality and poses the question of whether our lives are predetermined or open to interpretation.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Luis Guzmán
Rated R

Boogie Nights is a 1997 American drama film written, produced and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film follows the rise and fall of Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), a high school dropout who is discovered by pornographer Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds). Along with his friends and family, Eddie attempts to make it big in the porn industry in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As his career and fame take off, Eddie struggles to maintain control of his life and relationships. Along the way, the film explores themes of family, loyalty, fame, and the dark side of the porn industry. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Don Cheadle, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Heather Graham and Luis Guzmán. Boogie Nights was a critical and commercial success, with several Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Moore.

From John Landis, starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Cab Calloway, John Candy
Rated R

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 American musical comedy directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, two brothers on a "mission from God" to save an orphanage. The film follows the brothers as they cross the state of Illinois, running afoul of various people including the police, a country and western band, a neo-Nazi group, and a redneck country-and-western band. Along the way, the Blues Brothers must survive car chases, a mischievous mall security guard, angry Illinois Nazis, and wily Illinois state troopers. In the end, the brothers manage to raise enough money to save the orphanage, but they also manage to make a few enemies. In addition to its comedy, the film showcases a variety of musical acts, including Ray Charles, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin.

From Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis
Rated R

Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 British zombie comedy film directed by Edgar Wright. The film follows Shaun, a directionless 29-year-old electronics salesman, who is dumped by his girlfriend, Liz. After a night out at the pub with his best friend, Ed, Shaun finds himself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Shaun and Ed must now use their limited knowledge of zombie films to team up with Liz and Shaun's mother, Barbara, to survive the zombie hordes and make it to safety. Along the way, they deal with Shaun's apathy, Ed's over-enthusiastic behavior, and the fact that the zombie invasion has caused the complete collapse of the social order. Ultimately, Shaun and his group must make difficult choices to survive and attempt to save humanity.

From John McTiernan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo
Rated R

Predator is an action/sci-fi film directed by John McTiernan and released in 1987. Set in a jungle in Central America, the film follows a team of elite soldiers on a mission to rescue hostages from a group of guerrillas. The team soon discovers that a fearsome alien predator is hunting them for sport, and they must fight for their lives to survive. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dutch, the leader of the team, along with Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Bill Duke among others. In this thrilling adventure, Dutch and his team must battle the alien, outwit the guerrillas, and escape the jungle alive.

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette
Rated R

Tim Burton's Ed Wood is a biographical black comedy about the life of the notoriously bad film director, Edward D. Wood Jr. (played by Johnny Depp). The film follows Ed Wood's struggles to become a successful filmmaker in 1950s Hollywood, despite his limited budget and lack of filmmaking experience. He is aided by his friends, including a cross-dressing actor, Bela Lugosi (played by Martin Landau), whom Ed casts in the lead role of his horror movie. Despite his ambition, Ed's work is met with consistent derision from Hollywood studios, and his films fail to attract audiences. Nevertheless, Ed remains determined and continues to pursue his dream, and ultimately his passion for filmmaking is rewarded. The film offers a humorous and affectionate take on the story of a filmmaker who is often considered one of the worst of all time.