Silence Of The Lambs Meaning

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

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, who conceived it with Roger Avary. The film is a story of Los Angeles mobsters, fringe players, and small-time criminals intersecting in four tales of violence and redemption. The film stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis in the lead roles. It tells the story of two mob hit men, Jules Winnfield (Jackson) and Vincent Vega (Travolta), who are sent out to retrieve a briefcase that is stolen from their boss, Marsellus Wallace (Willis). The two men, as well as a series of other characters, become involved in a series of adventures, misadventures, and criminal activities. The film also follows the story of a boxer, Butch Coolidge (Willis), who is paid by Wallace to throw a fight; a young couple, Honey Bunny (Thurman) and Pumpkin (Tim Roth), who plan to rob a restaurant; and a pair of criminals, Vincent and Mia (Thurman), who are married to each other. Pulp Fiction has become one of the most influential films of all time,

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal who is sent to a mental institution in Oregon after faking insanity to avoid a prison sentence. Once there, McMurphy rallies the other patients and leads them in a revolt against the oppressive authority figures, led by the steely Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). He also finds allies in the other patients and eventually outwits the oppressive authority. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Nicholson. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

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

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme and released in 1991. The film follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she attempts to catch serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). In order to catch the murderer, Clarice must enlist the help of the brilliant yet incarcerated Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). In exchange for information, Lecter expects Clarice to tell him of her home life and help him escape. With the help of Lecter, Clarice manages to track down Buffalo Bill and save his latest victim, but not before being forced to confront her own demons in the process. The Silence of the Lambs was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a classic horror movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock that tells the story of Marion Crane, a young woman who decides to steal $40,000 from her employer. After fleeing, she takes refuge at the isolated Bates Motel, run by the strange and mysterious Norman Bates. As Marion's stay at the motel becomes increasingly more unsettling, she discovers the horrific truth about Norman and his mother. Marion's disappearance sets off a chain of events that leads to a terrifying conclusion. Psycho is often considered the first true horror film, and its influence can be seen in many modern horror movies.

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

The Shining is a classic horror film from 1980 directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The story follows Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer, who takes a job as a caretaker at the isolated and mysterious Overlook Hotel. With his wife, Wendy, and son, Danny, Jack moves into the hotel, where Danny begins to experience strange visions due to a psychic power called "The Shining". Meanwhile, Jack slowly begins to succumb to the hotel's supernatural forces, which lead him to become increasingly unstable and violent. As the winter storm closes in, the Torrance family finds itself in a terrifying battle for survival against the forces of evil that lurk within the hotel's walls.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a 2000 neo-noir psychological thriller written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The story follows Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a former insurance investigator with anterograde amnesia, as he attempts to track down the murderer of his wife. The film is presented as two intertwined narratives: one in color and non-linear, which is told chronologically; and one in black and white, which is told in reverse chronological order. The film follows Leonard as he struggles to find a way to avenge his wife's death despite his inability to remember anything for more than a few minutes. Along the way, he is forced to confront the possibility that his search is based on a false memory, and that he may be chasing someone who doesn't exist. With help from a mysterious figure, Leonard discovers that some memories last forever and that revenge may be the only thing that can give him solace.

From Louie Psihoyos, starring Richard O'Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Hardy Jones, Michael Illiff
Rated PG-13

The Cove is a 2009 documentary that follows a team of activists, filmmakers, and free divers as they attempt to expose the hidden and deadly secret of Taiji, Japan's notorious dolphin hunting cove. The film follows the journey of Ric O'Barry, a dolphin trainer who has devoted his life to protecting dolphins, as he leads a team into the secret cove to document the dolphin slaughter and the sale of their meat, which is loaded with toxic levels of mercury and other pollutants. The team must use stealth tactics to outsmart the local fishermen and document their findings with hidden cameras as they risk their lives to save the dolphins. The film is an emotional and thrilling look into the fight against corruption and environmental destruction.

From Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic science fiction comedy-drama film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. The film follows an estranged couple, played by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, who have undergone a medical procedure to erase all memories of each other. As their memories are erased, the couple comes to realize that their relationship is worth fighting for and that love is ultimately more powerful than science. The film explores themes of love, loss, regret, and the power of memory.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

Requiem for a Dream is a tragic psychological drama directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film follows four characters—Sara Goldfarb, her son Harry, his girlfriend Marion, and his best friend Tyrone—as their dreams for a better future become distorted by substance abuse and self-destructive behavior. Sara, an elderly widow, abandons reality to pursue her dream of appearing on a TV game show, while Harry, Marion, and Tyrone become consumed by their drug habits. As the story progresses, the characters experience the harsh realities of addiction, and the consequences of their behaviors become increasingly devastating. As their lives spiral out of control, they are ultimately left to face the harsh truth of their choices.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke
Rated R

A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 crime film written, directed, and produced by Stanley Kubrick, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Anthony Burgess. In a dystopian near-future Britain, Alex DeLarge, the leader of a gang of savage, teenage delinquents, commits a series of violent crimes in order to gain social status. After being arrested and convicted, he is subjected to an experimental form of behavioral conditioning known as the Ludovico Technique, designed to eliminate his violent tendencies. However, the technique has the unintended consequence of making Alex physically ill whenever he attempts to engage in any form of violence, even in self-defense. In the end, Alex must choose between his freedom and his humanity.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 drama film written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and directed by Gus Van Sant. It follows the story of Will Hunting, a young genius from a troubled background, who is discovered by a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). With the help of his therapist, Will begins to confront the demons of his past, and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with a young woman, Skylar, and learns to accept the help of his friends and family. Ultimately, Will learns to embrace his own self-worth, and find his rightful place in the world.

From James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves, Stephen Rea
Rated R

V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowskis, based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Set in a near-future United Kingdom, V for Vendetta stars Hugo Weaving as V, a mysterious, masked anarchist revolutionary who attempts to bring down the totalitarian government led by Chancellor Adam Sutler (John Hurt). Natalie Portman plays Evey, a young woman who is rescued by V and ultimately becomes his ally. The film also stars Stephen Rea and Stephen Fry as detectives Finch and Deitrich, respectively. The film follows V's campaign of terrorist attacks against the government, meant to avenge the death of his parents and inspire the people of Britain to revolt against the fascist regime. In the end, V and Evey succeed in bringing down Sutler and restoring freedom to the people of Britain.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Taxi Driver is a 1976 American psychological drama directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. The film follows Travis Bickle, a lonely and mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran, who takes a job as a taxi driver on the night shift in New York City. He spends his days cruising the streets and nights watching pornographic movies in seedy cinemas. His growing frustration with the hypocrisy and sleaze of the city leads him to plot a political assassination. As he begins to plot his violent act of revenge, he befriends a 12-year-old prostitute, Iris, and an elderly political activist, Betsy. Travis's attempt to save Iris and his interpretation of the world around him lead to a violent confrontation with his would-be victims. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning numerous awards and becoming one of the most acclaimed films of the 1970s.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert, Hanno Pöschl
Rated R

"Before Sunrise" is a 1995 romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater. It follows the story of two strangers, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), who meet on a train and spend a passionate night together in Vienna. The two quickly connect and Jesse convinces Celine to spend the day exploring the city with him and getting to know each other better. As they wander the streets, they discuss their views on love, life, and the world, and they find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. Over the course of the day, they must decide if this meeting is their one chance to fall in love or if their connection will last beyond their single night together.

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

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 cult classic directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The movie follows the story of “The Dude” (Jeff Bridges), a slacker and avid bowler, living in Venice, California. When The Dude is mistaken for an eccentric millionaire of the same name, he is drawn into an increasingly chaotic and farcical series of misadventures. Along the way, The Dude encounters a host of quirky characters, including a hostile millionaire (David Huddleston), a diabolical porn producer (Ben Gazzara), a mysterious cowboy stranger named “The Stranger” (Sam Elliott), and a group of German nihilists led by “The Big Lebowski” (John Goodman). With the help of his bowling buddies (John Turturro and Steve Buscemi), The Dude races to unravel the mystery and put the pieces of his life back together.

From Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles
Rated PG

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams. Set in 1959 at the fictional elite conservative Vermont boarding school Welton Academy, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. The film received critical acclaim and was a box office success. The story follows the new English teacher, John Keating (Williams), as he encourages his students to look at poetry with a different perspective and to make their lives extraordinary. He uses unconventional methods to inspire his students to stand up for themselves and express their true feelings. He also encourages them to question conventional values, to pursue their passions, and to "make their lives extraordinary". The film is narrated by Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke), who is one of the students in Keating's class. His friends Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Richard Cameron (Dylan Kussman), Charlie Dalton (Gale Hansen) and George "Knox" Oswald (Josh Charles) are all inspired by Keating's teaching and form a secret club called the Dead Poets Society. The club meets secretly in a nearby cave and recite poetry and read about the lives of famous poets. The boys' newfound freedom and autonomy

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is a biographical drama directed by Sean Penn and based on Jon Krakauer's best-selling non-fiction book. The film follows the true story of Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch), a young man from a comfortable middle-class family who gives away all of his money, burns all of his possessions, and sets off on a journey of self-discovery and exploration in the American wilderness. As Christopher travels across the country, he meets a variety of interesting people with whom he shares his story, and he discovers a new way of life that leads him to the ultimate destination of his journey, Alaska. Along the way, Christopher learns important lessons about life, friendship, and the power of nature, and ultimately discovers the true meaning of happiness and freedom. Ultimately, Christopher's journey leads him to an untimely and tragic end, but the film leaves viewers with a lasting impression of his life and his courage and exploration of the unknown.

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

Mulholland Drive is a surreal neo-noir mystery film directed by David Lynch. It follows the mysterious story of Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), an aspiring young actress who moves to Hollywood and meets a woman (Laura Harring) who has lost her memory. Along the way, they discover a bizarre and surreal dreamscape filled with secrets, strange characters and unsolved mysteries. As their investigation deepens, they unravel a complex web of deceit, lies and betrayals that ultimately leads to a startling and unexpected conclusion. Mulholland Drive is a captivating and mind-bending exploration of the dark side of Hollywood, as well as of identity, dreams and the power of the subconscious.

From Henry Selick, starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey
Rated PG

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion musical fantasy horror film directed by Henry Selick and produced/co-written by Tim Burton. The story follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who is bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the "real world." When he accidentally opens a portal to Christmas Town, he decides to give the Holidays a try. He and his rag-tag group of friends make a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and take over the role of delivering presents to the world's children. However, their bumbling attempts to do so only lead to chaos and confusion. In the end, Jack learns the true meaning of Christmas and is able to bring joy and peace to Halloween Town.

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

Boogie Nights is a 1997 drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. It follows the rise and fall of the career of a young porn star, Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) who adopts the stage name "Dirk Diggler", from its beginnings in 1977 to its decline in the 1980s. The film also follows the characters surrounding Eddie, including his best friend, fellow porn star Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly), producer Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), and porn star Amber Waves (Julianne Moore). As Eddie begins to experience success in the porn industry, he finds himself struggling with the pressures of his newfound fame and fortune, along with the loyalty of his friends and the rivalries of others in the industry. Boogie Nights is an acclaimed drama that explores the excesses of the porn industry in the '70s and '80s, and the consequences of fame and fortune on its stars. With a star-studded cast, the film received numerous accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Burt Reynolds) and Best Original Screenplay (Paul Thomas Anderson).

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond
Rated R

Brazil is a darkly comic dystopian sci-fi film directed by Terry Gilliam and released in 1985. The story follows lowly bureaucrat Sam Lowry, a daydreamer who finds himself struggling against a nightmarish bureaucracy as he attempts to track down a mysterious woman he keeps dreaming about. With his life spiraling out of control, Sam must eventually come to terms with his place in a world of chaos and corruption. Along the way, he must confront a society that is built on a totalitarian surveillance state and a culture of mindless conformity. The film is a scathing satire of modern society, and its themes remain incredibly relevant today.

From John Hughes, starring Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
Rated R

The Breakfast Club is a 1985 American teen comedy-drama film written and directed by John Hughes. It follows five high school students—a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal—who meet for Saturday detention and find themselves interacting with each other in unexpected ways. As the day progresses, they learn more about each other and their outlooks on life, eventually forming a bond that lasts long after detention is over. The film is widely regarded as a seminal coming-of-age film for adolescents, and is considered to be one of Hughes' greatest works.

From Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Rated R

Lost in Translation is a 2003 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola. The film stars Bill Murray as Bob Harris, an aging American movie star who befriends college graduate Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) in a Tokyo hotel. Despite their age and language differences, the two form a bond while discovering the city together. As their friendship deepens, Bob and Charlotte each find solace in the other's company and confront the bittersweet nature of life. The film explores themes of alienation, identity, and human connection in its depiction of the two characters struggling to find meaning in a foreign place.

From Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm
Rated PG-13

The Fifth Element is a 1997 sci-fi action film directed by Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Milla Jovovich. Set in the 23rd century, the film follows a cab driver named Korben Dallas (Willis) who, after becoming involuntarily involved in a mission, helps save the world by finding the mysterious Fifth Element. The world is threatened by a powerful force known as "the Great Evil," which is set to return to the planet every 5,000 years. To combat this, an ancient race of priests creates four magical stones, each representing an element: fire, water, earth, and air. The stones combine to form the Fifth Element, a powerful weapon that can destroy the Great Evil. But before the element can be used, it must be found. The search leads Korben and his companions on a wild and often dangerous adventure. Along the way, they must outwit a criminal mastermind, face a powerful military force, and confront a mysterious and beautiful woman named Leeloo (Jovovich). It is up to them to find the Fifth Element before it is too late and the world is destroyed.

From Directors: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Melora Walters, Elden Henson
Rated R

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 psychological thriller directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. The film stars Ashton Kutcher as Evan Treborn, a young man with a troubled past who discovers he has the power to travel back in time and change events in his life. As he continues to alter the past, however, he realizes that the changes have far-reaching and sometimes catastrophic consequences, leading him to question whether he should continue to use his power. As Evan struggles to control his power, he must contend with a dark secret from his childhood and grapple with the consequences of his actions. The Butterfly Effect is a compelling exploration of the power of free will and the ramifications of time travel.