by Robbie Jones 

Ask anyone who the hottest actors in Hollywood are, and one of them will always be Channing Tatum. Yes, Tatum is the man who’s got all the girls drooling, even more so this month with the release of hit stripper sequel Magic Mike XXL. Channing is back to strip off and shake what his mama gave him, but he’s actually got a pretty decent set of acting chops on him, so what better time to take a look at the essential Channing Tatum films?

Honourable mentions: She’s The Man, The Lego Movie, The Vow, Haywire and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (It’s not as bad as the first one) and I Wanna Channing All Over Your Tatum. Okay, so that isn’t a movie, but it’s essential none the less. It’s a really funny, catchy song with some genuinely brilliant writing. Seriously, if you don’t think “She likes to sing into my Mike because my Mike is Magic” is pure genius, we can’t be friends.

by Robbie Jones

Since 2010, the world has been a much happier place, for one reason and one reason only: The Minions. That’s right, those little yellow guys are officially the biggest stars in Hollywood right now. With the looks of Brad Pitt, the charisma of George Clooney and the talent of Orson Welles, the Minions have made their way to the top. They’re hitting cinemas this week with their all new film, named after themselves, so why don’t we take a look at the highlights of their already illustrious career?

by Melissa Haggar 

There are few people as adept at acting across a variety of mediums as Ian McKellen (Sir, if you’re doing it right). Whether it be theatre, television or indeed film, McKellen proves his talent and wins over the hearts of audiences (as well as numerous other awards) time after time. 


The release of the great actor’s newest feature Mr Holmes, has afforded us an invaluable opportunity to look back at some of his most memorable roles.

by Alli Kett 

Kevin Smith: The fan that now makes films.

 The comic book collector that sold his collection to fund his first film, and, brought it back after he made the money back. Smith is the film maker that fans want to be. His snappy dialogue, ability to converse about religion and sexuality in interesting ways, the low budgets and the family environment in which Smith makes films is an interesting microcosm of Hollywood. He is outside the normal system, yet, still draws in major stars such as Johnny Depp as Detective Guy Lapointe in Tusk, released today. In honour of the horror flick that is Tusk, we look at the best of Kevin Smith

by Cookie N Screen

Who doesn’t love Simon Pegg? Ok.So he’s made a couple of misjudged comments about film and geek culture that he has thoroughly apologised for. But before then and after (because look at his face, how can you not forgive him?), Simon Pegg has been the British hero of all things nerdy, comedic and emotional too. He has gifted us with a whole heap of unforgettable roles and has even translated his humour marvellously to Hollywood. Appealing to audiences of every age, Pegg is also a wordsmith genius who can write great films as well as appear in them. As he stars in one of the best British romantic comedies Man Up, alongside Lake Bell, out in cinemas today, let’s have a look at some of his greatest films.

Honourable Mention: Spaced and Big Train. Because they are television shows, as superb as they are, cannot be included on a film list. Though, I urge you to watch them. 

by Cookie N Screen 

Sam Rockwell is one of those faces that pop up all the time in films but people cannot quite put their fingers who they are and they're from. Not this gal, Rockwell has been, well, rocking my world for a long time now because the actor comes into any movie and makes it a million times better. The North American actor has dabbled in comedies, thrillers and dramas, adding another level of personality to proceedings and a lot of the time, stealing the show. Whilst the I’m With Geek crew may be polarised on how great Rockwell is, for the release of Poltergeist, we look at the essential movies!

Honourable Mention: The Green Mile because everyone needs to see that film and his manic performance as well as the underrated Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. 

by Cookie N Screen

Michael Sheen is not an actor. Actually, he more like a chameleon. He is able to shift and shape himself into these different role phenomenal but still enchants with his unfortunately charm. The Welsh actor has gifted us with some memorable roles from the good, the bad and the Prime Minister. Known for bringing real life characters to the screen and stage, he is also adept at fleshing out fictional and fantastical roles such as hopping around Wonderland as the White Rabbit or tearing down vampires in Underworld. Sheen also is an advocator for many chartities including Unicef and is active in helping bring youth to the stage. Which all means he is pretty darn epic. 

This week, he fills cinema, yet again, with his striking, visceral and transforming performance in Far From The Madding Crowd. But what movies are his essentials?

Honourable Mention: Or maybe Un-honourable? Because despite the shiteness of the film, the franchise is huge. So, erm, yes, Twilight: A New Moon.

by Jennifer Drewett 

There are some people who come into the spotlight of fame as soon as their career begins. Others have been working tirelessly for years and their fame grows over time and they establish an arguably more grounded career. One such person is a man who needs very little introduction in the nerd world.

For those who’ve been living in a cave with their eyes shut and their fingers in their ears, Joss Whedon is something of an idol to some people including most of the I’m With Geek staff for some of his work. His best known work is the cult television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the story of a young woman fated to fight the forces of Evil and protect the world. Whilst this reviewer could go on about Buffy for hours, this is the Film Essentials section. Throughout his work, Whedon has a knack for doing excellent character-based writing. His penchant for killing off loved characters has been compared to Game of Thrones writer George R. R. Martin.

To celebrate the upcoming release of The Avengers: Age of Ultron, let’s discuss some of the films Whedon has been involved in either writing or directing and why you should go see them (if you haven’t already!)

by Cookie N Screen

Tom Hardy is one of those actors whose reputation precedes them, a reputation of being difficult. It is all probably largely unfounded and unfair. Often, the limelight of fame peers onto your emotions and how you are, so much so that you come off as a bit of a knob, if you don’t entertain the press and audiences. Although he is aware of his own difficulties and how he presents himself, it’s still something clear when walking the red carpet or interview. That being said, he really is a terrific lad who creates some stirring films and ventures out of his comfort zone regularly. This week, he’ll be appearing as a Russian soldier in Child 44 and, in a month’s time, he’ll become a different incarnation of Mad Max in Fury Road.

So what films are his essentials? Let’s have a look. 

by Jennifer Drewett 

The issue of access to acting opportunities for anyone who isn’t a rich, white man in modern times has come up recently with James McAvoy pledging £125,000 to The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to fund talent for those under 25 who cannot afford the drama school fees and Christopher Eccleston pointing out in a recent interview that if he was entering acting now it would be so much harder for him as a working class actor. Inequality within the film industry is a definite issue but it definitely isn’t impossible to make it as an actor if you’re not from a high socio-economic background. One such examples is the talented Alan Rickman. He was born in 1946 on a council estate in Acton, West London to his unemployed Mum and his father who was a factory worker who would die when Rickman was 8. He ended up attending Latymer Upper School on a scholarship and would go on to get a degree at Royal College of Art. He ran a successful graphics design business he set up before his love of theatre got him to audition and get a scholarship for Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He’s worked hard to get to where he is and to celebrate the release of the film A Little Chaos which he starred in and directed, here’s an essentials list of Alan Rickman films you must go watch.

Honourable Mention: Die Hard. I’m totally aware of the cult following his character Hans Gruber received when Die Hard hit the cinema screens but there are two excellent reasons why it wasn’t included in the Essentials list. The first reason is that I’ve only seen Die Hard once many years ago so my memory of the film is limited hence I feel I can’t adequately comment on it. Secondly, and most importantly, these Rickman performances in these films made a genuine impact on audiences including myself. I felt they deserved commentary and recommendation on their own merits.