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 Cookie N Screen

Peter Jackson is affiliated with everything Middle Earth. You think Jackson and you are immediately going to think of hairy feet, wizard fights and a massive eye in the middle of a volcano. The Lord of the Rings and the subsequent Hobbit trilogy is coming to a close today. Unless Warner Bros. feels to need to lift the Silmarillion out of its dusty cupboard so we can have another 23,905,720,502 hour long series, we wont step our foot in a Tolkien based novel again. As some breathe a sigh of relief and others sob into their elven robes, let’s take a moment to look at Jackson’s body of work because he wasn’t always the master of Hobbitses.

Here are some essential movies for you to plunder.

 by Cookie N Screen

Eva Green is one of the most beautiful actresses in the world. I’d happily have you fight me on that but I urge you to find one person who doesn’t look at the exquisite French actress and gasp in awe. But yes, aesthetically she is stunning and she has proved her mettle repeatedly by exuding this enormous talent that is breathless in everything she is in. Whether it’s films in her native tongue or starring in mainstream blockbusters, she has those incredible fetes that truly capture the character that she is portraying. In her new film, 300: Rise of An Empire out on DVD now, she is battling against Lena Headey's Gorgo as a Greek Artemisia, on a war path with her many armies. But let's have a look at her best work.

by Cookie N Screen

There is no denying that Lena Headey is a Queen. Despite her murderous role on television, every transition she makes onto the screen just exudes acting royalty. Though her parts in films range from the banal and supporting to the incredibly powerful, her work ranges and she delicately weaves background, character and brilliant skill. The British actress now has a whole hoard of fans and critical acclaim building her entire career with roles in Brother’s Grimm and The Jungle Book as well as Sarah Connor in her own television series. With plenty more movies heading her way, today sees her reprisal of her role of Queen Gorgo in 300: Rise of an Empire – which is out on DVD today. But what movies of her's is the best, let's have a look;

by Cookie N Screen 

Very wrongly, in my adolescent brain, I had written off Julianne Moore. Manly because she portrayed Clarice Starling, a role immortalized by Jodie Foster. It wasn’t that Moore was bad either, it was merely that the portrayal beforehand and the story lacked for her presence. And I had written her off. Undeniably, I will bite my tongue and hold my hands up and say I was utterly stupid because Julianne Moore conquers everything that she is given, even in lesser films such as the recent outing for Carrie. Looking at her pure breadth of work, it is astonishing that she is standing without an Oscar but merely a collection of nominations. She is yet again poised on awards after winning Best Actress in Cannes thanks to David Cronenberg’s fantastic work in Maps to the Stars.

But what else has Julianne Moore excelled in? The answer is everything, but here are just a few.

Honorable Mention: Boogie Nights purely for not wanting too much PTA.  And melodramas The End of the Affair and Far From Heaven. But honestly, Moore could illicit a second list, these are just my favourites. 

by Cookie N Screen 

Mark Strong is a talented actor with a wealth of talent that knows no bounds. He has appeared on stage, on film, on television and even in the Jaguar adverts that brim with his sultry tones. The thespian has enacted villains and heroes, but mainly falls on the former side with his knitted brow and stern gaze that will entice, excite and endear. He has had a long history of movies spanning decades and will be seen playing opposite Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth in the new thriller Before I Go to Sleep as Dr Nash, an unknown presence in Christine’s life as she battles her amnesia. But promise not to forget these essential films.

by Cookie N Screen

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx has flitted between different genres of movies and music for a very long time. When he isn’t playing beefy action heroes, he is playing timid President. When he isn’t portraying icon jazz musicians, he is actually nerdy and awkward. He also sings and started off doing comedy. Plus, if you’ve seen one of these films you’ll know that he definitely isn’t lacking (to be entirely crude). Most recently, he has a stellar turn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Not only was he able to give normal plain Max an endearing quality that could induce second hand embarrassment but he was also ferocious as Electro. But before you get your mitts on the web-slinging DVD’s, why not have a look at some Jamie Foxx essentials?  

Honourable Mention: Dreamgirls but it was cut like Effie because it was too repetitive. And Law Abiding Citizen but that’s a bad guilty pleasure film. 

by Cookie N Screen

Last night marked that sad death of iconic British actor Richard Attenborough. Through 90 years of his life, Attenborough has been a staple of the film industry. Not only has he created some unnerving and stellar performances but he has directed some incredible movies too. And much more than this, but along with BAFTA, he has strived to teach the slews of new talented artists that come in hopes of becoming the best in the British Film Industry. He has truly gifted us with wonderfulness and he will be remembered always. With that in mind, let’s have a look at some essential movies that you should watch in his memory. 

by Cookie N Screen 

Jared Harris is perhaps a name not often spoken on the tongues of cinematic fans, which is a crying shame. Harris has been a household actor on this side of the pond for so long it is unforgivable to forget him. Born in London (and a proper London geezer, I can tell you), Harris launched his career straight into film playing bit characters in The Rachel Papers, The Public Eye and Natural Born Killers. He had prominence in television movies playing characters such as Andy Warhol in I Shot Andy Warhol and as recurring villain David Robert Jones in Fringe. His latest film, The Quiet Ones, is out on DVD today and Harris is a powerful driving force throughout. But why not check out more of his movies and get acquainted with the brilliant actor?

Honourable Mention: Mad Men and Fringe. He is bloody great in both of them but seeing as this is film, we can’t include them. 

by Cookie N Screen

Alright motherfuckers, it’s motherfucking time to give this motherfucker a just article. Yes, it’s Samuel “Motherfucking” L Jackson and thanks to the release of Captain America: Winter Soldier today, we’re celebrating the ultimate movie badass in our ever prolific Essentials section. Even though his bad language and brilliant (well earned) attitude has made waves throughout popular culture, making him more iconic than just an actor; Jackson is also an Oscar Nominated (should have won) actor who is able to transfer emotion and skill to his craft. Just give him a motherfucking Oscar already and let him continue filling our lives with motherfucking amazingness.

Motherfucking amazingness like…